White Oak River Campground - Original reviews
8
0
A relaxed treat 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 7, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Substantial changes have been made to this course since its original layout. If you are reading previous reviews , they may not apply to this layout.
This course made for an extremely relaxing round, as I was the only one on the course on a Thursday morning in August. It's on a property with mature trees and some open fields, and winds its way near ponds and the White Oak River. There are some nice touches, including one hole that has to be accessed across a bridge that then plays to a hanging basket.
Later I had a conversation with Mike, the owner, and he indicated that he isn't really looking to get hundreds or even tens of golfers a day. This is a course that he maintains because he loves playing, and to host local tournaments, leagues, etc. I would expect a stress reducing round most every time I played.
Only one of the baskets on the course is in a permanent base. The layout may change slightly to provide variety and generally improve the experience.
The distance on these holes was fair but challenging for a noodle arm like myself. My approach game was tested in order to get my pars. More experienced players are likely to play the long pads and treat everything as a par 3, as some of the long pad par 4s seemed a mite generous to me.
Signage and other directional indication was new and quite clear. There were just a few holes where I couldn't find a long tee pad that was on the sign, but I didn't find this to detract from the experience. Pay attention to the white strips on the tee pads to distinguish the short pads from the long pads.
The rubber tee pads were surpassingly grippy, not at all slick even right after a rain on a dew heavy morning.
This course made for an extremely relaxing round, as I was the only one on the course on a Thursday morning in August. It's on a property with mature trees and some open fields, and winds its way near ponds and the White Oak River. There are some nice touches, including one hole that has to be accessed across a bridge that then plays to a hanging basket.
Later I had a conversation with Mike, the owner, and he indicated that he isn't really looking to get hundreds or even tens of golfers a day. This is a course that he maintains because he loves playing, and to host local tournaments, leagues, etc. I would expect a stress reducing round most every time I played.
Only one of the baskets on the course is in a permanent base. The layout may change slightly to provide variety and generally improve the experience.
The distance on these holes was fair but challenging for a noodle arm like myself. My approach game was tested in order to get my pars. More experienced players are likely to play the long pads and treat everything as a par 3, as some of the long pad par 4s seemed a mite generous to me.
Signage and other directional indication was new and quite clear. There were just a few holes where I couldn't find a long tee pad that was on the sign, but I didn't find this to detract from the experience. Pay attention to the white strips on the tee pads to distinguish the short pads from the long pads.
The rubber tee pads were surpassingly grippy, not at all slick even right after a rain on a dew heavy morning.
Cons:
It was a few days after a hurricane passed, so there were still some limbs and other downed litter. The grass was a little too high for playing anything like a roller, but discs were easily findable.
The last four holes played a little ho-hum, as they were essentially baskets doing their best with an open field with few trees, but I think Mike may have ideas about changing that at some point. Still fun to play those holes, though.
As I said, generally navigation was easy, but there were maybe two or three confusing spots, including not being able to find the long pad on #2.
The second course on the property wasn't playable as it hadn't been mowed in too long. Mike has been a little challenged to keep up with the mowing since his father passed last year, so I would expect this might continue. I have a sense that layout isn't nearly as interesting anyway.
The last four holes played a little ho-hum, as they were essentially baskets doing their best with an open field with few trees, but I think Mike may have ideas about changing that at some point. Still fun to play those holes, though.
As I said, generally navigation was easy, but there were maybe two or three confusing spots, including not being able to find the long pad on #2.
The second course on the property wasn't playable as it hadn't been mowed in too long. Mike has been a little challenged to keep up with the mowing since his father passed last year, so I would expect this might continue. I have a sense that layout isn't nearly as interesting anyway.
Other Thoughts:
Overall, I would say that this course was well worth the 30 minute drive and the $3 to play. I wouldn't say it's a cant miss, but I will not fail to play it every year I'm down for my Emerald Isle vacation from now on. Based on previous reviews the course absolutely blew me away.
I also think this course could be a truly great course if someone ever decided they wanted to give it more dedicated attention, but that also could ruin just a little bit of its charm, so I was well pleased with it just as it is.
I also think this course could be a truly great course if someone ever decided they wanted to give it more dedicated attention, but that also could ruin just a little bit of its charm, so I was well pleased with it just as it is.
2
5
willhoit
Experience:
32.9 years
5 played
3 reviews
I love the WOR 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 24, 2012
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Challenging hole layout- Beautiful scenery- **Camping/fishing/kayaking on site also**
Cons:
Need bug spray in the summer
Other Thoughts:
This is the perfect spot for a weekend camping trip. Close proximity as base camp to New Bern, Kinston, and Jacksonville disc golf parks also (all within 30 minutes).
