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Our Hotel Events

Celebrate the Holidays at the Inn

Celebrate the holidays with us at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club with a variety of festive events and dining experiences sure to bring merriment to all.

Annual Thanksgiving Buffet

at the Presidents Ballroom

Thursday, November 27 from 1-7 p.m. 

Join us for the beloved Thanksgiving Buffet served in our newly updated Presidents Ballroom and Foyer. Seasonal décor offers the warmth and comfort of home, but dish duty is on us. The Thanksgiving feast will include an array of traditional and reimagined dishes that embody the spirit of the season. Favorites from the buffet include the Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Prime Rib carving station, Roasted Apple and Butternut Squash Bisque, Pomegranate Glazed Salmon, Ashe County Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese, Maple Ginger Roasted Root Vegetables and Southern Cornbread Dressing. As the finale to a delicious meal, guests can choose from a variety of sweet treats. From our Family Pie Table including a Candied Pepita Pumpkin Pie or a Snickerdoodle Cream Pie to hand-crafted s'mores prepared at our Chef's dessert table featuring homemade marshmallows and all the fixings. A live pianist will serenade guests during both seatings, adding to the joyful ambiance. Explore the full menu here. 

We are hosting two seatings at 1pm and 4pm for you to gather with family and friends to celebrate and give thanks together. Families with a larger party should call 919.493,6699 to reserve a private room. Learn more and reserve your spot at the link below. 

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Third Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Lobby

Monday, December 1 - 6:00 p.m.

Embrace the magic of the season at the Inn's Holiday Tree Lighting. Step into the newly reimagined Lobby where every detail creates an enchanting yet refined setting for this community celebration. Sip hot cocoa and enjoy holiday cookies as you take in the dazzling holiday decor. The evening comes alive as the Lobby Christmas tree is illuminated, filling the space with warmth and wonder. The Victorian Carolers, a local vocal ensemble in classic Victorian attire, will add timeless charm, filling the air with lively melodies that evoke nostalgia and joy.

Sips & Centerpieces Workshop

at the Vista Restaurant

Thursday, December 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Add timeless elegance to your holiday décor with a custom magnolia centerpiece inspired by the natural beauty of Weston Farms. During an intimate two-hour session, Erin Weston, the creative force behind Weston Farms, will guide guests through the art of designing and assembling a handcrafted magnolia centerpiece using freshly harvested greenery from her celebrated North Carolina farm. Erin will also share the inspiring story behind Weston Farms and her passion for sustainable design that celebrates Southern charm and craftsmanship. 
 
Each participant will take home a custom 20” x 16” magnolia bouquet to display throughout the season. The class costs $125 and takes place in the newly reimagined Vista Restaurant. Advanced registration is required at the link below. Food and beverage will be available to purchase during the class. 

Register Here

Santa’s Jolly Tea

at the Fairview Dining Room

Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 from 2:30-4 p.m. 

Step into a storybook holiday at the AAA Four Diamond Fairview Dining Room, as the restaurant transforms into a festive retreat for Santa’s Jolly Tea – a beloved afternoon tradition filled with seasonal treats, sparkling décor and community giving. 

Enjoy a refined afternoon with a personal pot of artisan tea from The Republic of Tea, complemented by seasonal treats like warm scones, sandwiches, and handcrafted desserts. Little ones are invited to Santa’s Jolly Tea to enjoy a menu all their own, share holiday wishes with Santa, and pose for complimentary festive photos surrounded by the Inn’s stunning décor. Throughout the tea service, Santa will personally greet each table and spend time reading favorite holiday classics.  

Adding a heartfelt touch, guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to place under the tree inside Fairview to be delivered to Duke Children’s Hospital, spreading joy and comfort to local children in need this holiday season. 
 
Reservations are required. Learn more and book your reservation at the link below. 

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Christmas Eve Dinner

at the Fairview Dining Room

Wednesday, December 24 from 12-8 p.m.  

Celebrate Christmas Eve in style at the AAA Four Diamond Fairview Dining Room, where timeless elegance meets holiday cheer. Pause before the bustle of Christmas Day to enjoy the warm glow of twinkling lights, the shimmer of seasonal décor and a relaxing evening with family and friends. Area Executive Chef Troy Stauffer and his talented culinary team present a four-course prix fixe menu that balances tradition with creativity, featuring seasonal ingredients and inspired twists on beloved classics. From tender roasted meats to inventive sides and festive desserts, each dish is crafted to delight the senses and capture the spirit of the season. Guests will leave with a special holiday ornament handcrafted by local artist Heba Salama. Explore the full menu here.

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Christmas Day Feast

at the Fairview Dining Room

Thursday, December 25 from 12-8 p.m.   

Make Christmas Day unforgettable with an elegant dining experience at the AAA Four Diamond Fairview Dining Room. Area Executive Chef Troy Stauffer’s four-course prix fixe menu highlights the season’s finest ingredients while honoring nostalgic holiday flavors, adding subtle, signature touches to make each dish feel both classic and new. For families and friends, it is the perfect way to celebrate together without the stress of cooking at home. With its sparkling holiday décor, the completely reimagined Fairview Dining Room provides a warm, sophisticated setting for a memorable Christmas gathering. Guests will leave with a special holiday ornament handcrafted by local artist Heba Salama. Explore the full menu here.

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New Year's Eve Dinner

at the Fairview Dining Room

Wednesday, December 31 from 5-9:30 p.m.   

Ring in the New Year with elegance and festive flair at the AAA Four Diamond Fairview Dining Room. Begin the evening with a warm welcome before savoring a multi-course dinner that reflects Area Executive Chef Troy Stauffer’s refined culinary vision. Fresh seasonal ingredients shine in imaginative interpretations of holiday favorites, from indulgent entrées to irresistible desserts. A bold and thoughtful four-course menu begins with a caviar amuse-bouche and continues with exquisite entrées such as lamb loin with squash dauphinoise and duck confit with pumpkin emulsion. The completely reimagined Fairview Dining Room glows with a joyful ambiance, creating an intimate setting for couples or friends to toast new beginnings. Following dinner, the celebration continues at the Bull Durham Bar, where guests can toast to 2026! Explore the full menu here. 

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Holiday Afternoon Tea

at the Fairview Dining Room

Wednesdays - Sundays throughout December 

Celebrate the season with Holiday Tea at the Inn. This cherished tradition returns to the beautifully decorated Fairview Dining Room, where twinkling lights and towering Christmas trees set a joyful scene filled with warmth and charm. Offered every Wednesday through Sunday in December from 2:30 to 4 p.m., Holiday Tea invites guests to gather with loved ones, share conversations and enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the heart of Durham. It’s also the perfect occasion to capture family portraits surrounded by the Inn’s stunning holiday décor. Explore the full menu here.

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Hole 1 Par 4

Welcome. Our classic layout begins with a sweeping right to left dogleg that narrows the further you play into it. There is plenty of room to the right but too much in that direction will adversely affect your yardage to the hole. Swing your way just short of the neck of the fairway where your successful positioning should leave approximately 160 yards to the middle of the green for a nice two putt par opener.

Hole 2 Par 4

From the tee, our second dogleg is sharper and immediately suggests an advantage for those cutting the corner. Don't believe your eyes! Play straight away toward the group of tall pines. Rees Jones has given you a long green as a target but it is well protected with formidable right side bunkers. Any shots that are hit long will roll down a steep embankment leaving a very difficult pitch. Consider playing safely toward the left side and take your chances putting.

Hole 3 Par 4

What a golf hole! Thanks, Rees. This is an exacting par four which calls for a chess move off the tee. A straight approach to the throat of this small, shielded green is possible if you are willing to flirt with the right side fairway bunker on your drive. The left side is the safer route but it will leave you with a line that requires playing between bunkers short and water long. Either choice is challenging on this blue-ribbon hole. Good luck.

Hole 4 Par 3

Rees Jones has proven that great three pars don't have to be long. This jewel is framed by gallery mounds behind the green and is fronted beautifully by Dumpy's Creek. The short yardage invites a promising birdie opportunity if you can safely negotiate the bunkers front left and back right. Don't forget to factor the two tier green into you club selection.

Hole 5 Par 4

Duke's design starts your round with four position holes. Now its time for a power hole! You can clearly see the large right fairway bunker but there is plenty of room to the left. Just stretch back and let the big dog eat. Your long drive pays dividends in shortening your second shot since this green is flanked by bunkers on three sides.

Hole 6 Par 4

Location location location...the fairway sand line blends in visually with the green sand line to create an effect of bunkers everywhere. Let your opponents play out of the ninety three yards of fairway bunkers on the right. Your position in the short grass will be especially appreciated because it's all carry into another well protected, strategically contoured green.

Hole 7 Par 5

Here's your shot at our first par five but don't celebrate too early, its a brute. A prodigious driving hole where your best 300 yard drive can fly over the right side fairway bunkers leaving you a mere 272 into the green! For most of us, choices on the second are limited due to creek cutting only seven yards from the front of the green. Good news, if you can carry the green there's plenty of room long. Bad news, the real challenge is in putting this unique sculptured green that slopes strongly from back to front. Shots that end up above the hole will require the deft touch of one of our Duke Medical Center surgeons.

Hole 8 Par 3

Another great par three. Take a second look. The shot requirement is all carry over a monstrous fronting bunker...and uphill all the way to this three level green. Although you may not feel any wind on the tee, you would be wise to check the wind direction on the tree tops along the right side.

Hole 9 Par 5

Rees brings the front side to a close with a reachable par five that could yield a feathered vertebrate. The drive is straight away but will surely benefit from a right to left ball flight. The Washington Duke Inn provides a dramatic backdrop with lots of gallery locations to accommodate the fans who have come to watch you play. We know you're a crowd pleaser as you stand ready to rip your second shot into the center of this sizable green BUT, be sure to understand the errant shots missing this green will face difficult recoveries. A lay up short of the green must be played with care to improve your chances of leaving this hole with a one putt birdie.

Hole 10 Par 4

Congratulations. You've just completed the Jones' front nine and we hope you are headed toward your personal best at Duke Golf Club. This tee box is surrounded by gallery mounds but simply concentrate on your game instead of the crowd noise. The hole opens with a generous landing area and prefers a left to right tee shot moving away from the fairway bunker. The green is receptive and could yield birdie opportunities to balls landing in the right center of the target. Shots played defiantly left must fly the bunker knowing that anything long will be caught in a hollow behind the green.

Hole 11 Par 5

A truly strategic five par featuring a unique green design that is shaped into an "S" and literally painted into its surrounding landscape. A player's attitude and psyche will be molded by this critical turning point hole. This is the beginning of Duke's own "Amen Corner". A good score here can open up the entire back side but....This hole is reachable in two by smashing your drive long and left near the fairway bunker. Before you play your second and as you view your options from the top of the hill, take a moment to experience one of those delicious moments of truth that golfers relish. Any choice must factor in the cunning design of this green. Tom's Creek, protected by a bunker on each side which will require precision into the correct location. Regardless of your result, this hole is a golfer's delight. Enjoy this moment, its what golf is all about.

Hole 12 Par 3

Playing further into the 'Corner,' we arrive at one of Duke's photographic gems. You'll love this showpiece three par from any tee position. If you're playing the back tees, Rees has provided you with a peninsula green that provides challenge as well as aesthetics. It is a singular opportunity to prove your mettle. This hole confirms the fact that water has an uncanny ability to collect all those shots hit with hope rather than confidence.

Hole 13 Par 4

This short four par is simply outstanding. The Tee shot requires a premium on direction due to the trees and lateral hazards on both sides but allows an advantage to toy with the pond fronting the fairway. The ability to shorten the approach to the green even by one club might make the difference in hitting this diagonally designed green. Aim at the hollowed area in the middle of the green and forget the fooling with hold locations that lie next to hazard of every variety. Stead...play away please.

Hole 14 Par 4

This five par offers an opportunity to let the shaft out for all those playing the shorter tees. A back tee player is provided a slight left to right feeling on the drive and should play off the left side of the fairway. This hole seems like the calm in the middle of the "Corner" storm as it plays generously through our tree lined North Carolina landscape...until you are hitting for the green. Stay left in positioning your approach for two distinct benefits; you will be playing into the full length of the green and you might be able to use the built in ramp on the left side of the green to your advantage. This is our largest green and offers some tricky putts for all those who fail to land close to the hole.

Hole 15 Par 3

Just one more challenge before you finish Rees' "Corner". To compound your problems, this is the favorite location of tournament galleries because they can view the action on three holes at once. You are facing a slightly uphill, slightly long, slightly difficult three par where the wind can play a major role in your club selection. Swing with confidence, the green was built to hold a shot from a long club and includes a chipping bail out area to the left of the green.

Hole 16 Par 4

The inviting four par allows you a moment to enjoy the visual beauty and panorama from the Devil tee which is located on the highest point of the golf course. Any of the elevated tee boxes will give your drive extra carry as you try to land far enough into the dogleg to see the green. The short grass is lined with hanging hardwoods on the right and a series of fairway bunkers left and long. Your uphill second is played to a wide green divided by a slight ridge. Care should be given to the visual effect of short yardage created by the placement of the front bunker into the hillside.

Hole 17 Par 4

Through sixteen holes, the truly great classic golf course designs all seem to effortlessly take a player through every club in the bag and every corner of the mind. Then, with two holes left to play, the course demands a little extra to complete an experience found no where else in sport. Rees has continued in this classic tradition with his design of the seventeenth at Duke. A taxing driving hole, straight away but more, asking for both length and accuracy. Any tee shot other than long and straight will leave you with a real test for your long iron ability. Greenside bunkering creates additional hardship making this the most difficult hole on the course. Par is a good score.

Hole 18 Par 4

The eighteenth is one of the most challenging finishing holes anywhere. Sixteen yards longer than the mammoth seventeenth, it will also call for two very long and accurate shots to hit the green in regulation. The fairway slopes right to left so plan to land your drive on the right side for a clear second shot into this pear shaped green. Just imagine that you're about to finish the final round of the U.S. Open in front of a gallery of thousands. Your shot soars toward the green and lands next to the hole for a tap in birdie!