Getting into the Swing of Summer

Duke University Golf Club stacks up well against the many private courses in this golf-rich state. One major difference, though, is that it's open to the public.

"People always think that it's a private club because it's a private university," says Ed Ibarguen, the club's general manager. "It's open seven days a week to anyone who wants to play."

Recently, the club lowered its afternoon and "twilight" fees to make the course even more accessible to community members. On weekends, greens fees start at $100, but fall to $70 at 1:30 p.m. and $45 to walk the course (instead of riding in a golf cart) after 4:30 p.m. Prices are even lower during the week, beginning at $75 before dropping to $60 at mid-day and $30 (walking) for late play.

Renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr., designed the course.

"(Jones) carved the course into Duke Forest, so there are no houses on the golf course," Ibarguen says. "He designed it into the lay of the land. It's a very classic layout. Some of the modern designers will make things very tricked out to make it hard. This golf course is just a really beautiful walk through the woods. In the early morning and the late evening, you can feel like you're playing golf at the turn of the 20th century."

Duke Golf Club's staff features six PGA professionals, including Ibarguen, a PGA master professional who has been ranked by GOLF Magazine as one of the nation's top 100 instructors. Local residents can book time for personal instruction with one of the club's professionals.

The golf club also provides instruction for younger golfers during the summer. This year, the Duke University Golf Club Junior Golf Camp will be held July 21-25 and July 28-Aug. 1. Open to kids between the ages of 8 and 17, the camp runs from 8 a.m. to noon each day and costs $300 for one week or $500 for two weeks.

Camp participants benefit from interaction with Ibarguen and his staff, who use video analysis and on-course play to deliver instruction in putting, chipping, pitching, full swing and bunker play. The week concludes with a 9-hole tournament with prizes.

Participants in the junior camp are supposed to come away with knowledge of more than just their swings, though.

"The camp is more structured to expose campers to the etiquette, values and rules of golf," Ibarguen said. "The primary code in golf is that there's no referee to blow a whistle on you. You have to be honest, count your strokes and call penalties on yourself. That's a nice way to live your life."

Norman Talner is a pediatric cardiologist who teaches part time at Duke's Medical Center. He is a Duke Golf Club member who has taken lessons at the course and typically plays there at least twice a week.

"I think it is a wonderful course," Talner said. "The staff has kept it in just beautiful shape. The staff has been very helpful to golfers in terms of describing the course and giving services there. -- It is just a pleasure to play at."

The golf club also maintains close ties with the university for which it is named. It serves as the home course for the Duke men's and women's golf teams, and has hosted NCAA golf championships twice in its history. The women's golf team has been a national powerhouse in recent years, winning the national championship three years running and capturing five of the last nine national titles overall. Women's head coach Dan Brooks says such success could never have been achieved without the golf club and its proximity to campus.

"The Duke University Golf Club is one of the prettiest and most natural settings for a golf course you will ever find," adds O.D. Vincent, Duke men's golf coach. "We are extremely fortunate to have this amazing amenity right here on campus. We would like to see the course not only be a tremendous asset for our teams and the university but also for the entire Durham community."