For those who play golf, the Wilmington area has a lot to offer, and with dozens of courses to choose from, picking one can be difficult.
But if you’re considering playing a round or two, you might start at one of the places StarNews readers love.
In a recent poll, the StarNews asked folks the best place to play golf in the Wilmington area. The poll listed all golf courses in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties, and with 11,525 total votes, there was a clear winner with several other places receiving a lot of support.
No. 1 golf course
Taking first place with nearly 50 percent of the vote — or 5,577 votes — was The Links at Brick Landing in Ocean Isle Beach. The course, designed by Mike Brazeal, sits on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway less than five
miles from the sandy beaches of Ocean Isle.
While the course was built in 1987, it was recently renovated and features new Sunday Ultra-Dwarf Bermuda greens. The course also includes a driving range and a pro shop offering everything you need from apparel to a great gift for that special golfer in your life.
Other top golf courses
Old Fort Golf Club in Winnabow took second place with 4,311 votes, or about 37 percent. One of the things that makes Old Fort unique is that there are no homes around it. While it doesn’t offer the scenic waterway views as the poll’s first-place spot, it is tucked back off N.C. 133 offering golfers a quiet escape.
Compass Pointe Golf Club in Leland took third place in the poll with 973 votes, or about 8 percent. The private golf club’s 18-hole championship golf course is designed by North Carolina native Rick Robbins. In addition to the challenging course, amenities include a 15,000-square-foot clubhouse, practice facilities including a driving range and two putting greens.
In fourth place with 160 votes was IronClad Golf in Hampstead. This course was once known as Belvedere Country Club, but it has been rebranded to offer a golfers a new experience. According to its website, the 18-hole championship golf course was originally designed y Russell T. Burney in 1970. The course features a figure-eight design. In addition to the course, IronClad Golf offers a 25-tee driving range, pickleball courts, and a 30,000-square-foot beer garden and a taco restaurant for a “laid-back social destination,” the website states.
Rounding out the top five with 50 votes was the Wilmington Municipal Golf Course. Celebrating its centennial anniversary this year, the course was designed by Donald Ross in 1926 and offers a championship 18-hole golf course that is open to the public.
Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at rspencer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Top 5 best golf courses in the Wilmington area, according to readers
