Terry Alan in AC!

Many Spirit Airline flights from Atlantic City take golfers to the courses of Myrtle Beach and Fort Myers.  Although the Atlantic City area does not feature nearly the number of courses as do those two areas, AC is no slouch when it comes to hosting public players.  Following is a run-down of public courses within about 20 minutes of the casinos.

The Links at Brigantine Beach is on the island just north of Atlantic City---just drive between Trump Marina and Harrah's and head over the bridge.  Brigantine is a Scottish links design, surrounded by marsh, that has undergone major upgrades in recent years.  The clubhouse facility is modest but adequate.

Atlantic City Country Club, birthplace of the term "birdie," is also home to the Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge and other tournaments.  Its pub is a museum of golf history and worth the visit alone.  For decades the club was private and private-owned.  Hilton purchased it from the owning family who then purchased the nearby Mays Landing course.  It then became even more "private" as a playground for casino guests.  Harrah's has since taken over and the course and facilities are now open to the public.  The course rises gradually from the Intercoastal Waterway and the marsh, up to the old clubhouse, presenting a wonderful view of Atlantic City and its downbeach neighbors.

Twisted Dune, in spite of its name, is a few miles inland from Atlantic City.  It is laid out through rolling sand dunes and is almost devoid of trees.  Estimating the wind is cited as one of the challenges to this interesting course.  Greens are large, and management asserts that tee times are further apart than the average course to avoid contact with other foursomes.

Harbor Pines, nestled in an upscale managed housing community just a few long drives away from Twisted Dune, boasts of a 4-Star rating by Golf Digest and accolades by Golf Magazine and Golf for Women.  Adding to its appeal are five sets of tees, breathtaking vistas and17 acres of water.  The clubhouse is large enough, and nice enough, to host a hundred or so for an after-tournament event.

Blue Heron Pines is a Stephen Kay-designed course just West of the Atlantic City International Airport and an easy drive from the Boardwalk.  It, too, is part of a planned residential community with homes sited around the edges of the fairways.  It has hosted the USGA Public Links Championships and claims a Gold Digest 4-Star rating.

Mays Landing Golf & Country Club was designed by Leo Fraser, past president of the PGA and a leader in the history of the game, as well as former owner of the Atlantic City Country Club.  It offers full practice facilities with a driving range, chipping and putting greens and PGA professionals are on hand for individual lessons.  Recent upgrades have been made.

McCulloughs Emerald Links, in nearby Egg Harbor Township, is self-described as the "New Jersey Shore's most unique public championship golf course!"  The reasons include its elevated terrain and Stephen Kay design as well powerful winds and grass mounds.  One feature management avoids mentioning, but which is truly positive, is the fact that the course is built on a former landfill, hence the elevation.

Seaview Resort & Spa (pictured)---and two golf courses---was a very exclusive, private club when it opened in 1914.  Local lore tells of U.S. presidents visiting for secret golf outings and no locals being accepted as members. The stately hotel and banquet facility, formerly with a Marriott flag, is now run by Dolce.  Troon Golf manages the golf facilities: the Bay Course, former host to the ShopRite LPGA Classic and designed by legendary architect Donald Ross. Rerouted in April 2006 with thick rough and pot bunkers around the greens, "this now-famous course continues to challenge both amateur and professional golfers alike."

Seaview's Pines course, brainchild of the renowned design team of Toomey & Flynn, opened in 1929 with its scenic parkland setting carved from the inherent beauty of southern New Jersey’s pine forest.

Vineyards Golf at Renault Winery, nestled in between its award winning restaurant and winery,  and Tuscany House hotel and restaurant offer an escape from the casino scene for business groups---for one day or more.

Hamilton Trails is a nine hole course that offers carts but encourages walking the course which is set deep in the pines and away from any other development.

Greentree Golf Course might be the best golf bargain around.  Owned by Atlantic County, it is truly "public," and is public-friendly with a maximum fee of $21 for 18 holes in season as of 2009.

Pomona Golf Club is a nine hole course that is not highly rated, but still a good value and just right for those who don't care to spend serious money or time on the fairways.

If you're okay with driving a bit farther from Atlantic City, you can add few dozen more courses to your list in the neighboring counties.