Pinnacle Living Mountain Homes Magazine - Late Fall 2008 - On the 650-plus acres of Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club, colorful plants and stately trees create a welcoming landscape at this flawless Hendersonville, N.C. Location.

But dig deeper than the pristine scenery. The towering mountain ridges. The pleasant year-round climate. What you'll find as the defining quality of this amenity-rich community is one element: The people.

Here, an eclectic group of residents - from Florida natives to Europeans, retirees and second-home owners - form an almost instant bond. Not only as acquaintances with the same hobbies, but as caring comrades who rally around when fellow residents hit hard times.

And with a decidedly family touch.

For instance, when her husband passed away recently, a community wife found that, without saying a word, the men of Cummings Cove pitched in to keep her lawn fresh and mowed. Without ever identifying themselves to collect a thank-you.

The women are equally compassionate. As a comforting gesture, members of the community sewing club turn their talents to creating quilts for neighbors who are ill or lost a loved one.

"The people here certainly are our biggest strength," says Shannon Ginn, managing partner of Cummings Cove. "There's a sense of family here that makes me very proud of this community."

Joining the Club

In addition to the sewing club, neighbors have organized other groups for residents with special organized interests, such as golf, bridge and books, while others have formed civic-based organizations that take on charity projects or hold fundraisers. One such successful band is the Women Build for Habitat, which recently gathered to build a home for a Hendersonville family.Civic or social, each group makes the most of its time together.

A member of the Nine, Wine and Dine Club which plays a round of golf, enjoys a glass of wine, then dinner at the clubhouse, homeowner John Stocker praises Cummings Cove for great amenities that encourage such camaraderie.

His wife Linda echoes the sentiment.

"It's a really inclusive community," she says. "There's a nice blend of older, younger and middle-aged people. But no one seems to pay much attention to age."

After finding this winning combination of great people, location and amenities, the former Alexandria, Va. Residents never looked back.

The Place To Be

Like the Stockers, the four partners, including Ginn, who purchased Cummings Cove in 2005 knew the community was nestled in an ideal setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

"North Carolina is a step back from the pressures of the big cities," says Ginn. "When you retire, you want a place to get away from the stress. The best place is Western North Carolina."

Additionally, the community's slogan rings true: "Far from ordinary, but close to everything else."

Cummings Cove sits just 15 minutes from the Asheville Regional Airport, eight miles from Hendersonville's quaint downtown and 12 miles from Brevard.

According to Ginn, the community and its surrounding area provided plenty of activity - such as shopping, dining, theater and historic locations to tour - to satisfy full time-needs. Even more, Cummings Cove's moderate elevation, which reaches nearly 3,000 feet, created mild temperatures and beautiful seasons conducive to year-round living. Currently, Cummings Voce boasts 300 residents, two-thirds of whom are full-time residents. Ultimately, Ginn says the community will top out with about 600 homeowners.

Layer by Layer

In its first stages of development, this gated community focused on just a 300-acre area surrounding the fold course and clubhouse. But, according to Lorraine Nash, director of marketing and advertising, Ginn and his partners opened the remaining acreage in the higher elevations for the development of more neighborhoods.

"Because of the topography," Nash says, "each neighborhood and home takes on its own character. Almost any level of what someone wants in a home can be found here." So today, the community consists of a variety of architectural styles and types, including craftsman, contemporary and homes with a blend of structural elements.

One of the newest neighborhoods, Valley View Golf Villas, is surrounded by three golf course fairways and will feature 29 villas. Farther up the mountain lies Mountain crest, a neighborhood of custom-built homes tucked into a woodsy landscape. The area contains a mixture of single-family homes and villas with maintenance programs.

New residents Thomas and Jane Dupont, who moved from Kinnelon, N.J., found this area melded with their love for the outdoors.

"We chose our lot because it was lower (in elevation), had trees and privacy," Jane explains. "We have winter views of the mountains, but we love the trees during the other seasons, the seclusion they provide and the fact that he house faces west for sunsets."

Another major development, Mountain Top, will encompass half of the entire community. A 275-acre village, it is Cummings Cove's highest elevation neighborhood and has four phases remaining open.

The first residents of Mountain Top, Marshall and Nancy Howard of West Palm Beach, Fla., were attracted to the neighborhood for its mountain view, and plan the spend the majority of their summers there.

Building a Dream

The Howards heard of Cummings Cove through friends and found the lots were offered at reasonable prices. According to Nash, home site prices range from 175,000 to $300,000.

Like other residents, the Howards used one of the three preferred builders that Cummings Cove recommends, and has a pleasant building experience. The knowledgeable builders helped them plan a home that not only fits their needs, but also maximized the view they enjoy on their back porch.

"It's just a great community," Nancy says. "You notice immediately that the feel of the community is so friendly."

Like the Howards, the Stockers happened upon Cummings Cove through friends as well. Research added to the positive reviews.

"We found," says John, "that this always ranked in the top 10 best places to retire." They were hooked. The couple retired here seven years ago and enjoy participating in community clubs, as well as activities at nearby DuPont State Forest.

Just as others at the community, Jane and Thomas Dupont look forward to joining the fun at Cummings Cove, which Jane says exudes a warm supportive atmosphere.

After searching for a community for seven years, the pair visited Cummings Cove and "just knew it was right."

"It's like falling in love," Jane says. "You find the man of your dreams. Well, we found the community of our dreams." After working with their building to design their mountain home, they are set to spend their later year in surroundings that are perfect for them and the lifestyle they treasure.

Amenities and More

Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club offers residents plenty of ways to stay active:

The 18-hole, par-71 golf course is the centerpiece of the community. Originally designed by Bob Cupp, it was renovated in 2005 to add 1,000 yards. It features five sets of tees for all skill levels and includes three comfort stations with ice and water machines. The back nine offers spectacular mountain views.
The clubhouse overlooks the golf course and offers casual dining for lunch and dinner, along with bar and golf shop amenities.
A newly built sports complex includes an exercise room with cardio and weight equipment, a massage room, and studio space for Pilates and fitness classes. The rustic bark-sided building sits alongside a swimming pool, hot tub, and three tennis courts—two of which are hydro-courts designed for low-impact play.
The Social Center, located in a renovated farmhouse, is ideal for special events, meetings, and club activities. It features a full kitchen, dining room, and library.
The club also hosts holiday parties, mystery nights, trivia events, and live entertainment on summer weekends.

Check out Hendersonville NC Homes for Sale and Western NC Land by visiting the North Carolina Mountain Golf Communities in Cummings Cove.

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