North Carolina Landing Strip Is a Hole-in-One

The airstrip, which was operated for many years by the golf course’s original owners, faced an uncertain future until a local pilot stepped up.

“The strip itself was built in the late 1960s as part of a golf course, when some families came together and purchased the property,” Bunker said. “They sold housing lots around the golf course itself. But a couple of them were aviators and insisted on having an airstrip down the center of it, to make it a destination place where you can come play some golf and then go to the beach. This was quite popular, and then I suppose the next generation of folks that owned the golf course didn’t want to have the risk of an airstrip.”

Bunker had previously flown into Star Hill Golf Club Airport (60NC) and was more than happy to keep it running when he learned of the opportunity. 

“I have been interested in this airstrip for a long time, and they actually used to sell memberships for pilots,” Bunker said. “Right towards the end of them offering these, I was a member for one year, which allowed me to fly in as I wished and tie my plane down outside. I lease the airstrip annually and have been doing so since 2020. I take the liability risk of keeping it open for others to fly into, and my lease includes being listed on the insurance policy.” 

Philip Todd, who flies a Cessna 182, makes frequent flights to the airport.

“I am blessed to know my friend [Bunker] and thankful that he has given us pilots access to Star Hill Golf Course 60NC airfield again,” Todd said. “I love to fly to 60NC airfield because it’s on the golf course, and I enjoy playing the game. I own a home at Emerald Isle Beach [North Carolina], where I enjoy spending time with friends and family. The greatest thing about 60NC airfield is the quick access to the beach. Whenever I can, I love to share the joy of flight with others by taking them up along the outer banks sightseeing."

Currently, the airport’s lease from the golf course is $10,000 per year. To defray some of these expenses, Bunker offers a similar membership structure that was previously in place. He charges pilots $1,000 a year for ongoing use of the airstrip, where members can come and go as they wish. 

“I do my best to put at least a small dent in my expenses and have sold a few memberships to other pilots wanting to use the runway,” Bunker said. “There are also people who are interested in only flying here for the day or a few nights, and I charge them $30 per night.”

The airstrip is mowed by the golf course’s maintenance team and is suitable for landing nearly all the time. One consideration is that the airport lies underneath special-use airspace.

“This is a day, VFR airport, and there is no fuel,” Bunker said. “The runway is about 2,900 feet long with considerable overrun, but it does have some massive trees on either side. Other than that, there is a little bit of slope to it. One of the great things is that it can rain all day long, and you can still land on the airstrip. The airstrip drains very well, and nothing is going to prevent you from landing here, in terms of moisture, as long as it is VMC.”

The nearest public-use airport is Michael J. Smith Airport (KMRH), 19 nm in Beaufort, North Carolina. The Crystal Coast, also known as the Southern Outer Banks, offers 85 miles of pristine beaches. This portion of Atlantic-adjoining North Carolina is widely regarded for a variety of leisure activities. 

“It is such an awesome airstrip, and I really want people to use it,” Bunker said. “I am always going to let others fly in. The airstrip’s location is very unique. For one thing. It’s within a five-minute drive to Emerald Isle Beach and the quaint waterfront town of Swansboro.

“And, of course, golfing is right here as well. Golfing isn’t my hobby necessarily. I’ll play every few years, but this is a nice golf course. Those I ask like it especially for the convenience of being able to fly in and play. There are three nine-hole courses, which are kind of flat but have some mature trees on them.”

Star Hill Golf Club is open to the public and caters to golfers of all skill levels. The course touts its variety of hole layouts, which draw inspiration from several world-renowned tracks. There is also a restaurant— the Par 108 Sports Bar Clubhouse and Grill—at the golf club. 

Additionally, a short-term rental is located on the airstrip, where pilots can tie down their plane right next to where they are staying.