Sugar lsle Golf Country was built in 1972 by renowned architect Jack Kidwell. It is an 18-hole par 72 public facility set upon gently rolling terrain. The course plays up to 6,754 yards, and features a combination of bent grass tees and greens with bluegrass fairways. Kidwell’s design brings water hazards into play on more than half of the course’s 18 holes, and showcases a total of 20 white sand bunkers. Several fairways are lined with mature trees. These obstacles blend with a degree of forgiveness to provide Sugar Isle with a layout that can offer a challenge to accomplished players, while still maintaining an accessibility to golfers of all ages and skill levels. This facility, owned and operated by the Smart family since its inception, contains several amenities to enhance the golfer’s experience. These amenities include a pro shop, driving range, and putting green. There is also a Pavilion area that can accommodate up to 120 people that is free to use for groups hosting events at Sugar Isle.
My buddy Frank turned 55 last spring. The day after his birthday, he walked into our regular Thursday foursome, dropped his bag on the cart, and announced-with the gravity of a man who’d just discovered fire-that he was now officially a “senior golfer.”
“You know what that means?” he asked, eyes gleaming.
I figured he was about to complain about his knees or mention something about fiber. But no. Frank had done his homework.
“I played Stony Creek yesterday. Paid $23 with cart. Twenty-three dollars.” He paused for effect. “The kid behind the counter didn’t even card me.”
