Beechwood Country Club

Merry Hill, NC · 30 mi away

Occano sits on the Albemarle Sound in Merry Hill, North Carolina, part of a residential development along the Inner Banks. Eleven of its eighteen holes run along the water, giving the round a strong coastal character with wind often a factor. The course was created by Arnold Palmer's design team, originally opening under a different name in 2008. In 2022 the ownership group completed a $3 million renovation led by Brandon Johnson of Arnold Palmer Design Company, rebuilding bunkers, expanding green surrounds and adding forward tees. Occano operates as a public facility with a full practice area, pro shop and cart service. Its exposed sound-side setting means conditions can change quickly, so calling ahead about wind and course status is worthwhile, especially after storms.

Suffolk, VA · 33 mi away

Suffolk Golf Course is a public 18-hole layout in Suffolk, Virginia, whose original nine opened in 1952 to a design by Dick Wilson, with Russell Breeden also credited on the early routing. The back nine plays along Lake Kilby, with tree-lined corridors, elevation change and doglegs that make the course play longer than its yardage suggests. Greens were rebuilt in 2013 by architect Lester George, who restored Dick Wilson's original green contours and converted the surfaces to Champion Bermuda grass. The course is open daily to the public, offers beginner-friendly forward tees, and hosts group outings ranging from small groups to full-field tournaments.

Hertford, NC · 39 mi away

The Sound Golf Links sits within the Albemarle Plantation community in Hertford, North Carolina, running along the shores of the Albemarle Sound. The course was designed by Dan Maples and opened in 1990, with a routing that moves through salt marshes, pine stands and cypress groves. Each hole is distinct, and the closing stretch is the course's signature, with the final three holes bordering the open water of the sound. The design accommodates a range of abilities through multiple tee sets while retaining a strong sense of privacy between holes. The course operates on a semi-private basis tied to the Albemarle Plantation residential community, with outside play available through its pro shop, driving range and clubhouse restaurant.