By Len Ziehm
Nag’s Head Links opened for play in 1988 on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. More courses followed with, The Sound Links, The Pointe, Currituck, Carolina Club, Kilmarlic, The Pines and Scotch Hall Preserve all added by 2008.
Residents and visitors to the area, which divides the Atlantic Ocean from the Currituck Sound, supported their favorites, but golf was slow to grow, because the available lodging was not sufficient to meet the growing demand.
That shortcoming was alleviated recently when Kilmarlic Club built 18 new cottages, all named after former Masters champions. Each has two bedrooms, two baths, plus a full kitchen, living room, as well as, a back deck that includes a gas grill. Thirteen of the units surround a lighted 5,000 square foot putting green, to settle wagers well into the evening. The other five set near a small pond.
Visitors can also use the four-hole short course, called The Killie, with holes ranging from 27 to 40 yards. 
Bryan Sullivan, co-owner of Kilmarlic Resort and Club, saw a definite uptick in play after the cottages were completed in April of 2019. The pandemic forced a slow start to the 2020 season, but Sullivan reported,
“June, July, August and September were the best ever. The cottages were a big investment, but I always felt confident we could get the golf rentals. The big question was whether we could get the summertime family rentals. As it’s turned out, those have been a big hit, as well as, a big surprise.’’
It wasn’t just the golf that made them popular. Other attractions, notably a water park, within walking distance, plus the always popular Wright Brothers museum and monument in Kitty Hawk are popular side trips. In addition, there is a variety of water sports, that brought the families.
“As I like to tell guests, you can have your toes in the ocean within 10 minutes,’’ said Sullivan. “After the first six cottages were completed and we saw the reaction to them, we knew we had a home run.’’
The Kilmarlic course is no secret to serious golfers. It has hosted several top tournaments and has been recognized as one of the best, not only on the Outer Banks, but state-wide as well. The OBX Intercollegiate, hosted by Old Dominion, is held here annually.
Though not well known in golf course architecture, Tom Steele designed the course, on 605 acres of maritime forests and wetlands. It’s not long, at 6,615 yards from the back tees, but is a challenge for even the best players.
High grass in front of most tees creates the illusion that the holes appear longer than the actual yardage. The par-3s are visually pleasing and present a variety of challenges. The par-5s all have that risk-reward that long-hitters demand.
The course’s name came from the ship from Kilmarnock, Scotland, that sank off the shores of the Outer Banks in the mid-1600s. The ship was filled with whiskey and area residents enjoyed a huge celebration after rescuing it from the briny waters.
A celebration that golfers and visitors to the Outer Banks continue still today.
If you are planning a trip to North Carolina’s Outer Banks this year visit: www.OBXGolfTravel.com.
