To discover the proverbial pearl of golf means to play The Pearl Golf Links, where East and West Courses meet along the banks of the Calabash River in Calabash, N.C.

The 18-hole Pearl East golf course opened in 1987 and was beautifully renovated in 1999, with fast-rolling greens seeded with L-93 Bentgrass and manicured fairways. Architect Dan Maples didn’t cut any corners with this design, but he did carve the course through a Carolina pine forest and a 900-acre marsh preserve.

It’s what earned the traditional course a nomination for “Best New Public Courses in America” from Golf Digest after it first opened. The East Course also earned a four-star rating in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” in 2008.

Golfers at all skill levels will be able to take a swing at the East Course, which totals 6,793 yards, a par of 72 and slope of 135. A full menu of amenities include a full-service pro shop, golf lessons, practice range and breakfast, lunch and dinner served at The Pearl Restaurant and Bar.