BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Golfweek has named Keith Hills Golf Club – home to Campbell University's men's and women's golf teams – among the nation's top college and campus courses in its 2026 ranking.
 
The list focuses on courses owned and/or operated by colleges or other campuses, with data pulled from Golfweek's massive database of course rankings.
 
The hundreds of members of Golfweek's course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on its 10 criteria (listed below). They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings on each course are averaged to produce a final rating for each that is then used to compile the Golfweek's Best course rankings.
 
Yale Golf Course in New Haven, Conn., topped the ranking while Keith Hills was tied for 36th.  See the full list of course rankings HERE.
 
Keith Hills Golf Club
Located along the banks of the Cape Fear River, Keith Hills Golf Club is one of the most picturesque golf courses in the Southeast. The 27-hole layout has been rated as high as the seventh best public golf course in North Carolina by Carolina Magazine. The Ellis Maples designed championship golf course offers a complete and exciting challenge to the golfing enthusiast.
 
In 2026, Keith Hills was ranked among the nation's top college and campus courses by Golfweek.
 
With large bent grass greens and rolling, plush fairways, Keith Hills is fun for all players. The par 72-6717 yard layout of the Orange/Black Courses, plus 9 more holes on the 3130-yard, par-35 White Course, winds through a golfing community set on the Cape Fear River, which makes Keith Hills one of the most picturesque settings in North Carolina.
 
Voted as one of the top 100 values in the country and as a 5-Star Award Winner by Golf Digest, Keith Hills has gained national recognition. Home to Campbell University's Professional Golf Management Program and golf teams, Keith Hills has hosted NCAA, USGA and CGA events, including a US Women's Open Sectional Qualifier and The Carolinian, which attracts top amateur golfers from the Southeast.
 
Campbell's men's and women's golf teams have combined for 42 postseason appearances (team and individual) and 43 conference team titles at the NCAA Division I level.
 
Golfweek course ranking criteria
1. Routing
How well the holes individually and collectively adhere to the land and to each other.
 
2a. Integrity of design (classic courses only)
The extent to which the existing holes either conform to the original design intent or, for those courses that have been renovated, the extent to which the holes embody a character that is cohesive rather than fragmentary.
 
2b. Quality of shaping (modern courses only)
The extent to which course construction creates design elements that fit in well and provide a consistent look or sensibility.
 
3. Overall land plan
Ease of integration of all built-out elements with native land including course, clubhouse, real estate, roads, native topography and landforms. Extent to which land plan facilitates long views of surrounds and/or interior views of property.
 
4. Greens and surrounds
Interest, variety and playability of putting surfaces, collars, chipping areas and greenside bunkers.
 
5. Variety and memorability of par 3s
Differentiation of holes by length, club required, topography, look and angle of approach.
 
6. Variety and memorability of par 4s
Range of right-to-left and left-to-right drives and second shots required, as well as spread of length, topography and look of the holes.
 
7. Variety and memorability of par 5s
Variety of risk/reward opportunities on tee shot; how interesting the second shots are; variety of third shots required.
 
8. Tree and landscape management
Extent to which ornamentals, hardwoods, conifers and other flora enhance the design and playability of a course without overburdening it or compromising strategic flexibility and agronomy.
 
9. Conditioning and ecology
Overall quality of maintenance, discounting for short-term issues (weather or top dressing); extent of native areas; diversity of plant life and wildlife.
 
10. "Walk in the park" test
The sense of the place as worthy of spending four hours on it.