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Resident and visiting golfers are fortunate, as even the most popular courses are easily accessible, and, rest assured, there are courses perfect for for every level of player. Local golf courses and organizations sponsor golf tournaments in every season except winter. The Craven County Convention and Visitors Bureau maintains a comprehensive calendar of annual events that includes many golf tournaments, and many events are publicized in New Bern Magazine and other local publications.
What follows is a list of semi-private courses in the
immediate vicinity. The fees we quote here are for 18 holes of play, unless
otherwise indicated, and membership is not required for play. For
information about Carteret County golf courses, see our
Crystal Coast Golf chapter, which details, among others, The Country
Club of the Crystal Coast in Pine Knoll Shores; Star Hill Golf and Country
Club in Cape Carteret; Brandywine Bay Golf Club near Morehead City; and
Silver Creek Golf Club on N.C. Highway 58 near Cape Carteret. |
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New
Bern is renowned for its many excellent golf courses, and the area's
year-round mild weather offers a perfect climate for this challenging game.
Golf courses are abundant in and around the city, and many have won acclaim
from professionals and amateurs alike.
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Carolina Pines Golf and Country Club On the scenic Neuse River just west of
Havelock, this challenging 18-hole, par 72 course offers everything the
golfer could want. The course features elevated greens, bermudagrass
fairways, abundant sand traps and ample water that rewards the accurate
shotmaker. Tim Dupre, the club pro, will arrange lessons for those who are
interested. Also available are a pool, a pro shop, a driving range, target
greens and a clubhouse with a lounge and patio that overlooks freshwater
lakes and the golf links. Fees are $30 weekdays and $33 weekends,
including cart. Carolina Pines is directly off U.S. Highway 70 in
Havelock; look for the signs. |
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The Emerald Golf Club Rees Jones designed The Emerald Golf Club, creating the
7,000-yard course to be a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Jones
used various grasses to give each hole a different feel and appearance and
sculptured the 18-hole course to create variety. Most holes have four or
five pin locations. The 4th tee, for example, features four locations that
hit across the water and one high-land route. Golfers can take advantage
of a fully stocked pro shop, a driving range and lessons from pros Jerry
Briele and Catie Camacho. The fee for playing the course is $55 seven days
a week year-round and includes the use of a cart. Only members are allowed
to walk the course. Tee times should be reserved two weeks in advance for
club members; one week for nonmembers. Anyone is eligible for membership
in the club, which entitles you to the tennis, swimming pool and club
facilities as well as golfing privileges. Fairfield Harbour Golf Club Fairfield Harbour Golf Club has two 18-hole championship
courses, which are about 1.5 miles apart. Both Shoreline and Harbour
Pointe are planted with Tif Eagle bermudagrass greens and are open to the
public seven days a week. Be sure to call ahead for the daily fees.
Walkers are allowed after 2 PM Monday through Friday at the Shoreline
course and not at all at Harbour Pointe. Harbour Pointe has a pro shop, a
driving range and a self-service hot dog grill for a quick meal. Shoreline
has a pro shop, putting green and banquet facilities. Golf lessons are
available from Fairfield's teaching pro, George Smith. To get there, cross
the Neuse River Bridge on U.S. Highway 17. Turn right on N.C. Highway 55,
continue about a half-mile to the traffic light and turn right onto Broad
Creek Road. Signs will direct you from there. Minnesott Golf and Country Club This course, built more than 30 years ago, is an
18-hole, par 72. It offers several sand traps, eight holes with water, and
a length of 6001 yards. Golfers can enjoy the large pines and oaks as they
play the course's new championship bermudagrass fairways. To get there,
cross the Neuse River Bridge on U.S. Highway 17 and turn right on N.C.
Highway 55 and head toward Bayboro. Right before Bayboro, take a right
on Highway 306 at the light and drive about 12 miles, following the road
back toward the Neuse River and taking a right on Country Club Drive; at
the end is the hidden treasure of Minnesott Golf and Country Club.
Minnesott's greens fees are 18 holes for $32 and nine holes for $16 every
day; afternoon golfers can play 18 holes for $27. All fees include a cart.
There's a snack bar and pro shop on the premises, and PGA club pro Terry
Bobbin is available for lessons. River Bend Golf and Country Club River Bend Golf and Country Club is a semiprivate, 18-hole, par 71 course that accepts public play with reservations up to seven days in advance. River Bend has always had one of the area's nicest golf course layouts, and the course itself was completely rebuilt in summer 2001 to include Tif Eagle bermudagrass greens, 15 new sand bunkers, significant mounding and re-sodded 419 bermuda fairways. Lights were added to the driving range and putting green so nighttime practice is possible. Rates vary for members and nonmembers.
Nonmembers can play 18 holes for $45 or nine holes for $28 any day of the
week. Junior rates are 18 holes for $20 and nine holes for $15 seven days a
week. Rates include the use of a cart; only members are allowed to walk the
course. Karl Thurber, the club's PGA professional, offers lessons, clinics
and club repair for all levels. River Bend also offers one of the most fully
stocked golf shops in the area. One special event held every summer is the
junior golf camp for ages 5 to 14. The camp culminates in a mini-tournament
that allows participants to test the new skills they have learned. River
Bend also has two tennis courts and the area's largest outdoor swimming pool
available at no charge to members and guests of members. There is a grill
and a catering facility that will accommodate up to 120 guests. The Grill
Room is open to the public Monday through Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast and lunch are served on Sundays,
when the grill closes at 5 PM. Quaker Neck
Country Club
Easily one of the area's best-kept secrets,
Quaker Neck Country Club is located in neighboring Jones County, 12
miles south of New Bern just off U.S. Highway 17. This 18-hole
championship golf course has a demanding layout and excellent greens
that will challenge players of all skill levels. Greens fees vary
according to season, so golfers are advised to call ahead for
information. Quaker Neck County Club offers family and individual
memberships, with amenities including an Olympic-size pool, two tennis
courts, a driving range, a golf shop and club repairs. Banquet
facilities are available to the public for private parties and
functions. |
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