Castle Bay, carved into the coastal landscape of Hampstead, North Carolina, presents a stern but fair golfing test. The 1990's Denis Griffiths design snakes through mature Carolina pines and around several man-made lakes, challenging players with strategically placed bunkers and demanding accurate approaches into subtly undulating greens. The course favors players who can work the ball in both directions, as doglegs and strategically positioned hazards penalize wayward tee shots. Though not a tournament venue, Castle Bay fosters a fiercely competitive club atmosphere. The membership, a blend of long-time locals and newcomers drawn to the area's burgeoning golf scene, fiercely contest their club championships. Informal matches, often decided by the smallest of margins, are a staple of the club's weekly calendar, and the 19th hole is always lively. The spirit of Castle Bay extends beyond the course. The clubhouse, while understated, is known for its welcoming atmosphere and the surprisingly refined shrimp and grits - a local take on the Carolina classic - which many members swear is the best in the region.