The little town of Roaring Gap is perched at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains, so named because of the morning mists that cling in the valleys and paint the peaks in purple hues. And all that natural beauty is the centerpiece of the Olde Beau Golf Club. This is pure mountain golf at its best. The holes rise and climb through the rolling terrain, with more than 1,500 feet of elevation change during the round. Notewrothy holes here include the par five 17th, which drops more than 350 feet from tee to green during its long, doglegged journey; and the 344-yard par-four 15th, which offers an 80-mile view (on a clear day) from its tee box. Obviously, club selection is one of the keys to a good round on this up-and-down routing. But even if your game is off, the stunning views and excellent conditioning of this semi-private facility will make it a memorable round. There is a lot of real estate development just off the fairways, but those intrigued with the place can also rent one of the cottages that nestle in the nearby woodsy setting. Gorgeous place, great golf. The best definition of a mountain gem.