Duke University Golf Club

Getting To Know: Duke University Golf Club

An Insightful Interview With Ed Ibarguen, PGA Director of Golf

By Brian Weis

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Ed Ibarguen who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
The Duke University Golf Club is open to the public. The golf course was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1957. It is cut into the middle of the Duke Forest and is located just behind the four-diamond Washington Duke Inn off of the Duke University west campus. The course was lovingly renovated by Jones son, Rees Jones in 1993. Rees kept his father's layout design, made it a bit more generous off of the tee and increased the shot values into the greens. The golf club has hosted many top level amateur and collegiate golf championships including the 1962 and 2001 Men's NCAA Championship.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Because we are open to the public, there are several reasons to come play your golf at the Duke University Golf Club. We have a challenging course designed by two of America's greatest golf course architects. Our practice facilities are outstanding with a 28+ acre practice range and excellent short game facilities. We feature first quality PGA golf instruction with 8 PGA and 1 LPGA instructors on staff. We have award winning golf shop that carries high quality merchandise and equipment, and golf accessories. Our staff is famous for our hospitality as well as creating a fun and friendly golf environment. Our goal is to keep 'Getting Better Every Day' to give our guests a memorable golfing experience.

Golfer's may walk the course any time or rent our new Club Car golf cars equipped with the well-known Visage GPS yardage system. The Washington Duke Inn provided all food and beverage services which have been highly touted as the most delicious golf course food in the Triangle. If you want a special day of golf, come out and visit us!

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
The golf course features elevated greens that require a bit more club than the yardage indicates. Also, keep the wind in mind. Similar to Augusta National, the winds swirl inside the stand of trees on both sides of the fairways so please keep their direction in consideration before playing your shot! :-)

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
BRAND NEW GREENS: We will be converting our greens this summer to award winning 'Champion' Ultradwarf Bermuda grass!

2013 Carolinas Merchandiser of the Year Award: PGA Head Golf Professional - Jessie Stewart.

2013 - Top 50 'Grow the Game' Instructor GRR - Ed Ibarguen.

2010-2103 Top 100 Teacher in US by Golf Magazine - Ed Ibarguen.

We are always ranked highly in the best courses you can play in the state of North Carolina and as one of the finest University golf courses in the country.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
There are several that could qualify but the semi-island green on hole #12 is probably the most photographed. It required a steady and confident mind to strike your iron on this par three solidly over the water and safely on the green.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
I love the par 5 #7 hole. It is a demanding three shot hole where your shot values increase with each progressive swing. A dogleg left off he tee to a slightly down hill lie on your second. Your can try to carry the creek in front of the green but it will take a perfect shot to do it. It is best to lay up to a full wedge for your third. The green is two tiered back to front and well-protected with bunkers right and left. Don't forget the creek in front! Your third shot needs to be precise or you will need the touch of a Duke surgeon to get it UP and Down when he green is missed.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
The beers on tap in the Bull Durham bar are always cold and delicious. The homemade Arnold Palmer is outstanding as a non-alcoholic beverage. We have a full compliment of mixed drinks and a four-diamond level wine list.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7154
Slope: 141
Rating: 73.9

More Information
Duke University Golf Club
3001 Cameron Blvd Durham,
North Carolina, 27705
919.681.6161
golf.duke.edu

Revised: 03/26/2013 - Article Viewed 31,533 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.