210 Clubhouse Rd, Sea Trail Plantation,
Sunset Beach, North Carolina NC 28468
Office
+1 (800) 508 1204Pro shop
+1 (910) 287 1122Fax
+1 (910) 287 1104Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
SeveralAcademy
Sea Trail Golf SchoolThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Relatively flat terrain.
Surroundings:
Woodland and residential.
Designer:
Dan Maples
Sea Trail is home to three 18-hole championship courses: Rees Jones course (par-72, 6761 yards from back tees); Dan Maples course (par-72, 6797 yards); Willard Byrd course (par-72, 6750 yards).
33.891632
-78.512571
3 miles E of Calabash
Travelling north from Myrtle Beach on US Hwy 17 : just before the South Carolina / North Carolina border, you will meet the junction of Hwy 17 and route 179 (Beach Drive SW to Calabash). Take the 179 to Calabash. After approx 3 miles, at traffic lights in Calabash, continue straight over into Old Georgetown Road SW (still on the 179). After 2.5 miles turn right into Sea Trail. Follow road for approx 1.7 miles (past Conference Centre and clubhouse for Jones and Byrd courses) to clubhouse for the Maples course.
Sea Trail (Maples)
Sea Trail Golf Resort (Dan Maples course): Of the three championship golf courses here at Sea Trail, the Dan Maples design pre-dates the Jones and Byrd courses by about five years. It also commands pride of place alongside Calabash Creek.
Home no doubt to an alligator or two, the wonderfully natural Calabash Creek runs alongside four holes, not least on the leftside of the opening pair, two short par-4s, the first of which is driveable for the biggest hitters - if you have the nerve.
When not playing the creekside holes (1 & 2 on the front-nine, and 12 & 13 on the back), the Maples is a predominantly wooded layout. Plenty of pines and oaks line the fairways, providing good protective cover and screening for the real estate, which, most of the time, sits discreetly in the background.
There are some pleasant though never dramatic elevation changes, especially on the more natural feeling back-nine, where housing becomes much less noticeable. The good-sized and occasionally elevated greens support many slopes and borrows, and are generally well-bunkered, fiercely so at the shortish par-4 18th.
Water is a less potent threat than on Sea Trail's other two courses, making its presence felt only on the creekside holes and at the sharply doglegging par-4 7th, and the tough par-4 8th, which starts with a tee-shot over a good-size pond. With large sandy waste areas skirting a few holes and some tightish fairways to hit, the Maples combines many attractive features, making for an enjoyable and at times testing round of golf.
Stay&Play at Sea Trail: luxury onsite accommodation in suites and vacation rentals are available; see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Non-metal spike facility. Golf carts compulsory.
Excellent
The Rees Jones and Willard Byrd courses share the same clubhouse and pro shop, next to the main Sea Trail buildings that house the Conference Centre, Magnolias Restaurant and the Real Estate Sales Offices. The Dan Maples clubhouse is about one mile further south on the Sea Trail Resort property.
211 Clubhouse Road, Sunset Beach, NC 28468
+1 (910) 287 1100
Visit websiteSea Trail Resort features a well-designed collection of rental villas and condominiums, predominantly located alongside the Dan Maples course, one of three championship golf courses at Sea Trail. Also onsite you'll find a large conference centre, varied dining options and a full array of resort amenities.
Sea Trail (Rees Jones, Dan Maples and Willard Byrd courses).
Thistle; Pearl Golf Links (East and West courses); Oyster Bay; Ocean Ridge Plantation (Tiger's Eye, Lion's Paw, Panther's Run and Leopard's Chase courses); Brunswick Plantation; Crow Creek.
River's Edge
37 West First Street, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
+1 (910) 579 0750
Visit websiteBecome a true islander and enjoy an oceanfront or sound view accommodation on the island of Ocean Isle Beach. Also well located to access the golf courses of Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach.
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Thistle; Pearl Golf Links (East and West courses); Oyster Bay; Sea Trail (Jones, Byrd and Willard courses); Ocean Ridge Plantation (Tiger's Eye, Lion's Paw, Panther's Run and Leopard's Chase courses); Brunswick Plantation; Crow Creek; River's Edge.
The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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