For the first round I played, I had read about a great course along the strand of Port Aransas that had been built originally as part of a housing development but until or if enough homes are built, the course is open to the public. The course is Newport Dunes and it is BEAUTIFUL! The starter was happy to tell us about the course and how the grass remains so green although often has waves of salty ocean water splashing upon it - the fairways are sea grass! A native grass that loves the gulf water and in fact thrives under it.
The course plays much like a links course but has some spectacular views of both the gulf and Corpus Christi Bay. As is usual here along the Texas coast or anywhere in Texas really be prepared for lots of wind! I played from the front tees and played pretty well with a score in the low 80s. At the ninth hole, my partner hit a beautiful 5 wood onto the green on his second shot on a long par 5 -- unfortunately the twosome ahead of us was still on the green! They were very good natured about it when we apologized. I hit a great long bunker shot onto the green on the same hole; my partner had not seen me hit it and wondered if it was in the bunker! I assured him that it was a bunker shot and I made par. We then hooked up with the twosome on the next hole and played the rest of the round with these two really nice young men.
I would highly recommend this course for anyone as it is gorgeous and very friendly. Bring your camera for some great shots (I unfortunately forgot mine!)
