NEWS FEATURE

Oyster Bay reopens after greens revamped

(Aug. 10, 2004) ? The Oyster Bay Golf Links in Sunset Beach, N.C., is now open after seven weeks of surgery on the greens, as well as some other modifications.

The course, a perennial favorite for Grand Strand golfers, re-did all its greens, replacing the old-fashioned Bermuda with state-of-the-art TifEagle Bermuda.

"They?re in good shape now, they?re a little bit slower than we want them," said head pro Dennis Lloyd. "We?ve got to let some roots get in there good, but by mid-September they?ll be a lot better."

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The course is known for the severity of its undulating greens. The undulation was pretty much left alone, though the par-4, 13th green was re-configured. Course officials were initially reluctant to re-do the greens, which had been in good shape, but decided the new grass would be better for the course in the long run.

Oyster Bay has seen some tinkering over the year, but the recent makeover was the most drastic since its opening in 1983.

They revamped all the tee boxes, changing some more than others. On the par-3 17th, for example, they cut trees to the right of the tee box, making it much larger.

The hole now plays about 130 yards from the back tees, Lloyd said.

On the 12th, trees were cut down to open the fairway.

"It was a little narrow on the left side," Lloyd said. "The trees were kind of in the fairway on the right and you had to hook it down in the fairway, but now it?s a straight shot."

Oyster Bay Golf Links (800)697-8372 legendsgolf.com Fast fact: Legends is offering a three-round card at any of its pro shops for $135.

The rough areas will have a different look as well. At least 10,000 "love grass" plants were installed where pine straw used to be.

"Once it gets grown in, it will look real good," said Lloyd. "It looks good out there now, it?s different."

The course was once one of the undisputed kings of the Grand Strand, before the most recent golf course construction boom.Golf Digest ranked it the "resort course of the year" in 1983, and the magazine ranked it in the Top 50 public courses in 1990.

But it was outshone by the newer, flashier courses by the mid-90s, and has been neglected by most golf publications since.

Still, it remains a favorite, with its scenic, marsh holes on the shores of Twin Lakes, two island greens, cavernous bunkers and undulating greens. At just under 6,700 yards, course officials describe it as a "rare blend of penal, heroic and strategic philosophies of golf course architecture."

The course was one of Dan Maple?s first solo projects.