Kilmarlic GC
Harbinger, NC
2003, Tom Steele
Tips: 6412, 72.2, 133
Whites: 5986, 70.1, 128
Directions: From the Wright Mem Bridge, go 3.5 mi N
L onto Westside Ln, follow to club
'03 Fees: $78 high season, $68 14:00 twilight
Washington Golf Monthly Review: Legend has it that in the 1600's, a ship from Kilmarnock, Scotland carrying (what else?) Scotch was sailing to the New World.
It was a dark and stormy night. The Atlantic was in a bad mood. The Scottish ship met with disaster (stories range from a hurricane to pirates) and sank off the coast of NC. Locals reveled in their good fortune as kegs of whiskey washed ashore. They so enjoyed their bounty that they took the name in tribute, and proudly dubbed the area Kilmarlic (OK, so it's misspelled; it was the 1600's and they were hammered).
The owners of Sea Scape GL in Kitty Hawk developed this golf community. Kilmarlic GC brings something a little different to the table, avoiding the imitation links cliche' with pure OBX elements like water and wetlands constantly in play. Each hole is sculpted into the landscape, with flash-up white sand bunkers (or water/wetlands) defining most landing areas. The clover-leaf-island-greened 11th is tough to find even with a short iron in your hand, its difficulty dependent upon the mood of the hole-changer. Compact but hardly shoehorned-in, Kilmarlic is a 7200-yard monster on a 90% scale, greens and fairways included. 3-wood is probably a good idea most of the day, but it's tough to leave your cajones in the cart on the four or so tempting risk/reward 4's and 5's. Don't let the yardage fool ya, Kilmarlic has a tendency to hit you like a hangover. If your score is shockingly high, do like the locals do, and head out in search of a good shot of Scotch.
T&L Golf Review: There's an additional quartet of courses back on the mainland within fifteen miles of the bridge. The Carolina Club, the Pointe Golf Club, Goose Creek Golf and Country Club and the recently opened Kilmarlic Golf Club are all on Route 158, all built within the past decade and all a step down in character, charisma and creativity from the four across the sound. Still, the Carolina Club, in Grandy, has daredevil appeal in its island-green par-three seventh.
Where To Stay: OBX is a great spot for large group vacations, particularly during the fringes of the season, when you can get 3 times the house (with amenities like hottubs and pools) for similar prices as your basic high season townhouse on the MD or Jersey shore. However, if this is purely a buddy golf trip consider staying at the Kilmarlic Club Cottage. The Cottage includes a bedroom suite, large adjoining living area and fully equipped kitchen.
Where To Booze & Grub: See Fat Guy's OBX NC Golf Weekend