GOLF, GOLF AND MORE GOLF

Image – Oak Island Golf Club, Caswell Beach, NC

Golf is not everyone’s game. However, it is certainly popular in southeastern, NC, evidenced by the number of golf communities in the area  – and the people who live in them. Did you know that the game is considered to have been invented by the Scots? “A spokesman for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, one of the oldest Scottish golf organisations, said “Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland.” In 1739, the game spread to (what is now) the United States with a shipment of clubs and balls to South Carolina and the establishment of the South Carolina Golf Club in Charleston in 1787. The game became very popular in the Roaring Twenties and the number of golf clubs have been growing ever since that time.*
*Source – Wikipedia

Image – Thistle Golf Club, Sunset Beach, NC

The following public golf courses can be found in the Southport – Oak Island, NC area:

The Bald Head Island Club On Bald Head Island, NC

The Lakes Country Club in Boiling Spring Lakes, NC

Oak Island Golf & Country Club and Oak Island Par 3 Golf Course at South Harbour in Caswell Beach, NC and Oak Island, NC

Further south, you will find these courses.

Ocean Isle Beach, NC:  The Big Cats Golf Courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation

Shallotte, NC:  Brierwood Golf Club
Rivers Edge Golf Club & Plantation

Calabash, NC:  Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort
Crow Creek Golf Course
The Pearl Golf Links

Carolina Shores, NC:  Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club

Holden Beach, NC:  Lockwood Folly Country Club

Sunset Beach, NC:  Oyster Bay Golf Links
Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club
Thistle Golf Club 

In the northern part of Brunswick County, NC, you can play golf at these locations.

Leland, NC:  Compass Pointe Golf Club
Magnolia Greens Golf Course
Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest

Bolivia, NC: Carolina National Golf Club at Winding River Plantation

Image – Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest, Leland, NC

OYSTERS, MUSIC & A GOLF BALL

For most people, the word ‘oysters’ conjures up visions of food. Oysters on the half shell. Oysters Rockefeller. Fried Oysters. Oyster stew. But how much do you actually know about oysters? How do oysters make pearls? How important are oysters to the coastal water quality? What is the life of an oyster like? katherine Hunt, a science educator, can answer these questions and more. She first went digging for oysters when she was just a child. As the Education Outreach Coordinator for the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, she will be presenting a program called ‘Oysters are Important!’ on Saturday, March 25, beginning at 11 AM, at the museum. She will also lead a hands on activity and offer handouts to participants. Why not participate in this family oriented program?

Starting on Friday, March 24 at 7:30 PM, and running through April 2, you can enjoy some of your favorite music from movies at the Amuzu Theatre in Southport, NC. Included in this spring show, The Magic of Movie Music, will be songs from Hairspray, Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Les Miserables, Shrek, 9 to 5, The Bodyguard, Dreamgirls, Risky Business, Flashdance, Pitch Perfect 2, White Christmas, Casablanca, La La Land, and more. Local singers and live band members will wow you with their talent. The $20 tickets can be purchased with cash or checks at Ricky Evans Art Gallery in Southport, NC, or at Color Me Carolina in Oak Island, NC. More information is available at: 910-523-2552.

On Saturday evening, March 25, The First Tee of Brunswick County will be presenting The Golf Ball, the annual fundraiser for their scholarship program. This year the ball will be held in the BCC South Brunswick Islands Center in Carolina Shores, NC. Black tie is optional.

 

CHASING THE BALL

Dogs and balls go together like, well, like balls and dogs. There’s nothing your dog loves to do more than chase and retrieve a ball – except maybe sleep. They would do it for hours if your arm did not give out. But, if you think about it, they are not much different than people. We chase balls on football fields, on volley ball courts, on baseball and softball diamonds, on tennis courts, on basketball courts, on soccer fields, on pool tables – even on the beach.

In Brunswick County, NC, the most popular place to chase balls is on the golf course. Due to the moderate weather and the number of public golf courses to be found here, golf ball chasing enthusiasts can do their chasing year round. For variety, you might try a different course every time you play golf. Check them out here:

Bald Head Island, NC:

The Bald Head Island Club

Boiling Spring Lakes, NC:

The Lakes Country Club

Oak Island, NC:

Oak Island Golf & Country Club
Oak Island Par 3 Golf Course at South Harbor

Ocean Isle Beach, NC:

The Big Cats Golf Courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation

Shallotte, NC:

Brierwood Golf Club
River’s Edge Golf Club & Plantation

Calabash, NC:

Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort
Crow Creek Golf Course
The Pearl Golf Links

Carolina Shores, NC:

Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club

Holden Beach, NC:

Lockwood Folly Country Club

Sunset Beach, NC:

Oyster Bay Golf Links
Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club
Thistle Golf Club

Leland, NC:

Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest
Magnolia Greens Golf Course

Bolivia, NC:

Carolina National Golf Club at Winding River Plantation

WEDDINGS

From the beach to a chapel, from extravagant to simple, on land or at sea, there are many various and lovely wedding locations in Brunswick County, NC. Here come the bride, the groom, the maid of honor, the best man the bridesmaids, the attendants, the flower girl, the ring bearer, the reception, the caterer, the cake, the officiant, the bridal registry, the flowers, the music, the photographer, the videographer, the transportation, the rental equipment, oh – and don’t forget the marriage license. Whew! You might want to check out our links for some help. We can even help you with a wedding planner. You also might want to check out the upcoming wedding shows. There are two this month and another one in March. The first will be this Sunday, January 24 in Southport, NC.

The Southern Cape Fear Bridal Expo will be held at the St. James Community Center.

The Silver Coast Bridal Show will be held at the Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach, NC on January 31.

On March 2, you can attend the South Brunswick Islands Bridal Expo in Carolina Shores, NC.

 

 

THIS N THAT

Mike’s Garage Band has made quite a name for itself in Brunswick County, NC – a good name. It’s a great band whose members play for free and donate all proceeds from their playing, and your fun dancing, to worthy causes. This Saturday, November 21, is no exception as they present A 60s/Oldies Dance Party at the Brunswick Community College South Brunswick Islands Center in Carolina Shores, NC, with all proceeds going to the Brunswick County Literacy Council. The cost is only $10 per person and reservations and payment can be made at: http://www.bcliteracy.org. For information, call: (910) 754-7323.

At 7:30 PM on Friday, November 20, you can attend a Star Party at the Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach, NC. You can bring your own telescope or use the planetarium’s telescopes. Hopeful viewing includes the moon, of course, Orion, Canis Major and Canis Minor and more. The rain date is Saturday, November 21 at 7 PM. For more information, go to http://www.museumplanetarium.org or call: (910) 575-0033.

On Saturday, November 21, kids can go flying at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Oak Island, NC! Pilots and volunteers with the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 939 will be on hand from 10 AM until 1 PM to take to the skies with kids ages 8 through 17. Each kid will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian – not for the flight – but to sign the registration form. Don’t let your kids miss out on this opportunity! Contact person is: ginnylargent@gmail.com or (910) 457-6894.

On Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, from 10 AM until 6 PM, the shops of the Watertower District in Southport, NC, will hold their Christmas Open House. You will find weekend specials, refreshments and $180 in gift certificates will be given away. It’s not too early to shop for the holidays. Some shops included are: Anastasio’s Glass Studio, Howe Outrageous Art Gallery & Marketplace, Magnolia Gifts & Antiques, and Rebecca’s.

You will have two chances to hear the Brunswick Concert Band perform its Fall into Winter concert this weekend. The first concert will be held on Friday, November 20, at 7:30 PM at Hatch Auditorium in Caswell Beach, NC. The second will be held on Sunday, November 22, at 3 PM at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College in Bolivia, NC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VALENTINES DAY

Valentines Day is nearly here and the florists are all in a flurry. When we think of this day we think of love, flowers, candy, special dinners out, gifts of jewelry – all the traditional things associated with it. In Brunswick County, NC you will find some of the restaurants will have special dinners to celebrate the occasion. There is no shortage of florists, jewelry stores and places to purchase Valentine candy either. But there is a number of other events to choose from as well – some of them not so traditional. Why not do something different this year – maybe something your special sweetheart has an interest in or something in which the whole family can participate.

If you have an interest in North Carolina history, you might want to think about heading to the Brunswick Town State Historic Site in Winnabow, NC. On February 14 and 15 there will be dramatic interpretations of the fall of Ft. Anderson to commemorate the 150th anniversary of that event. (http://southport.insiderinfo.us/annual-events/february/fort-anderson-civil-war-living-history/profile/)

If you like the fun and excitement of the Mardi Gras, you can head on over to Oak Island, NC for their three day event. Wouldn’t it be fun to spend Valentine’s evening in front of a bonfire on the beach? (http://southport.insiderinfo.us/annual-events/february/mardi-gras-by-the-sea/profile/)

For a more traditional evening of dining and dancing, you can participate in The Golf Ball in Carolina Shores, NC where all proceeds benefit a good cause. (http://southport.insiderinfo.us/annual-events/february/the-golf-ball/profile/)