Bald Head Island Sports & Outdoors Tips by grandmaR

Ecological Golf

SInce I don't play golf, I did not realize that there was even a golf course on the island, although probably the fact that you go everywhere here by golf cart should have alerted me to the possibility. I'll probably suggest this to my BIL who plays golf when he wants me to suggest another island where he can play golf.

There is a review which says: "When George Cobb created the island's only golf course, he naturally took great pains to leave as much of the forest undisturbed as possible.

"But Cobb wasn't just sensitive to Bald Head's delicate ecosystem when he designed this 6,855-yard gem. He was also sensitive to the psyche of the resort golfer as well.

"Consequently, you won't find the cavernous, penal bunkers, the roller-coaster fairways, or the multi-tiered greens you'll encounter on some other coastal courses...

"Freshwater lagoons languidly snake around or through fourteen of the fairways. The greens average a remarkable 11,000 square feet. And then there's the almost constant presence of wind.

"Remember, you're basically out in the middle of the ocean here," says assistant pro Gary Port. "So the constant shifting of the ocean breezes can have a significant effect on your club selection. When the wind is in my face on the 18th, for example [460 yards from the blues]," Port says, pointing to it in the distance, "I'm sometimes lucky if I can get on the green with two drivers. Other days, it's driver, middle iron."

Equipment: Bald Head Island Club is private. However, simply rent any property on the island and you're automatically a member until your stay is over.

The Bald Head website says:

Golf Getaway Package
Play Bald Head Island’s celebrated course to your heart’s content. The package includes accommodations in an island home or the Marsh Harbour Inn, round-trip ferry passage, parking, temporary membership in the Bald Head Island Club, breakfast each morning and one round of golf with cart fee for every night of stay. Non-golfing companions may trade the golf portion of the package for a professional massage.

They don't say exactly what the rates are for this however.

Phone: (910) 457-7310 for tee time

Theme: Golfing

Website: http://www.baldheadisland.com/aa/golf.asp

MM 308.5 Bald Head Island Marina

We will probably not return to this marina.

Their website says:

slips range in size from 30-60’
transient dockage for yachts to 115 feet
8' draft at MLW
new bathhouse with restrooms, showers and laundry
ice-free basin
lighted entrance channel
30 & 50 amp electric hook-ups
gas and diesel fuel
cable TV access with some slips
convenience store, gift shops, restaurants and inns located harbourside
additional provisioning available at the Maritime Market, a well-stocked supermarket located on the island
access to island amenities, including 14 miles of pristine beaches, acres of salt marsh and creeks, a vast maritime forest preserve and 18 holes of championship golf

They also have a fishing tournament.

Equipment: The website says it is protected, and it should be, but it is rough enough to be unsafe in winds from the south. Also the ferry boats rock you with their wake each time they come in or go out.

The Maritime Market has been moved from next to the marina to a location so that you have to rent a golf cart to get there. The prices were outlandish.

In the winter (before Memorial Day), the price is $1.10/ft plus $5.00 for 30 amp, but last time we were there, they overcharged us by using the summer rate which is $1.30/ft.

Address: PO Box 3069 Bald Head Island, NC 28461

Directions: 2.5 miles south of the ICW from R18 on the Cape Fear River. The marina entrance is near buoy #13

Phone: 910-457-7380

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Website: http://www.baldheadisland.com/aa/marina_rates.asp