Hi all!
Weather conditions: mainly cloudy, 78 degrees Farenheit
Today, a little trip to Calabash (very close to the border separating North Carolina from South Carolina) to play The Pearl ( https://www.facebook.com/ThePearlGolf and https://thepearlgolf.com/ ), a really, really nice place!
Since the end of 2019, this course went from 36 to 27 holes, with three nine holes named West, East and North respectively. For our part, we treated ourselves to a 36-hole day with the following combinations: North/West and West/East.
On the North Course, you will have the feel of a links-style golf course, with wider fairways and larger greens. For its part, Pearl East emphasizes a parkland-style course, where precision should be privilege over power. Finally, Pearl West combines the best of both with 6 holes located along the Calabash River highlighting the natural beauty of the place.
In terms of playing conditions, the tee boxes and fairways were well provided on the grass side, and the sand traps (we visited a few of them…) were simply impeccable. As for the greens, they were in excellent condition, although the speed was rather “medium”.
Furthermore, our favorites are certainly for holes #7, #8 and #9, both for the West and for the East. On the West, holes #7 and #8 allow you to have a very beautiful view on the side of the neighboring course (Oyster Bay) and #9, which is a par 5, is really not far from the greens, a body of water very well protecting the green which is sloping, as well as two sand traps , when the time comes to play your second or third shot! On the East side, there too, holes #7 and #8 offer you a view of Oyster Bay, and hole #9 (a long par 5) is simply beautiful! These six holes alone are more than worth the trip as far as we are concerned. As for the North portion, we really liked the challenges offered by hole #2, a fairly long par 3 full of dangers, hole #5, a par 4 which is intended to be the most difficult hole on the course, and hole #9, a very long par 4 which plays almost like a par 5 with a huge green 35 yards deep.
In short, overall, a very nice golf experience today and we would definitely recommend The Pearl, which offers very good value for money and interesting golf no matter which of the three nine holes you are called to play when the time comes.
How about your own favorite Pearl?
Denis Gilbert
Quebec City, Canada
Another very interesting report Denis. There are many good courses in the Calabash region. Pearl is one of them. Keep posting!
''It's just golf, let's have fun''
I have played since they changed to 27 holes.
Brownwood Bandit
Love The Pearls. Gonna try to get out there in the fall
Another great report from a MBGT Legend
Best photographer in MBGT history
"King Of The Mid-tiers"
We always enjoy a game at the Pearl, thanks for your report and pics.
While I miss the 36 hole layout moving to 27 holes has allowed for better and consistent course maintenance. I really enjoy the West and East nines especially the holes that play along the Calabash River which are extremely scenic. (I make the trip from Pawleys Island as least once a year because of this.)
