Emerald Golf Club in New Bern, North Carolina, features a course designed by Rees Jones with Greg Muirhead. The collaboration brings Jones's championship design philosophy to the coastal plain region of eastern North Carolina, where New Bern sits near the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. The area's relatively flat topography and proximity to tidal waterways typically influence routing and drainage considerations in course architecture. The design likely incorporates strategic bunkering and water features characteristic of Jones's work, which often emphasizes shot values and risk-reward decision-making for players at various skill levels. Courses in this part of North Carolina generally navigate through pine forests and wetland areas, with the sandy soils common to the coastal plain providing good drainage and firm playing conditions. The region's mild climate allows for year-round golf, with bermudagrass typically used for fairways and roughs. New Bern, one of North Carolina's historic colonial towns, provides a setting that blends residential golf development with the area's cultural heritage. The course serves both members and their guests in a region where golf has grown alongside the broader development of North Carolina's Crystal Coast area. Facilities at clubs in this market typically include practice areas, dining amenities, and social programming that complement the golf experience.