THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 30, 1995 TAG: 9507270222
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 58 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: POWELLS POINT LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
The newest golf course in the area, the Pointe Golf Club, located 3 1/2 miles west of the Wright Memorial Bridge in Currituck County, is already getting ready for changes.
The course, which sits on a 120-acre former United Turf sod farm, is already one of the prettiest courses in the area. Its hilly playing surface and gentle breezes off the Currituck Sound make the course pleasing, yet challenging.
The course, which opened July 2 is owned by Keith Hall, founder of United Turf.
``Keith always dreamed of building a golf course,'' said Pointe pro Dave Donovan. ``United Turf has been providing turf for 16 years.''
The pro shop is currently operating out of the former United Turf offices. But a new pro shop and restaurant are being built and will open in August. Donovan said that changes are already planned for some of the holes.
``We've been happy with the comments. People have been real happy with the course,'' he said. ``We are planning changes to make the course more challenging.''
Some of the holes at the Pointe are challenging enough for any level of golfer. For example, the par 5 eighth hole has a ``dog leg right'' tee off and a triple-tiered green. The par 3 eleventh hole is short at 179 yards, but the fairway is extremely narrow with a wetland area to the right and out of bounds to the left. On the par 4 twelfth hole, golfers must play over wetlands from the tee. The eighteenth hole is a long 619 yards from the challenging gold tees.
Donovan rates the sixth, eleventh, and eighteenth holes as equally tough. The sixth hole, though, is the course's signature hole, the one in which it gets its name. The cart path leading to the tee on the sixth hole crosses over a large hill (the point) which gives golfers a scenic view of the Currituck Sound. The par 4 hole is rated the toughest on the course, according to the score card. Depending where you tee off from, the hole has three water hazards.
The course is in a good location to attract golfers from the beach and from the mainland.
``We've been busiest during the week,'' Donovan said. ``Saturday and Sunday are changeover days on the beach. Monday through Friday are days to play golf. We've been booked up solid on tee times on weekdays from 6:44 a.m. to noon. Then it lets up. A big help has been the opening of the second span of the Wright Memorial Bridge.
``The level of players is what we expected. It's very seasonal. We will have to be prepared for January and February when nobody's out here,'' he added.
Eighteen holes of golf at the Pointe costs $52 which includes a cart. The fee for nine holes is $26. Residents of Currituck, Dare, Camden, and Pasquotank counties are eligible to play at a $40 resident rate in season.
The Pointe also features a putting green and a driving range. The range is $5 for a large bucket of balls and $2.50 for a small bucket. Golf clubs are also available for rental.
Tee-offs start at 6:44 a.m. and end at approximately 3:30 p.m. for 18 holes and 5:30 p.m. for nine holes. by CNB