Golf - 12th Hole View from Tee

Short, simple and pretty, this 3 par presents no challenge that is not clearly visible from the tee complex. As on many of the Carolina Colours’ golf holes, each tee box is higher than the one in front of it, to where the black tee is highest, although all tee boxes are above green elevation. The deep swale just in front of the tees makes the differential seem greater than really exists, however.

From the tee, the green, which is tucked into the surrounding woods, is clearly visible, as is the large bunker to its right. To the left and to the rear, there is a significant and quick fall, which will result in balls a bit long or left bounding well away from the green, likely into the woods, if the green is carried. If one misses, short is the place to be.

The green itself is the smallest on the course, and generally falls back to front and slightly right to left. However, the back third is fairly level, with the primary fall beginning at the edge of this plateau. Again on this green, few putts will be flat, but most slopes are not too severe. A back pin position will pose the greatest difficulty, because trying to get the tee ball on the back part of the green brings the woods behind the green into play, while putting from front to back makes three putts a distinct possibility.

With an accurate tee ball, birdie is a possibility, and par should be the norm. Miss anywhere but long, and bogey comes into play. Go long, and bogey becomes a good score.

Black: 191      Blue: 179      White: 162       Gold: 150      Red: 125

Golf - 12th Hole View of Green

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the approximate yardage of the course?

Keeping in mind that the unique tee configuration allows the yardage from the middle three tees to vary up or down by as much as 175 yards, and the back and front tees by as much as 100 yards, a typical yardage could be as follows:

BLACK   7128 BLUE   6728 WHITE   6419 GOLD   6058 RED   4975

2. Will walking be allowed or are carts required?

Walking will be allowed, although there may be particularly busy morning hours when a no walking policy will be in place.  However, one of the key attributes of the course, Brice Creek and protected environmental  areas, all of which are bridged, make the course a long one to walk, which, combined was some topography, will likely limit the desire of many to walk.  We will plan some regular 9 hole walking times, however.

3. What will the cost be to play if not a member?

As long as the course remains semi-private, which is likely to be at least until memberships are sold out a number of years in the future, pay for play will be allowed.  Although subject to change, we now plan on greens fees being $35 and cart rentals $17, although some afternoon discounts will be available.  9 hole rates are now set at $18 and $9.  Lesser rates will be available for accompanied guests of members and house guests of members, but there will be a limitation on the number of times one can be an accompanied guest and get a discount (likely 12 rounds a year).

4. When can tee times be scheduled?

Generally, equity members have a 14 day advance period, Associate members a 7 day, and non-members a 5 day period, although special events and packages can be pre-booked by non-members.

5. Can a member own a cart?  If so, what are the trail fees?

An equity member may own a cart.  Initially, the trail fee will be $1000 if paid annually in advance; $300 per quarter if paid quarterly.  The club will NOT store and charge the cart.  The cart must be approved by the Club, must be new or refurbished, must be a specified color and make.

6. Is there a plan for frequent players where cart fees can be paid in advance at a discount?

Our current plan is to offer an annual plan for cart rentals, based on the cost of playing 2 rounds a week, 48 weeks a year.  The cost will therefore be $1632 if paid quarterly; if paid annually in advance, the cost will be $1500 per year.  There is not a single cart reserved for the member, but a cart will be guaranteed if advance tee times are made.

7. Who is the course architect?

Bill Love, from College Park, Maryland.  Bill is the former president of the American Association of Golf Course architects, and is currently the chairman of its environmental committee.  Bill published “An Environmental Approach to Golf Course Development” in 2008.  Among other projects, Bill is currently working on changes on the Olympic Country Club course in San Francisco in preparation of its hosting of an upcoming US Open.

8. What entity owns the Pavilion?

The Pavilion is owned by the Carolina Colours Association, Inc., the master home owners association for Carolina Colours.  The users of the golf course have limited use rights to the Pavilion, including check in until a pro shop is constructed, snack bar facilities and rest rooms.  The concept of golf at Carolina Colours is that golf members only pay for golf and its related facilities.  There is no other recreational use, such as swimming or tennis, associated with membership in the Golf Club.

ALL PRICES AND POLICIES ARE PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT FOLLOWING REVIEW BY THE GOLF ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CAROLINA COLOURS GOLF CLUB (A COMMITTEE OF 5 EQUITY MEMBERS).

11th Hole - View from Tee

The view from the tee of the 11th hole is one of the prettiest on the golf course. A longish par 5, the tree lined fairway moves straight, then right, then back left, with a series of deep dips and rises all the way from tee to green. From the tee, which seems elevated because of the deep swale in front of it, one can just get a glimpse of the green side bunkers far off, seemingly positioned in the woods. However, the immediate issue is the tee ball, and there is a large bunker on the far side of the left fairway that gives a perfect visual target, while the right side of the fairway, beside the ideal landing area, is guarded by two bunkers. A good drive puts you over the large swale in front of the tee, near the highest point on the fairway.

Even a good tee shot will leave most players no view of the green, as it can only be seen from the right side of the fairway, just beside the second fairway bunker, because the fairway turns right, but the green is tucked back into the woods to the left. The prudent second shot is straight down the fairway, over another series of swales, onto a plateau that leaves the third shot as a mid to short iron, into a green that is lower than the elevation of the the second shot landing area.

The green is large, one of the biggest on the course, and it is guarded not only by a deep collection area in front, but also by a large front left bunker, and two more back right. The green itself is some 45 paces deep, and as much as 26 paces wide in the front, narrowing a bit towards the back. Sloping generally back to front and left to right, there are no severe breaks, but neither are there many totally flat putts awaiting. A good iron should hold well, leaving a reasonable putt.

Unlike the two par 5′s on the front, where long hitters will be faced with a risk/reward decision from a big drive, this is a three shot hole for players not named Tiger or Phil, as a tall pine on the left of the fairway makes trying to hook a ball around the bend not worth trying. Two well struck balls will allow for the precise iron player to have a putt for birdie, and that is all one should strive for on this hole that some have labeled the best and most attractive on the course. The player will leave this hole wondering if somehow he has been transported away from the flat coastal plain of North Carolina, and into the foothills instead.

Black: 554    Blue: 534    White: 520    Gold: 505    Red: 426

11th Hole - View of Green

Prospective Non-Property Owner Carolina Colours Golf Club Members:

On Friday, October 9, 2009, starting at 2:30 pm, an informal informational meeting will be held at the Carolina Colours Pavilion for Non-Carolina Colours Property Owners interested in learning about golf opportunities in Carolina Colours.  You are invited to attend.

A brief presentation will be made describing the design and philosophy behind the course.  Non-Property Owner Membership Options will be described, and, weather permitting, course tours will be given.  Whether interested in membership, or just learning about the course, you are welcome to attend.

We at Carolina Colours are excited about our course, and believe it to be one of the region’s best layouts, as well as an outstanding value for its members and players.  We trust you will agree after seeing what we have and hearing about our Golf Club structure.

Please feel free to call the undersigned, or Ken Gerhardt, our golf/hospitality manager (252-772-0201), if you have questions, or if you can’t make our gathering but would like additional info.  Please invite others you believe have an interest in considering this special golfing opportunity.

We hope to see you and/or your friends in the Carolina Colours Pavilion on the 9^th.

Kenneth M. Kirkman

Developer, Carolina Colours

252-636-3700

9th Green & Social Pavilion