Calabash, NC may well be an area better known for its seafood cuisine than it is for outstanding golf, but that could be changing. There are now more than 20 golf courses accessible to the public within a 20 mile radius. These are all top notch facilities with championship golf courses that are well kept and a pleasure to play. A few offer roomy and affordable accommodations as well as golf packages that won’t require a second mortgage!
One such property is Brunswick Plantation, a gated golf course community in Calabash, NC. Since its planning days, Brunswick has grown from 650 acres to over 1750 acres. There are over 1,000 homes including single family custom homes, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condos, and luxury townhouses, many of which are owned by active retirees. The community is rife with amenities: multiple swimming pools, fitness facilities, tennis, walking trails, and 2 plantation-style clubhouses, one of which is in the process of being converted to a second restaurant. The Hickory Shaft Bistro is scheduled to open this spring.
Although each course has its own distinctive characteristics, they all share one thing in common: well-groomed and speedy Bermuda grass greens. They all have their share of slope and undulation and are “sneaky quick!” The tall Carolina pines that line many of the fairways as well as the water hazards and sand bunkers at Brunswick Plantation will challenge the most seasoned golfer. At the same time, beginners and weekend golfers will appreciate how wide open and extremely forgiving it is from the forward tees. The course will require you to be at your mental best as it requires a combination of shot making, strategy and thought.
Although thick Carolina woodlands offer golfers some beautiful scenery as you make your way around The Azalea course, water is the most dominant hazard you will face on many of the holes. Often, this requires more brains than brawn of you want to put up a low score. The Azalea’s signature hole is Number 4 and features an island green. From the white tees, the hole plays 152 yards. It’s pretty simple: hit the green, make a par. Easier said than done for most! Number 9 on the Azalea Course is an interesting par 5. Large waste bunkers down the left side and water down the right present the perception of a
The Dogwood Course is Brunswick Plantation’s newest nine and features a very wide open design and beautiful lush fairways. Caw Caw Creek and many large hardwood trees are just a couple of the hazards you’ll encounter as you play your way around the course. The Dogwood nine is not to be taken lightly and will keep you on your toes. Number 7 on the Dogwood Course is a par 5 that plays as great as it looks, even in the early springtime, when the dormant brown rough provides a stunning contrast to the green fairways. This dogleg right features water all down the right side and nasty little pot bunkers in the landing area on the left. The layup shot is played to a narrowing fairway, and you’ll need to be careful with your approach shot as water guards the entire right side of the green, with a sand bunker short right. The long, narrow green is crowned in the middle and requires a delicate touch. This is a well-designed golf hole.
After your round, stop by Champion’s Grille Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and all of your favorite libations. They can even set you up with a cooler to take back on the course with you as you make the turn. For breakfast, the Brunswick Omelet is a can’t miss and for lunch try their Reuben sandwich, piled high with corned beef and sauerkraut. If you’re not really hungry and just need something to nibble on, their Chicken Quesadillas are big enough to share. Occasionally, they will do dinner and if you ever have the opportunity, I highly advise it.
With on-site lodging and restaurants, Brunswick Plantation is the perfect place to host a wedding, family or business event. Their event services include hosting, planning, managing and catering. A quick phone call can get the process started.
With so much golf in the area for customers to choose from, Brunswick Plantation’s goal is to make their customers their biggest advocates. After all, nothing beats word of mouth advertising! They do this by fulfilling the needs of their customers in a valuable and memorable way. The management staff at Brunswick Plantation have instilled in their team several traditional southern values: being friendly, neighborly, and treating people fairly.
For more information on everything Brunswick Plantation has to offer, visit their website at www.brunswickplantation.com.