Pearl West
1300 Pearl Blvd. SW, Sunset Beach, NC, 28468Set along bluffs above the Calabash River in North Carolina, just north of Myrtle Beach, The Pearl Golf Club’s West Course offers a series of challenging holes crafted on rolling terrain through spectacular wetlands and tall pines. Architect Dan Maples sprinkled in shells to accentuate some of the beautiful, but dangerous hazards. With its sister East Course, The Pearl provides players with a grand experience, capped by a finishing hole set just above the river, at a modest price.
In addition to the picturesque setting, numerous hazards and abundance of local wildlife, the West Course, which opened in 1987, features new bentgrass (The Pearl’s East Course has MiniVerde Bermuda) greens. The course measures 7,006 yards from the back tees with a rating of 73.5 and a slope of 134, but is enjoyable for players of all skill levels from four other sets of tees.
The homestretch includes two lengthy par-5s. The first, No. 16, stretches to 614 yards with a breathtaking view of the Calabash River to the right, forcing players to hit three solid shots to reach one of the longest holes in the Myrtle Beach area. At No. 18, players have the choice to play it safe or play over water on the right in a shorter route to the green. Perhaps the toughest par-3 is No. 8, a 215-yard monster that often plays into the wind.