Going to a golf destination with a fully open mind has its advantages. Such was the case when Golfing Magazine recently experienced North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands on a golf writer’s familiarization trip.
Heck, my mind was so open I didn’t even know exactly where the Brunswick Islands was, much like I didn’t know where Villanova, Rutgers, and Temple Universities were until I started following college basketball in the 80s.
As I quickly learned, there is not a specific place named Brunswick Islands, instead the moniker is used to encompass five distinctive islands and surrounding coastal towns including Calabash, Leland, and Shallotte on North Carolina’s east coast halfway between Wilmington to the north and Myrtle Beach to the south. Speaking of south, all beaches in Brunswick County face south as the Atlantic coastline juts down from its normal east facing way in the cool island town of Sunset Beach.
What I also learned is no matter which direction you head; you’ll be greeted by another magnificent golf course just around the bend. In fact, Brunswick Islands’ stellar website (www.ncbrunswickgolf.com) boasts the region is home to over 30 courses and 45 miles of pristine coastline. Even more amazing, over 90% of the courses are open to the public, making the area a haven for local and traveling golfers alike. As you’ll see I did a lot of living in a short time in North Carolina.
Day 1 – Booming it on a Fred Couples Signature Design
There is Northeast fall warmth and then there is North Carolina fall warmth. Higher humidity and warm breezes off the ocean make 60 degrees feel like 70+. Our first taste of Brunswick Islands was the classy Carolina National, a Freddie “Boom Boom” Couples Signature Golf Facility. The 27-hole layout is divided into the Egret, Heron, and Ibis nines, and all three are visually stunning and really pop during the twilight hours. The course has a certain flow to it, just like the rhythm of its designer’s swing. Plus, the prodigious clubhouse surrounded by a huge porch is the ideal spot for a post-round beverage.
Our home base for the trip was Sea Trails Villas, a posh establishment that features one-to-four-bedroom villas with a host of amenities including an on-site pool and clubhouse restaurant. The 2,600-acre property also boasts three championship caliber golf courses and is only 1.5 miles from the beautiful barrier island beaches. The villas were outstanding as they included a common area and plenty of space to stretch out after a hard day on the links. To book custom golf packages to the area, visit www.seatrailsvilla.com for more information.
Day 2 – Eat What You Caught, and Keep Playing with the Clubs You Brought
A 6:00 a.m. wakeup call was filled with anticipation, as our group was joining the Calabash Fishing Fleet for some epic deep-sea fishing. We proceeded three miles off the coast and let their skilled staff do 90% of the work to give us 100% of the joy of catching Spanish Mackerels, Bonitos, and even a rogue Spinner Shark, which we immediately threw back. The highlight of the morning was heading back to the Waterfront Seafood Shack where they prepared and cooked our bounty into one the of finest fish frys I’ve ever had.
Then it was off to The Pearl Golf Links and their stable of 27 championship holes. We got to enjoy 9 holes on the East Course and 5 on the North to whet our whistle for next time. The East is dramatically beautiful, especially holes 7 through 9, which typically serve as holes 16 through 18 during their daily routing. The 572-yard 9th is a titan of a par-5, with water impacting the hole all the way down the left side. An uphill approach must be calculated to a small green if you’re looking to make a par or better. I personally love 27-hole facilities thanks to the flexible they provide golf groups, so it was cool to play two of them back-to-back in Brunswick Islands!
Day 3 – 36 by Day and World-Famous Grouper Bites by Night
After a .2 mile bus ride from our villas to the Jones Course at Sea Trail Resort, our group was “jonsing” to play 36. The resort is home to three championship layouts, with The Maples, and The Byrd 18s rounding out the 54-hole property. The Jones Course is designed by U.S. Open Doctor Rees Jones, hence the name. The property was far more tree lined than the previous venues and gave off a Pinehurst type of vibe. Jones did an amazing job on the four par-3s with my favorite being the 6th hole, which requires a forced carry from 130 yards over a massive railroad tie. Make sure you have a spotter if you play this hole in the morning, as the low coastal sun was right in our faces.
Our afternoon round was conducted at River’s Edge Golf Club in nearby Shallotte. This is not hyperbole, as River’s Edge was the finest Arnold Palmer designed course I’ve ever played and the experience immediately went into my top 15 of all-time. I will even go so far to say for the price (under $80 for their non-peak afternoon rate) River’s Edge might be the most underrated and affordable course I’ve played in the last five years. Honestly, the final four holes on each nine belong in a museum.
River’s Edge Director of Operations Jason Monahan hears compliments like that all the time. “The splendor of these holes lies in the land they navigate,” began Monahan. “Sitting along the bluffs and tidal marshes of the Shallotte River, the unmatched scenery and coastal breezes will be a welcomed distraction. It is part of the River’s Edge experience,” concluded Monahan.
Their incomparable inward nine stretch culminates with “Arnie’s Revenge,” a sinister 540-yard, uphill, massive dogleg par-5 to the narrowest green opening on the course. “Arnie’s Revenge says it all,” began Monahan. “It’s a love it or hate it hole, but none the less playing it will yield a lasting memory! Golfers will want to aim down the left center of the fairway off the tee, carefully calculating the distance to the marsh to ensure optimal placement. The smart second shot should be played toward the bunkers across the hazard leaving the golfer with a wedge to a very narrow, deep green. The hero may elect the risk reward option, going for the green in two. They should know one of the greatest heroes in golf, Mr. Palmer himself, was not successful in this attempt. Whichever journey you choose will challenge the nerves of even the best,” stated Monahan.
Here is a good place to mention that every night on the trip we had a gourmet meal, mainly at famous fish restaurants right near the ocean. The Boat Landing Restaurant and Sharky’s are two must-stop options when the sun goes down! When at Sharky’s you haven’t lived until you’ve devoured an order of Fried Grouper Bites with their world-famous dipping sauce.
Day 4 – Straight as the Crow Creek Flies
Our final day in paradise began with a round at Crow Creek Golf Club in Calabash. I’ve always contended you want your last round of a trip at a fun course that won’t overly beat you up and Crow Creek checked all those boxes. Trust me, it was no pushover by any stretch, but the trouble was out in front of you and could be navigated through proper aim and strategy. Once again, like every property before, Crow Creek had an unbelievable clubhouse filled with a bevy of kind, golf-loving employees. In fact, everyone we met, from Mitzi York at the Brunswick Islands CVB to the bag drop and beverage cart attendants, everyone wanted our stay to be memorable.
Simply put, when great people and outstanding golf converge in North Carolina, you have a destination that must be explored. For more information on the Brunswick Islands, visit www.ncbrunswick.com or follow them on Instagram @ncbrunswickislands
