Bay/Sand at Sandpiper Bay Golf Club

Sandpiper Bay Golf Club sits along the Intracoastal Waterway in Sunset Beach, a barrier island community on North Carolina's southern coast near the South Carolina border. Dan Maples designed the course in 1987, routing it through coastal terrain that combines tidal marshlands, natural wetlands, and stands of live oak and pine. The layout takes advantage of the waterway setting, with several holes playing directly alongside or across marsh areas that define both the visual character and strategic demands of the design.

Maples incorporated the site's natural elevation changes and water features throughout the routing, creating a mix of holes that require both aerial precision and thoughtful course management. The coastal environment means wind often factors into club selection and shot shaping, particularly on holes exposed to the Intracoastal. The course features generous landing areas off the tee balanced by approach shots that demand accuracy to greens protected by water, bunkers, and marsh edges.

The Bay/Sand designation indicates this is one of multiple nine-hole combinations at the facility, suggesting Sandpiper Bay operates with three nines that can be played in different pairings. This format was common in resort and daily-fee designs of the era, offering variety for repeat play. The Sunset Beach area developed as a golf destination in the 1980s and 1990s, with Sandpiper Bay serving both visitors to the North Carolina coast and local players drawn to accessible Maples designs in the region.