Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

by: Allison Woodward

Drop those snow boots, grab your golf clubs and forget about winter for a while at Ocean Ridge Plantation in Sunset Beach, N.C.

Unlike its northern neighbors, Sunset Beach boasts a mild climate year-round. The warm weather and pristine natural surroundings make Ocean Ridge Plantation the perfect destination for active golfers who don’t want to settle for just a few short months of golf at home.

Sunset Beach experienced no serious weather issues this summer and fall, leaving the courses in beautiful condition.

Ideally located between the history of Wilmington and the excitement of Myrtle Beach, Ocean Ridge Plantation boasts one of the most diverse golf experiences on the East Coast with its three “Big Cat” courses – Lion’s Paw, Panther’s Run and Tiger’s Eye. A fourth course, Leopard’s Chase, is in progress.

Lion’s Paw is an open, hilly 18-hole course that treats golfers to spectacular views of a creek valley and wetlands. It has been described as designer Willard C. Byrd’s finest work.

Panther’s Run, an 18-hole course carved out of rolling woodlands runs along several untouched natural wildlife habitats, and offers large multiple tee areas, giving golfers of all skill levels a fair shot at making par.

Tiger’s Eye, Ocean Ridge’s crown jewel, is a rare treat and one of the most highly praised courses along the East Coast. This upscale, daily-fee 18-hole golf course is distinguished by dramatic 60-foot elevation changes and a stunning combination of natural waste areas, native wild flowers, waterfalls, coquina boulders, and coastal marshland. Tiger’s eye is a thinking-person’s course, requiring precise shot making and a reliable short game.

Construction on Leopard’s Chase, Ocean Ridge’s next Big Cat course, is on schedule with completion slated for 2006. The par-71 course measures more than 7,000 yards and features stunning natural vistas and dramatic elevation changes. Course architect Tim Cate, who also did Tiger’s Eye, believes that Leopard’s Chase will turn out even better than Tiger’s Eye and that golfers will be lining up to sample the next great cat at Ocean Ridge.

And that’s quite a prediction. Tiger’s Eye is one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, 2003-2004,” says Golf Digest magazine. North Carolina magazine named it the “Most Scenic Golf Course” in coastal North Carolina, and the third most scenic course in the entire state.

In Golf Digest’s prestigious bi-annual golf “bible” Tiger’s Eye is rated at 4 1/2 stars, which makes it a “don’t miss” golf course. In addition, Tiger’s Eye — along with its sister courses Panther’s Run and Lion’s Paw — is on Golf For Women magazine’s “America’s “Top 100 Fairways” list.

Ocean Ridge also boasts high-quality shopping, service and dining. The Ocean Ridge Golf Shoppe was named one of America’s 100 Best Golf Shops for four consecutive years by Golf Shop Operations Magazine and Tiger’s Eye Golf Links’ store has been named to Golf World Business’ prestigious “America’s 100 Best Golf Shops” list.

The two clubhouses that overlook the golf courses offer a variety of dining options.

With the Canadian dollar at a 15-year high, now is the perfect time to visit Sunset Beach, N.C.

So forget the snow and come play in the sun with the Big Cats at Ocean Ridge Plantation in Sunset Beach, N.C.

About The Author
Allison Woodward, My background includes serving as an editor at Life Insurance Selling magazine in St. Louis, Mo., where I was responsible for writing, editing, selecting editorial material, managing the magazine’s Web site, and covering industry events. In addition, I have worked as an editor, reporter, and photographer for several newspapers in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

By Matthew Keegan

Summer brings with it warmth and high humidity. The season also offers the opportunity for heat weary folks to escape to the mountains or beaches for a well deserved rest. In North Carolina, there are several beach destinations worth visiting; nine top sites are featured here.

1. The Outer Banks — Perhaps the most well known of all the beaches in the Carolinas, the Outer Banks offers much history as well as attractive beaches. You can visit the spot where the Wright Brothers first took flight in Kill Devil Hills as well as the first European settlement on Roanoke Island.

2. Bald Head Island — Got feet? You’ll need them here as no cars are allowed on the island. You can use an electric golf cart to get around, however.

3. Atlantic Beach — Located on the eastern end of the Bogue Banks this resort is part of the Crystal Coast. Historic Fort Macon State Park is a popular nearby attraction.

4. Figure Eight Island — Got money? You’ll need it to visit this private, exclusive resort.

5. Oak Island — Located in Brunswick County, below Wilmington, Oak Island is one the few south facing beaches along the east coast. Lots of golf courses in the area including at least one champion course.

6. Sunset Beach — Just three miles in length, Sunset Beach is the southern most of the Brunswick Island beaches. The only link to the mainland is a one lane pontoon bridge. Wow!

7. Carolina Beach — Located between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, Carolina Beach features shopping, a boardwalk, a state aquarium, and the Carolina Beach State Park.

8. Topsail Beach — If beachfront high rise developments turn you off, then this is the place for you as strict zoning laws rule the land. During the 1700s pirates roamed the nearby waters. No word on whether Blackbeard’s treasure has ever been found.

9. Wrightsville Beach — This busy beach is frequented by Raleigh area residents as it is the closest beach to the state capitol. Still, out of state visitors find it to be a favorite resort.

From the Virginia border to South Carolina, North Carolina’s beaches offer visitors much more than sand and ocean breezes. Pick one of these destinations and you will truly have plenty of fun in the sun!

Matt is The Article Writer covering topics as diverse as aviation, business, customer service, food, marketing, travel, and writing. Please visit his site today for more information: http://www.thearticlewriter.com