North Carolina's Compass Pointe Finally Coming to Fruition


A golf-residential development that has been in planning since 2005 has emerged from the back burner and its golf course is well along in construction. If all goes well, the new 18-hole layout at Compass Pointe in Leland, N.C., will open in fall 2015.

The original project involved nearly 2,200 acres and proposed, in addition to a 27-hole golf course designed by Robbins & Associates, nearly 5,000 single- and multi-family homes along with various commercial elements recreational amenities.

Developer Bobby Harrelson received approval for the project in the summer of 2008 by Brunswick County officials. But, because of a downturn in the economy and a poor market for new homes, the proposal was put on hold that year.

But the housing market and economy have improved, allowing the project to proceed. As of early December 2014, 12 holes have been shaped and are set to be seeded, and the routing for the other six holes has been cleared. The practice range is finished and might be ready for member use by spring 2015.

Rick Robbins and Brian Lussier are co-designing the course at Compass Pointe. "The design will incorporate the wetlands, soils and vegetation found on the site. The use of extensive waste areas will use native sand tied into the existing forest edge," Robbins told Golf Course Architecture reporter Sean Dudley.

"In an unusual move for modern golf construction, the greens will also be built from the on-site sand modified, with a percentage of profile incorporated in the mix, instead of using full USGA methods," Robbins added. "The greens will be a 'push-up' style that is similar to the way the original Pinehurst greens were constructed. Fairways will be extra-wide but will only have a minimum area of rough before transitioning into waste areas or wetlands."

Site prep on the course is slated to be completed next spring and grassing will likely take place around June 2015. Depending on how that evolves, the official opening of Compass Pointe's full 18 may be in September 2015.

For more information about Compass Pointe, visit http://compasspointenc.com. For Dudley's full article, visit http://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/Article/Robbins-and-Lussier-get-goahead-to-complete-course-at-Compass-Pointe/3284/Default.aspx#.VHXNdzSsXpo.