Outer Banks Link Love: 1.20.12 – Lots o’ Local News

Posted on January 20, 2012

Outer Banks Link Love

Here’s this weeks love for all of the links I couldn’t get to. A bunch of local OBX news to pass on.

Enjoy the link love…

Congrats to local Outer Banks surfer, Kim Diggs for landing a full-page spread in the new Surfing magazine. Always great to see an OBX local hit the big time.
New Outer Banks bridge one step closer to being a reality. The final environmental impact study was just released for the Mid-Currituck bridge. What do you think, does the OBX need another bridge?
The Bodie Island Lighthouse restoration is back on! After almost a year in hiatus, the additional funding for the project has been approved, and work should start at the Lighthouse by late February. Hopefully we’ll be climbing to the top come fall!
The Coast Guard earned their pay this week, and hauled in a sailor from a sinking sailboat off of Hatteras.
There’s no doubt Lowe’s is on the OBX. And now that they are here, they are bringing 125 jobs with them.
Looks like NatGeo is going to do a feature on the Outer Banks. We have to wait until June to see it, but pretty cool.
Are you aware that the Outer Banks has some fantastic golf courses? And you can setup an OBX golf package so you can play them all! Sweet.
Check out this awesome story about a horse trainer working with the Outer Banks wild horses. The wild horse whisperer?!
Got any OBX Civil War artifacts? The Outer Banks History Center is on the hunt for OBX Civil War memorabilia for an upcoming exhibit.
Any country music fans out there? How about Randy Thompson fans? Seems that good ol’ boy Randy enjoyed New Year’s on the Outer Banks. Love OBX celebrity sightings!
We’ve been sharing a lot of Outer Banks Everyday Magic stories recently, and here’s a great OBX story that wasn’t so magical…then again, maybe an adventure that turns into a lifelong family story is magical.
I’m not sure if the OBX needs saving, but just in case, here’s your chance to save the Outer Banks.

Spotlight on the OBX: The Currituck Club

Posted on July 22, 2011

Outer Banks - Currituck Club

The Outer Banks offers some amazing communities, but keeping them all straight can be a challenge. To help, from time to time, we’ll shine the “Spotlight” on some of these communities to give you an up close look.

For today’s installment of the “Spotlight on the OBX,” we’re going to focus on one of the biggest and best, the Currituck Club. The Currituck Club is located on the Northern Outer Banks near historic Corolla. It is a gated community located between the beautiful, unspoiled, northern Outer Banks beaches and the famous Currituck Sound.

In my latest trip to the Currituck Club, I was pleasantly reminded of the amount of gorgeous homes in this gated community. It had been a while since I had visited the neighborhood and I was truly taken back by the number of beautifully constructed houses.

Not only is The Currituck Club an exclusive private neighborhood, but it is also home to an awarding winning Rees Jones Golf Course. Aside from being recognized as one of the “Top 25 Courses in North Carolina,” the Currituck Club also houses seven tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, kiddie playground, fitness center, bike trails, lawn games, beach shuttle and more.

With so much going on in this residential resort community, there is no need venture too far. You can ride your bike or take the trolley, everywhere you need to go.

Enjoy the tour…

Seaside Vacations Announces the 2011 Lineup for Club Seaside

Posted on March 9, 2011

: Club Seaside – Yoga

: Club Seaside – Wild Horse Tours

: Club Seaside – Outer Banks Fishing 101

: Club Seaside – Golf Clinic

: Club Seaside – Paddleboarding Clinic

: Club Seaside – Wine Tasting

Guests enjoy 15 complimentary events including family portraits, yoga, paddle boarding, wine tastings, wild horse tours and more

KITTY HAWK, NC, (March 9, 2011) – Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental company located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, announces the lineup for their 2011 Club Seaside program.

Believing that a vacation should be more than just a house at the beach, Seaside Vacations is continuing to redefine the Outer Banks vacation experience by combining the best things about staying in a private vacation home with the best things about staying in a luxury resort.

Offered exclusively to all Seaside Vacations guests, the weekly Club Seaside events have grown from eight events to 15 complimentary events in 2011. Returning from 2010 are the professional golf and tennis clinics, yoga classes, wine tastings, circuit training, family portraits and paddle boarding. And new for 2011, guests will enjoy art in action with Katy Caroline, a beading class at Garden of Beadin’, a “Charming Party” with Renee Landry Style, a cooking class by Outer Banks Epicurean, a fishing class with Rock Solid Fishing, a pet party with Salty Paws Biscuits, a tour of The Whalehead Club and a wild horse tour by Corolla Outback Adventures. In addition, all Seaside Vacations guests have special guest access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club and special guest rates at a world-class golf club. Each day of the week guests can experience the local culture by participating in one of these Outer Banks activities.

Seaside Vacations is committed to creating an exceptional vacation experience that includes a gorgeous house, but also access to local events that give guests access to all the Outer Banks has to offer. By giving guests the added value they desire, Club Seaside has become a favorite among Seaside Vacations guests.

A Seaside Vacations guest commented:

“Please keep Club Seaside as a part of your rental program. We loved it very much! The amenities that are available free of charge and at a reduced rate are very well worth it!”

Seaside Vacations looks forward to yet another successful year with Club Seaside. For more information on the exclusive benefits of Club Seaside, including schedule and contact information, please visit www.outerbanksvacations.com/club-seaside.htm.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas. Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 855.375.9208.

Outer Banks Golf Among Best You Can Play

Posted on February 11, 2011

Outer Banks Golf Among Best You Can Play

The North Carolina Golf Panel’s “Top 100 You Can Play” was recently published in the official 2011 North Carolina Golf Guide, and three OBX courses made the elite list.

There are more than 550 courses in North Carolina, so cracking the top 100 is quite an honor, and to have three courses in the top 100 in a small region like the Outer Banks is remarkable. The list was determined by a scoring system that asks 150 panelists to consider the course’s conditioning, routing, design, strategy, memorability, fairness, variety and aesthetics.

The Currituck Club (No. 42), Kilmarlic Golf Club (No. 59) and Nags Head Golf Links (No. 67) made the list.

WorldGolf.com notes that “Compared to other regions of the state, the Outer Banks has relatively few courses. But the high quality and memorable settings are further attested to by these lofty rankings.

Congratulations to all three courses…especially Kilmarlic Golf Club. Seaside Vacations is a proud partner with Kilmarlic. Take a look at Club Seaside for more information about a complimentary golf clinic and special guest rates for Seaside Vacations’ guests.

: Outer Banks Golf

Description of Kilmarlic Golf Club from WorldGolf.com:

“Best known as host site of the North Carolina Open in 2004 and 2009, Kilmarlic Golf Club is nestled among 605 acres of maritime forest and sprawling wetlands. Award-winning golf course architect Tom Steele’s classic design creates stimulating challenges with its outstanding layout and conditioning, as it meanders through canopies of giant oak, pine and dogwood that exemplify the natural beauty of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and illustrate Kilmarlic’s unique partnership between golf and nature — not to mention a remarkable 15 acres of coastal ponds and lakes creating scenic natural hazards.”

Top 10 Spots for Dad on the Outer Banks

Posted on June 9, 2010

Top 10 Spots for Dad on the Outer Banks

Summertime is always a fun time for dads (and the rest of the family) to get outdoors. The weather is nice and it’s a great time of year to hit the road for that long-awaited Outer Banks vacation. Most importantly, though, it is a great time of year to get away from it all and reconnect with your family – creating memories for years to come.

With that in mind, and in honor of dads everywhere, here is our list of the Top 10 Dad Spots on the Outer Banks:

1. The beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks. For the dad that likes to relax. Which, after all, is any dad, right?

2. Reeling in the “big” one. From the ocean to the sound, fishing piers to offshore charters, dads will find an unparalleled array of catch when it comes to Outer Banks fishing. The Outer Banks is often called “The Billfish Capital of the World”…and the International Game Fish Association lists 92 world records for fish caught on the Outer Banks

3. A board meeting – Outer Banks-style. As a Seaside Vacations guest, dads get to experience the local culture with Club Seaside events – like surfing and paddle boarding.

4. High atop the dunes of Jockey’s Ridge. For the truly outdoors-y type, head on over to Jockey’s Ridge State Park. This 426-acre park has the largest natural living sand dune on the East Coast and is home to hang gliding, kite flying, hiking, a visitor’s center, museum and picnic facilities.

5. Catching a glimpse of Corolla’s Wild Horses From guided jeep tours to do-it-yourself excursions, dad (and everyone else!) is sure to love breathtaking views of the beautiful Spanish mustangs that can still be seen roaming the beaches of Carova.

6. Climbing the steps of any of our Outer Banks lighthouses. Even dads will love these giant nightlights. Our beautiful string of renowned lighthouses stretch from Corolla (northern end) all the way to Ocracoke Island (southern end).

7. Exploring nature at Pea Island. Grab a kayak and check out this 6,000-acre refuge that is a haven for more than 360 species of birds. From spring to autumn, a large variety of wading, shore and upland birds can be seen at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.

8. Partaking in seafaring tales at The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. For dads that like tales of ghost ships and angry seas, take dad to check out this unique maritime museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks and the more than 1,500 known ships wrecks off this coast.

9. At the top of his game at Kilmarlic Golf Club. In addition to the special guest rates, Seaside Vacations guests also have the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary golf clinic with a member of Kilmarlic Golf Club’s instructional staff. Consistently rated one of the top courses on the Outer Banks, let dad play his way through canopies of giant oak, pine and dogwood that exemplify the natural beauty of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

10. Hanging with the family in a Seaside Vacations home. From cozy condominiums to large private homes, dad can choose from nearly 300 Outer Banks vacation rentals – each with their own special features. Whether he prefers luxurious living or simple seaside comfort, Seaside Vacations has the perfect Outer Banks vacation to show dad he’s the best.
These are just a sampling of many activities that dads are sure to love on the Outer Banks. Check out the full list of Outer Banks activities and attractions and get out and explore!

Seaside Vacations Announces 2010 Lineup for Club Seaside

Posted on March 12, 2010

Seaside Vacations' Club Seaside

Guests enjoy golf and tennis clinics, yoga, paddle boarding, wine tastings, surf lessons and circuit training

KITTY HAWK, NC, (March 8, 2010) – Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental company located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, announces the lineup for their 2010 Club Seaside program.

Offered exclusively to all Seaside Vacations guests, the weekly 2010 Club Seaside events include professional golf and tennis clinics, yoga, wine tastings, surf lessons, and circuit training – and new this year, stand-up paddleboarding. In addition, all Seaside Vacations guests have special guest access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club and special guest rates at a world-class golf club. Each day of the week guests can experience the local culture by participating in one of these Outer Banks activities.

Seaside Vacations Jerry Knight commented:

“Please keep Club Seaside as a part of your rental program. We loved it very much! The amenities that are available free of charge and at a reduced rate are very well worth it!”

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 877.392.2710

Charity Golf Tournament on the Outer Banks

Posted on February 19, 2010

Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Tournament

Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Tournament
Date: March 13, 2010
Time: 10:00a.m. Shotgun Start
The Pointe Golf Club: (252) 491-8388

4-Man Superball Tournament.

Cost is $200.00 per team (includes food and prizes following play). All proceeds, including a raffle, will benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Registration deadline is March 8, 2010.

Hosted by Chelsea Walsh
Currituck County High School Senior

Seaside Vacations’ Exclusive Club Seaside Program Receives Rave Reviews

Posted on August 11, 2009

Guests enjoy complimentary golf and tennis clinics, yoga, wine tastings, surf lessons and circuit training

KITTY HAWK, NC (August 10, 2009) — Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental and real estate firm located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is proud to announce that their Club Seaside program has been a great success.

In a time when the travel industry is sluggish and guests are looking for added value, Seaside Vacations stands out among the competition by offering complimentary guest programs and amenities aimed at delivering a vacation experience…rather than just a vacation rental. The Travel Industry Association (TIA) notes that “consumers are likely to plan and purchase leisure trips differently [this year] with the pursuit of a ‘good value’ as the primary reason why.” Seaside Vacations views these challenges as an opportunity to provide guests with the added value they are looking for.

Offered exclusively to all guests of Seaside Vacations, Club Seaside features a full calendar of weekly programs including professional golf and tennis clinics, yoga, wine tastings, surf lessons and circuit training – all at no cost to guests. In addition, all Seaside Vacations’ guests have complimentary access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club and special guest rates at a world-class golf club. Each day of the week guests can enjoy complimentary activities and experience local culture by participating in one of these Outer Banks activities.

Guests from Corolla to Nags Head have shared enthusiastic comments about Club Seaside.

John Cook, a longtime visitor to the Outer Banks, mentioned this is the “first time [they’ve] seen such an offering on the Outer Banks.” Cook went on to say that Club Seaside is a “very impressive extra.”

Bill and Chrissy Lundquist promised to “never rent from another company” because of these amenities. They also saw such great value in the Seaside Vacations’ guest rates at Kilmarlic Golf, especially compared to other area golf clubs, that they took advantage of the course five times in one week! They went on to say the course is “easily the best course on the Outer Banks.”

And guest Jerry Knight sums it all up by stating, “Please keep Club Seaside as a part of your rental program. We loved it very much! The amenities that are available free of charge and at a reduced rate are very well worth it!”

While it is clear that guests are pleased by the complimentary offerings that Club Seaside offers, these programs have also demonstrated a significant impact on overall business. Club Seaside was launched at the beginning of May and Seaside Vacations reports that they have had a record number of bookings for May, June, and July as well as 50% yearly growth in Internet volume.

For more information about Club Seaside, including schedule and contact information, please visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com/ClubSeaside.htm. For more information about Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com – where you can search their wide variety of homes, book online with real-time availability, view up-to-the-minute Outer Banks specials and check out local Outer Banks events. Guests can also follow Seaside Vacations on the Seaside Vacations Blog, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MySpace.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 14-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas. Explore homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call a Vacation Specialist at 888.898.4929.

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Seaside Vacations Announces Club Seaside

Posted on June 3, 2009

SEASIDE VACATIONS LAUNCHES CLUB SEASIDE
Guests enjoy complimentary golf and tennis clinics, yoga, wine tastings, surf lessons and circuit training

KITTY HAWK, NC (June 2, 2009) — Situated on a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, the Outer Banks is so much more than just stunning vacation homes. In an effort to provide guests with “more for less,” Seaside Vacations introduces Club Seaside.

The economy is struggling, and the travel industry is sluggish along with every other segment of the economy. Travel forecasts for 2009 predict a significant decline; The Travel Industry Association (TIA) notes that “consumers are likely to plan and purchase leisure trips differently [this year] with the pursuit of a ‘good value’ as the primary reason why.” Seaside Vacations views these challenges as an opportunity to provide guests with the added value they are looking for.

“As pointed out by the TIA, today’s guest is looking for a value,” says Seaside Vacations’ President, Gordon Jones, and “we believe that Club Seaside will provide vacationers with the added value they seek and help them experience all that the Outer Banks has to offer.”

John Cook, a longtime visitor to the Outer Banks and recent Seaside Vacations’ guest, took advantage of Club Seaside and mentioned that “this is the first time I’ve seen such an offering on the Outer Banks.” Cook went on to say that Club Seaside is a “very impressive extra.”

In addition to economic factors, the vacation rental industry faces unique challenges. The vacation rental industry is rapidly gaining popularity, but a recent PhocusWright study on the industry points out that only 10% of Americans booked a vacation rental in the past two years. Vacation rentals offer great benefits to the traveling public, including private pools, fully-equipped kitchens, and large spaces to gather as a group, however, PhocusWright points out that many travelers are “worried they wouldn’t have access to hotel-like services.” Club Seaside gives guests the hotel-like services they desire.

Seaside Vacations views an Outer Banks vacation as so much more than just a house at the beach. A vacation is time with friends and family, a chance to relax and unwind, and an opportunity to experience the local culture. Seaside Vacations has created a variety of guest programs available to all Seaside Vacations’ guests that will enhance the Outer Banks vacation, introduce great local businesses, and add value to the vacation rental. Seaside Vacations is committed to creating an exceptional vacation experience that includes a gorgeous house, but also access to local events that give guests access to all the Outer Banks has to offer.

For more information on Club Seaside, including schedule and contact information, please visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com/ClubSeaside.htm.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 14-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas. Explore properties in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 866.936.4659.

Golf & the Beach, A Great Combination. NC Open on the Outer Banks.

Posted on May 18, 2009

kilmarlic-header resize The 45th annual North Carolina Open will be held at Kilmarlic Golf Club on North Carolina’s Outer Banks June 2-4, 2009.

Professionals and amateurs from both North and South Carolina will participate in the premier event of the year. Kilmarlic maintains its tour-quality condition for this top-notch competition which has featured past champions such as, North Carolina golf great E. Harvie Ward and current Senior Tour Player Bob Boyd.

You can join the professionals and see how your game “stacks up” in a 1 day Pro-Am on Monday, June 1, 2009 or feel free to just come out and watch the field for what is sure to be the best competition this area has seen on one of the best golf courses on the Outer Banks.

For more information:

Kilmarlic Golf Club
252-491-4220
www.kilmarlicgolfclub.com