by Pat Pugh

Summer 2009 - Even though this graceful and challenging seaside course opened six months ago, it already looks like it has been around for ages. Credit the Arnold Palmer design team shaping this stellar links layout complete with broad fairways, sassy contours and scraggy knolls that hide errant balls.

In the case of this club, Palmer wasn't working with prized property, a long sandy swatch of coastal dunes a dozen miles north of Corpus Christi and adjacent to the renown tarpon fishing resort of Port Aransas. True to its name, and befitting its location, Newport Dunes is a refined 5,855-yard spread (from the Whites) that lays claim to being an authentic Irish or Scottish look-alike, and the first of its kind in Texas. Believe.

As your round progresses, you realize it draws its strengths from its subtlety. There are but a few semi-blind shots but little trickery. Greens are softly lilted and fairways are beautifully manicured. To our amazement there were no cart paths. Drive a cart anywhere is the rule as the pristine fairways are grassed with Seashore Paspalum. According to general manager Kevin Michael the strain is a tough, very high salt-tolerant grass. In a nutshell: the equivalent of playing your ball off a soft textured Persian carpet.

Hole #1 starts you off with a 307-yard par 4 gentle dogleg left. A 3-wood may be the best choice to not overshoot the corner. What lies ahead is an elevated green that is further away than it seems. #2 appears to be an easy 134-yard par 3 that begs a straight tee shot or the chance of never ever finding your ball among the thick reeds that guard the green. Many memorable holes await the accurate golfer. Eleven out of 18 can be dangerous, as in "surefire you'll lose a ball." Stretches of water play into or along six holes with the par-5 fifth perhaps the toughest at 511 yards. It's a rare par-4 or par-5 that takes the driver out of your hand, as long as you can produce a straight tee shot.

"This links course overlooking the sea harkens back to golf's origins with its minimalist style, the rolling greens and stacked -wall bunkers," says Michael. "In order to find a comparable oceanside layout like this one, you'd have to play Oregon's Bandon Dunes or Kiawa Island in North Carolina." Not a single house as yet mars the 18 holes. Views are of the sea and a single high rise condo complex in the distance. Nor do you hear traffic along Texas 361 due to high mounding bordering the highway. Only your backswing may be affected if a flock of pelicans fly overhead. Wind off the Gulf of Mexico naturally plays a big factor at Newport, usually blowing 15 to 20-mph. Set your tee time for play in the morning when the wind is at its lowest force.

Presently, there is a small pro shop selling sandwiches and soft drinks with plans to expand. Newport Dunes is managed by Kemper Sports. Green fees in Spring and Fall run $80-$90. Summertime temperatures can run in the 90s but constant Gulf breezes are the norm. The course can definitely mete out punishment. Like all links, it depends on the elements to defend it.

IF YOU GO....

Port Aransas & Mustang Island is a popular spot with families for its exceptional collection of cafes and restaurants, birding sites, dolphin watching nature cruises and, of course, salt water fishing for tarpon and snapper. Beaches are superb for shelling and swimming.

Port Aransas is reached via 10-min. ferry from the north (4 hrs driving time from Houston) and 30 minutes by road from Corpus Christi.

Contact: Port Aransas Tourist Bureau at 800-45COAST or info@portaransas.org. Newport Dunes Golf Club's website is www.newportdunesgolf.com Tel. 361-749-4653.

FYI: Inexpensive good eats abound with the focus on fresh seafood. Lisabella's was our favorite for its simple bistro decor and wonderful food (dinner only, 361-749-4222). For this trip we stayed at the historical Tarpon Inn that sports a long relaxing front porch, creaking floors and ceiling fans. Management has updated rooms with firm mattresses but somewhat vintage bathrooms remain. No TV or telephones but a charming place to stay nonetheless.