By Joe Derus, North Myrtle Beach Online.com

JUNE 5, 2009 CALABASH, NC ― Just a bit north from the North Myrtle Beach area is the home of Oyster Bay Golf Links. The course is easy to find but requires just a bit of maneuvering getting through the Calabash area. Just do as we did - call Myrtle Beach Golf Directors for tee times and easy to follow directions to the course.  

Subtle indications will let know the driver he is close to the course.  Only one course I know has roughs and tee areas loaded with oyster shells. These shells give away the course entrance is near, give the course its unique look and yet the shells do not interfere with play.

Oyster Bay Golf Links was created by Legends developer Larry Young and architect Dan Maples several years before the late 80’s Grand Strand course building boom. Since Oyster Bay opened in 1983, it has been a local favorite for much of that time. Oyster Bay Golf Links’ large clubhouse offers a full bar and grill, plus a pro shop with plenty of shopping options.  The visitor can warm up on a generous driving range and a Bermuda putting green.

The course is fair to the average golfer, where accurate shots can be as rewarding as long boomers.  Bermuda grass is the choice for greens and fairways and the course winds along open marshes, lakes and through lush forests.  In addition to the unique oyster shell landscaping, Oyster Bay offers several island greens.

Laying up on a few of the holes is the smart thing to do when the second shots will be over marsh grasses or water that’s fairly close to the green. This layout forces a decision from you – play safe and layup or haul out and hit for distance.

Here is the best tip this local can give you. Play the course as early in the morning as you can because the tall trees, remember they have been there for over twenty six years, provide lots of early to mid-morning shade that keeps you cool even on the hottest days. Go there in the early spring and enjoy the scenery-soaked azalea blooms radiant in the long dense shadows cast by native long needle and loblolly pines and majestic live, marsh and turkey oaks.

The other big tip is, read the yardage book carefully, Why…. because there are few hole yardage signs - zero would be more accurate - on the course. The player has got to go by the book to know what hole is actually being played and how it is laid out. The booklet is the only means of hole description and identification.  

Oyster Bay maintains the fairways and greens very well. The day we played several of the greens had been aerated, yet I did not hear a word of complaint form others because the balls rolled smooth and true.  

The fairways were lush and had few spots void of grass. The greens are wickedly undulating and putts must be firm and true. Don’t fuss about the old fashion Bermuda greens, that’s part of the Oyster Bay experience.  They will putt slowly. If you wimp out it won’t go in the hole. Ask me! I am the expert on wimping out on putts.

Another reason to read the book is no two holes are exactly the same. This constantly changing layout keeps your interest at a high level.

Fairway bunkers, trees and plenty of water place a premium on making accurate shots. Yes! There is an island green on the course. It is number 17, just 106 yards from the white tees.  And yes only one of our foursome made the green from the tee – guess who!

Two hit over the green and one unfortunate soul’s shot bounced off the shells.

Another interesting hole is number 3, a 394 yard par four, with alternate greens. The right green is up the hill and the left one is over water. Whichever green is playing that day requires a good poke way down the middle. The left green was in play for us and here is another example of perhaps it is best to lay up with the second shot or risk a penalty in the water.

We started on the back 9 and I found that to be easier than the front 9. So hopefully when you play this pretty neat course you’ll get off on the front 9 while your energy level is high and most will score well at Oyster Bay.