Sandpiper Bay Golf Club

Sandpiper Bay Golf Club occupies a coastal setting in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, a barrier island community along the state's southern coast near the South Carolina border. Dan Maples designed the course in the early 1990s during a period when he was creating several layouts in the Brunswick County area. The routing takes advantage of the low-lying coastal terrain characteristic of this region, incorporating natural wetlands, tidal marshes, and stands of native vegetation into the design. The course plays through a mix of environments typical of Carolina coastal golf. Several holes run along or near tidal areas where the landscape transitions between firm ground and marsh, while others move through corridors of live oaks and pines. Maples shaped the layout to work with the existing topography rather than impose dramatic elevation changes, resulting in a relatively walkable design despite the water features that come into play on multiple holes. Sandpiper Bay serves primarily as a public-access facility in a region known for affordable golf tourism. The course attracts visitors to the Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach area, particularly during the milder months when the Carolina coast draws golfers from inland and northern markets. The layout reflects Maples's approach to coastal design during this era—strategic use of natural hazards, generous landing areas balanced with well-defined risk-reward options, and green complexes that require thoughtful approach play. The course operates within the competitive landscape of Brunswick County golf, where numerous Maples designs and other architects' work provide varied options for visiting players.