Golfing in Eastern NC

Taberna's centerpiece is the magnificent golf clubhouse, designed after a castle in Switzerland.

Taberna is the newest golf course in the New Bern area. A beautiful, challenging layout designed by senior Nicklaus architect Jim Lipe this course has a full size driving range and a large putting green, all conveniently located by the first hole.

The first hole is a great starting hole. A slight dogleg left with a bunker down the left side that prevents you from cutting the corner and shortening the hole. After a drive of 230 yards down the middle you should have about 150 yards left. The 3 well placed sand traps around the green make the second shot less than a cake walk. The number 1 handicap hole is the par 5 6th. I personally don't find this hole that difficult. Just keep it in play and you should manage a par. The trouble comes into play for us amateurs when we see the par 5 sign and try things we are not capable of doing. Now the next hole is a different story. From the back tees number 7 plays 437 yards. This dogleg right is  toughest hole for me on the front 9. Right behind it would be number 3 which is 450 from the back. A well hit drive still leaves a long approach to a downhill green. An accurate 2nd shot is needed to avoid a potential 3 putt on a green that has some severe slopes. Number 9 is a tough par 5 with a lake running all the way down the left side of the fairway which comes into play on the drive, 2nd, and 3rd shots. When the wind blows directly in your face, which it often does, you will be glad to get off this hole without a big number and move on to the snack bar which is on the way to the 10th hole.

Number 10 is a good starting hole for the back nine. Just avoid the bunker that guards the right side of the fairway. This is a relief after numbers 7 and 9. Number 11 is a par 5. No trouble in the middle of the fairway so try to keep it there. Its rated the  number 6 handicap hole but I don't see it. The most scenic hole on the course is number12. Its the number 14 handicap rated handicap hole and to me it plays more like number 3. Its 202 yards from the back or 180 from the middle tees. From the middle tee its about a  170 yard carry over wetlands that run between the tee and the green. A slight miss hit and your in the drink and on your way to a big number. Number 15 is one of my favorite holes on the back. Its a sharp dogleg left with water all the way down the left side. A 200 yard drive leaves you about 150 out. The problem is that we are all human and human nature requires that we try to shave off some of the dogleg.

 Taberna subdivision, located about 3 miles south of downtown New Bern, is one of the newest, upscale subdivisions in Eastern North Carolina.

 I would love to show you this neighborhood. There is a house here for everyone. Homes prices range from $250,000 to $550,000.

I remember the night, (around 1970) my Uncle Joe came over to talk to my father, Spec Tyson, who was well known as a golfer in the New Bern

The community of Fairfield Harbour is located about 15 minutes from Historic downtown New Bern. It is a 2,400 acre community that sits along the banks of the Neuse River. From FFH by water it is about 15 miles or so to the intra coastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean is a short distance from there. A canal system winds throughout much of the community. Amenities include 2 golf courses, tennis courts, and 3 marinas that will accommodate up to a 60 foot boat.

Two Great Golf Courses.

Note:The Shoreline Course is closed until further notice

The Shoreline Golf Course was the first course built in Fairfield. If you play Shoreline you  better bring your A game. This course was designed to find any flaws in your golf game. Straight, well placed drives are absolutely essential. I love the layout of Shoreline, its one of my all time favorite courses. When I play there I expect to have some bad holes so I just relax and enjoy the challenge of playing a difficult tract. Number 3 is the number one handicap hole. Playing 587 yards from the back tees, there is no bail out on your drive, second shot, or approach. Trouble both left and right. I usually play this hole for bogey and just try to avoid the big number. The next hole, number 4, is a fun hole that you can birdie, that is if you do not slice into the lake. Number 6 is a 490 yard par 5 with water left and OB right. Another no place to bail out hole. A good drive and second shot still leaves you shooting to a difficult narrow but deep green. Number 14 is the number 2 handicap hole and when you see it you will understand why. Its a long slight dogleg left, usually plays into the wind, and has water all the way down the left side. You can bail right, however if you do so beware of the bunker and it additional length you add to the already long hole. This is another hole that I play for bogey. Its easy to make a big number here. Number 18 is a great finishing hole. Its a dogleg right with a lake all the way down the left side off the fairway and a bunker guarding  the right side.

The Harbour Pointe Golf Course is a little less nerve wracking than Shoreline. But don't think it is a wimp. The first 4 holes are not especially difficult but  number 5 can jump up and bit you. Long, OB left, and a lake all the way down the right side, it usually seems to play into the wind. The back side starts out harmless enough until you come to number 14. Plays 446 yards from the back, with OB all the way down the left side and wetlands all the way down the right side. The green has a panoramic view of Broad Creek and the Neuse River.  I grew up fishing in this area and would love to share some of my fishing stories with you. Number 17 is a fun hole. It is short but a hook will land you in the pond that runs most the way down the left side.