Emerald Isle is known for its crystal white beaches and there is no shortage of activities that take advantage of being on the coast. When you are looking to switch things up, consider trading sandy beaches for sandy bunkers because you are very near the Crystal Coast Country Club, one of the best golf courses on the Crystal Coast. The genesis of this Club extends back to l969 when the Roosevelt estate conveyed 100+ acres of land to a group of North Carolina developers headed by Gus Wertz. The covenants attached to the deed stipulated that a golf course was to be built on the property. Construction of the first nine holes of a course known then as the Pine Knoll Shores Golf and Country Club began in 1970. The initial planning was rather grandiose. The original members worked tirelessly to bring the plans to fruition. It has been said that some would stop during the course of play to remove rocks and pull weeds. During 1972 and 1973, the second owner, Autry & Associates built the original small clubhouse, completed the second nine holes, constructed the club’s tennis courts and swimming pool and installed sprinkler systems covering portions of the fairways as well as tees and greens. Construction of a two-story pro shop and clubhouse began in March of 1974. At the close of 1975, the club had its new clubhouse but the golf course itself was not in first-class condition,nor was its finances and the club faced foreclosure.
By year-end 1980, the financial problems that had plagued the Club were reasonably well in hand, and there was money in the bank. The Club, now known as Bogue Banks Country Club was not only alive but flourishing, partly from monies injected by the Roosevelt estate and partly from the assurance that purchasers of Roosevelt properties could be members of that Club in the 1980s and 1990s if they met the Club’s membership standards. It didn’t hurt that Bogue Banks Country Club was the only golf course on Bogue Banks, and the island’s permanent and transient populations were growing fairly quickly. During the late 1980s and through much of the 1990s the membership continued to grow along with the growth of Pine Knoll Shores. Bogue Banks Country Club became the focus for the social life of newly retired residents looking to make new friends in their chosen retirement homes. On August 18, 2007, Bogue Banks Country Club was renamed The Country Club of the Crystal Coast, the grand opening of the new Club was celebrated, and the Club began a new chapter in its life. Shortly after the grand opening, new management, new directors on the board and a new general manager, took over the operation of the Club. A few lean years were experienced, but membership began to grow once again as other improvements such as a new swimming pool, beautiful dining facilities, better course maintenance and a more congenial atmosphere were put in place.
In the fall of 2018, a devastating blow literally hit the Club. Hurricane Florence did a significant amount of damage to the buildings and the golf course. Although, the financial situation was dire, the employees and management of the Club found ways to maintain some operations while insurance and repairs were being accomplished. Unfortunately, this was not enough to make the Club financially viable again, and it became necessary to seek new financing. There were two offers to purchase the Club, and ultimately, it was sold to PKS, CC, LLC on January 31, 2019, and it became known as the Crystal Coast Country Club. The new ownership made a massive investment into the clubhouse, golf course, pool facility, maintenance facility, and tennis center. Further, new equipment was purchased to ensure the golf course and grounds were maintained properly. New management was hired with a philosophy that aligned with the new direction of the Club. Finally, new activity centers such as pickleball courts and an exercise room were added, which made the Club a full service activity center. With all of these improvements, membership began to rise well above all expectations to almost three times the number of members that the Club had at the end of 2018. The premier facilities put in place made it a mecca for new members, weddings and outside events. In early 2020, a global COVID-19 pandemic made its presence known at the Club. However, even through this difficult time, the management and staff rose to the occasion by developing and implementing plans that kept the Club as safe as possible as well as keeping it operational and the facilities open.
Today, the Crystal Coast Country Club is a semi-private country club featuring a newly renovated championship golf course that boasts new tee boxes, fairways, greens, bunkers, cart paths, bridges, bulkheads, as well as, new golf carts equipped with GPS. The golf course has been fitted with Celebration Bermuda grass on the tee boxes, 419 Tifway Bermuda grass in the fairways, and Sunday Ultra Dwarf Bermuda grass on the greens for an ultimate playing experience. A new practice putting/chipping green opened this year behind number one tee box to allow for warm up putts before teeing off. There is no driving range. Members have the course to themselves in the AM. After noon, anyone can reserve a tee time. Fees, including a golf cart are $79. Mirroring the pride new ownership has in the Club, a reasonable dress code has been added. Gentlemen are required to wear a tucked in collared or mock-neck shirt, slacks or appropriate length shorts, denim in good taste free of holes or rips. Ladies are required to wear slacks, skorts, or Bermuda length golf shorts, as well as a collared or mock-neck shirt. Long pants, crop pants, or denim in good taste free of holes or rips may be worn.
The course itself is not long. After all, it is on an island. And, that is a plus for avoiding traffic when traveling. The course is tight with numerous water hazards. The views from several holes and fairways, for example, #10, are breathtaking. Short and straight wins the day. A premium is placed on shot placement. You can hit the fairways on several holes and still have to hit the ball over a tree to get to a pin. The GPS on the carts will stop you in the middle of a fairway if you drive in areas deemed low lying or wet. Some of these areas are marked and, unfortunately, some are not. Overall, it is a fun course if you are playing well, but very frustrating if you are not. Greens are very fast. When you look at the card and see it short, well, that does not reflect the wind and when you tell your friends what score you shot you are probably not going to let them know it was only a par 70.
I played the course four or so years ago and it is completely different now than it was then. The group that purchased the course has put a tremendous amount of money and effort into improving the course and it definitely shows. The people that work here have always been nice but now they seem extra nice since the amenities they offer have been upgraded. To learn more about playing golf in Emerald Isle and the Crystal Coast, as well as buying real estate in Emerald Isle and the Crystal Coast, go to www.EmeraldIsleHomesforSaleNC.com and sign up for my blog. Ready to buy or sell? Call me at 919-308-2292. Explore the video tab for my weekly uploads to my YouTube channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and receive free donuts at my Flip Flops Donut shop. Text your email address to 919-308-2292 and subscribe to my newsletter. My book, "Live Where You Vacation" is available on Amazon.com.
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