Golf Course Review: Wilmington Municipal Golf Course | 8.0 Score

Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Golf Course Review: Wilmington Municipal Golf Course | 8.0 Score
Golf Course Review: Wilmington Municipal Golf Course | 8.0 Score /

Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Course architects: Donald Ross | John Fought (2014, green surrounds rebuild)
Opened: 1926
Par: 71
From the tips: 6,784 yards
Rating: 72.4
Slope: 128
Saturday morning green fee: $ (Under $50)
Caddie service: No
Walker friendly: Yes
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Bermuda

THE REVIEW

8.0 Fun Meter

Starter: The Wilmington Municipal Golf Course is a true gem. Designed by Donald Ross in 1926, the municipal course has long been a popular golf destination on North Carolina's southeast coast, particularly after John Fought completed a greens surround redesign in 2014.

Play because …: A throwback, cool place to play golf. Where else can you spend $30 (on a weekend) to walk and play a restored Donald Ross course? 

Takeaway: Sling your bag over your shoulder and play in 4 hours for less than $40 — on a Ross-designed course none the less. This course defies the muni tag that is used often in Wilmington. In his renovation, architect John Fought used Ross’ original green plans.

RATINGS [1 to 10 scale, 10 being the highest]

Food | beverage: 6
Pro shop: 6
Clubhouse: 6
Difficulty: 7
Pace of play: 10 

THE COURSE (Scorecard)

Best par 3: 16th hole (268 yards). A real test coming home. From the back tees, the hole plays like a drivable par 4.
Best par 4: 18th hole (428 yards). The finishing hole plays straight away — downhill from the tee and uphill to the green with the low-key clubhouse in the background.
Best par 5: 12th hole (546 yards). On this dogleg right hole, a creek bisects the fairway on the second shot and a small hazard sits to the right of the landing area. The green is perched on the top of the hillside.

INFO

Website: www.wilmingtonmuni.com
Phone: 910.791.0558
Twitter: @CityofWilm


Published
Ward Clayton
WARD CLAYTON

Ward Clayton is an accomplished and respected Communications Professional, author and editor with 20-plus years’ experience. He has served as the Communications Director for Signature Group and owner of Clayton Communications and is involved annually as the Editorial Director of Masters Digital. Clayton is a Producer for the 2019 documentary, Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk, and the author of Men on the Bag: The Caddies of Augusta National, the 2004 book that gave a first-ever glimpse at the life and impact of the famed caddies at the world’s most famous golf course, home of the Masters Tournament. He is formerly a sports writer with the Durham Morning Herald, the sports editor of The Augusta Chronicle and Director of Editorial Services for the PGA Tour.