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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 sculpted 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 $36 and nine holes for $20 every day;
afternoon golfers can play 18 holes for $30. 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. Keith Kelly, 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. Breakfast is available all day Sunday. 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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