Course Review: The Carolina Club

Tourism has always been king on the once barren, now booming strip of land known as OBX. For the golf tourist, perhaps the most welcoming layout of all is the Russell Breeden/Keith Hall designed course known as The Carolina Club. In fact, the venue has no choice but to be welcoming as it is the first course you will pass when entering the region as you drive into town.

There is something to be said to being first. Though Carolina Club is actually one of the last entrants into the OBX golf market, its prime location makes it an easy choice for those coming into or on their way out from the popular beach resort.

Also the longest course (stretching beyond 7,000 yards) in the area and the sister design to The Pointe, The Carolina Club banks its reputation on having been crafted with the use of all the tools of modern golf course design. Over this 18-hole wonder is an island green, a hole-long bunker and plenty of water to provide players with all kinds of challenges. A creative mix of three par 3s and three par 5s characterize the front nine with the sixth and seventh holes forming a unique coupling. The par-5 sixth is the longest hole on the course and features marshland stretching across the fairway while the seventh hole (the course's shorty) showcases the area's premiere island green.

The back nine also boasts several well-designed holes including the 10th and 13th delivering good examples of modern golf design. The closing stretch of pars 4-3-5 is also thrilling with the 17th serving as The Carolina Club's arguable signature hole (some would remain steadfast with the island green seventh) with its stadium-like setting. The Carolina Club is a winner of the "Locals' Choice" award for great golf on the Outer Banks. Meticulously manicured, this meaty par-72 championship golf course may well be the highlight of your stay on North Carolina's Outer Banks.