New Bern NC
A great place to
Golf
A great place to
Live
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Hello Golfers
I am Steve Tyson, a native of
New Bern, NC, an avid Golfer, and a Real Estate Broker by trade. I
started playing golf when I was 6 years old, and when I am not selling
homes it is what I like to do best. I have played many of the courses in
and around
New Bern
and would like to share some of my thoughts about the different courses
as well as the communities that surround the courses. My handicap has
ranged from 0 to 6 over the past 5 years depending on how often I get to
play. E mail me at
Tyson@Century21.com or call me at
252-514-9157 and let me know what you think
about any of the courses you play while visiting the New Bern area.
Because of the moderate climate in New Bern, golf is
considered a year-round sport. Although we have some sweater-weather
days in the winter when you will want a cart cover and maybe a heater,
there are not many days when it is too cold to play. |
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Anika's back and Sergio finally
wins a big. Wow, big weekend for golf lovers. It looks like the
ladies tour is going to have a real shoot out this year with
Anika back from her injury. Sergio finally wins a big one,
although without tiger Woods in the tournment it is some what of
a hollow win. |
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New
Bern Area Golf Tournaments
The Christian Golfers
will be holding at's 13th annual fundraiser beginning 9:a.m. on
July 12th. The format will be 2 man super ball with four flights
for men and women. There will be a $20,000 prize for any hole in
one on number 7. Call 633 6351 for more information.
Purple Heart Golf Classic
will be held Saturday June 7th at the Brandywine Bay Golf Club
in Morehead City. 8a.m. shotgun start. 4 man superball teams
flighted by team handicap. Cost is $55 dollars per person. All
net proceeds will go to deserving local college bound High
School Seniors. For sign up forms call Dan McMahon 726 7994.
Strokes for Folks charity
golf tournment, Saturday, May 10. Held at Carolina Pines Golf
Course. All net tournment proceeds will benefit veterans in need
and active personnel at Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune. For
information call 252 229 4950email:
johnb@p143.org
Golf
Specials 2 for 1 Golf Special $50.00 Harbour Pointe Golf
Course in Fairfield Harbour. Call 252-638-5338 for info.
Golf Lessons The Craven
County Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring Adult Golf
Lessons at Carolina Pines Golf course beginning May 12 from 5:30
to 7. Call 252 636 6606 for more information. |
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OK,
lets get started!
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First lets go to the Emerald |
Here I am getting ready to launch a drive
on the first hole at the Emerald. Its a good starting hole, dogleg left,
and pretty wide open however a big hook can get you behind the trees and
require you to punch out. In 2000Tiger Woods hooked his tee ball on this
hole deep left and had no shot to the green, or at least that what we
thought. A duck hooked 9 iron left and he walked away with a birdie
where any other human would have had to scramble for a par.
The Emerald is located in the Greenbriar subdivision. In
1989 this lovely tract was designed by world-renowned golf architect, Rees
Jones. It was named one of the top 50 new courses in the Southeast by by
Golf Weekly the year it opened. The course is usually in excellent condition.
The Emerald has a well groomed practice range so you can loosen up before you
play. This is a very difficult course to walk so you better be in good shape to
hoof it. From 1990 to 2000, the Curtis Strange Shrine Classic was held at the
Emerald. Curtis's wife is from New Bern and Curtis wanted to raise money
for the Shriner's children hospital and help the local golfing community. Just a
few of the notable golfers that played in the fundraiser were, Arnold Palmer,
Jay Haas, Tom Kite, Fred Couples, Nancy Lopez, Stewart Cink, and Fuzzy
Zeller.
Tiger Woods played the last year the fundraiser was held and tied the
course
record 63, the first time he stepped on the course. In 1992 and 1993
the Emerald was host to one of the PGA qualifying schools.
I enjoy playing this course. From the
back 2 tee boxes its long, but the large soft greens are receptive to
longer approach shots. Make sure to keep it in the fairways as the
rough has an abundance of trees making recovery shots very difficult.
Number 18 is the signature hole, and believe me its all you want and
then some. Into the wind it is a long hole, and even the power players
will be hitting a long iron for their second shots. Left of the fairway
is OB and water runs all the way down the right side. Number 5 is
one of my favorite holes. It is a par 5 and although I have never hit
the green in two, I try every time I play. A double dogleg makes it a 3
shot hole for all but the best golfers. Play smart and you should get
your par. A very challenging golf course to play, just make sure you
keep it in the fairway.
Click in the
scorecard box below to see a scorecard and layout.
Golf and Clubhouse privately owned but open
to the public.
Initiation Fee: $900 with $153 per month
dues - Member cart fee extra
Optional Membership for swimming, clubhouse and
tennis available to Greenbrier residents only:
$800 initiation with $64 monthly fees.
Non-Members:
$49/18 holes
$29/9 holes
The Emerald at Greenbrier is within the
city limits of New
Bern and is convenient to just about everything. My wife Jana and I
have sold quite a few homes in this upscale community. It is one
of the most desirable locations in
New Bern and often it is hard to find a home for sale. You will
find homes priced from $200,000.00 to $500,000.00. For information on
real estate in Greenbriar click
New Bern NC Neighborhoods
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Golf Course Links
Click below |
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Next we
will ride over to
Riverbend
Golf and Country Club
Riverbend was once upon a time a
large tobacco and corn farm . In the mid 1960`s the farm was sold to
a real estate developer and it quickly became New Bern's first major
suburban neighborhood. Located on the Trent River, about 8
minutes from mid-town
New Bern, Riverbend Golf Course was designed and built in the
early 1970`s by golf course developer Gene Hamm. Gene has designed
quite a few courses in Myrtle Beach and Pinehurst. The course and
clubhouse underwent a complete makeover a few years ago.
Included in the makeover was a new clubhouse complete with a
restaurant. I have to say that after the improvements this course
stays in great shape, as good as any course in the area. They also
have the only lighted practice facility in the area. My good friend
Frank Fragale is the owner manager. Tell him I sent you out there.
Number 18 is the signature
hole at Riverbend. A 240 yard drive from the back tees will give you
about a 6 iron or so into a somewhat deep but narrow green. Don't
slice your tee shot as there is water all the way down on the right
side. Par is a great score on this hole. The toughest hole to me is
number 12. This is a long dogleg left with a pond covering the
left side of the fairway if you drive it over 235 from the back
tees. You have got to hit a great drive or par is next to
impossible. The 3rd hole is also a challenge. I don't think I
have ever seen a birdie on this hole. A good drive is a must, OB
left and Right, but even a good drive leaves you with the toughest
approach on the course to judge. A par or even bogey won't hurt you
here. The most exciting hole is number 14. It is a short par
4 with a sharp dogleg to the left. The long-hitters often try to
drive the green, usually with not so good results. I have yet to see
someone drive the green. Most attempts end up in the pond that
defends the front of the green. The smart play( which I rarely
do, I'm usually in the pond) is to hit about a 200 yard drive
and have about a 100 yards in.
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Riverbend membership is
very reasonable. Listed below are membership rates that are
current as of 9-15-07
TYPE =
GOLF/FAMILY
INITIATION FEE = $1500
MONTHLY DUES = $135
INCLUDES: GOLF, POOL, TENNIS, CLUB
HOUSE
TYPE =
GOLF/SINGLE
INITIATION FEE = $1200
MONTHLY DUES = $110
INCLUDES: GOLF, POOL, TENNIS, CLUB
HOUSE
TYPE =
GOLF/*CORP
INITIATION FEE = $750
MONTHLY DUES = $110
INCLUDES: GOLF, POOL, TENNIS, CLUB
HOUSE
TYPE =
SOCIAL
INITIATION FEE = $400
MONTHLY DUES = $25 NOV-APRIL $85
MAY-OCT
INCLUDES: POOL, TENNIS, CLUB HOUSE
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Don't forget to stop by
Attitudes Bar and Grill on Shoreline Drive after you play and
see my old high school football team mate and owner Claude Banks.
Tell him to give you my discount. Then again, maybe not a good idea
to mention you know me.
If boating is your hobby, boat
slips are available at the new marina . Golfing,
boating, or
fishing, Riverbend has it all. Homes in this lovely
little town range from $120,000 up to $550,000 for a home on the
river. My wife and I have sold many homes over the years in
Riverbend. Its a great town to visit, and a great place to live.
Call me and I will give you a tour
Click Town of Riverbend to
find out more about this quaint little town.
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Lets see, by boat from Riverbend
to New Bern Country Club takes about 15 minutes.
Lets boat over and check it out.
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New Bern Golf &
Country Club
Country Club Rd.
New Bern, NC
252-637-4061 |
That's me chipping to the 18th
green at NBGCC. The clubhouse has a spectacular view of the Trent
River and the 18th hole.
New Bern Golf and Country Club is oldest and most exclusive golf
course and country club in Eastern NC. It is a private club so you
will need to be with a member to play. NBGCC is located in the
Town of Trent Woods, about a 6 minute drive from midtown New
Bern. The front 9 holes at New Bern Golf and Country Club were
designed by famed golf architect Donald Ross. You won't find a more
scenic vista anywhere in North Carolina.
The picture below shows me
lining up a putt on the 18th hole at New Bern Golf and Country Club.
This 18
hole course is short at 6045 yards, but don't let that fool you. The
small, fast greens make it a true test of all your golf skills. I
have seen this little course make some low handicappers look silly.
The 13th hole is the number one handicap hole. There is a
large pond that comes into play on your drive. Go over this green on
your second shot and you have a big problem. Number 17 is a
picturesque hole, only 325 yards, but is ranked the number 3
handicap hole. On paper it is simple. A 220 yard drive, 100 yard
wedge to the green, no problem. For some reason it doesn't seem to
work that way. Catch your second a little heavy and splash into the
lagoon. Hit one club to many and you are in the Trent River. On top
of this at times the green will stimp out around
12,
with a steep slope from from back to front. For some reason
number 3 is the hardest hole on the course for me. It looks
harmless enough. A straight away 150 yard par 3, the green is very
narrow with deep sand traps on each side. I once saw a 1 handicaper
hit it in the trap and end up making a 14.
Facilities at NBGCC include an Olympic size pool, fitness room,
championship tennis courts, and a superb bar and dining room. This
Course is always in great shape. The legendary golfer Sam Snead (shown
below) had a good friend that lived in New Bern, and Sam used to
visit and play golf . Call me, I'll get us a tee time on your next
trip to New Bern.
The quaint Little town of Trent Woods is one of the
most desirable areas in New Bern. Homes here start around $190000.00
and go up to $550000.00.Expect to pay over $1000000.00 for a
riverfront home.
Click Town of Trent woods for more info
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Lets jump across the
beautiful Trent River to get to our next course. In my
younger days I spent the summers skiing on this
lovely river. World renown water skier Dick Pope Jr. use to
burn up the river here when he was a young Marine stationed
at Cherry Point. His family, you may recall, built
Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven Florida. In 1947 he became
the first person to bare foot ski. I tried bare footing
once. The brain damage I suffered helped make me decide I
did not want to pursue a professional career in water
skiing. Dick later had his own line of water ski's, and when
I was growing up if you did not own a Dick Pope Jr. ski you
were not considered a serious skier. For more interesting
info, click on
Cypress Gardens .
Taberna Golf & Country Club
401 Taberna Way
New Bern, NC
252 634 1600
Taberna's centerpiece is
the magnificent golf clubhouse, designed after a castle in
Switzerland.
Taberna is the newest course in the
New Bern area. A beautiful, challenging layout designed by
senior Nicklaus architect Jim Lipe this course has a full size
driving range and a large putting green, all conveniently located by
the first hole. The first hole is a great
starting hole. A slight dogleg left with a bunker down the
left side that prevents you from cutting the corner and
shortening the hole. After a drive of 230 yards down the
middle you should have about 150 yards left. The 3 well
placed sand traps around the green make the second shot less
than a cake walk. The number 1 handicap hole is the par 5
6th. I personally don't find this hole that difficult. Just
keep it in play and you should manage a par. The trouble
comes into play for us amateurs when we see the par 5 sign
and try things we are not capable of doing. Now the next
hole is a different story. From the back tees number 7
plays 437 yards. This dogleg right is toughest hole
for me on the front 9. Right behind it would be number 3
which is 450 from the back. A well hit drive still leaves a
long approach to a downhill green. An accurate 2nd shot is
needed to avoid a potential 3 putt on a green that has some
severe slopes. Number 9 is a tough par 5 with a lake
running all the way down the left side of the fairway which
comes into play on the drive, 2nd, and 3rd shots. When the
wind blows directly in your face, which it often does, you
will be glad to get off this hole without a big number and
move on to the snack bar which is on the way to the 10th
hole. Number 10 is a good starting
hole for the back nine. Just avoid the bunker that guards
the right side of the fairway. This is a relief after
numbers
7 and 9. Number 11 is a par 5. No trouble in the
middle of the fairway so try to keep it there. Its rated the
number 6 handicap hole but I don't see it. The most
scenic hole on the course is number12. Its the
number 14 handicap rated handicap hole and to me it plays
more like number 3. Its 202 yards from the back or 180 from
the middle tees. From the middle tee its
about a 170 yard carry over wetlands that run between
the tee and the green. A slight miss hit and your in the
drink and on your way to a big number. Number 15 is
one of my favorite holes on the back. Its a sharp dogleg
left with water all the way down the left side. A 200 yard
drive leaves you about 150 out. The problem is that we are
all human and human nature requires that we try to shave off
some of the dogleg.
Taberna subdivision, located about 3
miles south of downtown New Bern, is one of the newest,
upscale subdivisions in Eastern North Carolina.
I would love to show you this neighborhood. There is a
house here for everyone. Homes prices range from $250,000 to
$550,000.
Click below for more info about Taberna golf
Private club for members only.
Initation fees:
Club
$5500 individual
$8500 family
Social
$2500 individual
$3500 family
Corporate (family)
$5000
Dues:
Club/Corporate
$65/month individual
$185/month family
Social
$1323.00/Family
$90/month Family
Trail Fees:
$800 individual
$1200 family
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Continue going South on US 70 about 8 miles or
so and on your left will you will see the entrance to .
Carolina Pines Golf Coarse is a very
friendly course to play and a very friendly place to live. It is one
of those communities where neighbors look out for one another. If
you spray it off the tee like I do on occasion, the wide fairways
are usually forgiven. The signature hole is the beautiful, par 5
number15 with its green perched on a cliff overlooking the
magnificent Neuse River. What an awesome view. Number 2 is
the hardest hole on the course. It plays 420 from the back tees. In
front of the green is a ravine, short side your approach and you are
pitching straight up hill. Long is not good either as the green
slopes severely front to back making a chip down hill treacherous.
Number 4 is a very interesting layout. You only need about a
210 yard drive, but it needs to be strategically placed or you won't
have an open shot to the green. For the most part this is a fun
course to play. So get a tee time and have some fun.
Homes prices range from $125,000 to $300,000. Expect to pay quite a
bit more for the homes in Carolina Pines that are on the Neuse
River. Carolina Pines is located about 12 miles from New Bern,
7 miles from Havelock and Cherry Point Marine Air Station,
and 20 miles from Atlantic Beach. Close to historic New Bern
and the Neuse River, close to the Ocean. What more could you want?
Single Membership
$112 per month
Family membership
$127 per month
Click below for more info on Carolina Pin es Golf
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I remember the night, (around 1970) my Uncle Joe
came over to talk to my father, Spec Tyson, who was well known as a
golfer in the
New Bern area, about hiring him to be the golf pro for this
new golf course he was going to build. . Uncle Joe had just
purchased a large tract of real estate located between Northwest
Creek and Broad Creek, and was planning to dredge a series of
canals and lakes off Northwest Creek to create waterfront property.
Back then this was a fairly simple process. Takes an act of Congress
now to create inland canals . Anyhow Uncle Joe was going to use some
of the spill from the canals to build a golf course. He ended up
selling the property and the concept to a large Real Estate
developer, and the development was eventually sold to Fairfield
Harbour Properties
The community of Fairfield Harbour is located
about 15 minutes from Historic downtown New Bern. It is a
2,400 acre community that sits along the banks of the Neuse River.
From FFH by water it is about 15 miles or so to the intra coastal
waterway and the Atlantic Ocean is a short distance from there. A
canal system winds throughout much of the community. Amenities
include 2 golf courses, tennis courts, and 3 marinas that will
accommodate up to a 60 foot boat.
Two Great Golf Courses.
Note:The Shoreline Course is closed for now.
The Shoreline Course was the first course built in
Fairfield. If you play Shoreline you better bring your
A game. This course was
designed to find any flaws in your golf game. Straight, well placed
drives are absolutely
essential. I love the layout of Shoreline, its one of my all time
favorite courses. When I play there I expect to have some bad holes
so I just relax and enjoy the challenge of playing a difficult
tract. Number 3 is the number one handicap hole. Playing 587
yards from the back tees, there is no bail out on your drive, second
shot, or approach. Trouble both left and right. I usually play this
hole for bogey and just try to avoid the big number. The next hole,
number 4, is a fun hole that you can birdie, that is if you
do not slice into the lake. Number 6 is a 490 yard par 5 with
water left and OB right. Another no place to bail out hole. A good
drive and second shot still leaves you shooting to a difficult
narrow but deep green.
Number 14 is the number 2 handicap hole and when you see it
you will understand why. Its a long slight dogleg left, usually
plays into the wind, and has water all the way down the left side.
You can bail right, however if you do so beware of the bunker and it
additional length you add to the already long hole. This is another
hole that I play for bogey. Its easy to make a big number here.
Number 18 is a great finishing hole. Its a dogleg right with a lake
all the way down the left side off the fairway and a bunker guarding
the right side.
The Harbour Pointe course is a little less nerve
wracking than Shoreline. But don't think it is a wimp. The first 4
holes are not especially difficult but
number 5 can jump up and bit you. Long, OB left, and a lake all
the way down the right side, it usually seems to play into the wind.
The back side starts out harmless enough until you come to number
14. Plays 446 yards from the back, with OB all the way down the left
side and wetlands all the way down the right side. The green has a
panoramic view of Broad Creek and the Neuse River. I grew up
fishing in this area and would love to share some of my fishing
stories with you. Number 17 is a fun hole. It is short but a
hook will land you in the pond that runs most the way down the left
side.
Click the table below to get a scorecard of both
Fairfield courses.
Initiation Fee: $1500/Family; $1000/Single
Annual Greens Fees:
$2170.82/Assessed Family
$2629.23/Non-Assessed Family
$1598.62/Single Assessed
$2057.03/Single Non-Assessed
*Does not cover golf cart
Cart Trackage:
$1323.00/Family
$953.66/Single
Cart Lease:
$1289.92/Single
$515.96/Second Single in Family
Non-Members:
$37/18 holes
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