Practice Day and Things To Do at Lu Mil Vineyard & Elizabethtown

Lu Mil Classic Practice Day & Local Events

If you’re looking for a chance to play the Lu Mil course before tournament weekend — or you just want to come throw a unique temporary setup at the vineyard — Lu Mil Classic Tournament Practice Day & Open Play is the day to do it. 

This is your chance to get out and throw the temporary course layouts, and enjoy the property at your own pace — whether you’re registered for the Lu Mil Classic or just want to come experience this amazing course. 

If you are playing the tournament, this is the best opportunity to get eyes on the landing zones, test your lines, and figure out what discs you’re actually going to lean on before the event.

Come solo or make it a full day with friends and family. The vineyard is a great place to hang out, even if someone in your group isn’t playing.

Practice/Open Play Day at Lu Mil Vineyard is $12 to play, with all proceeds going directly to Lu Mil Vineyard as a thank-you for hosting us on the property. The practice and open-play event runs from 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM, and registration is based on tee times between 9 am and 3:30 pm. Walk-ups are welcome but not advised; registration for Friday, February 20th, is live on Disc Golf Scene. 

You can register on Disc Golf Scene (click to learn more)

Make a Day of It at Lu Mil Vineyard

One of the best parts of Practice Day is that it’s not just a quick round and back to the car. Lu Mil Vineyard is the kind of place you can hang around before or after your tee time, especially if you’ve got friends or family coming with you who aren’t playing. Between the scenery, the tasting room, and everything going on around the property, it’s a solid excuse to slow down a bit and enjoy the day.

The Gift Shop & Tasting Room is a great spot to relax, warm up, and hang out. They’re best known for North Carolina muscadine wines, including classic Southern favorites such as scuppernong. If you’ve never tried muscadine wine before, expect something fruit-forward, smooth, and easy to enjoy — whether you like sweet wines or something a little more balanced.

Along with muscadine and scuppernong options, Lu Mil also offers a variety of:

• traditional reds and whites
• fruit-forward blends
• seasonal wines that rotate throughout the year

Even if you’re not a “wine person,” tastings are a fun way to break up the day — and it’s hard to beat relaxing at the vineyard after a round in February.

Trail Festival Weekend (Same Weekend as Practice Day)

Practice Day also lines up with the Bladen County Trail Festival Weekend, which brings extra activity to the area with outdoor events and local community activities going on throughout the weekend.

One thing worth checking out while you’re at Lu Mil on Sunday is a guided walk through the vineyard that starts at 2:00 PM. It’s a relaxed, easy add-on to the day — especially if you’ve got someone with you who isn’t playing, or if you just want to take a break and learn a little more about the property. Best part is that its Free!

If you want to see everything happening that weekend, the Elizabethtown–White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce event calendar has the full schedule and details.

Food Spots Worth Hitting (Disc Golfer Approved

If you’re making the trip for Practice Day or tournament weekend, having a food plan is a good idea — especially since you’ll be out on the property most of the day. Whether you’re grabbing breakfast before your tee time or looking for a solid meal after your round, these are some local favorites that won’t let you down.

Elizabethtown area:

• Barefoot Sandwich Shoppe - Tournament Sponsor, so let's show our support!
• Corner Cafe
• Melvin’s Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
• San Jose Mexican Restaurant
• Giorgio’s Italian Restaurant

White Lake area:

• Grand Regal Resort – several options in one spot (Dairy Queen treats, arcade, sandwich shop, plus San Jose Restaurant)
• Rondaveu Pizza – outdoor dining starting at 4 PM
• Ski Burger – daily specials + breakfast options
• All American Griddle – open daily 6 AM–8 PM (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Once you’ve got your food plan figured out, there are also a few low-key things worth checking out around town — especially if you’re making a full weekend trip out of it or bringing family along.

Things to Do That Actually Fit a February Weekend

It’s still winter in North Carolina, so this isn’t really “beach day” season — but it is perfect weather for getting out, walking around, and checking out a few local spots without melting.

A couple of easy options:

• Browse local shops in Elizabethtown and the surrounding towns, like Leinwand’s of Elizabethtown, which is a tournament sponsor!
• Stop by The People’s Emporium if you like antiques, local goods, and unique finds
• If you’re in town during Trail Festival Weekend, take advantage of the outdoor events and guided walks happening around the area

If you’re coming in from out of town, it’s also worth locking in lodging early. This event pulls players from all over, and the closer we get to the event, the more limited nearby options can become — especially around White Lake and Elizabethtown.

Where to Stay

There are a handful of solid lodging options in the area, depending on what kind of trip you’re trying to have — quick overnight, full weekend, or bringing the family along.

If you want to be close to the action and keep the drive short, Elizabethtown is the most straightforward option. You’ll have easy access to Lu Mil Vineyard, plus quick access to restaurants, grocery, shopping, and anything you might need before tournament day.

If you’re looking for more of a “weekend getaway” vibe, White Lake is a great choice. It’s a small resort/lake town, and even in the winter, it’s a fun place to stay — with food options and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Here are a few options players typically look at:

• Knights Inn Elizabethtown, NC (simple, budget-friendly, close to the venue)
• The Grand Regal Resort, White Lake, NC (more of a destination stay with multiple food/entertainment options on site)
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lumberton (reliable option if closer spots fill up; about 20–30 minutes away)

No matter where you stay, we recommend booking early if you plan to make a full weekend of it — especially if you’re traveling with friends and want to keep everyone in the same place.

Whether you’re coming out for Lu Mil Tournament Practice Day or making the trip for the full tournament weekend, this is a great excuse to explore a part of North Carolina that a lot of players haven’t spent much time in. Grab some good food, check out the local spots, and definitely leave time for the tasting room if you’ve never been to Lu Mil Vineyard. 

If you want to get a round in before tournament weekend (or just come play the course for fun), Practice Day is open to everyone — so bring a buddy, grab a tee time, and we’ll see you out there.