New Bern NC Golf and New Bern NC Golf Courses

New Bern NC

A great place to

Golf

Golfing in New Bern NC

A great place to

Live

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 golf 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 stevetyson55@gmail.com or call me at 252-514-9157 and let me know what you think about any of the golf courses you play while visiting the New Bern NC 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 golf cart cover and maybe a heater, there are not many days when it is too cold to play.

New Bern NC Golf Information

Century 21 is sponsoring the Easter Seals Golf Classic on April 18 at the Emerald Golf and Country club. There will be 3 flights with a first place gross and net in each flight. Door prize and goodie bag for each player. Shotgun start at 1:30. Cost is $65 per player.

Craven County recreation Department is sponsoring adult golf lessons at Carolina Pines Golf Club. Classes are Tuesday from 5:30-7:00 pm for 6 weeks starting May 12. Cost is $80 per person. Call 252 636 6606 for more information.

West Craven High School will be hosting a golf tournament at Riverbend Golf Course to benefit the West Craven Eagle athletics. The tournament is set for a 9:00 am shotgun start on Saturday, May 23rd. The format is 4 man superball and the cost is $200 per team. For more information call 634 7218 or email Justin at jeb1206@ecu.edu

Ladies only

6th annual charity golf tournament to benefit Craven Community College

Sponsored by the Neuse Sunrise Rotary Club

at Riverbend Golf and Country Club Sat. May 9 7:30 am check in

for more information call 638 2892

Harbour Pointe Golf Course to open back up
March 29 2009

Click Here to Email Steve

OK, lets get started!

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 2000 Tiger Woods hooked his tee ball on this hole deep left and had no shot to the green, or at least that what we thought. He hit a weird duck hook 9 iron around a forest of trees and walked away with a birdie where any other human would have had to scramble for a par.

Let's see, head down, eyes on ball, big shoulder turn, shift weight, straight arm, left foot square......ah heck, just hit it.

I think I remember duck hooking this shot, but I look good, huh

The Emerald golf course is located in the Greenbrier 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.

Tiger Woods played the Emerld Golf course in 2000.

I enjoy playing this golf 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.

Scorecard

Golf course and clubhouse is 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 $210,000.00 to $500,000.00. For information on real estate in Greenbrier click New Bern NC Neighborhoods

Golf Course Links

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New Bern NC Weekly Rentals

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Email Steve

Next we will ride over to Riverbend Golf Course and Country Club

Riverbend Golf Course 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 10 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 golf 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 that comes into play 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 then you are left 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.

I played Riverbend April 6, 2009 and as usual the course was in great shape. It was my first round of golf in almost a year and I think my shoulder has finally healed enough to start playing. I actually hit the ball solid and can't wait to get back out.

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

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.

Town of Riverbend

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Lets see, by boat from Riverbend to New Bern Golf Course takes about 15 minutes. Lets boat over and check it out.

New Bern Golf Course
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.

Quiet Please! This is for a new Course Record

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.

That's the East Carolina Yacht Club in the background.

The 18th tee box and the 17th green are in the background

This 18 hole golf 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 handicapper 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

Town of Trent Woods

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This is me- yea right

Lets jump across the beautiful Trent River to get to our next golf 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 Course and Country Club
401 Taberna Way
New Bern, NC

252 634 1600

Taberna Country Club

Taberna's centerpiece is the magnificent golf clubhouse, designed after a castle in Switzerland.

Taberna is the newest golf 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

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

Carolina Pines Golf Course is a very friendly course to play and a very friendly place to live. It is one of those communities where folks look out for one another and genuinely care for their neighbors. If you spray it off the tee like I do on occasion, the wide fairways are usually forgiven and allow a good recovery shot to put you back in position for a par.

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. The Neuse River is several miles wide here. Number 2 is the hardest hole on the course. It plays a long 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 Pines Golf Course

Carolina Pines Golf

Fairfield Harbour Golf Course

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 until further notice

The Shoreline Golf 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 Golf 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.

Fairfield Harbour

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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Star Hill Golf and Country Club

The Sands Nine

HOLE	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	TOT	Rating	Slope
BLUE	515	326	414	164	316	410	167	441	491	3244	69.8	118
WHITE	495	318	393	144	286	397	150	404	470	3057	68.0	114
GOLD	427	285	348	101	225	335	135	362	450	2668	64.8	108
HCP	4	8	3	9	7	2	6	1	5

PAR	5	4	4	3	4	4	3	4	5	36

RED	331	201	310	91	185	265	127	327	422	2259	64.9	105
HCP	5	2	8	7	6	9	4	1	3

The Pines Nine

HOLE	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	TOT	Rating	Slope
BLUE	338	520	294	207	415	348	491	440	217	3270	71.0	121
WHITE	325	481	283	180	382	323	467	404	193	3038	69.0	117
GOLD	300	416	271	155	312	258	415	355	173	2655	65.8	106
HCP	7	3	8	2	6	9	4 1	5

PAR	4	5	4	3	4	4	5	4	3	36

RED	282	352	227	137	259	217	355	275	131	2235	64.9	105
HCP	5	2	8	7	6	9	4	1	3

The Lakes Nine

HOLE	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	TOT	Rating	Slope
BLUE	413	186	429	487	196	410	526	382	352	3381	70.8	121
WHITE	347	174	417	476	181	385	500	365	342	3187	69.2	116
GOLD	327	150	374	419	158	331	426	309	300	2794	66.0	108
HCP	4	8	1	3	6	2	7	5	9

PAR	4	3	4	5	3	4	5	4	4	36

RED	285	107	338	376	150	298	400	273	254	2481	66.6	109
HCP	6	5	1	4	3	2	8	9	7

The Links Golf Course

Can't touch this price for a round of golf.

1885 Adams Creek Rd. Havelock, North Carolina 28532 (252) 444-4653

Description: Semiprivate. Located in Havelock.
Greens Fees: $23/cart Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; $18/cart Wednesday; $28/cart Saturday-Sunday.
Yardage: Championship: 6224, Back: 5823, Middle: 5366, Forward: 4819

Facilities: Full practice facilities, pro shop, snack bar, driving range.
Membership: $200-single/$300-family initiation fee; $55/monthly single - $65/monthly family. Free Range Balls included.

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Quaker Neck Golf Course

A breath of fresh air, a round of golf complete with a cart

all for $25. Beat that!

241 Country Club Drive, Trenton, North Carolina 28585
(252) 224-5736.

Located about 20 minutes from New Bern in rural Jones County this golf course has some very interesting holes with some elevation change which is very unusual for Eastern North Carolina. Many of the holes are tight off the tee so driving the ball well is important. Some of the par 4's are brutal, but scoring can be made up on the short par 5's.

Description: Semiprivate. Open year-round. High Season: Summer. Opened 1966. 18 holes, par 72.

Yardage: Blues (6,575 yards, 71.7 rating, 126 slope); Whites (6,216 yards, 71.7 rating, 123 slope); Gold (5,677 yards, 67.7 rating, 110 slope); Red (4,952 yards, 68.5 rating, 115 slope)

I played Quaker Neck on 9-28-08 and found it to be in good shape. The greens are Bermuda and were rolling quite well. I give it the thumbs up for an inexpensive relaxing round of golf.

Brandywine Bay

Located on Highway 70 East about 25 minutes from New Bern and 10 minutes from Atlantic Beach the Brandywine Bay golf course is generally kept in good condition. The greens are Bermuda and are slower than many of the other courses in the area that have bent grass, but they still putt pretty true.

At just over 6500 yards from the championship tees and around 6000 from the middle tees it is friendly for seniors who struggle with distance off the tee. Number 9 is a difficult dogleg left that that will require a lay up off the tee and a 200 yard approach shot. Number 2 and 4 are my favorite holes. Both are par 5's and require well placed tee shots to have a shot at a birdie.

I last played Brandywine Bay in June 08 and it was in good shape. Fun course to play.

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