When golfing Carolina Colours’ Golf Club in New Bern, NC, no overview of the Carolina Colours Golf Course would be complete without mention of the exceptional golf practice range’s tees and fairways. We are unaware of any practice range in the central coastal region that compares with the Carolina Colours’ facilities. Nearly 400 yards long (and slightly uphill) and about 90 yards wide at the tee (and it widens from there), it would boggle the mind if anyone, of any ability, could drive the golf ball through the end of range, absent a hurricane wind from the rear. With two separate tee areas, so as to preserve the teeing grass, and with targets flagged for distance, the golfer should have no limit to the scope of his warm-up and practice sessions.

Adjacent to the golf practice range is a practice bunker, available for both explosive and long shots. Most of us need work on our sand games, and the opportunity to get that work presents itself at Carolina Colours.

Adjacent to the Pavilion (clubhouse) is a putting and chipping green. With two tiers, there is plenty of room for multiple players to practice at once. And finally, there is a small warm up green adjacent to the first tee. As you wait for the foursome ahead of you to tee off, you can get in that final couple of putts, preparing for that (hopefully) personal record round about to begin.

Golfer's View from 17th Tee

Approaching the 17th hole, after passing through a bit of forest, the player sees a tree lined fairway that rises from the golf tee, requiring an uphill tee shot to this 5 par golf hole. Along the right side of the golf fairway, three large sequential sand traps not only frame the golf course fairway, but also guard the spiff of land that is the shortcut to the golf green. The 275 yard hitter that also hits it straight can fly these golf traps, and if the woods on the right are avoided, have a long second shot by the right side of the two trees that protect the golf green, leaving an eagle putt.

The mere mortal, however, will see the small bunker in the center of the fairway, and hit towards it, or to its left. This much safer shot then leaves a layup by the left side of the two guardian trees, resulting in a pitch into the green on stroke 3 of between 75 and 125 yards. Leaving the layup too short will bring the above mentioned trees into play, blocking the green.

The green is guarded by a large sand bunker in its front, with another to its right. A third small one, at the center rear of the green, helps frame the shot. Yet more sand, some 60 yards short of the green on the left side of the fairway, is more a directional trap than a hazard routinely found. A large green, with a bit of an hourglass shape, is highlighted by a ridge running through its center from back to front, making it important to locate the approach on the same side of the green as the cup. Failure to do so will make for a long, difficult putt.

Many of those familiar with the Carolina Colours golf course find this split fairway hole its most intriguing. Pretty, and with many different playing options, scores ranging from eagle to double bogey are all a real possibility. Played conservatively, however, par should be achievable. The long knocker, however, will have trouble resisting the temptation to shave about 40 yards off the hole, with an eagle putt the reward of success, even though failure will be costly.

Black: 509    Blue: 491    White: 480     Gold: 465     Red: 381

Golfer's View of 17th Green

The 15th hole at Carolina Colours Golf Club is a relatively long par 4, with a dogleg to the right. From the tee, the turn in the fairway is quite visible, but the green is not, thanks to the woods all along the right side of the fairway. The hole is bounded on the right by the wooded wetlands surrounding Brice Creek, an area to be avoided on both the drive and the approach shot to the green.

The prudent shot from the tee is to the left side of the fairway, rather than trying to cut the corner of the dogleg, due to the length of the hole. This placement allows for a clear shot to the green from a shorter drive than is required from the right side. A good drive reaches a slightly elevated landing area, flying over some gentle rolls within the fairway, and allows for a slightly downhill second shot to the green. Many will be hitting a fairway wood toward this massive green, the largest on the course.

The green itself is some 50 paces deep and 35 paces wide. It is bisected by a hump that runs from its highest point in the right center of the green, to its lowest point in the left center. In effect, the green thus has two plateaus, one on the back of the green, the other the front. As with most greens at Carolina Colours, the green surrounds fall away on both sides and the rear, while a chip from just short of the green is not a difficult shot.

When finishing the hole, the player will note that 15 is the only bunkerless hole on the golf course. The length of the hole, and size of the green, make the hole plenty challenging without sand. Pin position will impact the holes length greatly, as location will impact club selection by as many as 4 clubs. Par is a good score here, but keep the ball out of the woods and avoid the three putt, and bogey should rarely be exceeded.

Black: 436     Blue: 427     White: 402    Gold: 386     Red: 319

Golf - 14th Hole - View from Tee

Leaving the 13th green, the tee of the 14th hole is visible through a narrow strip of woods, to the player’s right. Only approaching the tee, however, does one see the hole; what one sees is a large pond down the left side of this short par 4, and a green that sits against the bulkhead, a pretty site for the non-golfer, but quite a challenge for the golfer that wants to hit at the green. Don’t even think about it, unless you have tour length.

Instead, hit anything from a long iron to a driver between the pocket bunker on the left, and the larger, narrow, S shaped bunker on the right. The fairway is one of the flattest on the course, so direction is the key, not distance. From a good, straight drive, one is left only with a short iron or wedge to the green, which sits to the left, and is guarded from this direction by a rather steep bunker about 10 yards to the front of the green; this bunker must be carried, and a bunker on the back (from the tee) or the right (from the layup) should be avoided. Of course, anything left is wet.

The green is rather small, slopes back to front, and has a bit of a ridge down the middle (from right to left, approaching from the lay up landing area). Putts are not severe, and two putts should be the norm, with one putt frequency exceeding those rare three putts.

Two good swings, and this becomes a birdie opportunity. If you are young and limber, and think you can hit it a mile, eagle can be had, but most that try it will be contributing to the pond bottom filled with balls. Play conservatively, and this pretty hole can help the player keep a low 18 hole score in range.

Black: 281   Blue: 274   White: 264   Gold: 253    Red: 201

Golf - 14th Green

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

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

10th Hole - View from Tee

Having completed (hopefully successfully) the front nine, and having gotten refreshment at the Pavilion, the player moves to the 10th tee. This short par 4, running parallel to the 1st hole, is an intriguing hole. From the tee, extensive bunkering along both sides of the fairway frame the landing area, the highest point on the fairway, while the green is visible over the right side bunker.

A straight drive, between the two bunkers, into one of the narrowest landing areas on the course (still a generous 25 yards in width) brings into view the challenge presented by this hole, and may encourage longer hitters to go with a 3 or 5 wood off the tee. As with most short par 4′s, the green is the hole’s primary defense. For this short iron or wedge, one is hitting into a green that is about 40 yards from right to left, but presents a narrow target, with a small bunker guarding its center. Accuracy is key, as the long bunker on the right (some 80 yards in length) stretches from the fairway to the right corner of the green, and there is a significant drop-off behind the green.

The green itself has two levels, the right side high, the left side low. It also slopes back to front, and particularly on the high (and wider) side of the green, this contour is significant. Any approach that is not on the pin side of the green will leave a long and difficult putt, making three putts a real concern.

For the precise short iron player who avoids the bunkers off the tee, birdie here is a real possibility. However, par will be difficult from any of the extensive bunkers, and the green is treacherous. After a number of fairly lengthy par 4′s on the front, the shorter but accurate player clearly has the advantage here, where precision trumps strength.

Black: 335 Blue: 325 White: 310 Gold: 295 Red: 224

10th Hole - View of Green

Golf - 9th Hole View from Tee

As the player walks up from the cart path to the 9th tee, the first impression is again one of how extensive the tee complex is. Extending an almost continuous run of about 100 yards from the back of the championship tee to the front of the gold tee, and some 30 yards across, the variety of lengths and angles is exceptional.

Once on the tee of one of only two holes on the course that run generally southwest, the view is one of the prettiest on the course. Sitting in the distance, just behind the green of this par 5, is the Pavilion, our clubhouse, with a beer or soft drink awaiting. There is not a home in sight along the tree lined fairway, and one can catch glimpses of Carolina Lake through the trees to the right. Gently rolling mounds frame the left side of the fairway, while a large bunker highlights its right side, beside the prime landing area, as the fairway gently slopes from left to right.

From the landing area, the highest area of the fairway, the player sees for the first time the water that runs down the left last one third of the fairway, meandering around the left and rear of the green, and protruding in front of the left side of the green. Three relatively small bunkers form a line extending from the right side of the green some 50 yards. For all but the bravest, the second shot will be at those bunkers, not at the green, in order to keep well clear of the water. This layup will leave a shot of 50 to 125 yards into the green. If the player elects a second shot into the green, distance and precision will be required, with the classic risk/reward awaiting. Any ball to the left of the green or long will end up wet, short left as well, and just right is in the bunker complex.

The green is quite large, with its highest point being the back right, and the lowest point its front left, with a general back to front and right to left tilt. Without a precise approach, a long putt awaits.

This beautiful hole presents a real opportunity to finish the front nine on a positive note. A good short iron player approaching from the right side of the fairway will have an inviting target, and should have a birdie putt. Get ambitious or jittery, however, and trouble awaits. 9 will be a lot of fun for golfers of all levels, but muttered curses may be directed to the superintendent that places the flag on the left side of the green.

Black: 550 Blue: 523 White: 509 Gold: 481 Red: 404

Kenneth M Kirkman, Carolina Colours Developer

Golf - 9th Hole View from Fairway

8th Hole Under Construction

Approaching the 8th tee, the player notices that this par 4 runs perpendicular to hole 7, joining hole 4 as the two south facing holes on the front nine. From the very slightly elevated tee, one sees a fairly simple hole, with trees lining both sides of the fairway and circling the rear of the green; a pretty sight. The player also sees what appears to be a series of bunkers on the left side, beginning at the back of the green, guarding the front right of it, and extending well down the left side of the fairway. The thought from the tee is simple; avoid those bunkers and all will be well.

After a successful drive, as the player approaches his or her tee ball, it becomes apparent that what was seen from the tee as a bunker complex is actually one huge, continuous bunker, the largest by far on the course. It extends from the left rear of the green around the green, guarding more than half of its front, and then extends some 100 yards down the fairway. The gently rolling fairway is wide, its narrowest point being about 30 yards across where the bunker extends closest to the tee.

Again, pin placement is key to the second shot. The large green has a hint of a figure eight shape, but sits at an angle of about 45 degrees, from back left angling forward. A pin on the front or back right of the green makes for a simple approach, while a position in the middle or left rear requires a delicate shot over that portion of the enormous bunker that guards the left front and side of the green. Go long, and the slope away from the green will make the approach chip challenging. The contours of the green are not severe, but it has subtle breaks, and must be carefully read.

One of the shorter par 4 holes on the course, most players will be hitting mid to short irons into the green. A front or right side pin position will have the player thinking birdie. If the pin is to the left, however, the safe play will be to the heart of the green, with a realistic two putt for par. Avoid the bunker, and the player will likely feel good recording the hole 7 score.

Black: 382 Blue: 371 White: 355 Gold: 322 Red: 287

Kenneth M Kirkman, Carolina Colours Developer

8th Hole View During Grass Grow-In

View from 7th Tee

After again passing through and over a small, wooded wetland, the tee complex for the 7th hole, a par 4, rises to the right of of the cart path. From the tee, there is a clear view of the entire hole, including the bunker complex that surrounds the green. By now, the player is becoming accustomed to the rolling fairways of Carolina Colours. On this hole, the fairway gently rolls downward from the tee, and then back up to the landing area, while gently sloping from right towards the trees on the left.

The landing area is wide, guarded only by a sizable bunker on its right edge. Since the fairway slopes away from the bunker, the ideal tee shot is into the right side of the fairway, so the bunker can easily come into play. Driving over the bunker will not be an option for most players.

Once the tee ball is in play, the challenge of the hole becomes apparent. The right side of the green is guarded by a large bunker that extends from the edge of the center of the green at an angle away from the green, some 40 yards down the fairway. The right rear is guarded by a small bunker. Of most concern, however, is the small bunker sitting in the fairway about 25 yards short of the green. This bunker must be carried, unless one can thread a bouncing ball through a narrow opening onto the right side of the green. This bunker is why a tee ball on the right side of the fairway is advantageous.

Once the green is reached, the challenge is not over. There will be few level putts on #7. A ridge runs from the right center of the green, turning to the left front. While the green generally slopes back to front and right to left, this ridge creates some low pockets, particularly on the left central portion of the green. Many putts will require the difficult read of up, then down, with break as well. As with many of the greens at Carolina Colours, the pin placement will make a great deal of difference. I believe it is safe to say there will be more three putt than one putt rounds for the average player, as getting the approach shot close to the hole will often be a challenge.

This seemingly simple hole will likely play harder than it looks. It is long enough to require two well struck balls to reach the green in regulation; par will be difficult from any of the bunkers. Any lapse in concentration on the greens will make 3 putts a likely result. Birdies will be rare, while any player leaving this hole with a par will be content. And seniors and ladies beware, this is the longest 4 par on the course from the up tees, by far.

Black: 414 Blue: 402 White: 385 Gold: 381 Red: 327

View of 7th Green

6th Golf Hole View from Tee

After emerging from another short  ride through the woods and over a wetland area, the slightly elevated tee of the 6th hole at the Carolina Colours Golf Club is immediately before you. The tee complex, with a pond to its left and  front , gives a straighforward view of this long 3 par. The pond is not generally in play, and the fairway, with its rolling berm on the right and a gentle slope inward on its left, creates a bowl like effect, funnelling balls landing short of the green but a bit off line toward the center of the fairway.

The green, one of the widest on the course, offers an inviting target. A sizable bunker on the right front provides the only hazard, but there are steep inclines away from the green right, left and rear.   The gentle slope from the front of the green to the low collection area about 40 yards short of the green is quite playable, however.

The green itself generally slopes back to front and right to left, but the right front feeds to the front right, towards the bunker. Shots into the heart of the green will tend to feed left, however, making a pin position on the right side the toughest to approach, with the bunker and the natural slope of most of the green working against the player.

A pretty hole, with no trickery at all.   Most players will hit a wood off the tee,   but even if a bit short,  par is quite feasible from the front.  A shot the proper distance that is left or right, however, will leave a much more difficult pitch, even if the bunker is avoided. The smart play is to take half a club less than may be ideal to get to the pin, realizing that just short of the green, or on its first third, keeps par clearly in sight.  Typical teeing lengths are:

Black:  219   Blue:  210   White:  194    Gold:  182   Red:  112

6th Golf Hole View of Green

5th Golf Hole View from Tee

As the player crosses Waterscape Way on the way to the 5th tee, the first man made water hazard comes immediately into view. This lake extends across the fairway in front of all tees other than the Red, making for an attractive vista, but this portion of the lake does not come into play for anything other than a topped drive. However, the lake extends the length of the fairway on the right, so a sliced drive from a right handed player will likely be wet.

A medium length par 4, accuracy, not distance, is what is required. Hole 4 is the first full dog leg on the course, as the fairway continues the front nine loop back towards the clubhouse by turning left at the landing area. A large bunker guards the left corner, discouraging one from trying to cut the corner, but only the longest of hitters will likely even reach the bunker. The fairway is generous, with some 60 yards between the water and the trees on the left, with as much as 45 yards of fairway to work with. The dog leg is framed by a rolling bern on the far side, as this hole runs down the perimeter of the Carolina Colours community.

A modest drive down the middle will leave 175 yards or less to the green, and will be 30 yards short of the corner bunker. The fairway gently rises from the landing area to the green, so an extra half club may be required. As one approaches the green, the fairway gently slopes right to left, feeding towards a large bunker on the left edge that runs with the fairway its last 40 yards. The good sized green, which also gently slopes back to front and right to left, is guarded on its right rear by another sand bunker. Grass swales collect balls on the right front and left side of the green, and there is a steep drop off behind the green.

This pretty hole should only trap the player with water phobia. Two solid shots are what is required. Be smart, hit the drive straight, aim towards the right half of the green on the approach, and two putt for par. Avoid the water off the tee and the left bunker on the second shot, and a successful finish to the hole is likely.

Black: 440 Blue: 389 White: 375 Gold: 364 Red: 262

Kenneth Kirkman, Carolina Colours Developer

5th Golf Hole View of Green

Preparing the Putting Green for Sod

Weather has continued to be unkind the past two weeks.  Two ferocious thunderstorms this past week both stopped work for most of the week, and caused wash outs that must be repaired this coming week.  It now appears unlikely that we will have sufficient grow in time to get the back 9 open this year, so we are throwing all resources into the front 9, and are also focusing on the practice facilities.

As can be seen from the photos accompanying this update, sod was laid this past week around the large putting/chipping green, following the completion of  its drainage, shaping and prepping.  The smaller warm up putting green has been shaped, and it’s construction will soon be completed, with sod to follow.

Good progress has been made on holes 10 through 12 the past weeks, with shaping, bunker work and sodding of features well advanced.  Shaping of holes 13 and 14 is nearly complete, and extensive work has been done on holes 17 and 18.  Shaping of holes 15 and 16 will now get priority attention.

Active weed control, insect control,  fertilization and mowing programs are in full swing on the front nine.  During the next few weeks some areas that are not growing in well, or which have proven erosion prone, will be sodded,  in prepartion for fall play.

We finally are hitting some hot, dry days at Carolina Colours, which should be great for grass growing.  Nothing could be better for our bermuda fairways and tees than a stretch of hot days and warm nights.

Ken M. Kirkman, Carolina Colours Developer

Sodding the Putting Green

4th Golf Hole - View from Tee

Walking to the slightly elevated tee of the 4th hole, the player sees that the golf course begins its front nine loop back to the clubhouse.  The first three holes are oriented to the southeast, while the 4th turns northward, bringing winter head winds into play as one hits down the tree lined fairway.   The wind will not be a welcome feature, as the tee ball on hole 4 is the one long, forced carry from a tee on the golf course.

By now, the player has become well acquainted with the wandering wetland that has twice been crossed.  Looking from this tee, you see it again crossing the fairway,  in some places as wide as 60 yards, with a tributary running from it, to its tee side, so that there is no lay up option.   Unless one’s tee shot is well hit, a penalty stroke is inevitable.  From the white tees, a ball need carry some 170 yards to safety.

There is a bunker guarding the right side of the fairway some 40 yards beyond the wetland crossing, but only the longest hitters will bring it into play.  For most of us, it serves as a useful visual tool to identify the right side of the fairway.

Once safely on the green side of the wetland hazard, there remains a shot of between 150 and 170 yards for most players.   The spacious green is guarded left front and center, and right front, by sand bunkers.  The green itself, some 130 feet deep and 90 feet wide near its back, poses the primary remaining challenge.  While it generally slopes from back to front, there is a ridge through the green running both side to side and front to back, so that both front corners and the left back corner of the green all have noticeable inclines feeding off the green.   Unless an approach shot is in the proper quadrant of the green,  two putts will be considered a successful navigation of the putting surface.

From the tee, this is likely to be the most intimidating hole on the course.  While fairly short in total distance,  the necessary carry from the tee will cause many an average golfer to overswing, and thus inevitably fail to make the necessary contact to hit safely into the wide available landing area.  If one can conclude play on holes 3 and 4 without incurring a penalty, a good score on the front nine becomes a real possibility.   This hole will go a long way towards determining whether the player has selected the proper teeing ground to play the Carolina Colours Golf Course.   From the gold and red tees, the intimidation factor largely fades away.

Average distances:

Black:  395     Blue:   363    White:  348   Gold:   306    Red:  257

Kenneth M. Kirkman, Carolina Colours Developer

4th Golf Hole - View of Green from Fairway