Myrtle Beach Golf News tag:www.golfholiday.com,2008-07-14:/content//23 2010-08-28T18:33:44Z Subscribe to Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday's news feed.Stay up to date with the latest Myrtle Beach golf news. Movable Type 4.3-en Links and Laughs Combine To Fight Prostate Cancer tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4453 2010-08-28T18:18:41Z 2010-08-28T18:33:44Z Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer lingered on the green talking with his playing partners, former all-pro Sterling Sharpe joked with participants, and national spokesman Jim Huber addressed 150 players. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ sterling group.jpgGolf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer lingered on the green talking with his playing partners, former all-pro Sterling Sharpe joked with participants, and national spokesman Jim Huber addressed 150 players.

A range of celebrities came to Myrtle Beach, the Golf Capital of the World, to take the fight to prostate cancer, and everyone had a good time in the process.
 

]]> The third annual Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer Celebrity Golf Tournament was played on an impeccably conditioned Long Bay Club, and attracted a full field of golfers. All proceeds from the tournament were dedicated to increasing awareness and providing early testing for prostate cancer.

Eleven-time NBA champion Sam Jones, former heavyweight champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith, former Major League Baseball all-star Tony Womack, and 12-year NBA veteran Brevin Knight were among the celebrities who joined the fun.

While talk of cancer generally elicits a somber response, the Know Your Score event was full of laughs and cold drinks on a warm Saturday in Myrtle Beach.

Following the golf tournament, there was a Links and Laughs Comedy night at Kingston Plantation featuring Bobby Collins.


The most common non-skin cancer in America, prostate cancer afflicts 1 in 6 men, the majority of that total over the age of 40. As the world’s most popular golf destination, that demographic is Myrtle Beach’s core audience. As a result, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday teamed up with Zero: The Project to End Prostate Cancer to launch the Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer campaign.

Know Your Score is a multifaceted effort that also includes closest-to-the-pin contests and out-of-market fundraising tournaments. Money raised by Know Your Score is dedicated to improving research, early testing and education.

Enjoy a photo gallery the 2010 Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer Celebrity Golf Tournament:

 

]]> North Beach Plantation Raises The Bar tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4451 2010-08-26T17:25:08Z 2010-08-26T17:32:15Z The towers, visible from US 17 in North Myrtle Beach, rise from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean like an entrance into another world, alerting guests well before they arrive that North Beach Plantation is a different type of resort property. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ view from window.jpgThe towers, visible from US 17 in North Myrtle Beach, rise from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean like an entrance into another world, alerting guests well before they arrive that North Beach Plantation is a different type of resort property.

North Beach opened in August of 2009 and immediately staked its claim to being one of the nicest and most unique properties on the East Coast. The towers, which feature condos that range in size from one to five bedrooms, also house a 2 ½-acre, 15-pool water park that includes a lazy river and a swim-up pool bar.

 

]]> North Beach’s condos, whether you are staying in a one-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot model or the 3,200-square-foot, five-bedroom unit, all have luxury appointments.

“That room is unbelievable,” said Carmen DeFalco, a North Beach Plantation guest. “It’s about twice the size and nicer than my condo back home in Chicago. It’s completely furnished, beautiful artwork, leather couches (and has) flat screen (televisions) in every room. I actually called me wife and said, ‘If you saw this place, you would want to move right now.’”

If the Towers, 15 pools and brand-spanking-new rooms weren’t enough, North Beach also has a restaurant that is the equal of the resort’s other amenities. Led by chef Lou Petrozza, a finalist on the popular reality show Hell’s Kitchen, the restaurant specializes in the Southern cuisine (try the fried green tomatoes) and the banana walnut pancakes are without peer.

arch.jpgBuilt on an “island” between the Atlantic and White Point Swash, the Towers and the view offered from each room’s oversized balcony dominate any conversation about North Beach, but the property, which encompasses a total of 60 acres, has much more to offer.

North Beach also rents newly constructed single-family homes, which could be of particular interest to traveling golfers. The homes are located near the beach, and there is an always-at-your-disposal shuttle ready to take guests to the water.

North Beach hopes to begin construction this winter on a steakhouse that will be on par with Ruth’s Chris or New York Prime, but it already features Cinzia Spa, a full service operation that offers a eucalyptus steam bath and, get ready, a golfer’s massage.

 “When men come here they are golfing, golfing, golfing and not allowing that muscle tissue to relax,” Tammy Pahel, the managing director of Cinzia, said. “It’s just tight and gets tighter every time you go out and play. If a golfer would do that massage two times a week before playing, his swing would improve 20 percent.”

While a massage might improve your game, a stay at North Beach will definitely enhance your trip. The one-year-old resort, located just across from Barefoot Landing, has quickly established itself as one nicest properties in Myrtle Beach and beyond.

“There is no other place like this in Myrtle Beach and perhaps the East Coast,” said North Beach’s general manager,” Steve Jones.

 

]]> Nature Valley's Tip From the Pros: How to (Properly) Grip a Club tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4450 2010-08-26T17:11:38Z 2010-08-26T17:17:55Z Forget everything you have ever been told about how to grip a golf club. That is the advice from Brad Redding, one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers and the director of instruction at the Grande Dunes Golf Academy, in this edition of Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Forget everything you have ever been told about how to grip a golf club. That is the advice from Brad Redding, one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers and the director of instruction at the Grande Dunes Golf Academy, in this edition of Nature Valley’s Tips From the Pro.

]]>  

]]> Charlie's Corner: Heartbreak At PGA Could Benefit DJ tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4447 2010-08-23T12:45:29Z 2010-08-23T12:50:46Z As a former player, watching Dustin Johnson finish out at the PGA Championship was gut wrenching. He clearly had no idea he was in a bunker. I understand all the arguments surrounding the incident. Many people point out that there are too many bunkers on the course and the fact that the gallery was actually inside the bunker. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ charlie.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

As a former player, watching Dustin Johnson finish out at the PGA Championship was gut wrenching.  He clearly had no idea he was in a bunker. 

I understand all the arguments surrounding the incident.  Many people point out that there are too many bunkers on the course and the fact that the gallery was actually inside the bunker.  Others say that the rule is obscure.  They question how it can even be an advantage to ground your club in a bunker. 

Some folks blame Pete Dye and Herb Kohler.  Others blame the PGA and David Price who was the walking official with that group.  Blame is also thrown at Dustin Johnson's caddie. 

]]> Here is how I see it.  The burden of playing within The Rules of Golf falls squarely on the shoulders of the player. The information was there and Johnson admitted to not making note of it.  Special notices concerning the scenario that penalized Johnson were both handed out and posted in areas where players could easily see them.  

The PGA did everything, short of having a mandatory rules meeting, in its power to make players aware that all sand on the course should be treated as a bunker.  The fact of the matter is that this was a perfect storm.  Dustin Johnson was at the helm and as the captain he went down with the ship. Put 100 players in the exact same situation and several would have made the same mistake.      
But all is not lost. In the long run this very tough situation may ultimately be good for Dustin Johnson. 

Let me throw a couple of quotes at you. "What a stupid I am." "It's no one's fault but mine."

These quotes make me very proud of my sport and its players. The first is attributed to Roberto De Vicenzo after signing an incorrect scorecard that knocked him out of a playoff in the 1968 Masters. The second is attributed to Dustin Johnson after his final round at the PGA. 

Both men took ownership of their mistakes. Roberto De Vicenzo didn't blame Tommy Aaron for recording a 4 instead of a 3 on the 71st hole. Johnson didn't blame Pete Dye for building a bunker way off the beaten path. De Vicenzo retired a Hall of Famer and winner of the Bob Jones award, the USGA's highest award granted for distinguished sportsmanship in golf. 

There's a lot be said for taking the high road.  It defined Robert De Vicenzo as a champion and a gentleman.  It will do the same for Dustin Johnson.

]]> Greg Norman Launches Golf Academy In Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4446 2010-08-20T20:24:54Z 2010-08-20T20:34:16Z First it was a pair of golf courses, then a fine-dining restaurant, and now Greg Norman has come back to Myrtle Beach to launch a golf academy. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Greg-Norman-001.jpgFirst it was a pair of golf courses, then a fine-dining restaurant, and now Greg Norman has come back to Myrtle Beach to launch a golf academy.

The Shark, as is he affectionately known, returned to Barefoot Resort & Golf on Thursday to introduce the Greg Norman Champion’s Golf Academy. The academy’s headquarters will be located at Barefoot Resort, which is also home to the highly acclaimed Norman Course and Greg Norman’s Australian Grille.

"Myrtle Beach is a great place," Norman said. "I was involved in golf course design and construction here at Barefoot Resort, I have a restaurant right across the [Intracoastal Waterway], so it's a perfect location for me.”
 

]]> The Norman brand, which includes course design, apparel and wine, is one of the strongest in the golf industry, and the expectations for the Greg Norman Champion Golf Academy are just as high.

“When your name is on the door, the only thing you can do is put your blood, sweat and tears into it,” Norman said.

The Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy will provide instruction to golfers at every stage of their amateur and professional careers. The Academy will offer a comprehensive development platform for players, incorporating fitness training, sports psychology and instruction using bio-mechanics and cutting edge technology.

There will be one-, two- and three-day golf schools for adults and summer camps for juniors as well, allowing the academy to reach a broad range of players. The Greg Norman Golf Academy will differentiate itself through its work with high level amateur and professional players.

The academy will include a 10-month high school program that provides intensive training – both physical and mental - to the most talented junior players in the U.S. and abroad with a goal of producing collegiate and professional golfers. Kids attending the academy will receive their formal education at Lowcountry Day Prep.

“We are kicking this off in the right place,” Norman said. “Our growth forecast is very good. We want to make sure we position our academy in the right locations to expand the game of golf at the grass roots level and also reach out to the better players as they go up (the professional ladder).”

Norman also plans to have academy sites in the Bahamas, Mexico and the West Coast.

A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Norman has 91 international victories, including a pair of British Open titles, and he sat for an hour-long interview with the Golf Channel as part of the announcement. Norman covered off on a variety of topics, including the game’s latest controversy, the two-stroke penalty Myrtle Beach resident Dustin Johnson incurred at the PGA Championship.

“It’s sad, obviously, for Dustin,” said Norman, who noted that he was disqualified for an inadvertent rules violation while leading an event after 54 holes. “But I think at the end of the day, the right ruling went down. The rules of golf are the rules of golf. We all sign off on those when we decide to be golfers. You can’t change them in any situation.”

Norman said he has called Johnson.

“I feel for Dustin,” he said. “I’ve been in similar situations (but) not to that degree. It’s always a great feeling when a player reaches out to another player when he is going through adversity. I like Dustin. He’s great for the game of golf. He’s got a great demeanor about him and his attitude is fantastic. I don’t care if you are the president of the United States or Dustin Johnson, it nice to have that support from others. “

Norman also weighed in on the Ryder Cup, predicting a European victory. He opined that US leader Corey Pavin almost has to select Tiger Woods with a captain’s pick, though he hedged his bet. In response to whether he thought Woods would get his swing straightened our prior to the Ryder Cup, Norman wasn’t optimistic.

He feels Woods will rebound, but it will take time. Norman said Woods’ swing in 2000, when he won the first three legs of the Tiger Slam, was the best he has ever seen, but the problems Woods has right now have been several years in the making, hence there likely won’t a quick fix. 

Norman also weighed in on the state of golf, noting that the growth of the game has stagnated in the United States but is at the front end of a boom in Asia. While the evolution will take time, Norman predicted players from the Eastern Hemisphere will eventually end American and European dominance of the game.

 

]]> Golf Magazine Ranks 3 Myrtle Beach Golf Courses Among Top 100 tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4423 2010-08-10T13:12:55Z 2010-08-11T18:51:42Z Golf Magazine unveiled its biennial ranking of America's best public courses and the best each state has to offer in its September issue, and the Myrtle Beach area was, again, well represented. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Davis Love.jpgGolf Magazine unveiled its biennial ranking of America’s best public courses and the best each state has to offer in its September issue, and the Myrtle Beach area was, again, well represented.

Three Grand Strand courses, led by Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, earned a spot on Golf Magazine’s prestigious “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list. Caledonia was ranked No. 28, followed by the Dunes Club at No. 48, and the Love Course at Barefoot Resort at No. 86.

For Caledonia and the Dunes Club, the rankings completed a triple crown of sorts. Both courses are currently ranked among America’s 100 best by Golf Magazine, Golf Digest and Golfweek. The Love Course gives Barefoot three courses that are ranked among the nation’s 100 best (the Fazio and Dye layouts are on Golf Digest’s list).

]]> Set on ground that once housed a thriving rice plantation, Caledonia was the late Mike Strantz’s first solo design and it launched him to architectural stardom. Carved amongst soaring Live Oak trees, Caledonia oozes Lowcountry charm, and the 18th hole, which plays over water and into a green that rests in shadow of the clubhouse, is one of the area’s most memorable.

The Dunes Club is Myrtle Beach’s most revered course. The Robert Trent Jones design, located just yards from the Atlantic Ocean, has hosted the Senior PGA Tour Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open and the finals of the PGA Tour’s Q-School, among many other events. The first nine holes take advantage of the layout’s (natural) rolling terrain, while water is a significant factor on the closing nine. The 11th, 12th and 13th holes at the Dunes Club are, arguably, Myrtle Beach’s best stretch.

The Love Course was Davis Love III first major, solo design project, and he did a marvelous job. Love, aided in part by faux ruins of an old plantation home, created a visually stunning layout with generous fairways and some of the area’s best greens. In 2005, Golf Digest ranked the Love Course as Myrtle Beach’s best.

The accolades for Myrtle Beach area layouts didn’t end with those courses. Golf Magazine ranked the best public courses in each state and six of South Carolina’s top 10 and 13 of its top 20 are located along the Grand Strand. Caledonia (No. 3), Dunes Club (No. 4) and the Love Course (No. 6) were followed by Tidewater (No. 7), Fazio Course at Barefoot (No. 8), True Blue (No. 10), TPC-Myrtle Beach (No. 11), Heathland at Legends Resort (No. 12), Heritage Club (No. 14), Dye Club at Barefoot (No. 16), Glen Dornoch (No. 18), Grande Dunes (No. 19) and King’s North (No. 20).

Grand Strand layouts on the North Carolina side of the state line were also recognized. Golf Magazine ranked four Grand Strand courses among North Carolina’s top 14. Leopard’s Chase (No. 7), Tiger’s Eye (No. 8), Rivers Edge (No. 11) and Oyster Bay (No. 14) earned a spot in the rankings.

The Carolinas are home to some of the nation’s most acclaimed layouts and 17 Myrtle Beach area

 

]]> Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro: Redding's Putting Essentials tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4422 2010-08-10T13:04:42Z 2010-08-10T13:10:26Z In this installment of Nature Valley's Tips from the Pro, Brad Redding, the director of instruction at Grande Dunes Golf Academy , walks you through four essentials of putting. Redding's essentials are easy to understand and implement and will improve your putting. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ In this installment of Nature Valley’s Tips from the Pro, Brad Redding, the director of instruction at Grande Dunes Golf Academy , walks you through four essentials of putting. Redding’s essentials are easy to understand and implement and will improve your putting.

 

 

]]> ]]> Local Knowledge: Top 5 Sushi Restaurants tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4434 2010-08-09T17:56:21Z 2010-08-10T18:00:13Z Sushi comes with enough options to satisfy most any palette, and with choice has come popularity. The Japanese dish is available throughout the Grand Strand, but we are here to help you narrow the list. If you are looking for sushi, here are five restaurants that will please. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ sushi-for-2.jpgSushi comes with enough options to satisfy most any palette, and with choice has come popularity. The Japanese dish is available throughout the Grand Strand, but we are here to help you narrow the list. If you are looking for sushi, here are five restaurants that will please.

1. Soho: Located just two blocks from the beach on 21st Avenue N in Myrtle Beach, Soho doubles as a trendy nightspot and the area’s best sushi bar. Options are aplenty, but here is a vote for the spicy tuna with avocado and tempura flakes.


 

]]> 2. King Kong Sushi: The décor, not surprisingly, features King Kong, including a glowing image located behind the bar, but there is plenty of substance to accompany style. King Kong has two locations, including one at  Broadway at the Beach, and you can watch the chefs prepare some of the more than 100 rolls on the menu. Looking for a recommendation? Try the No Name sushi, a delectable combination of shrimp tempura and crab topped with tuna, avocado, spicy mayo and a sweet glaze.

3. Divine Fish House: The name doesn’t scream sushi, but Divine takes the Fish House part of its name seriously, hence the presence of a full sushi bar. The sushi is very good, as a meal or an appetizer, and the view overlooking the Inlet is unmatched.

4. Indo-Thai: Indo-Thai features two locations, one directly across from Grande Dunes, the other in Pawleys Island, and if you are looking for good sushi (or even, duh, Indo-Thai food) don’t miss it. The shrimp tempura roll is a local favorite.

5. Sugami Japanese Restaurant: Located on 48th Avenue N. in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Sugami  is a popular night spot among locals and home to  some of the area’s most creative sushi rolls. Throw in a relaxing atmosphere, spicy crab sushi, and wide variety of Japanese beers and sake, and Sugami is a nice place to spend an evening.

 

]]> SI Golf Group Announces Editorial Plans For The World Am tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4416 2010-08-04T02:23:34Z 2010-08-11T18:55:19Z When Sports Illustrated Golf Group signed on as the title sponsor of the World Amateur Handicap Championship, it brought the name recognition of golf's most influential media conglomerate - Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine and Golf.com - to the event. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ jim herre.jpgWhen Sports Illustrated Golf Group signed on as the title sponsor of the World Amateur Handicap Championship, it brought the name recognition of golf’s most influential media conglomerate – Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine and Golf.com – to the event.

What makes the SI Golf Group among the sport’s world most prominent media brands is a roster of writers and editors that is as talented as it is deep, and many of them are going to get a participant’s view of the 27th annual Golf.com World Am.

]]>
At a press conference at Pine Lakes Country Club, SI’s birthplace, Jim Herre, SIGG’s managing editor, announced plans to have 21 writers and editors at this year’s tournament, allowing the story of the event to be told through the words of some of the nation’s most talented journalists.

The writers covering the Golf.com World Am reads like a “Who’s Who” of golf journalism, including Alan Shipnuck, who recently authored Swinging From My Heels with Christina Kim, Michael Bamberger and Gary Van Sickle, among many others. SIGG’s writers will be embedded in the field, playing tournament rounds and providing a first-hand account of the event from the first tee to the World’s Largest 19th Hole.

SI Golf Group's coverage will include stories, videos, photography and a steady stream of tweets from the organization's staff.

In addition to covering the tournament, SI Golf Group writers will host a “PGA Tour Confidential” round table discussion at the World’s Largest 19th Hole on Wednesday, September 2. The writers will discuss the game’s hottest topics and take questions from the crowd about all things golf.

David Feherty, a Golf Magazine columnist and network golf analyst, joined the press conference via telephone and weighed in on everything from his upcoming appearance at the World Am to the state of Tiger Woods’ game. Feherty will be the World Am’s featured speaker on Thursday, September 2.

SI Golf Group also unveiled a host of supporting sponsors who will enhance the tournament experience for players. Among the sponsors at this year’s tournament are Gosling’s Rum, Negra Modelo, Callaway Golf, PGA Tour Superstore and GolfTEC. Callaway is the World Am’s official ball provider and GolfTEC will be providing players with a free club-fitting. 

The 2010 Golf.com World Am will be played August 30 through September 3 on 60 Myrtle Beach area golf courses. The 72-hole event attracts more than 3,000 players from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. Players are flighted based on age, gender and handicap and each flight consists of approximately 48 players. The World Am is open to all golfers with a verifiable USGA handicaps.

After four rounds of play, all flight winners and ties advance to the World Championship Playoff at the famed Dunes Golf & Beach Club.

The tournament will be accepting entries until noon on August 17.

 

 

]]> Third Annual Know Your Score Links & Laughs Golf Tournament Ready To Tee Off tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4413 2010-08-02T15:10:48Z 2010-08-11T18:58:52Z The 3rd annual Know Your Score Links & Laughs Golf Tournament and Gala is scheduled for August 28 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Long Bay Club in North Myrtle Beach. Proceeds from the event will benefit ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer. This year, the event will also include a comedy night and live auction at Kingston Plantation. Those interested in purchasing team or individual golf tickets, sponsorships or tickets to the comedy show and gala should visit KnowYourScoreMB.com. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ craig t nelson.jpgThe 3rd annual Know Your Score Links & Laughs Golf Tournament and Gala is scheduled for August 28 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Long Bay Club in North Myrtle Beach. Proceeds from the event will benefit ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer. This year, the event will also include a comedy night and live auction at Kingston Plantation. Those interested in purchasing team or individual golf tickets, sponsorships or tickets to the comedy show and gala should visit KnowYourScoreMB.com.

Four person teams for the celebrity golf event can be purchased for $800 which also includes eight tickets to the Saturday night comedy show and live auction. Individual tickets to participate in the golf event can be purchased for $100 each. Individual tickets to the comedy show can also be purchased for $100.

]]> Raffle tickets are also available to purchase for 13 extravagant prizes including an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa including a safari experience. Raffle tickets are $150 each and will be limited to the first 350 people purchasing them. Some of the other prizes include a Steelers football weekend in Pittsburgh, two entries into the ESPN Radio “Mike & Mike Show” celebrity golf tournament featuring hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, four tickets to attend the PGA Tour Championship and an all-sports weekend in New York City including tickets to a Yankees versus Boston Red Sox baseball game and an NFL game between the Jets and Baltimore Ravens, among many others.

“The Know Your Score Links and Laughs Golf Tournament and Gala is an event we highlight on the calendar every year,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “From the golf to the comedy show to the amazing raffle prizes we have this year, it promises to be an incredible day of fun and evening of entertainment. The celebrities that participate are so giving and generous with their time and we ultimately do it all to raise money for the Know Your Score campaign, so we can assist in the fight to find a cure for prostate cancer.”

Emmy award-winning essayist and commentator for Turner Sports, Jim Huber, is the 2010 national spokesperson for the Know Your Score Fight Prostate Cancer campaign. Huber has been spreading awareness about prostate cancer research and the importance of regular screening through national and regional interviews, and will serve as host for this high-profile event. The golf tournament is expected to attract some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.

“I am honored to serve as the national spokesperson for such a worthy cause,” said Huber. “The Myrtle Beach community has been enormously supportive of the Know Your Score Fight Prostate Cancer campaign. My link to the disease comes through my father who was diagnosed, but survived. So, I personally know the importance of ‘knowing your score.’”

Since April of 2008, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has joined forces with ZERO and supported the annual campaign to fight prostate cancer. The Know Your Score campaign slogan refers to the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test given to men 50 years of age or older to help detect prostate cancer. A low score on the PSA test is good news and is the best screening tool currently available when used with the physical prostate exam, according to ZERO.

So far this year, more than $21,000 has been raised by the Know Your Score campaign to benefit ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer. The Links & Laughs Know Your Score Golf Tournament and Gala is expected to raise more funds to allow the overall goal of $70,000 for the year to be achieved.

For more information about Know Your Score, or to participate in the Know Your Score Links & Laughs Celebrity Tournament and Gala, visit KnowYourScoreMB.com or call 1-800-833-8798.


About ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer
Zero prostate cancer deaths. Zero prostate cancer cases and for those with prostate cancer it means a zero PSA. The name conveys what ZERO stands for – zero tolerance for prostate cancer.
                           
ZERO is committed not only to reducing prostate cancer or alleviating the pain from the disease but to end it. ZERO set a goal that all men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer will be cured or manage their illness with good quality of life, with the support they need to minimize physical and emotional suffering and to cope effectively throughout their cancer journeys. To accomplish this goal, ZERO provides comprehensive treatment information to patients, education to those at risk and conduct more free screenings than ever before. Zero increases research funds from the federal government to find new treatments and assist in the funding for research in the pursuit of a better test for the disease. For more information about ZERO, visit FightProstateCancer.org.

About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 76 championship golf courses, 107 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization has been and continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the Myrtle Beach area golf market. The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about the area accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation. Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help grow the game of golf and attract golfers to the Grand Strand during slower times of year. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the GOLF.com World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Spring and Fall Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. For more information, call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 1-800-833-8798 or visit GolfHoliday.com.

 

Press release courtesy of The Brandon Agency.

 

]]> Sandpiper Bay Named Golf Course of the Year tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4412 2010-07-28T20:50:32Z 2010-08-11T19:04:14Z The summer of 2010 is one that won't soon be forgotten at Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club. The Sunset Beach, N.C., course just captured one of the area's most prestigious honors, winning the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owner's Association Course of the Year Award. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ sandpiperbay1.jpgThe summer of 2010 is one that won’t soon be forgotten at Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club. The Sunset Beach, N.C., course just captured one of the area’s most prestigious honors, winning the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owner’s Association Course of the Year Award.

The good times at Sandpiper didn’t conclude with the announcement of the award. On August 2, Sandpiper will reopen the Bay 9, concluding a three-year project that saw the facility install new Miniverde Bermuda grass greens on each of its 27 holes. The Sand 9 received new greens in 2008 and the Bay 9 in 2009.
 

]]>
The project, which also included repaving cart paths, tree removal and a refurbishment of the clubhouse, underscored the commitment course owners Don and Blair Tanner have to providing a memorable golf experience.

When the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owner’s Association begins sifting through nominations for its Golf Course of the Year award, each nominee is rated based on four criteria: exceptional quality of the golf course, exceptional quality of the ownership and management, outstanding contribution to the community, and significant contribution to the game.

“This is a culmination of about three years hard work,” said Tim Tilma, Sandpiper’s general manager. “It’s very satisfying and it reinforces the fact that we have a growing and improving reputation here at the beach.”

The new greens, which were installed by highly regarded superintendent Jay Varallo, were the cherry on top of the sundae for Sandpiper, which opened in 1987.

The Dan Maples design, located on Route 179 just across the North Carolina line, has long been an area favorite, earning 4 stars in Golf Digest’s prestigious Best Places to Play guide.  Sandpiper is lauded by locals as a player friendly course.

“It’s a very playable golf course,” Tim Tilma, Sandpiper’s general manager, said. “We have a great attitude among our staff to try and help people. Customer service is a key to us.”

Sandpiper also opened its fairways to charity, raising $16,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation to fight breast cancer and donating $29,000 in greens fees and other gifts, bringing the facility’s total charitable donations over the past year to $45,000.

Sandpiper Bay is the 14th course to receive the MBAGCOA award.

The National Golf Course Owners Association implemented the award in 1996 and the MBAGCOA has since nominated courses from the Myrtle Beach area. Past recipients of the award include Shaftesbury Glen (2009), Grande Dunes (2008), Wachesaw Plantation East (2007), Burning Ridge (2006), TPC of Myrtle Beach (2005), Indian Wells Golf Club (2004), World Tour Golf Links (2003), Wild Wing Plantation (2002), Blackmoor (2001), Tradition Golf Club (2000), Bay Tree Golf Plantation (1999), Arrowhead Country Club (1998) and Myrtle Beach National’s King’s North (1996). Five of the Myrtle Beach regional winners also captured the state award; Burning Ridge, TPC, Wild Wing, Tradition, Arrowhead and King’s North. World Tour was named as the national “Golf Course of the Year.”

]]> Golf Group of the Week: Who is the King of Myrtle Beach? tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4410 2010-07-28T13:14:16Z 2010-07-29T15:12:02Z So you want to be crowned the King of Myrtle Beach? If you are hanging with the VB Golf Crew, it's going to require a superlative effort, on and off the course. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ trophy.jpgSo you want to be crowned the King of Myrtle Beach? If you are hanging with the VB Golf Crew, it’s going to require a superlative effort, on and off the course.

Sure, it helps to go low, but with John Barry and his buddies you better not go to bed early if you plan to return home with the hardware. The fun-loving bunch from Virginia Beach has known each other since high school, and they come to the Grand Strand to relieve old memories and create new ones.

The winner of the three-foot tall King of Myrtle Beach trophy is as likely to be the guy who excelled after hours as it is the player with the lowest score. The VB Golf Crew always comes in the summer – there are (gulp) school teachers in the group – and performance is rated on multiple criteria, including golf, worst dressed golfer day attire, beverage consumption (they drive down in a Budweiser van, so use your imagination!), and the always nebulous who is having the most fun category.
 

]]> "Myrtle Beach was an easy choice. The first time we did the trip we were brought in by the (golf) package. Everybody was amazed by the price, the value."

(For the record, the VB Golf Crew isn’t just a cool name they made up. It’s an official Virginia State Golf Association golf club)

Barry ranks players on a scale of 1-5 in each category and the person with the highest point total gets the trophy, which is adorned by a Captain Morgan’s pint glass.

Despite the revelry, this gang of 12 takes its golf seriously. They even brought their own instructor this year. Jamie Smith, owner of, you guessed it, Jamie Smith Golf Instruction, joined the group and provided pointers throughout the week.

“This is a getaway, a no pressure situation,” Smith said. “These guys bring me along for free lessons and I don’t mind giving them. It’s a fun thing for sure … I don’t even have to play well here; I just have to have fun with the rest of the guys.”

The group plays together throughout the year, so fun isn’t a problem for the VB Golf Crew. Meet the group’s leader:

John Barry.jpgName: John Barry

Handicap: 16

Favorite Club: 3-wood

Courses Played On This Trip: Tiger’s Eye, Leopard’s Chase, Lion’s Paw and Maples Course at Sea Trail

Years Coming to Myrtle Beach: 10

How did the King of Myrtle Beach competition get started?
It got started nine years ago. We wanted to make an informal bragging rights type of trophy. The first trophy was crafted from wood and guys that work for Budweiser (used) Bud paraphernalia (to decorate it). Unfortunately it fell apart because it wasn’t really well made. This year we started with a new trophy.

The competition is scored in several categories, but can players have points deducted for poor performance?
Yes. You can lose points by going to bed early and not completing the night out. You lose points by not dressing out for the day. You are going to have to do well in all five categories (to win).

Who was crowned King of Myrtle Beach this year?
Edgar Castillo

What is your favorite Myrtle Beach restaurant?
El Burro Loco. We love the restaurant. During the year we all bet birdies when we play together, and whoever has the most birdies before we go on the trip, everybody has to pay for his Donkey Feast at Burro Loco.

Why Myrtle Beach for your trip?
Myrtle Beach was an easy choice. The first time we did the trip we were brought in by the (golf) package. Everybody was amazed by the price, the value. When we got down here we started having so much fun. We discovered how many courses were down here. Every year we tried to get a little bit better courses and to not play the same courses. Our goal, as a group, is to play every course down here. We are getting close to halfway.

 

See more Golf Groups of the Week!

]]> Charlie's Corner: A Day in the Life - Makeup, Sweat and Stress tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4397 2010-07-27T14:14:56Z 2010-07-27T14:23:08Z I never, not in my wildest dreams, thought I would be putting makeup on to earn a living at the age of 42. Well, for this past year and a half that's exactly what I've been doing. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ charlie.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

I never, not in my wildest dreams, thought I would be putting makeup on to earn a living at the age of 42.  Well, for this past year and a half that's exactly what I've been doing.

And I gotta tell you...it's not that bad, at least once you get used to it.  I have noticed that they seem to put more makeup on me than some of the other announcers though.
]]> Doing a live studio television show is an interesting process. A lot of moving parts have to come together to pull it off. At Golf Channel everyone involved in a show meets 5 hours before show time.

The producer runs the meeting and goes over the show block by block.  There is a piece of collaborative software that breaks the show down into manageable blocks of time. Each block has to be coordinated so everyone can be on the same page. 

For example, if I break down a sequence of shots that a player hit during a given round, I might then talk about a stat for that player followed by a look at how he faced the same issue earlier in the year. There is plenty of work that needs to be done to put that segment together. 

The video needs to be located and edited. The stat needs to built by the folks in graphics.  And I have to figure out what I'm going to say and how long it will take me to say it. 

Often changes are made last second and all plans fly out the window.  And to be honest, those are the really fun days.  The pressure can be fairly intense and the work isn't for everyone.

Thin-skinned people should likely avoid the television industry.  But as for me, I love it!

The banter among produces and announcers is quite lively.  And that’s the part I really enjoy.  Make a mistake and you are going to hear about it.  If someone else makes a mistake you get after 'em. 

What’s surprising is that we carry on right up until the last second before air time and also coming back from commercials.  Even though it can get intense, it’s all in good fun and it really helps break the tension for the whole crew. 

And the worst part? That would be trying not to sweat under the studio lights.  Think "Easy Bake Oven." 

Sometimes I feel like a turkey basting in an oven under those lights.  I can tell you that if I had one of those built-in-ready timers it would have popped more than once this year. And you can just imagine the hard time I would get over that!

]]> Know Your Score Campaign Donates $21,477 To Fight Prostate Cancer tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4396 2010-07-26T17:08:57Z 2010-08-11T19:08:52Z During a ceremony at Martin's PGA Tour Superstore in North Myrtle Beach earlier today, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday's Know Your Score campaign donated $21,477 to benefit the national prostate cancer organization, ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer. This spring the campaign raised the money with "Closest to the Pin" contests at more than 25 Myrtle Beach area golf courses. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ check presentation.jpgDuring a ceremony at Martin’s PGA Tour Superstore in North Myrtle Beach earlier today, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday’s Know Your Score campaign donated $21,477 to benefit the national prostate cancer organization, ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer. This spring the campaign raised the money with “Closest to the Pin” contests at more than 25 Myrtle Beach area golf courses.
 

]]> “For three years, we have worked to raise awareness and to help fight prostate cancer through the Know Your Score campaign,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “With the spring event and our upcoming ‘Links and Laughs’ golf tournament and gala in August, we hope to raise a total of $70,000 for Know Your Score. Thank you to all the golfers in Myrtle Beach who participated in the ‘Closest to the Pin’ fundraiser and joined in the fight against prostate cancer.”

The Myrtle Beach area golf courses that participated in the weekly contests included King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, Glen Dornoch, Willbrook Plantation, Founders Club, Rivers Edge and numerous others along the Grand Strand. Participating golf courses set up one par three hole for the closest to the pin contest each week. For $10, golfers were allowed one shot to win the weekly grand prize. If a shot was the closest to the pin that day, that golfer won a new driver or putter from Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. Each golfer participating in the contest received a sleeve of golf balls, and any golfer scoring a hole-in-one won $1,000. No golfer was able to score an ace at any of the participating golf courses during the promotion.

The contests were administered by Atlantic Golf Promotions to ensure the fairness and accuracy of the weekly results, and Atlantic assisted in raising money for the Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer campaign.

Since April of 2008, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has joined forces with ZERO and supported the annual campaign to fight prostate cancer. The Know Your Score campaign slogan refers to the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test given to men 50 years of age or older to help detect prostate cancer. A low score on the PSA test is good news and is the best screening tool currently available when used with the physical prostate exam, according to ZERO.

“Each year, we are amazed at the generosity of the Myrtle Beach golf community,” said Skip Lockwood, CEO of ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer. “Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has been the driving force behind the Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer campaign and we couldn’t be happier with their efforts in assisting us in the fight to find a cure for prostate cancer.”

This year, award-winning journalist and television personality, Jim Huber, has been serving as the 2010 national spokesman of the Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer campaign. Huber has been spreading awareness about prostate cancer research and the importance of regular screening through national and regional interviews, and will be participating in Myrtle Beach’s Know Your Score Links & Laughs Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala in August.

With the support of the entire Myrtle Beach golf community, more than $200,000 has been raised over the last three years for prostate cancer research through closest-to-the-pin contests at area golf courses, a golf tournament and silent auction and fundraisers previously held at the GOLF.com World Amateur Handicap Championship.

Monday’s ceremony was staged adjacent to ZERO’s 40-foot “Drive Against Prostate Cancer Mobile Screening Clinic” which offered free prostate cancer screenings at Martin’s PGA Tour Superstore for all men. The mobile RV has visited Myrtle Beach three times since 2008 and has provided free prostate screens for hundreds of men which would normally cost $200 in a doctor’s office.

For more information about Know Your Score, or to learn more and sign up to participate in the Know Your Score Links & Laughs Celebrity Tournament and Gala, visit KnowYourScoreMB.com or call 1-800-833-8798.


About ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer
Zero prostate cancer deaths. Zero prostate cancer cases and for those with prostate cancer it means a zero PSA. The name conveys what ZERO stands for – zero tolerance for prostate cancer.
                           
ZERO is committed not only to reducing prostate cancer or alleviating the pain from the disease but to end it. ZERO set a goal that all men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer will be cured or manage their illness with good quality of life, with the support they need to minimize physical and emotional suffering and to cope effectively throughout their cancer journeys. To accomplish this goal, ZERO provides comprehensive treatment information to patients, education to those at risk and conduct more free screenings than ever before. Zero increases research funds from the federal government to find new treatments and assist in the funding for research in the pursuit of a better test for the disease. For more information about ZERO, visit FightProstateCancer.org.

About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 76 championship golf courses, 107 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization has been and continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the Myrtle Beach area golf market. The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about the area accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation. Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help grow the game of golf and attract golfers to the Grand Strand during slower times of year. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the GOLF.com World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Spring and Fall Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. For more information, call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 1-800-833-8798 or visit GolfHoliday.com.

 

 

]]> Will It Drive? Our Scientists Answer the Question. tag:www.golfholiday.com,2008:/content//23.4203 2010-07-15T16:35:36Z 2010-08-24T19:52:30Z Will it drive or won't it drive. That question has plagued golfers throughout the world since man first hit a pebble with his shepard's crook. Now, the modern scientific method and technology has allowed man to answer that famed question. In partnership with the World Association of Club Knowledge Labs (WACK Labs), Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has answered the question. GolfHoliday.com http://www.golfholiday.com/content/golfholidaycom_1/ BeerShot.jpgWill it drive or won't it drive.  That question has plagued golfers throughout the world since man first hit a pebble with his shepard's crook. 

Now, the modern scientific method and technology has allowed man to answer that famed question.  In partnership with the World Association of Club Knowledge Labs (WACK Labs), Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has answered the question.

Will a orange drive?  Will a can of beer go farther than a golf ball?  All this and more is answered for you right here.

 

]]>  

So now that you know what can be driven; did you see one we missed, add a comment below and we'll put the best suggestions in the next episode of "Will it Drive?"

 Also, stay tuned for more episodes where we find out:

  • Can you drive a can of shaving cream?
  • What happens when you hit a hand grenade with a club (don't ask how we got it)?
  • Will a juice box travel farther than a juice bag?
  • Does Red Bull really have wings?

 

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

 

]]> Golfweek Ranks Myrtle Beach Courses Among The Elite tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4383 2010-07-13T14:20:32Z 2010-08-11T19:12:39Z Golfweek magazine's team of raters fan out across the nation each year, playing America's best golf courses and filing ratings reports. Out of those reports spring the magazine's rankings of the country's top 100 classic and modern courses, in addition to a breakdown of the best layouts in each state. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ dunes club3.jpegGolfweek magazine’s team of raters fan out across the nation each year, playing America’s best golf courses and filing ratings reports. Out of those reports spring the magazine’s rankings of the country’s top 100 classic and modern courses, in addition to a breakdown of the best layouts in each state.

Golfweek’s 2010 rankings reaffirmed what most already knew: a Myrtle Beach golf trip offers unparalleled quality. Myrtle Beach’s two most decorated courses – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and the Dunes Golf & Beach Club – claimed top 100 honors, completing their version of the triple crown.
 

]]> Caledonia and Dunes are Top 100 courses according to three of the  game’s leading national publications – Golf Magazine, Golf Digest and Golfweek.

The Dunes Club is ranked No. 99 on Golfweek’s list of the Top 100 Classic Courses (pre-1960).The list includes both public and private courses, putting the Dunes Club in the company of Pine Valley and Augusta National.

A Robert Trent Jones design, the Dunes Club has hosted the U.S. Women’s Open, the finals of the PGA Tour’s Q-School, and the Senior Tour Championship.

Caledonia is No. 98 on Golfweek’s Top 100 Modern Courses (1960-present) list, taking its place among the best layouts the game has seen over the last 50 years. The Top 100 Modern Courses list included public and private layouts as well.

Caledonia is built on the grounds of an old plantation and the views are stunning. The centuries old oak trees and landscaping reminiscent of a botanical garden make the Mike Strantz design one of the area’s most popular courses.

The number of quality courses Myrtle Beach has was revealed in the magazine’s best in state rankings. South Carolina is one of America’s most golf-rich states, but Myrtle Beach dominated the Palmetto state rankings.

Seven of South Carolina’s top 10 courses reside along the Grand Strand, according to Golfweek.  Caledonia (No. 3) and the Dunes Club (No. 5), were followed by No. 6 Tidewater, No. 7 True Blue, No. 8 TPC Myrtle Beach, No. 9 Love Course at Barefoot Resort, and No. 10 Heathland at Legends Resort.

On the North Carolina side of the border, Leopard’s Chase at Ocean Ridge Plantation was ranked as the Tar Heel state’s fifth best course by Golfweek.

The recognition from Golfweek adds to an impressive run Myrtle Beach golf courses have enjoyed in national rankings. In its biennial rankings, Golf Digest ranked seven Myrtle Beach golf courses among “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” Golf Magazine ranked four area courses among its Top 100 You Can Play.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Nature Valley's Tips From The Pro: How To Read Greens tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4382 2010-07-13T13:41:58Z 2010-07-13T13:45:53Z Reading greens is among golf's trickiest tasks, but Classic Swing Golf School's Ted Frick shows you how to properly survey a putt in this installment of Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro. Whether you are having trouble determining speed, break or where to aim, Frick has advice that will shave strokes off your score. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Reading greens is among golf’s trickiest tasks, but Classic Swing Golf School’s Ted Frick shows you how  to properly survey a putt in this installment of Nature Valley’s Tips From the Pro. Whether you are having trouble determining speed, break or where to aim, Frick has advice that will shave strokes off your score.

 

]]>  

]]> Vote On Myrtle Beach's Best Steak House And Italian Restaurant tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4384 2010-07-13T11:57:19Z 2010-07-13T15:09:01Z We've provided you our list of Myrtle Beach's best steakhouses and Italian restaurants, but we want to know what you think. Vote on the area's best restaurants and find out where your fellow golfers like to eat when they are in town! Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ We’ve provided you our list of Myrtle Beach’s best steak houses and Italian restaurants, but we want to know what you think. Vote on the area’s best restaurants and find out where your fellow golfers like to eat when they are in town!

 

]]>
poll by twiigs.com

 

poll by twiigs.com
]]> After Your Round: What To Do In Myrtle Beach In July tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4385 2010-07-12T13:39:17Z 2010-07-15T13:48:51Z >Sure more than 100 Myrtle Beach golf courses provide ample entertainment, but the fun along the Grand Strand doesn't end with the final putt. The Myrtle Beach area is chocked full of good times and here are five of the best off course activities to enjoy throughout the remainder of July. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ 1b.jpgSure more than 100 Myrtle Beach golf courses provide ample entertainment, but the fun along the Grand Strand doesn’t end with the final putt. The Myrtle Beach area is chocked full of good times and here are five of the best off course activities to enjoy throughout the remainder of July.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan - One of the nation’s hottest standup comics, Jim Gaffigan, is coming to Alabama Theatre on July 31. Gaffigan, a regular on the David Letterman show, is best known for his one-hour Comedy Central special, “Beyond the Pale.” If you are looking for a few laughs, don’t miss this one. 

]]>
Summer Parrot Head Music & Wine Fest – It’s hard to beat Jimmy Buffet music and good wine, and La Belle Aimie Vineyard will have both on Saturday, July 24. The Parrot Head Music & Wine Fest is also the perfect opportunity to discover La Belle Aimie, one of the Grand Strand’s hidden gems.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans – The Atlanta Braves Class A affiliate, the Pelicans will be at home July 19-21 and July 29-31. The Braves top talent comes through Myrtle Beach – does the name Jason Heyward ring a bell? – and this year’s resident phenom is starting pitcher Julio Teheran, one of baseball’s top prospects. The Pelicans play in one of America’s nicest minor league stadiums and you are guaranteed to see a few future major leaguers.

Sprite Concert Series – Broadway at the Beach is the epicenter of Myrtle Beach nightlife and every Tuesday throughout the summer will feature a different Sprite Concert Series band at Celebrity Square. The names aren’t big but the fun will be.  The concerts are free and more than 10 restaurants, nightclubs and bars are located within a pitching wedge of the outdoor stage.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre – One of the July highlights of the House of Blues calendar is the Murder Mystery Theatre Dinners (checkout the schedule). It’s an interactive dinner show that provides ample laughs and drama. If you can figure out who committed the “murder,” you might be rewarded.

 

]]> NBA Player Chris Wilcox Hosts Charity Golf Tournament In Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4377 2010-07-07T12:07:50Z 2010-08-11T19:16:01Z On Saturday, July 10, Myrtle Beach National will host the 2nd annual Chris Wilcox Charity Golf Outing. The shotgun scramble tournament will begin at 10:00 a.m. on MBN's South Creek Course. The charity golf event is an effort to raise money to find a cure for Lupus, a debilitating disease that hampers and attacks the immune system. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ chris_wilcox_01.jpgOn Saturday, July 10, Myrtle Beach National will host the 2nd annual Chris Wilcox Charity Golf Outing. The shotgun scramble tournament will begin at 10:00 a.m. on MBN’s South Creek Course. The charity golf event is an effort to raise money to find a cure for Lupus, a debilitating disease that hampers and attacks the immune system.

Wilcox is a Whiteville, N.C. native and is currently a forward with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. As a collegiate player at the University of Maryland, he helped lead the Terrapins to the 2001-02 NCAA National Championship. For Wilcox, the search to find a cure for Lupus is a personal one. Tragically, he lost two of his aunts after their respective battles with Lupus and his sister currently suffers from it.
 

]]>
“Right now there is no cure, or known cause for Lupus and 90 percent of those affected are women,” said Wilcox. “After losing my aunts and seeing how my sister is affected by it, finding a cure for Lupus has become a personal crusade for me. I hope the Myrtle Beach community will come out to support this event and have some fun for a good cause.”

Wilcox will be joined at the tournament by Latta, S.C. native and current Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton. Other celebrities are expected to be announced prior to the event.

Registration for the 18-hole tournament is $75.00 per person, or $300 per foursome. Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams, closest to the pin and longest drive. Multi-level sponsorships are also available.

For more information and to register, go to ChrisWilcox54.com.

About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 76 championship golf courses, 107 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization has been and continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the Myrtle Beach area golf market. The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about the area accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation. Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help grow the game of golf and attract golfers to the Grand Strand during slower times of year. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Spring and Fall Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. For more information, call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 1-800-833-8798 or visit GolfHoliday.com.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Two Myrtle Beach Golf Courses Install New Greens tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4364 2010-06-30T14:39:27Z 2010-08-11T19:17:12Z Millions of people make a summer pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach, most of them to enjoy sun, sand and a taste of life on the coast. While area beaches are teeming with people, Myrtle Beach golf courses often use the "down time" for improvement projects, and this summer is no different. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ panthers run greens.jpgMillions of people make a summer pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach, most of them to enjoy sun, sand and a taste of life on the coast. While area beaches are teeming with people, Myrtle Beach golf courses often use the “down time” for improvement projects, and this summer is no different.

A pair of North Strand Courses – Panther’s Run at Ocean Ridge Plantation and the Bay Course at Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club, home of three nine hole layouts – are closed for the installation of new MiniVerde ultradwarf Bermuda greens and general course refurbishments.

]]> That both courses are installing MiniVerde greens is no surprise. MiniVerde has emerged as the green of choice for many courses throughout the South with a putting surface that is nearly the equal of bentgrass and it’s very heat tolerant.

The installation of the MiniVerde on the Bay Course will complete a three-year overhaul of the Sandpiper’s greens. In 2008 the Sand Course had MiniVerde installed and in 2009, the Piper Course followed suit. The Bay Course, which was sprigged on June 8, is scheduled to reopen on August 23.

The greens on the Bay nine are approximately a week ahead of schedule, but the course’s reopening won’t be moved, according to Sandpiper’s head pro and assistant general manager Richard Kascsak.

Sandpiper knew it had made the right call in installing MiniVerde greens immediately after the Sand Course reopened to the public in 2008.

“The general public loves the greens,” Kascsak said of the reception to the MiniVerde. “They are in fabulous condition and our superintendent has done a superior job on the grow-in. We have had nothing but positive remarks.”

Sandpiper is also using the time to repair the drainage on all of the Bay’s bunkers, in addition to removing trees and enhancing the fairways. When the Bay Course reopens, the Piper Course will close for 10 days to take down trees and repair the cart paths, ensuring the course will be in prime shape for the fall golf season.

In addition to the installation of new grass at Panther’s Run, the greens are being restored to their original size, trees and some railroad ties around tee boxes are being removed, and the cart paths are being repaired.

Panther’s Run will reopen on September 1.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Charlie's Corner: What Impresses A 13-Year-Old? tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4361 2010-06-30T01:10:30Z 2010-07-14T17:06:28Z I just finished up my third consecutive week on the road. After back-to-back weeks covering the LPGA at the State Farm Classic and the ShopRite Classic, it was off to Hartford for the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ charlie.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

I just finished up my third consecutive week on the road.  After back-to-back weeks covering the LPGA at the State Farm Classic and the ShopRite Classic, it was off to Hartford for the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour.

I was on the road solo for the first two weeks, but at the Travelers I had my 13-year-old son, Charlie, with me.  He's a great traveling companion and it's really neat to be able to take him behind the scenes on the PGA Tour. 
 

]]> I'm able to keep him by my side, and as I go around talking to players they all speak to him and shake his hand.  To be honest, he doesn't recognize many of the guys but he does a great job of faking it. 

After speaking to Lee Janzen on the putting green, he had no idea who he was.  I told him Lee had won two US Opens and Charlie was somewhat impressed.  We went up an elevator with Ben Curtis.  Again, Charlie had no clue.  I told him that Ben is a British Open Champion.  He was a little impressed.  The same thing happened with Shaun Micheel and Todd Hamilton. 

He thought meeting major champions was all right but nothing real special. 

It really is hard to impress a 13-year-old. 

Then things started to turn around.  He saw Rickie Fowler, and I thought  Charlie was going to explode.  Rickie was wearing a bright blue shirt and outrageous plaid pants.  Hair was going everywhere and his ears where tucked under his flat billed cap.  I guess for a teenager crazy outfits are more impressive than major championships.  And that’s just fine with me. 

The important thing is that Charlie is excited about anything in golf.  We need for kids to think that golf is cool just so they can get their foot in the door.  They'll get hooked soon afterward.   And for Charlie it didn't take long. 

On Saturday morning he asked me if it was OK to go out and follow a group.  He walked 18 holes with Retief Goosen and Chad Campbell.  They shot 64 and 65. 

On Sunday he walked the course with David Toms.  On his own he pointed out how much he liked Goosen's rhythm and Toms' short game. 

Now he's itching to get out on the course and I can't wait to get out there with him.  If you are at a lull in your love for the game, get out to a PGA, LPGA, or Nationwide Tour event near your home.  Walk 18 holes with your favorite player.  Note one thing that player does that you don't. 

I guarantee it will give you the itch to play.  Then head on out to the course and start scratching.  And if the itch is really bad, then head to Myrtle Beach.  With over 100 courses on the Grand Strand you can do a lot of scratching.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Photo Gallery: Wachesaw Plantation East tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4367 2010-06-29T16:11:57Z 2010-08-11T19:18:15Z Wachesaw Plantation East hosted four LPGA Tournaments and has established itself as a Myrtle Beach golf favorite. Carved out of land that used to be home to a thriving rice plantation, the 4-star course features gently rolling terrain and tree-lined fairways. Enjoy a Wachesaw photo gallery: Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Wachesaw Plantation East hosted four LPGA Tournaments and has established itself as a Myrtle Beach golf favorite. Carved out of land that used to be home to a thriving rice plantation, the 4-star course features gently rolling terrain and tree-lined fairways. Enjoy a Wachesaw photo gallery:

 

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]]> Nature Valley's Tips From Pro: Getting Out Of The Bunker tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4366 2010-06-29T15:16:51Z 2010-07-14T17:03:14Z In this installment of Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro, Brad Redding, one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers and the director of instruction at Grande Dunes Golf Academy, shows you how to get out of a bunker. Hint, hit it fat! Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ In this installment of Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro, Brad Redding, one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers and the director of instruction at Grande Dunes Golf Academy, shows you how to get out of a bunker. Hint, hit it fat!

 

 

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]]> Course Review: Wachesaw Is A Happy Hunting Ground For Golfers tag:www.golfholiday.com,2009:/content//23.4368 2010-06-29T14:19:23Z 2010-08-11T19:19:19Z The word Wachesaw comes from the Waccamaw Indians, who used inhabit what is now Myrtle Beach's South Strand, and means "happy hunting ground." While the Waccamaw Indians were hunting to survive, the word they applied to the land is as apt today as it was in the 18th century. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ wachesaw14.jpgThe word Wachesaw comes from the Waccamaw Indians, who used inhabit what is now Myrtle Beach’s South Strand, and means “happy hunting ground.” While the Waccamaw Indians were hunting to survive, the word they applied to the land is as apt today as it was in the 18th century.

The difference is golfers aren’t hunting to put food on the table, they are in search of birdies that will put a smile on their face at Wachesaw Plantation East. It’s likely the Indians had an easier time killing dinner than the average player  does recording a birdie, but it doesn’t change the fact that Wachesaw has carved a niche for itself on the Myrtle Beach golf scene.
 

]]> The Clyde Johnston design opened in 1996 and hosted an annual LPGA event from 1997 to 2000. The star-studded LPGA tournament  – Karrie Webb was a two-time winner and Annika Sorenstam played as well – thrust Wachesaw into the spotlight.

Now, long after the television cameras have left, what remains is an outstanding golf course, one good enough to earn 4 stars in Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play Guide and Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association Course of the Year honors. The course’s land is rich with history – it was home to a thriving rice plantation, too – and the course has added to it.

What can golfers expect to find at Wachesaw? The layout is generally in outstanding shape and the champion Bermuda greens usually roll and between 9 and 9.5 on the stimpmeter, but the key to success is what happens before players get to the green.

Water and wetlands are a factor throughout the round, and every fairway is lined with trees. Mix-in rolling terrain and mounding that often frames the fairways, and a challenge awaits. But don’t be intimidated by Wachesaw’s visuals.

The tree-lined fairways are more generous, particularly in the landing areas, than they appear from the tee, and the forced carries aren’t typically onerous.

Wachesaw has tees as far back as 6,933 yards, but the vast majority of players will play from the blue (6,618 yards) or white (6,297 yards) tees, which offer enough length to allow for ample use of the driver but doesn’t necessitate its use.

wachesaw1.jpgThe flexibility the course offers players is important, because finding the fairways at Wachesaw is vital. The mounding along the fairways can funnel balls towards the short grass, but it also requires shots from uneven lies out of the rough.

If you can put a driver in the fairway great, but if not, don’t be afraid to hit a 3-wood or even a hybrid off the tee. Because Wachesaw‘s greens are often elevated and well bunkered, having a good lie on the approach is essential. Players that miss greens will have difficulty getting up and down on a consistent basis. 

Speaking of greens, Wachesaw’s are conducive to making putts. There is undulation in the greens, but it’s not extreme.

Four-time LPGA major winner Meg Mallon proved putts can be made at Wachesaw when she fired a course record 62 in 1998, but you don’t have to shoot 10 under par to enjoy the course.

The charm at Wachesaw doesn’t end on the 18th hole. The course has an outdoor bar and patio behind the clubhouse and it’s an ideal place to tally your scorecard and settle any outstanding bets.

Without further ado, here is a more detailed look at what you can expect to find on the course:

Par 3s
Wachesaw has a varied collection of par 3s, including the only two holes on the course where water doesn’t at least come into view.

The course’s shortest par 3 is also it’s first, the 165-yard, fourth hole. There is no water or wetlands to be found but the hole is nestled amongst trees. The prevailing wind is typically in your face but is sometimes hard to gauge because of the protection provided by the trees. Take one more club than you think you will need.

The eighth hole, known as Watery Grave, is one the course’s best. A lake runs from tee to green up the right side of the 180-yard hole and three bunkers loom as well. Don’t come up short.

The back nine par 3s are Wachesaw’s longest. The 185-yard, 12th hole brings wetlands and a waste bunker into play. The green is 37 yards deep so there is room to work with, but, like No. 8, coming up short isn’t an option playing from the blue (172 yards) or white (166 yards) tees.

The final par 3, the 15th is also the most challenging. The Oaks, as it’s known, plays 185 yards from the blue tees and 170 from the whites, requiring a mid to long iron. Players must play a left to right shot that allows them to navigate a pair of oak trees that come into play on the right side. If you overcut the tee shots, a large waste bunker awaits.

wachesaw 18.jpgPar 4s
Length is not the overwhelming concern on Wachesaw’s par 4s. Accuracy dictates success, though Johnston didn’t take the driver out of play. From the white tees, only one par four – No. 18 – plays more than 400 yards and just two others exceed 360 yards.

Long carries off the tee aren’t typical, but No. 2 is an exception. The dogleg right plays 385 yards from the blue tees and 375 from the whites, and the best tee shots find the left-center the fairway.

The sixth hole is the shortest par 4 (365 yards blue tees/342 whites) and its appropriately named “Narrow.” Players that can bomb the driver long and straight will have a short approach into a large green, but if you choose to layback off the tee, opportunity still awaits.

The most memorable front side par 4 is the ninth. Water runs from tee to  green on the 420-yard hole and is complemented by a surplus of sand elsewhere. If you get a par here, you can rightfully head to the 10th tee with a smile on your face.

Memorable back nine par 4s include No. 14, which has an undulating, mounded fairway. Judging distance to the green is complicated by several mounds in front of the green, so make sure you check the yardage markers.

The closing hole is Wachesaw’s longest and toughest par 4. Two lakes loom on the left side of No. 18 and the green is surrounded by bunkers.

Par 5s
Wachesaw’s par 5s are an outstanding collection of holes, but don’t expect to take advantage of them. Three of the four par 5s play more than 500 yards from the blue tees, so only the longest of hitters can think of going for a green in two.

The front nine par 5s, in particular, require three good shots. The third hole (510 yards blue tees/495 white tees) requires a carry over wetlands off the tee and coming into the green.  Stay on the left side of the fairway and play it smart.

The seventh hole is Wachesaw’s longest (550 blue/530 white) and one of its most challenging. A double dogleg, it’s a true three-shot hole.

The final two par 5s offer opportunity for gamblers, but there is risk. The 10th hole (515 blue/484 white) is straight as an arrow, and water isn’t a factor. Sand comes into play along the fairway, but take as much club as you can hit straight and pound away. With three good shots, the 10th offers the opportunity for birdie.

The 17th hole (485 blue/470 white) offers the classic risk-reward decision. It’s reachable for long hitters but a creek fronts a green that includes a false front, so you have to carry the ball to the middle of the green. It’s an outstanding hole.

The Verdict: Wachesaw burst onto the Myrtle Beach golf scene after hosting four LPGA Tournaments and has remained an area favorite. The layout is challenging, conditions are consistently good, and the customer service excellent.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> 5 Things You Need To Know About Wachesaw tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4363 2010-06-29T14:04:30Z 2010-08-11T19:20:21Z Wachesaw Plantation East is only 14 years old, but the South Strand course impacted the Myrtle Beach golf scene immediately upon its opening and hasn't looked back. There are a lot of things people should know about Wachesaw, and here are five of the best. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Wachesaw16.jpgWachesaw Plantation East is only 14 years old, but the South Strand course impacted the Myrtle Beach golf scene immediately upon its opening and hasn’t looked back. There are a lot of things people should know about Wachesaw, and here are five of the best.

1. Where Legends Have Played: Wachesaw hosted an LPGA event four times, and produced an impressive list of winners, though the great Annika Sorenstam was never able to breakthrough. Hall of famer Karrie Webb (twice), Rachel Heatherington and Grace Park all triumphed on the Clyde Johnston design.
 

]]> 2. Can You Top This?: Four-time LPGA major winner Meg Mallon fired a course and what was, at the time, an LPGA record 62 at Wachesaw. Mallon, who was playing from approximately 6,200 yards, called it the best round of golf she had ever played at the time.

3. Don’t Be Fooled: All 18 holes at Wachesaw are tree-lined and standing on the tee, the fairways look perilously narrow. Trust us, there is more room than it occasionally appears. That isn’t to say you can spray the ball with impunity, but don’t psyche yourself out either.

4. Get There Early: Wachesaw is home to one of the most spacious practice facilities along the Grand Strand. The two-tiered complex, which is open to the public, was built to host tour events so there is ample room. Multiple practice areas make a warm-up session Wachesaw a must.

5. You Can’t Hit the Head Pro: Wachesaw’s head pro, Rob Mosser, will likely be the best pitcher you’ve ever met. The affable Mosser was a three-year closer for the University of South Carolina baseball team, including dominating seasons in 1992 and 1993 when he helped the Gamecocks into the NCAA Tournament.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Wachesaw Plantation East's 3 Best Holes tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4362 2010-06-29T12:20:49Z 2010-08-11T19:21:27Z Wachesaw Plantation East hosted four LPGA Tournaments and has been named the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owner's Association Course of the Year, so the quality of the layout is strong. But what are the Clyde Johnston design's three best holes? Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ wachesaw17.jpgWachesaw Plantation East hosted four LPGA Tournaments and has been named the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owner’s Association Course of the Year, so the quality of the layout is strong. But what are the Clyde Johnston design’s three best holes?

For the answers to that question, we went to a man who has faced high stress situations in the past, Wachesaw’s head pro, Rob Mosser, a former closer for the University of South Carolina baseball team. Mosser faced the heat of our questioning and provided answers.

No. 8, 180-yard, par 3: Aptly named Watery Grave, a lake runs from the tee almost all the way up to an elevated green. Three bunkers loom on the right side of the green as well, but there is no room to miss left, because trees lurk.

]]> One piece of advice: whatever you do, don’t come up short.

No. 17, 500-yard, par 5: A risk-reward hole, the 17th isn’t exceedingly long (470 yards from the white tees), but it has a two-tiered fairway and can tempt long hitters to go for the green in two. The preferred position is the right side of the fairway, but there is little room for error.

“There is a creek that runs in front (of the green),” Mosser said. “There is water on both sides of the fairway and the green also has a false front. If you don’t carry to the middle of the green you can roll back into the water.”

You going for it or playing it safe?

No. 18, 430-yard, par 4: Wachesaw’s hardest hole forces players earn a closing par. From the tee, the fairway appears narrower than it is. Just trust that it widens about 220 yards from the tee, but that doesn’t mean the hole is without challenge.

“There are trees on the right, water on the left, and the green is surrounded by bunkers,” Mosser said. “It’s very challenging.”

Make sure you hit the right-center of the fairway and aim right on the approach, avoiding a large bunker that envelopes the left side of the green.

The hole plays slightly uphill, making it play marginally longer

What’s the best hole at Wachesaw in your opinion?

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Golf Group of the Week: Cold Beer Open tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4351 2010-06-25T19:04:51Z 2010-07-14T16:59:13Z They've got a logo, custom apparel, create risqué bag tags and charge entry fees. They play a lot of golf and talk even more. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ captains2.jpgThey’ve got a logo, custom apparel, create risqué bag tags and charge entry fees. They play a lot of golf and talk even more. 

Yes, the boys of the Cold Beer Open know how to have a good time, and their recently completed trip to Myrtle Beach was no exception. Group leader John Powell of Burlington, N.C., organizes the annual trip six months in advance, an effort that used to require phone calls and follow up emails.

Ten years of good times have changed that.

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Powell sends out an email now and people respond without prodding.

(A little history on how the group got its name: “We were standing in the garage one night trying to come up with a funny name and somebody cracked open a beer and said, ‘That’s what we will call it, the Cold Beer Open,” said Powell)

Players in the CBO arrive in Myrtle Beach prepared to play. From the custom bag tags, which are most notable for the scantily clad women who adorn them, to the hats, shirts and other apparel that sports the CBO logo, the group is unique.

“The difference between our group (and some others) is friendship,” Powell said. “We started with a group of eight of us and everyone has invited someone. The cool thing is when you see these guys come in you wouldn’t think they would be friends. We have doctors, lawyers, carpenters, mechanics and every imaginable occupation in the group.”

After 10 years of standard trips, separating guys by handicap and playing an individual tournament, the CBO switched to a Ryder Cup format in 2010, making it more Cold Beer Cup than Open. Scott Tolley was picked to captain the East team and David Hoover led the West side. Each captain picked seven other team members and the three-day battle for the cup was on.

The three “official” Cold Beer Cup rounds consisted of alternate shot, captain’s choice and singles play. How did the new format go over? We talked to one of the group’s longtime members and the man who designed the CBO logo.

Name: David Williams

Hometown: Burlington, N.C.

Handicap: 13

Favorite Club: Lob wedge

Favorite Myrtle Beach Golf Course:
True Blue

What courses did you play this year?
Parkland, Heathland, Moorland, Heritage Club and Oyster Bay.

How was the change to a Ryder Cup type format received?
The Ryder Cup format was a huge hit.  With the other format we had been using, many of the golfers were out of the tournament by the first or second day and they really didn't care too much about the last couple of rounds.  The Cold Beer Cup came down to the last day (East was up by 2 points when the Sunday singles started).  The West team won four more matches than the East on Sunday and took the cup by 2 points.  Everyone's round counted on Sunday, so everyone was excited about playing and they all said it was the best golf format we had ever played.  We will definitely continue to use the format.

Why do you make an annual golf trip?
The camaraderie, no doubt. The guys are awesome.

Why is Myrtle Beach for your golf destination?
You have great places to stay, excellent restaurants, and the golf courses are absolutely beautiful and they are always in great shape. Where can you play golf for this kind of price on this kind of courses? Nowhere else.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Golf.com World Am Entries Surge tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4343 2010-06-24T19:23:03Z 2010-07-14T16:58:17Z What happens when you combine a new sponsor with world-wide name recognition, a great course lineup, and a slowly improving economy? A surge in interest in the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship. The tournament is still two months away, but entries and interest in amateur golf's coolest event are on the upswing. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ high five5.jpgWhat happens when you combine a new sponsor with world-wide name recognition, a great course lineup, and a slowly improving economy? A surge in interest in the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship. The tournament is still two months away, but entries and interest in amateur golf’s coolest event are on the upswing.

Nearly 2,600 players have registered for the tournament, which will be played August 30-September 3 on more than 50 Myrtle Beach area courses, a 13 percent increase over the same time last year.
 

]]> “We are pleased with the entry numbers but certainly not surprised,” said Dave Macpherson, the World Am’s tournament director. “The addition of Sports Illustrated Golf Group as our title sponsor has been a breath of fresh air for new and old players alike, and the economy, while far from ideal, is getting better.”

In addition to a SIGG joining the World Am team, the tournament enjoyed spectacular weather in 2009 and a couple significant format changes were very well received. The decision to make tournament check-in a two day process and giving players the option of checking in at different PGA Tour Superstore locations was a huge hit. Players were able to register with no wait time, and the two-day check in at the Superstore locations will return in 2010.

On the course, tournament officials opted to cut flight sizes in half to approximately 48 players and groups played as threesomes to speed the pace of play. Again, the reaction to both changes was overwhelmingly positive.

The reduction in flight size doubled the number of people who qualified to play in the World Championship Playoff, and the move to threesomes improved speed of play without infringing on the event’s camaraderie.

“The changes we made last year were very well received, and we will carry them over to this year,” Macpherson said. “We are constantly evaluating and tweaking things to provide the best tournament experience possible for players, and we will continue to improve.”

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Hot List: Top 5 Father's Day Golf Gifts tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4332 2010-06-16T15:38:27Z 2010-06-22T18:10:55Z Scrambling for a late Father's Day present? If you can't enjoy the ultimate gift - entry into the Father-Son Team Classic - there are plenty of other options available. Whether you are looking for simplicity or high tech, a quick trip to Martin's PGA Tour Superstore helped create a list with at least one item that should make every golf playing Dad happy. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ dual-putting-plane_3.jpgScrambling for a late Father’s Day present? If you can’t enjoy the ultimate gift – entry into the Father-Son Team Classic – there are plenty of other options available. Whether you are looking for simplicity or high tech, a quick trip to Martin’s PGA Tour Superstore helped create a list with at least one item that should make every golf playing Dad happy. 

1. Eyeline Dual Plane Putting System ($69.99) – The easiest place to pick up strokes is on the green and this Eyeline system helps players improve alignment, stroke mechanics and muscle memory, among other things. This is a gift that will help throughout the year, and it’s easy to setup and use.

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2. Frogg Toggs Aqua Towel ($9.95) – If inexpensive and practical are what you are looking for, here is your answer. The Aqua Towel features a high tech polymer that is very absorbent, but you don’t need it to dry things. Soak one of these babies in cold water, put it in its case, and bring it to the course. On a hot, summer day wrap the Aqua Towel around your neck and enjoy instant relief from the heat! This is an unconventional buy, but a good one.

3. TaylorMade Penta TP Golf Balls ($45.99/dozen) – Treat the old man to some of the best balls the game has to offer. The Penta, according to Golf Digest, “works for all the shots that matter.” If you purchase a dozen Pentas at a PGA Tour Superstore, you will also receive a tour model TaylorMade golf glove ($18 value) for free.  You won’t go wrong here.

4. GolfLogix Handheld GPS Application ($39.95) – GolfLogix has created an industry leading GPS program for a full range of smart phones, including  the iPhone and Blackberry, and it works as well as the traditional handheld devices.  The GolfLogix program has logged more than 25,000 courses. One word of caution, the smart phone app can drain your battery so be prepared to have two batteries at your disposal.

5. Myrtle Beach Golf Trip (Priceless) – If you can’t participate in the Father-Son, taking Dad to Myrtle Beach on a regular golf trip is just as good. The summer golf season offers premium value, so check your calendar and make the trek. For a sampling of what’s available, checkout our Summer Golf Specials or get a Quick Quote.

Have a happy Father’s Day!

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Willard Byrd Course at Sea Trail Soars tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4331 2010-06-16T13:41:20Z 2010-06-22T18:11:47Z Sea Trail Golf Resort is home to layouts designed by the Open Doctor, Rees Jones, Dan Maples, who has designed more Myrtle Beach golf courses than any other architect, and Willard Byrd, who completed the trio with the opening of his course in 1990. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ ST_Byrd.jpgSea Trail Golf Resort is home to layouts designed by the Open Doctor, Rees Jones, Dan Maples, who has designed more Myrtle Beach golf courses than any other architect, and Willard Byrd, who completed the trio with the opening of his course in 1990. 

On the name recognition index, Byrd doesn’t enjoy the cache of his Sea Trail compatriots, but his work at the Sunset Beach, N.C., facility might be the best of the bunch. The Willard Byrd Course at Sea Trail has an ideal combination of playability, challenge and value that appeals golfers.

The Byrd course isn’t particularly long, playing 6,750 yards from the blue tees and 6,251 yards from the white tees (where most of us play), so long, forced carries and the need for a space-age driver are minimized.

]]> Byrd created a layout that allows golfers ample opportunity to hit the driver, but doesn’t make length a prerequisite for success. The course, which has seven doglegs of varying severity, rewards shot-making and creativity, challenging players to hit a variety of shots.

Those challenges are what make the course appealing to low-handicappers despite the relative lack of length.

“Byrd is more demanding on the good golfer,” head pro Eddie Pratt said. “That’s why they like to play it.”

Mid to high handicappers are fond of Byrd because it isn’t overly penal from the white tees. Regardless of your handicap, Byrd rewards players that pay attention to where they are hitting the ball. Playing to the proper side of the dogleg and awareness of hazards are vital success.

“It’s more of a shot-makers course,” Pratt said. “It’s not a course where you hit it, find it and hit again.”

The Byrd Course is home to several large man-made lakes – the biggest is 20 acres – but the water isn’t an overbearing threat. The course’s fairways are plenty wide, giving players ample room to find the short grass.

The key to success lies in a player’s ability to execute with short irons. There aren’t many long approaches, but the greens are well guarded, most of them surrounded by sand. If you miss a green, you will likely be chipping out of or over a bunker.

If the threat of missing the green weren’t enough, hitting it hardly ensures success. The Byrd Course’s greens are often large and multi-tiered, so hitting the right part of the green is vital to scoring well.

One thing players don’t have to worry about is the condition of the greens. Sea Trail installed new Champions Bermuda on the greens as part of a two-year project, and the results have been well received.

byrd 7.jpgPar 3s
The par 3s are Byrd’s strongest collection of holes. The seventh, a 190-yarder, is Pratt’s favorite hole on the course and the 186-yard 12th isn’t far behind. Both holes require relatively long tee shots over sand and require a sturdy commitment to your club selection. They encapsulate what’s so enjoyable about the Byrd Course – a good score is very much within reach but It must be earned.

The 174-yard second hole requires a carry across one of the (alligator filled) man-made lakes to another three-tiered green. The 16th is the longest par 3 from the blue tees, playing 202 yards, but the shortest from the white tees (155 yards). With no water and healthy size green, it’s the easiest hole on the back nine, according to the scorecard.

Par 4s
Byrd’s par 4s speak to its reputation as a player friendly course. While the par 4s feature several doglegs, not one of them plays longer than the 392-yard fifth hole from the white tees.  Setting the fifth hole aside, there isn’t another par 4 that stretches to 380 yards from the white tees. With even minimal distance off tee, players will have manageable approaches.

A prime example is the fourth hole (407 blue/378 white), which features an almost 90-degree dogleg left.  A 225-yard drive from the white tees will leave players well positioned, but a waste bunker runs along the left side and mounds on the right complicate any mistake in that direction.

The aforementioned fifth hole is the course’s hardest. In addition to being long and straight, the hole has subtle elevation change.

“On the tee box it looks flat but there is a steady incline,” says Pratt. “You are always hitting one or two more clubs than you expected on your second shot.

The most difficult hole on the back nine, according to the scorecard, is the 400-yard, 10th hole, a dogleg right with sand on both sides of the fairway, and a relatively small green.

The final two-shotter is the 382-yard 17th hole. Long hitters can bomb away but a lake runs up the entire left side of the fairway and mounding on the right can punish a slice. The 17th green is classic Byrd; it’s large – 39 yards deep - but surrounded by four bunkers.

byrd 3.jpgPar 5s
The par 5s on the Byrd Course offer players a couple chances to pick up strokes.

The third hole (535 blue/468 white) is relatively short but it has a severe dogleg right. A large waste bunker and a tree on the right side make cutting the corner difficult. Play this one by the book and be content to reach the green in regulation. The ninth hole isn’t complicated. It’s long and straight. If you can get home it two from the 542 yards on the blue tees (or 517 from the whites) more power to you. Most of us can’t.

Opportunity potentially beckons on the 13th hole (528 blue/493 white), but there is a significant risk-reward component. The hole is straight but each side of the fairway sports a large bunker and one of the course’s lakes runs in front of the green. Long hitters can go for the green in two, but you better be certain you can get there. Any ball that is short will be wet.

The 18th is regarded by many as Byrd’s easiest hole. It’s short (468 blue/442 white) and not overly tight, giving many players the opportunity to go for the green in two, assuming your drive is in the fairway.

The Verdict: The Byrd Course at Sea Trail doesn’t receive the accolades of its Grand Strand brethren (including the on-site Jones Course), but it’s a good layout with good conditions. There isn’t much housing, and players have the opportunity to score if they play well. If you are a low handicapper, play from the blue tees and enjoy the challenge.

In short, if the Byrd Course offers value and challenge, a combination everyone seeks on a Myrtle Beach golf trip.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> The 3 Best Holes At The Byrd Course tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4330 2010-06-15T19:21:53Z 2010-06-22T18:13:12Z The Byrd Course at Sea Trail Resort is a shot-makers haven, rewarding intelligence and course management. Due to the nature of the layout, its three best holes are, even more so than usual, in the eye of the beholder. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ byrd 18.jpgThe Byrd Course at Sea Trail Resort is a shot-makers haven, rewarding intelligence and course management. Due to the nature of the layout, its three best holes are, even more so than usual, in the eye of the beholder.

But few people have seen the course as much as head professional Eddie Pratt. So we put the friendly Carolinian on the hot seat and he delivered, naming the three best holes on the Byrd Course at Sea Trail.

No. 7, 190-yard, par 3: The seventh hole is Pratt’s favorite. It’s not exceedingly long, playing 167 yards from the white tees (6,251 yards), but the three-tiered green is surrounded by bunkers. Given its size, merely hitting the green isn’t that difficult, but putting the ball in the proper place is crucial.

“That is the epitome of that golf course and what it brings to the table,” Pratt said. “Select the club you think will get you to the right level of the green and test it.”
 

]]> No. 12, 186-yard, par 3: Playing from the championship tees, this hole is a bear, requiring a long tee shot over water into a green fronted by sand. Playing from the whites, water isn’t as big a factor but the sand is and the peanut shaped green isn’t very deep. In addition to the trap fronting the green, two more bunkers reside on the other side. Given how shallow the green is, both can come into play.  

“I like it because it makes you choose the right club and (execute) the right shot,” Pratt said.

No. 18, 469-yard, par 5: Willard Byrd gave players an opportunity to go home with a smile on their faces. The eighteenth is the shortest par 5 by more than 50 yards, and it plays only 442 yards from the white tees. You might even have a shot at eagle here.

But before you start penciling a low number on the card, consider yourself forewarned: water lurks on the both sides of the hole, and the fairway, while hardly razor thin, isn’t exceedingly wide. Players that hit the ball straight, whether it’s long or short, will have the chance to finish strong, and everyone likes to leave on a high note.

What is your favorite hole on the Byrd Course?

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> 5 Things You Need To Know About The Byrd Course tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4329 2010-06-15T19:14:02Z 2010-06-22T18:14:43Z The Byrd Course at Sea Trail is the youngest of the facility's three layouts, and, arguably, its best. If you are looking to maximize your enjoyment, on and off the course, at the Sunset Beach, N.C., resort, here are a few tips. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ byrd 2.jpgThe Byrd Course at Sea Trail is the youngest of the facility’s three layouts, and, arguably, its best. If you are looking to maximize your enjoyment, on and off the course, at the Sunset Beach, N.C., resort, here are a few tips.

1. Think First: The Byrd Course isn’t exceptionally long (6,750 yards from the blue tees, 6,251 from the whites), and as a result, it’s not a layout that rewards players for mindlessly pounding the driver off every tee. Survey each hole and know where you want to go with the ball, because precision pays with this Byrd.
 

]]> 2. Short Irons Rule –Whether it’s water or sand protecting them, hitting Byrd’s well-guarded greens is vital to success and it’s not always easy to recover after a miss. Due to the size of the greens, hitting it in the right spot is also vital, another factor that rewards accuracy on the approach.

3. New Greens – The Byrd Course installed new Champion Bermuda greens in two waves. In the summer of 2008, the front nine was installed and last summer, the back nine enjoyed a makeover. As a result, Byrd’s greens have been in outstanding condition this spring and summer.

4. Don’t Believe Your Lyin’ Eyes – Yes, the greens are large and appear to have a surplus of undulation, but some of that perceived movement can be optical illusion.

“Whatever you see for break, cut that in half,” head pro Eddie Pratt says. “Don’t read to much into the break. It looks like it’s going to break more than it is.”

Consider yourself warned.

5. Don’t Leave Hungry  – If you are hungry before or after your round, don’t hesitate to eat at Magnolia’s, an onsite restaurant at Sea Trail. The food is very good.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Photo Gallery: Willard Byrd Course at Sea Trail tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4328 2010-06-15T19:03:54Z 2010-06-22T18:27:55Z The Byrd Course at Sea Trail Resort, celebrating its 20th birthday this fall, is a shot-makers golf course. Players are challenged to provide power and finesse at the Sunset Beach course, which features several large lakes. Enjoy a Byrd Course photo gallery. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ The Byrd Course at Sea Trail Resort, celebrating its 20th birthday this fall, is a shot-makers golf course. Players are challenged to provide power and finesse at the Sunset Beach course, which features several large lakes. Enjoy a Byrd Course photo gallery.

 

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]]> If We Shot John Daly's Pants Into Space, Would the Universe Be More Awesome? tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4293 2010-06-15T18:59:09Z 2010-07-21T12:51:50Z Fuel Administrator John Daly has had an interesting career in golf.  He came onto the pro scene in 1987 and has since then impressed and offended both fans and critics alike with his golf game, demeanor, and rocky personal life. While his career has been interesting (he's won several championships and has one of the longest drives around), do you where the real excitement can be found in John Daly? Pants.

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]]> Charlie's Corner: Golf As A Building Block For Family tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4327 2010-06-14T15:11:28Z 2010-06-14T15:38:06Z Father's Day is coming up and this will be my first one without my biological father. My step-dad raised me and he is very much alive and kicking but my biological father passed away back in May. I really didn't get to know him until I was 18 and had it not been for golf we likely would have never spent much time together. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ charlie.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

Father's Day is coming up and this will be my first one without my biological father.  My step-dad raised me and he is very much alive and kicking but my biological father passed away back in May. 

I really didn't get to know him until I was 18 and had it not been for golf we likely would have never spent much time together.  And isn't that the greatest thing about golf?  It can bring people together that otherwise would have little else in common. 

Some of my earliest memories of golf are with him at the Cleveland Country Club in Cleveland, Tenn.  He had one of those three wheel carts with the giant steering wheel in the middle.  I would sit on his lap and steer.  That old gas cart would cough and spurt and smell horrible, but it got us around the golf course. 
 

]]> When players weren't waiting he would let me hop out and smack one.  As time progressed I can remember playing nine holes and then hitting balls on the range while he played the back nine.  Those were the days when I first became familiar with golf blisters. 

He later moved to Oklahoma and we spent summer afternoons dodging tornadoes on flat as a fritter, wide open prairie golf courses.  The happiest I ever saw him was when we teamed up to win the championship division of his member-guest.  He was beaming ear to ear. 

All that time together would never have happened without golf.  Dealing with family can be tough.  You can only talk about the weather or your favorite baseball team for so long.  You need something to break the ice.  This is where our game excels.  

Now I've got two boys of my own and we love to get out and play.  I help them with their game, but much of the time we are just hanging out and enjoying each other's company.  The perfect foursome for me is my step-dad and my two boys.

And the perfect place to play is Myrtle Beach.  Especially considering that many of the courses are very kid friendly and often don't charge kids green fees when they are playing with an adult.  So what are you waiting for?  Spend time with your kid or father on a golf course.  But don't wait for Father's Day.   Any day will do.  

 

 

]]> Father-Son Team Classic Brings Families Together tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4325 2010-06-10T18:38:05Z 2010-06-22T18:31:23Z For many people, golf is a game passed down through family, a means to bond in good times and bad. One of the game's great celebrations of its familial roots - the Father-Son Team Classic - is quickly approaching. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ father son photo.jpgFor many people, golf is a game passed down through family, a means to bond in good times and bad. One of the game’s great celebrations of its familial roots – the Father-Son Team Classic – is quickly approaching.

The 13th annual tournament, which is open to any father-son type relationship, including grandfather-son, stepson-father and son-in-law (uncle)-nephew, will take place in Myrtle Beach July 22-24. More than 1,200 golfers will come to the Grand Strand to play one of the game’s most unique tournaments.

]]> At the 54-hole event’s heart is the time fathers and sons spend together. For some, the tournament reinforces already strong bonds, but for others it has helped mend fractured relationships.

“In the tournament’s second year, I was in middle of giving out flight prizes and a guy came up and said, ‘I’ve got to talk to you,’” said Robert Harper, the tournament’s founder. “He said my son and I hadn’t talked for seven years. There was a rift between my wife and his wife. Out of the blue he called me and said, dad let’s play golf. We sat down and talked about it, came here and met. We each brought our wives and found out it was a misunderstanding.’”

Those moments, while atypical, speak to the tournament’s emotional pull.

“(Players) will tell you, ‘We came in here thinking it was important to win, and we left realizing we won just by spending three days here,” Harper said.

The tournament, which features rounds of better ball, alternate shot, and Captain’s Choice,  isn’t just about family. The event’s 2010 course lineup is outstanding.  The four courses at Barefoot Resort, Grande Dunes, Tidewater, Southcreek at Myrtle Beach National, Founders Club, Legends, Thistle and Pine Lakes are all hosting tournament rounds.

The Father-Son divides players into 26 flights based on their verifiable USGA handicap. The flights are named after past golf legends and current PGA Tour stars.

The good times don’t end with each round. There is a skills contest, sponsored by Ruth’s Chris, that includes putting, chipping and a long drive after the first two rounds, and an awards ceremony and cookout following the final round.

The number and range of father-son combinations participating in the event speak to its popularity. Former athletes and politicians such as Lou Holtz, 1960 World Series MVP Bobby Richardson, and former South Carolina governor Jim Hodges, all of whom were named “Father of the Year,” have played.

Joe Louis Barrow, the son of boxing legend Joe Louis and the CEO of the First Tee program, was named Father of the Year in 2009.

July is a month where families crowd into the Myrtle Beach area, filling the beach, and the Father-Son Team Classic blends the concept of a family vacation and golf.

For first time participants, the Father-Son costs $1,175 per team. The cost is $950 for past participants. Registration includes the cost of all three rounds of golf, cart included, a $200 PGA Tour Superstore gift card for each player, a hat, shirt, balls and more. The entry fee also includes dinner at the awards ceremony for each player and a guest.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame Welcomes Class of 2010 tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4322 2010-06-03T18:39:49Z 2010-06-22T18:32:57Z Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ schall.jpgRepresentatives of Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. and Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday inducted two golf industry leaders into the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Pine Lakes Country Club today. The Hall of Fame was created in 2009 to honor the men and women who have played significant roles in all aspects of the Myrtle Beach area golf industry, including teaching, playing, course design, construction, marketing and administration.

“The Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame is a focal point for the rich golf history of Myrtle Beach,” said Bob Swezey, executive vice president of resort operations for Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. “From its physical location at the first golf course built in Myrtle Beach, we can reflect upon the area's role in growing both the sport and the economy of South Carolina. We can consider its links to course architect Robert White who went on to become the first president of the PGA of America, and we can envision all the future contributions yet to come.”
 
The 2010 inductees were George W. “Buster” Bryan, one of the founding fathers of the Myrtle Beach golf package business, and Gary Schaal, a local and national golf industry leader for more than 30 years. 

 

]]> Bryan, who passed away in 1969 at the age of 56, helped to transform Myrtle Beach from a sleepy beach town with a 3-month season into a year-round golf vacation destination. After building the Caravelle Hotel in 1959, Bryan and his business partner (and fellow Hall of Famer) Jim Hackler, started promoting Myrtle Beach golf packages. During the 1960s, Bryan created Myrtle Beach's first golf promotion group, Golf-o-tel, consisting of eight courses and eight hotels. The group bought advertising that took Myrtle Beach's golf message beyond the Carolinas and set the community on course to become a world-renowned golf vacation destination.

“I personally think George W. Bryan was the father of golf in Myrtle Beach,” said W. Cecil Brandon, a 2009 inductee into the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame. “Buster was the first one who put up the money to promote Myrtle Beach golf packages and he inspired others to join together to promote golf. His efforts ended up creating new markets in new states and extending our tourist season to 12 months.”

Bryan worked closely with another Hall of Famer, Jimmy D'Angelo, to attract the Golf Writers of America's annual championship tournament to Myrtle Beach. It remained an annual pre-Masters event for 50 years. Writers who attended the tournament wrote stories about the golf courses and packages in Myrtle Beach, and enthusiastically recommended the destination. Their support helped catapult Myrtle Beach into the national spotlight and spurred both the growth in the number of annual rounds played here and the number of golf courses built.

Gary Schaal turned a big spotlight on Myrtle Beach golf when he was elected the 28th president of the PGA of America, the largest professional sports organization in the world.  He served in that capacity from 1992 to 1993.

Schaal began his career as an assistant golf pro in Myrtle Beach and became a member of the Carolinas PGA Section in 1976. He quickly became a head pro and, later, co-owner of several local golf courses. During the 1980s and early 1990s, he served the community and his profession as president of the Carolinas Section PGA and as a member of the PGA TOUR's Tournament Policy Board. Along the way, he was recognized with numerous awards, including the CPGA Horton Smith Trophy and CPGA Professional of the Year.

A member of the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame and a designated “living legend” through the PGA of America's “Legends of the PGA” Program, Schaal was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2005.

“Gary has been instrumental in so many things in Myrtle Beach during his career that it's hard to list them all,” said Shelley P. Kenney, PGA head professional at Wachesaw Plantation Club where Schaal serves on the Board of Directors. “He was a founder of the Professional Golf Management Program at Coastal Carolina University. He helped bring the Senior PGA Tour Championship to Myrtle Beach. He helped to bring a Tournament Players Club (TPC) to Myrtle Beach. His name lends instant credibility to any project or golf event in Myrtle Beach and will continue to do so for many years to come.”
 
The Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame, which is located in the Hall of Fame Garden adjacent to the Pine Lakes clubhouse, recognizes individuals whose contributions to the Myrtle Beach golf industry have achieved historic significance. The seven-member Myrtle Beach Hall of Fame Board of Directors reviews membership nominations and selects the most qualified candidates. All seven major Grand Strand golf organizations are represented on the Board.

Each inductee is memorialized with his or her own plaque near the Sports Illustrated monument that commemorates the birthplace of the magazine at Pine Lakes in 1954. Six inductees were honored in the inaugural year (2009).

“The Hall of Fame ensures that the entire Myrtle Beach golf community will remember the individuals who made lasting impressions on our golf industry,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “For anyone who loves golf, it's a treat to stop by and spend some time in the garden looking at the memorials and learning about the people who have made Myrtle Beach the golf capital of the world.” 

About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday

Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 77 championship golf courses, 115 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization has been and continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the Myrtle Beach area golf market. The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about the area accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation.

Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help grow the game of golf and attract golfers to the Grand Strand during slower times of year. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Spring and Fall Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. For more information, call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 1-800-833-8798 or visit GolfHoliday.com.
 
About Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc.

Burroughs & Chapin’s residential developments include the award-winning Grande Dunes, a 2,200-acre four-star community stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to west across the Intracoastal Waterway. Burroughs & Chapin has created numerous commercial developments offering national and regional name brand shopping. These include Broadway at the Beach – an award-winning 350-acre festival shopping, entertainment and dining complex surrounding the 22-acre Lake Broadway; Coastal Grand Mall, a one million square foot regional shopping mall joint ventured with CBL & Associates Properties of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Seaboard Commons; South Strand Commons; Arcadian Shores Commons; and many smaller “jewel box” centers.

A leader in golf and vacation packages, Burroughs & Chapin’s Myrtle Beach Trips offers visitors to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand the “one call” convenience of a direct connection to the most popular attractions in the area and packages them together in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and budgets. With one easy call to Myrtle Beach Trips at (888) 539-8862, visitors can unlock all the thrills and excitement of many of America’s favorite family seaside destinations.

Burroughs & Chapin Golf Management offers many of the finest 18-hole championship golf courses in Myrtle Beach, including Grande Dunes Resort Course, Pine Lakes Country Club, Myrtlewood Golf Club, Tidewater Golf Club and Plantation, Meadowlands Golf Club, Farmstead Golf Links and River Hills Golf Club. The management group also handles two Par 3 courses and five themed mini-golf courses.

 

Press Release courtesy of LHWH Advertising & PR

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Kids Play Free Program Leads Strong Summer Lineup tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4321 2010-06-02T15:53:28Z 2010-06-22T18:33:47Z Memorial Day is in the rearview mirror, marking the unofficial start of summer and an increasingly popular shoulder golf season. Historically, summer in Myrtle Beach has meant sunscreen, beach toys and swimming in the Atlantic, and that remains true. But families that make an annual pilgrimage to the Grand Strand are increasingly packing golf clubs alongside their bogey boards. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ kids play free.jpgMemorial Day is in the rearview mirror, marking the unofficial start of summer and an increasingly popular shoulder golf season.  Historically, summer in Myrtle Beach has meant sunscreen, beach toys and swimming in the Atlantic, and that remains true.

But families that make an annual pilgrimage to the Grand Strand are increasingly packing golf clubs alongside their bogey boards. In an effort to grow the game, Myrtle Beach has one of golf’s most aggressive family outreach programs.

]]> More than 40 area courses, including five that have been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest in recent years, participate in a Kids Play Free program, allowing children 16 and under to play for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

“It’s fun to be able to get the kids involved at a young age,” said Brookville, Fla., resident Roger Maharaj after playing a round at Wild Wing-Avocet with his son. “He is going to remember it for the rest of his life.”

“The ‘Kids Play Free’ program is one of our most rewarding endeavors,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “We pride ourselves on introducing juniors to the game of golf and creating a family-friendly atmosphere for everyone. This unique program will allow families vacationing along the Grand Strand to play a great round of golf at a tremendous value.”

The  popular “Kids Play Free” program is hardly the area’s only family oriented program. For the 23rd year, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday will be running its Summer Family Golf Tournaments series. The tournaments are hosted every Wednesday from June 23 through August 18 and each event is played at a different Myrtle Beach area golf course.

Some of the best courses in Myrtle Beach and the nation are hosting the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, including the Fazio Course at Barefoot, Caledonia and Grande Dunes. (view tournament schedule)

The Summer Family Golf Tournaments allow all junior golfers, 16 years-of-age and younger, to play for free with a paying adult. Participation in a tournament costs $40 for adults (unless otherwise noted on the schedule) with the fee including a cart and the chance to win one of many contests. Each Summer Family Golf Tournament features a closest-to-the-pin and long-drive contest with prizes awarded to the winners. The tournaments have three divisions – open, couples and adult/youth – and feature a captain’s choice format.

Beyond the family programs, summer offers traveling golfers premium values (checkout summer golf specials). Course conditions are typically ideal, the weather is nice, and course’s aggressively court play.

Summer is a perfect time to sneak away for a golf trip and the elements that make Myrtle Beach so popular in the spring and fall are all still in play.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Charlie's Corner: Looking Forward to the World Am tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4320 2010-06-02T15:15:09Z 2010-06-22T18:37:49Z It's getting close to World Am time. And I can't wait to get to the World's Largest 19th Hole. This will be my fourth consecutive year and I'm looking forward to seeing familiar faces and smiles. Isn't that really what the World Am is all about? Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ CharlieRymer_2009.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

It’s getting close to World Am time. And I can't wait to get to the World's Largest 19th Hole.

This will be my fourth consecutive year and I'm looking forward to seeing familiar faces and smiles. Isn't that really what the World Am is all about? 

I always enjoy talking to folks in between my emcee duties and it seems like I see the same golfers year after year. Many of the players have been coming for what seems like forever and they wouldn't miss the World Am for anything.  For these players, the World Am is an annual ritual and you can nearly see the glee in their eyes. 

The scale of the event is so large that it really couldn't take place anywhere else in the world. Think about it. Where else could you find 50 golf courses in close enough proximity to each other to have a golf tournament for more than 3,000? Certainly no place that I am aware of.  And there are still another 50 courses left over for the golfers visiting Myrtle Beach that aren't in the World Am.
 

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If you are a returning player to the World Am, I look forward to seeing you again. And if you've never played, you should plan on coming to Myrtle Beach this August and teeing it up. It’s highly likely that your first World Am won't be your last.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> VFW, Air Force Big Winners At Veterans Golf Classic tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4318 2010-05-27T17:26:14Z 2010-06-22T18:38:28Z After three days of golf and a lot of laughs, the 11th annual Veterans Golf Classic came to an end with a pair of familiar celebrations. The 54-hole event featured four flights comprised of two-man teams, but the event's biggest roars were reserved for the winners of the Carolina Cup and the Branch Challenge. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ VFW celebration.jpgAfter three days of golf and a lot of laughs, the 11th annual Veterans Golf Classic came to an end with a pair of familiar celebrations. The 54-hole event featured four flights comprised of two-man teams, but the event’s biggest roars were reserved for the winners of the Carolina Cup and the Branch Challenge.

For the second year in a row, the VFW claimed the Carolina Cup in its annual grudge match with the American Legion, and the Air Force won its second straight branch challenge, which pits the different branches of the armed forces against each other.

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More than 400 veterans from 29 states poured into Myrtle Beach for the event, which is equal parts competition and camaraderie. American veterans from World War II to active military personnel participated in the event, which is capped off by a Wednesday night banquet that salutes the nation’s military personnel.

“I had a great time,” said Terry Fenoglio of Knoxville, Iowa. “The camaraderie (is what brings me back). We have a good time when we come down. We don’t play well enough to ever think we are going to win, but we just have a great time when we are here. “

The Veterans Golf Classic, a handicap tournament, featured a different format each day. On Monday, each team played best ball; Tuesday was a Texas Scramble; Wednesday featured a combined net team score.

Flight Winners were: Eisenhower Flight - Andrew Dresch (Tampa, Fla.) and Dan Long (Miami, Fla.); MacArthur Flight - Lloyd Hutchinson (Melbourne, Fla.) and Patrick Hutchinson (Sumter, S.C.); Nimitz Flight - Robert Brown (Charleston, S.C.) and Gary Amidon (Longs, S.C.); Franks Flight - Roger Smith (Barboursville, WV) and Jerry Davis (Ona, WV).

Enjoy a photo gallery from the event.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Golf Group of the Week: J.J. Elliott Memorial Golf Tournament tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4315 2010-05-21T15:45:36Z 2010-06-22T18:40:56Z Participants in the 59-man J.J. Elliott Memorial Golf Tournament filled the deck at World Tour, heckling their friends as they played the final shots of a 126-hole golf outing on a sun-drenched afternoon in Myrtle Beach. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ group2.jpgParticipants in the 59-man J.J. Elliott Memorial Golf Tournament filled the deck at World Tour, heckling their friends as they played the final shots of a 126-hole golf outing on a sun-drenched afternoon in Myrtle Beach.

Who was winning and losing wasn’t as important as the experience for one of the more unique Myrtle Beach golf groups. The group, which started as a handful Washington, D.C. policemen 32 years ago, has grown to include members of the military, FBI, CIA and their friends.

]]> When the J.J. Elliott group (named for a founding member who was killed) arrives in town, they set aside their badges and focus on a good time. Guys from 10 states participate in the tournament, which features three rounds of qualifying and four rounds of tournament play.

According to Greg Nelson, who organizes the motley bunch, average scores range from 75 to 135, hence the need for flights.

After qualifying, players are split into eight-man flights and the fight for victory commences. The top three finishers in each flight get a trophy, so nearly half the field goes home with a prize (including the not-so-coveted hardward given to the player with the worst score!).

Just as Nelson runs the golf tournament with efficiency – a laptop accompanies the group to the course and flight scores and skins are posted each night in the hospitality room at Compass Cove – they are equally savvy off the course.

Following the three qualifying rounds, they take a day off and a band that plays at a bar owned by a group member from Maryland comes down and plays at Compass Cove, food is catered, and a night of revelry ensues.

The average age is approximately 50 but players as young as 25 and as old as 82 participate. When a group member passes away (unfortunately, there were four last year), everyone goes to the beach and hits a ball into the Atlantic to honor their memory.

While people come from as far away as Texas, the lure of Myrtle Beach has proven to strong for some players over the years. Ten players in this year’s tournament have actually retired to the area, but many of them opt to stay in a hotel room with the guys to maximize the J.J. Elliott Tournament experience. 

To get a little better feel for the group, we talked to one of its biggest characters, Dan Loomis, who has won his flight on several occasions.

dan loomis.jpgName: Dan Loomis

Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.

Handicap: 6

Favorite Club: Driver

Favorite Myrtle Beach Golf Course: World Tour

How did you become part of this group?
I was a police officer in Rochester and one of my sergeant’s uncles was an original member of this tournament. I loved to golf, but I wasn’t good at the time. They said it didn’t matter. This is my 9th year.

What brings you back to the event?
Weather. (I live in) way upstate New York by Lake Ontario and if I’ve played twice by this time of year, that’s a good thing … We come here – I bring 11 guys with me from New York – it’s beautiful weather, the courses are great, and it’s a great bunch of guys.

Which courses are you playing this year?
Indigo Creek, Indian Wells, Crow Creek, Rivers Edge, Shaftesbury Glen, Dunes Club, World Tour

What is your favorite Myrtle Beach area restaurant?
Angelos – prime rib.

What would you tell someone considering a Myrtle Beach golf trip?
I’d tell them to enjoy the golf, enjoy the food, and try to squeeze in a couple of cocktails from the beer cart girls. Don’t worry too much about the golf, remember you are on vacation

 

To submit your group for consideration as the Golf Group of the Week, email us.


Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> The Sun Shines on FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4314 2010-05-21T13:21:58Z 2010-06-22T18:42:16Z The FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing prides itself on being a good-time gathering for firefighters from across the nation, providing America's first responders with the opportunity to celebrate the bond that links them. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Providence fire company.jpgThe FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing prides itself on being a good-time gathering for firefighters from across the nation, providing America’s first responders with the opportunity to celebrate the bond that links them.

For the ninth consecutive year, Myrtle Beach hosted the boisterous gathering. More than 500 firefighters from coast to coast came to the Grand Strand to play 36 of the area’s best courses and enjoy three days of revelry and reflection.

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“There is a multitude of different fire companies from all over the United States that come here,” said Greg Forsyth of Staten Island, N.Y.  “We come here to bond with our brothers that helped us out after 9-11 … It’s a fantastic outing and the people of Myrtle Beach (are great).”

Caledonia, the four courses at Barefoot Resort, King’s North, Dunes Club, Rivers Edge and Tidewater were just a sampling of the courses that opened their arms to the firefighters. Firefighers dispersed throughout the area, enjoying an event that is more akin to a golf trip than a traditional tournament.

Beyond the course, the annual belly flop contest and Wednesday night’s barbeque are among the  highlights. The Wednesday night gathering, which includes steak and chicken for more than 500, brings everyone together for a final good bye until next year.

“Playing golf with my friends and having a beer,” said New Yorker Mark Washington when asked about the event’s highlights. “We are in Myrtle Beach, the golf courses are unbelievable. Just to come out in nice weather, the event, and the courses - you can’t beat it.”

Enjoy a photo gallery from the Wednesday night barbeque.

 

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Local's Corner: Top 5 Italian Restaurants tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4306 2010-05-10T13:13:05Z 2010-06-22T18:43:23Z The Grand Strand is chocked full of restaurants and some of the best are Italian. If you are looking for a good meal from the Old Country, we surveyed a group of hard-eating locals and have produced a list of the area's five best Italian restaurants. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ italian_food2.jpgThe Grand Strand is chocked full of restaurants and some of the best are Italian. If you are looking for a good meal from the Old Country, we surveyed a group of hard-eating locals and have produced a list of the area’s five best Italian restaurants.

If pasta, homemade marinara and scampi are atop your wish list, here are five restaurants that will send you home happy:

1. Rossi’s – Quite simply the best. Superior food, service and atmosphere. The meal starts with homemade garlic bread and whether your entrée selection is traditional Italian, beef, veal or seafood you are in good hands. A couple suggestions: the Italian Sampler – lasagna, chicken parm, a (large) meatball and sausage and peppers – is a great choice if you are indecisive and the fried lobster is to die for. For post-meal entertainment, Eighty-Eights is an in-house piano bar that stays open until 2 a.m.

 

]]> 2. Umberto’s - A Pittsburgh-style Italian restaurant, the Umberto’s at Barefoot Landing delivers a meal that is as good as it is big. Every entrée includes bean soup, salad and garlic bread. The fried provolone is delectable, and there is no way you will leave Umberto’s hungry. No way. The center cut pork chops are hard to beat.

italian-food-thumb-200x154-2955.jpg3. Luigi’s  – Located on 61st Avenue, Luigi’s, in the word’s of one of our pollsters, is “small, locally owned and authentic Italian food.” It’s less expensive than Rossi’s and worth a try.

4. Angelo’s – This is a regular on our top 5 lists. Angelo’s is almost unanimously regarded as one of the area’s best steak houses, and the traditional Italian fare is equally enticing. We aren’t generally advocates of buffets, but the one at Angelo’s is the exception. The lasagna is outstanding, and the steak is a guaranteed winner.

5. Villa Romano – Opened in 1985, Villa Romano’s has one of the area’s most interesting Italian menus. You dine among statues, chandeliers, columns, a centerpiece fountain, live plants and red roses. The food is authentic Italian and the Veal Absolute, a family creation, is atop the menu choices.

Any qualms with our list? Share your favorite Italian restaurants.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Golf Channel to Televise Monday After the Masters Special tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4305 2010-05-10T11:19:54Z 2010-06-22T18:44:53Z The Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am attracted a star-studded field of athletes, celebrities and musicians to Myrtle Beach, and the Golf Channel is going to share the fun. The "Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters," a one-hour special, will air on Tuesday, May 11 at 8 p.m. on Golf Channel. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ The Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am attracted a star-studded field of athletes, celebrities and musicians to Myrtle Beach, and the Golf Channel is going to share the fun. The “Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters,” a one-hour special, will air on Tuesday, May 11 at 8 p.m. on Golf Channel.
 

]]> The show will also air on May 12 at 10 a.m. and May 22 at 2 a.m.

The Monday After the Masters is one of the highlights of the Myrtle Beach golf calendar, and a sellout crowd of more than 6,000 people turned out to watch Jim Furyk, Dan Marino and John Daly, among many others, play Barefoot Resort & Golf’s Dye Course. (Event photo gallery)

In addition to tournament coverage, the Golf Channel will take viewers behind the scenes for a look at the good times on and off course, including footage of the Monday night concert, which features Hootie & The Blowfish and 12 other musicians.

Enjoy a sneak peek and enjoy the show on the Golf Channel.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Charlie's Corner: Monday After the Masters Continues To Get Better tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4303 2010-05-10T09:23:18Z 2010-06-22T18:45:52Z I've been very fortunate to be a part of nearly every Hootie and the Blowfish Monday after the Masters Celebrity Pro-am going back to the 2nd year. The event has a large title and from here on out I'll refer to it as MAM. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ charlie.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

I've been very fortunate to be a part of nearly every Hootie and the Blowfish Monday after the Masters Celebrity Pro-am going back to the 2nd year. The event has a large title and from here on out I'll refer to it as MAM. 

 

]]> Events of this magnitude deserve a large title and the MAM fits the billing. Among other accolades it has become the largest single-day fundraiser in the state of South Carolina.  And Myrtle Beach is the perfect place for the event.  

My hat is off to the guys in the band for understanding how important it is to give back to the community that has been so instrumental to their success. So many times charity events run through a short life cycle. MAM defies that trend and continues to gain momentum. 

This year’s MAM was better than ever!  Mix great celebrities with personable Tour pros and great venues and you are gonna get something special.  

Over the years I've either worked on the television broadcast or played as a professional. This year I had a chance to do both. I hope my TV skills were sharper than my golf skills because the golf wasn't pretty.  Oh, I talked a big game but that was about it.  "All mouth no game" is the best way to describe my golf these days.

But poor play didn't prevent me from having a blast. And I wasn't the only one. Fun was had by all and I think you'll see that when you tune in to Golf Channel for the show on May 11th.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro: How to get out of a Fairway Bunker tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4304 2010-05-09T19:15:49Z 2010-05-10T13:25:30Z On a list of places you don't want to be after your tee shot, a fairway bunker ranks near the top. In this week's installment of Nature Valley's Tips from the Pro, Classic Swing Golf School's Ted Frick tells you how to execute a quality shot out of a fairway bunker. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ On a list of places you don’t want to be after your tee shot, a fairway bunker ranks near the top.  In this week’s installment of Nature Valley’s Tips from the Pro, Classic Swing Golf School’s Ted Frick tells you how to execute a quality shot out of a fairway bunker.

 

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]]> (Goofy) Golf Group of the Week: Carolinians and Californians tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4300 2010-05-04T18:09:49Z 2010-06-22T18:47:00Z Strolling through a clubhouse parking lot dressed in blue and green plaid shorts, daring green tube socks (yes, they reached the knee cap) and a pink shirt, Russ McConnell turned more heads than a rush hour traffic accident and raised more questions than a politician explaining a vote. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ goofy golf group 10.JPGStrolling through a clubhouse parking lot dressed in blue and green plaid shorts, daring green tube socks (yes, they reached the knee cap) and a pink shirt, Russ McConnell turned more heads than a rush hour traffic accident and raised more questions than a politician explaining a vote.

Why would anyone dress like that? Is he crazy? You mean there are four other people dressed just as garishly?!

Let’s start with the question of sanity. McConnell and his four friends, who appeared to have dressed themselves at Goodwill – without the benefit of lights – aren’t lacking for intelligence or mental clarity. As a matter of fact, several of them are college faculty members.
 

]]> As for why, the answer to that question began six years and three time zones away.

In 2004 in Santa Barbara, Calif., Greg Voight and several co-workers were discussing destinations for a golf trip. Given their location, the usual suspects west of Mississippi River arose, when Voight said that he’d heard a lot about Myrtle Beach.

Newell Clark, who grew up in North Carolina, mentioned that his family owned a condo in North Myrtle Beach, and faster than you can say “2,616 miles is a long way to travel,” the group decided a cross-country golf trip was in order. They’ve been Myrtle Beach golf regulars since.

When Voight, Clark, McConnell, Steve Bright and Steve McGuinn, made their first trek to Myrtle Beach, they brought a little California personality with them. To spice things up, they launched goofy golfer day, requiring everyone in the group to dress in an outfit that would make Rickie Fowler blush. That first year they raided a closest filled with the decades-old clothing Newell’s grandfather once wore, and things have gotten progressively more serious since.

Guys now plan their outfits in advance in hopes of capturing the coveted green jacket awarded, by vote, to the person with the best (or worst, depending upon your perspective) outfit.

Anyone in the group that doesn’t participate in goofy golfer day – it’s only one round out of a weeklong stay – is required to buy the group dinner. Since the trip’s inception, Clark has moved back to the North Carolina, and the group now includes a mixture of Carolinians and Californians but the good times are as plentiful as ever.

Any group that is proud enough to wear pink socks, ties that are wider than they are long, and 70s era coaches shorts deserves to be our golf group of the week.

Without further ado, let’s meet Voight, a Santa Barbara resident and the leader of this good time group.

Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.

Handicap: 6.6

How many rounds per year do you play? To many to note!

What are your favorite clubs? 4-iron and a gap wedge

What is your best score? A one over par 72 at my home course, Glen Annie (par 71)

How long have you been coming to Myrtle Beach?  6 years

jacket.jpgHow did Goofy Golfer day get started?
It was all put together by us trying to do something different and have fun. It was about the time you saw some of these crazy golf pants coming down so we decided to have a little competition to see who could dress the stupidest. There is a sea foam green jacket that is the prize. Mr. Steve Bright is the three-year defending champion.

How much time do people put into planning the goofy golfer outfits?
Some people put a lot of time and thought into. How much? I don’t know if we can record that.

Why has Steve Bright dominated the competition?
The $100 bills he hands out to the people voting (laugh). He’s a cheater. He’s the Tiger Woods of our group from a $100 bill standpoint; anything else he doesn’t resemble Tiger Woods at all, especially the swing. (Editor’s Note: Voight won the green jacket this year. Read into that what you will!)

Give us your group’s course lineup for this trip.
Rivers Edge, King’s North, Heather Glen, Prestwick, 54 holes at Glen Dornoch, 36 holes at Shaftesbury Glen and Legends.

Which Myrtle Beach golf course is your favorite?
My favorite is Glen Dornoch. I think most of the other guys would say Glen Dornoch, too. We will never come here and not play Glen Dornoch.

What do you like about the course?
It’s diverse, beautiful. It has several holes right along the water and it has the hardest three finishing holes on any golf course in the area.

Why do you return to Myrtle Beach?
Look around. There is no way to answer that but to come here and play.

 

To submit your group for consideration as the Golf Group of the Week, email us.

 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro: Cure your hook or slice tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4301 2010-05-04T16:34:00Z 2010-05-04T18:40:05Z Are you a hooker or slicer of the golf ball? All of us tend do one or other, often to great frustration. In this installment of Nature Valley's Tips From the Pros, Brad Redding of Grande Dunes Golf Academy, provides tips to prevent both ailments. Enjoy. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Are you a hooker or slicer of the golf ball? All of us tend do one or other, often to great frustration. In this installment of Nature Valley's Tips From the Pros, Brad Redding of Grande Dunes Golf Academy, provides tips to prevent both ailments. Enjoy.

 

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]]> 5 Things You Need to Know: TPC-Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4298 2010-05-04T15:27:18Z 2010-06-22T18:51:04Z What do you need to know about TPC-Myrtle Beach, beyond the need to bring your 'A' game? Here are five tidbits that might enhance your enjoyment of the South Strand layout. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ tpc10.jpgWhat do you need to know about TPC-Myrtle Beach, beyond the need to bring your ‘A’ game? Here are five tidbits that might enhance your enjoyment of the South Strand layout.

Hit it high – Generally speaking, the greens at TPC are elevated and well bunkered, so you aren’t going to have much success trying to run the ball up. Make sure you iron game is sharp and be prepared to fly numerous bunkers on your way to the green.

Tournament Tested – TPC is one of Myrtle Beach golf’s biggest challenges and it has the resume to prove it. The course has hosted the PGA Senior Tour Championship, the finals of the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship, and every spring it hosts the General Hackler Invitational, one of the nation’s best collegiate tournaments. Take the time to check out the clubhouse memorabilia.
 

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One of a Kind – In recent years Myrtle Beach golf courses have collected honors like a kid receiving candy on Halloween, but TPC is the only course in the area to earn 5-stars in Golf Digest’s prestigious “Best Places to Play” guide and one of fewer than 25 layouts in the nation to earn the distinction.

 More Coverage
 - The TPC is a Five-Star Experience
 - Photo Gallery - TPC-Myrtle Beach
 - The Three Best Holes at TPC
 - Five Things You Need to Know About TPC
Yes, that is Dustin Johnson – Rising PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson calls TPC-Myrtle Beach home. In addition to practicing and playing at TPC, the three-time winner on tour has been known to hang around the clubhouse. Don’t be shocked if you see him, but he’s just one of the guys in Murrells Inlet.

That’s a wild turkey, not a drink – TPC-Myrtle Beach is built on 369 acres, much of it wetlands, which means the course has plenty of breathing room and there is ample wildlife. Wild turkey roost in the swamp to the left of ninth tee and there are an abundance of deer, alligators and fox, among many other animals. Enjoy the scenery.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> The 3 Best Holes at TPC-Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4297 2010-05-04T14:53:14Z 2010-06-22T18:51:59Z The TPC-Myrtle Beach is one of the Grand Strand's bluebloods. It enjoys the benefit of a premium brand, superior design (the team of Lanny Wadkins and Tom Fazio is tough to beat), and it's the home course of Dustin Johnson, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour. Throw in a bevy of national honors, and it's not hard to see why the facility is so highly regarded Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ 5 tpc.jpgThe TPC-Myrtle Beach is one of the Grand Strand’s bluebloods. 

It enjoys the benefit of a premium brand, superior design (the team of Lanny Wadkins and Tom Fazio is tough to beat), and it’s the home course of Dustin Johnson, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour. Throw in a bevy of national honors, and it’s not hard to see why the facility is so highly regarded.

Identifying the three best holes on a course that has hosted what was then the Senior PGA Tour Championship and gets a regular workout from Johnson is a challenging task, because the candidates are plentiful. We asked course owner Chip Smith to identify the best of the best at TPC-Myrtle Beach and he complied, with an assist from Johnson.

The three best holes at TPC are:

]]> No. 5, 158-yard, Par 3: Despite being TPC’s shortest hole, the fifth is one of its most challenging, particularly from the tips where the tee shot requires a long forced carry over water. The green is wider than it is deep, so your margin for error is limited. A bunker in the right front looms for players not playing from the tips, as does a bunker in back of the green.
  More Coverage
 - The TPC is a Five-Star Experience
 - Photo Gallery - TPC-Myrtle Beach
 - The Three Best Holes at TPC
 - Five Things You Need to Know About TPC


“There is almost a false front on the front of the green,” Smith said. “It’s a tough little shot because the green is narrow. The right side of the green is always better than short because of the lake.”


No. 17, 193-yard, par 3: The words island green and TPC have almost become synonymous because of the famed 17th at Sawgrass, and No. 17 at TPC-Myrtle Beach is a reasonable approximation. The primary differences? The 17th in Myrtle Beach is a peninsula green surrounded by water on “only” three sides and it’s approximately 50 yards longer.

The 17th is TPC-Myrtle Beach’s signature hole and with an almost constant wind, it represents a significant challenge.

“Because of the distance, I think it’s a little tougher than 17 at Sawgrass,” Smith says. “Now I’ve never stood on 17 at Sawgrass on Sunday with $1.4 million on the line either (laugh).”

No. 18, 538-yard, par 5: The 18th, with a creek running along the right side of the fairway and a large lake on the left, is Johnson’s choice as the course’s best. It’s a classic risk-reward hole. Players that can snuggle up to the creek before it runs out to the lake can get home in two, but there is considerable risk. Half of the green is exposed to water and with the rough surrounding it shaved, it’s not an easy green to hold.

One person who doesn’t have to worry about length is Johnson. What does one of the PGA Tour’s longest hitters use to reach the green on his second shot?

“Depending on which way the wind is blowing, anywhere from a 5 or 6 iron to a 3-wood,” he said.

For the mere mortals among us, an iron on the second shot when attempting to reach the 18th green is out of the question!

What are your three favorite holes at TPC-Myrtle Beach?

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Photo Gallery: TPC-Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4299 2010-05-04T14:00:50Z 2010-06-21T21:00:57Z TPC-Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand's only 5-star layout, according to Golf Digest's prestigous "Best Places to Play" guide, offers both scenery and a significant challenge. Enjoy a look at the handy work of Lanny Wadkins and Tom Fazio, who worked together to create an outstanding layout. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ TPC-Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand's only 5-star layout, according to Golf Digest's prestigous "Best Places to Play" guide, offers both scenery and a significant challenge. Enjoy a look at the handy work of Lanny Wadkins and Tom Fazio, who worked together to create an outstanding layout.

 

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 More Coverage
 - The TPC is a Five-Star Experience
 - Photo Gallery - TPC-Myrtle Beach
 - The Three Best Holes at TPC
 - Five Things You Need to Know About TPC
]]> Course Review: TPC-Myrtle Beach is a 5-Star Experience tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4302 2010-05-04T12:09:24Z 2010-06-22T18:54:12Z When golfers hear the name TPC, it conjures up images of the PGA Tour and island greens. When players think of Myrtle Beach, great golf, good times and the ultimate buddy trip come to mind. Given the strength of the respective brands, the marriage between one of golf's most respected group of courses and the game's most popular destination was a natural one. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ 18 tpc.jpgWhen golfers hear the name TPC, it conjures up images of the PGA Tour and island greens. When players think of Myrtle Beach, great golf, good times  and the ultimate buddy trip come to mind.

Given the strength of the respective brands, the marriage between one of golf’s most respected group of courses and the game’s most popular destination was a natural one. The TPC-Myrtle Beach opened in 1999, hosted the Senior PGA Tour Championship, and hasn’t looked back.

The layout, designed by Tom Fazio and Lanny Wadkins, immediately took its place among the best Myrtle Beach golf courses, delivering a stout challenge and conditions, from the bag drop to the 19th hole, that provide traveling golfers with a glimpse of what life is like for Tour pros.
 

]]> TPC’s locker room is the area’s nicest, the practice facility (which is open at all times to any Nationwide, Champions Tour or PGA Tour professional) is expansive, and the greens are fast.  The TPC-Myrtle Beach even has caddy paths cut in, despite requiring a cart for resort play.

It all plays a part in delivering the TPC experience.
 More Coverage
 - The TPC is a Five-Star Experience
 - Photo Gallery - TPC-Myrtle Beach
 - The Three Best Holes at TPC
 - Five Things You Need to Know About TPC


“(Golfers) want that feeling they aren’t used to having,” course owner Chip Smith said. “For the most part we keep our greens a little firmer, a little faster than most people ... but (golfers) know they are experiencing a little more of what they see on TV.”

TPC-Myrtle Beach can rightfully say it gives players a little more of what they see on television because it has been there. Tom Watson won the Senior PGA Tour Championship when it was played at TPC-Myrtle Beach in 2000. The course also hosts one of the nation’s best collegiate tournaments, the General Hackler Invitational, every spring.

If that weren’t evidence enough, rising a PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson, a three-time winner on tour, calls the course home. He practices, plays and occasionally hangs out at TPC watching events he isn’t playing in.

“It’s a great golf course,” Johnson said. “It’s always in great shape. The course is always manicured very nicely. It’s a tough golf course. You hit every club in your bag. You’ve got to hit a lot of different shots. Any time you can challenge yourself, that’s a good thing.”

TPC certainly challenge players. The greens, which have been in superb condition all spring, are often elevated and surrounded by bunkers. The aprons around the greens are shaved, creating a combination designed to test players, because the price for missing the green is often a trip to a bunker or a swale five feet below the putting surface.

7 tpc.jpgThe importance of hitting and holding the greens also places a premium on being good off the tee. The fairways at TPC are lined with pine trees but they are sufficiently generous, if you don’t allow yourself to be psyched out. Don’t step onto the tee and focus on the trees, concentrate on the ample landing space and get your drive in play.

TPC has four sets of tees between 6,183 and 6,950 yards, and while it’s cliché to say make sure to play from the proper set, it’s true. TPC is a great test of golf but it’s important that the exam is taken from the proper set of tees. A person receiving his undergraduate degree doesn’t sit for the bar exam and you shouldn’t attempt the golf equivalent. If your handicap is above 15, play from the white tees (6,183 yards).

“TPC is an A-league golf course,” said Mike Meissner, a native of Waldorf, Md., moments before playing his third round at the course. “It’s a beautiful layout, with very challenging holes. It’s a fun challenge, a great golf course.”


Par 3s
The par 3s at TPC are among the area’s best. They are challenging, yet not overwhelming. The longest of the par 3s plays 205 yards from the tips and no one other than Johnson should play the course from the black tees. Playing from the blues or whites, where all but the best should tee it up, length shouldn’t be a problem.

The par 3s feature ample challenges and beauty. The fifth hole plays from an elevated tee that is wider than it is deep and has a lake that gobbles balls that fall short or stray left. The seventh hole, which plays 162 from the blues and 147 from the whites, is the easiest hole on the front nine. Sand on the left can cause problems but the opportunity to score is there.

The 13th requires a carry over water but isn’t especially difficult. Conversely, TPC’s signature hole, No. 17, brings water into play and is one of the course’s most significant tests. The peninsula green has water on three sides, meaning the only place to miss is left. It’s a beautiful hole and sets up a memorable finish on the 18th.

Par 4s
From the monster ninth hole to the drivable 12th, TPC’s par 4s provide great variety and challenge. 
Of the course’s 10 par 4s, four of them play more than 400 yards from the blue tees, led by the 445-yard ninth hole. 

The ninth plays uphill and trouble lurks everywhere. It’s unquestionably the course’s hardest hole. If you head to the turn with a par on No. 9, you’ve done something to be proud of.

While Fazio and Wadkins require length on No. 9, four of the par 4s play less than 350 yards from the blue tees. The 12th hole, the course’s easiest, is only 277 yards from blues and 253 from the whites so nearly everyone has the opportunity to drive the green, though a pair of bunkers will catch errant shots. Players need to pick up a shot on the 12th.

The third hole, which plays over wetlands from an elevated tee box is another memorable par 4. Assuming you don’t skull the drive, the wetlands don’t come into play but the view overlooking the hole is a good one and it’s a stiff challenge.

The last par 4, No. 16, isn’t long, playing 347 yards from the blues and 313 from the whites, but a lake lurks on the right as does a bunker just off the fairway. Throw in a green surrounded by three bunkers and an enjoyable challenge awaits.

1 tpc.jpgPar 5s
When played from the blue and white tees, the par 5s at TPC aren’t overly long. The 496-yard, 18th hole is the longest and most challenging. The length of the holes would seem to offer the opportunity to swing for the green in two but discretion is often advised.

A prime example is the 482-yard (blue tees) second hole, which has a break in the fairway 281 yards from the tee. Three traps and rough interrupt a fairway that narrows in its final yards. For players that can fly the traps – which requires nearly 300 yards – a generous landing area awaits.

Trying to land that elusive eagle putt is further complicated by a green that is 46 yards long but skinnier than Kate Moss. The price for missing the green are two deep bunkers on the left and swale that leaves a tricky chip on the right.

The middle par 5s, the sixth and 14th, are the easiest of the bunch. The 14th, in particular, offers players a chance to pick up a shot. The hole plays 467 yards from the blue tees and the fairway widens approximately 200 yards from the green. If you can find the middle of the fairway, a nice shot into the green – surrounded by three bunkers – awaits. It’s not exactly easy, but the opportunity is there.

No. 18 is one of the Grand Strand’s most memorable finishing holes. With the clubhouse serving as a backdrop, a creek runs along the right side before dissecting the fairway and emptying into a lake that threatens along the left. Players that can drive the ball to the edge of the creek will be tempted to go for the green in two, but don’t do it. Half of the green is exposed to water and the other half surrounded by sand. Be happy to get home in three.

The Verdict: The TPC-Myrtle Beach is an outstanding experience. From the bag drop through the final putt, the facility delivers on the expectations players associate with the brand. It’s not the easiest course at the beach, but that’s not what players expect at a TPC facility.

Players like to challenge themselves on the types of courses that professionals play, and TPC delivers that experience. Shoot a good round here and you can rightfully leave with your head held high. Either way, players exit the course knowing they’ve played an outstanding golf course.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> David Feherty Coming to Myrtle Beach for Golf.com World Am tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4296 2010-04-30T19:31:33Z 2010-06-22T18:55:42Z One of golf's biggest personalities is coming to one of the game's biggest parties. CBS analyst, Golf Magazine columnist and renowned funnyman David Feherty will be headlining the entertainment at the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship's renowned 19th Hole on Thursday, September 2. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ feherty.jpgOne of golf’s biggest personalities is coming to one of the game’s biggest parties.

CBS analyst, Golf Magazine columnist and renowned funnyman David Feherty will be headlining the entertainment at the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship’s renowned 19th Hole on Thursday, September 2.

Feherty, a newly minted American citizen, has grown into one of golf’s most popular television personalities through his keen analysis and sense of humor. He will address Golf.com World Am participants on the event’s final night, sharing stories from his years in the game as a player and an announcer.

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“We are thrilled that David Feherty will be appearing at the World’s Largest 19th Hole,” said Dave Macpherson, the Golf.com World Am’s tournament director. “He is one of the game’s most popular personalities and should contribute greatly to the experience for World Am players.”

Feherty played on both the European and PGA Tours, winning five times on the European circuit and twice finishing in the top 10 in the Order of Merit. He played two years on the PGA Tour, recording a second place finish at the New England Open. Feherty had three top 10 finishes in the Majors, including a fourth place effort at the 1994 British Open, and he played in the famed 1991 Ryder Cup, scoring 1.5 points.

In addition to his golf work, Feherty has become a tireless advocate for American troops wounded in combat (the link takes you to a must-read story), using his celebrity and humor to make a difference in the lives of people who have sacrificed dearly for our freedom.

A native of Northern Ireland, Feherty has also authored three best-selling books: A Nasty Bit of Rough, Somewhere in Ireland a Village Is Missing an Idiot, and David Feherty's Totally Subjective History of the Ryder Cup.

Feherty will join Annika Sorenstam and Jeff Gordon, among others, who have headlined the entertainment at the 19th Hole.

About the World Am
The World Am is a 72-hole tournament that is open to all golfers – young and old, male and female – with a verifiable handicap. Players are separated by age and gender – there are six different divisions – and placed in tightly grouped flights based on the game’s most comprehensive and accurate handicap system.

Each flight, which includes approximately 48 players, plays a different Myrtle Beach area course everyday and after four rounds, all flight winners and ties advance to the World Championship Playoff on Friday at the famed Dunes Golf & Beach Club.

Thanks to its handicap system, the World Am provides players the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, something the list of past world champions bares out. Players with handicaps as low as two and has high as 34 have hoisted the winner’s trophy.

While competition is an integral component of the event, it’s far from the only attraction. Each night players gather at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center to enjoy the World’s Largest 19th Hole, the event’s social hub. The World’s Largest 19th Hole provides three hours of free food from some of the area’s finest restaurants, free top shelf drinks, live entertainment and a golf expo that features instructional clinics from some of the game’s leading names.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Allegiant Begins Non-Stop Service From Fort Wayne to Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4295 2010-04-30T15:25:31Z 2010-06-22T18:56:41Z Low-cost airline, Allegiant Air, LLC,a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT), today inaugurates low-cost, nonstop service from Fort Wayne, Ind. to Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Golf Capital of the World. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Founder Club - Pawleys Island.jpg Low-cost airline, Allegiant Air, LLC,a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT), today inaugurates low-cost, nonstop service from Fort Wayne, Ind. to Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Golf Capital of the World. To celebrate, the company is offering a special $49.99* one-way fare and a FREE** night hotel stay at Allegiant preferred hotels in the premier golf and beach destination.
 
“We are extremely pleased to again expand the Allegiant brand of low-fare, nonstop jet service in the Fort Wayne community,” said Maurice J. Gallagher, Allegiant chairman and chief executive officer. “This is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we launch the only nonstop service between Fort Wayne and Myrtle Beach.”
 

]]> The new flights operate two times weekly with service Monday and Friday. Flights depart Fort Wayne International Airport at 4:40 p.m. arriving in Myrtle Beach International Airport at 6:30 p.m. Flights depart Myrtle Beach at 2:10 p.m. arriving in Fort Wayne at 4 p.m. (all flight times are local). Allegiant also offers nonstop flights to two other vacation destinations from Fort Wayne; Orlando, Fla. and the Tampa Bay area.  
 
Allegiant will utilize 150-seat, MD-80 series, jet-aircraft on the route. The airline said its research and input from local community leaders indicate the Fort Wayne community will welcome the new nonstop flights and low fares to Myrtle Beach.
 
Known as the “Seaside Golf Capital of the World,” Myrtle Beach offers endless world-class golf and 60 miles of soft, sandy beaches. Recognized as the “World’s Best Beach” and one of the “Top 10 places for Families to Visit in the U.S.” by Yahoo! Travel, the Grand Strand has something for everyone. Withmore than 100 golf courses to choose from, Myrtle Beach boasts many of the world’s most challenging courses, personally designed by golf greats like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Family fun begins at the beach, inviting visitors to make a splash at any of the many water parks or embark on numerous aquatic adventures like deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, boat rides and jet skiing. The city’s shopping is an adventure all its own featuring fashion from couture boutiques to flea market districts. Visitors can indulge in the city’s culture by watching award-winning, live entertainment or sampling an assortment of delicious, world cuisine—all while enjoying the ocean view.
 
The company offers low-cost packages with many of Myrtle Beach's most exciting hotel properties, including: Bay View Resort, Breaker Resort, Breaker Boutique North Tower, Caribbean Resort & Villas, Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort, Dunes Village Resort, Long Bay Resort, Paradise Resort, Myrtle Beach Barefoot Resort, Myrtlewood Villas, North Beach Plantation and Ocean Reef Resort.
 
Allegiant’s $49.99* one-way fares are limited, not available on all flights and must be purchased by May 12, 2010 for complete travel by Sept. 30, 2010. Reservations may be made through the company’s Web site at www.allegiant.com, the airline’s Reservations Center at 702-505-8888 or professional travel agents.
 
About the $49.99* one-way fare:
*Seats are limited. Fares are one-way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by May 12, 2010 for travel completed by Sept. 30, 2010. Seven day advance purchase required. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11 security fee of up to $10.70 per segment. A segment is one take-off and one landing. A convenience fee of $14.99 per passenger will apply when booked on www.allegiant.com. A convenience fee of $14.99 per passenger, plus $10 per segment, will apply when purchased through Allegiant Air call centers. Purchases made at any Allegiant Air Airport Ticket Office will not incur a convenience or call-center fee. For ticket counter hours of operation, please visit www.allegiant.com. When purchased at the time of booking, a first checked bag fee of $15-$25 per bag and second checked bag fee of $25-$30 will apply per person, per segment. If purchased at flight check-in, a fee of $35 per checked bag, per person, per segment will apply for the first two bags checked. Additional higher fees will apply for three or more checked bags. A segment is one take-off and one landing. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply.

Source: Allegiant Air

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Locals Corner: Top 5 Happy Hour Spots in Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2009:/content//23.3169 2010-04-27T17:59:00Z 2010-06-22T18:58:01Z GolfHoliday.com http://www.golfholiday.com/content/golfholidaycom_1/ liberty.jpgPost-round happy hour is an unwritten part of the itinerary for many Myrtle Beach golf groups. It’s an opportunity to exchanges stories, make excuses, and enjoy a cold drink. So where are the best spots in Myrtle Beach to enjoy happy hour?

We consulted with some of the area’s most active barflies to compile a list that covers the entire Grand Strand. Our suds-swilling panelists wrestled with their ballot (late into the night on occasion) but made the difficult decisions necessary to complete their task.

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No. 1 – Liberty Steakhouse, Broadway at the Beach: The unquestioned king of Myrtle Beach happy hours. A broad selection of microbrews, half-price appetizers and a central location make Liberty the area’s most popular post-round destination.

No. 2 – Ocean Annie’s – Ocean Annie’s touts itself as the area’s most famous beach bar and there is little argument to the contrary. Listening to live music beside a pool with the pounding surf of the Atlantic just yards away is hard to beat.

No. 3 Dead Dog Saloon – Located on the Marsh Walk in Murrells Inlet, the view is stunning. Throw in an open air deck, built around a sprawling oak tree, an outdoor bar, and regular live entertainment, and the reasons for Dead Dog’s popularity are many.

No. 4 Flynn’s Irish Tavern – An old jail converted into an Irish bar? Someone has a sense of humor (and one of the Grand Strand’s most rollicking bars). Located in what used to be the North Myrtle Beach Jail, Flynn’s Irish Tavern features a ventriloquist on Fridays and Irish bands throughout the weekend. If you are looking for a North Myrtle Beach pit-stop, Flynn’s is one of the best. 

No. 5 – Bully’s Pub & Grill – Located at Barefoot Landing, Bully’s complements an outstanding location with great drink prices and games to keep the competitive juices flowing. If you don’t win on the course, Bully’s offers you the opportunity to regain your pride on a pool table, a dartboard or a bowling machine. 

Have a beef with the list?
What's your favorite Myrtle Beach area happy hour?  

WANT MORE?
From "Best Seafood Buffets," to "Best Sports Bars," to "Best Place for Wings," check out our TOP 5 LISTS!

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Golf.com World Amateur Unveils Strongest Course Lineup in Tourney History tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4288 2010-04-22T17:28:45Z 2010-06-22T19:00:14Z Competition, camaraderie and the opportunity to play under PGA Tour-like conditions are just a few of the reasons more than 3,000 people from across the globe flock to Myrtle Beach every year to compete in the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ grande dunes world am.JPGCompetition, camaraderie and the opportunity to play under PGA Tour-like conditions are just a few of the reasons more than 3,000 people from across the globe flock to Myrtle Beach every year to compete in the Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship.

But chief among the tournament’s allure, especially for new players, is the quality of golf courses participants get to play, and the 2010 event, which will be held August 30-September 3, has the strongest course lineup in the Golf.com World Am’s 27-year history.

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Fifty-five Myrtle Beach area courses have committed to host the event (which is now accepting entries), and 37 of the 55 have earned four stars or more and 11 of them have earned top 100 honors in the last three years.

Tidewater, King’s North, Grande Dunes, Leopard’s Chase, Glen Dornoch, Rivers Edge and True Blue are just a sampling of the courses that will again return to the World Am rotation. (View a complete course list)

“The Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship takes great pride in making sure players get to play some of the nation’s best courses,” Dave Macpherson, the tournament director, said. “The experience on the golf course is at the heart of what makes this event special and the participation of Myrtle Beach’s best courses is a big reason why.”

The two biggest additions to this year’s lineup are the Love Course at Barefoot Resort and the TPC-Myrtle Beach, which will be hosting all four days of the tournament.

The Love Course, which has been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, is hosting the tournament for the first time, joining the other three layouts at Barefoot as part of the World Am team. The Love Course has been one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular courses since it opened 10 years ago, and is famously home to the faux ruins of an old plantation home.

The TPC is a former host of the Senior Tour Championship and unquestionably one of the area’s best. The home course of PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson and one of only 17, 5-star layouts in America, TPC will significantly enhance the World Am’s course lineup.


The World Am is a 72-hole tournament that is open to all golfers – young and old, male and female – with a verifiable handicap. Players are separated by age and gender – there are six different divisions – and placed in tightly grouped flights based on the game’s most comprehensive and accurate handicap system.


Each flight, which includes approximately 48 players, plays a different Myrtle Beach area course everyday and after four rounds, all flight winners and ties advance to the World Championship Playoff on Friday at the famed Dunes Golf & Beach Club.

Thanks to its handicap system, the World Am provides players the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, something the list of past world champions bares out. Players with handicaps as low as two and has high as 34 have hoisted the winner’s trophy.


While competition is an integral component of the event, it’s far from the only attraction. Each night players gather at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center to enjoy the World’s Largest 19th Hole, the event’s social hub. The World’s Largest 19th Hole provides three hours of free food from some of the area’s finest restaurants, free top shelf drinks, live entertainment and a golf expo that features instructional clinics from some of the game’s leading names.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> 5 Things You Need To Know About Glen Dornoch tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4286 2010-04-22T17:04:05Z 2010-06-22T19:01:53Z Glen Dornoch is one of the most challenging and scenic courses on the Myrtle Beach golf market, wowing players with views of the Intracoastal Waterway while forcing them to think their way around the course. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ no 15 glen dornoch.jpgGlen Dornoch is one of the most challenging and scenic courses on the Myrtle Beach golf market, wowing players with views of the Intracoastal Waterway while forcing them to think their way around the course.

It’s the type of layout where a little local knowledge is beneficial, and we are here to help. Here are five things that will help you enjoy your experience at Glen Dornoch.

1. What is the Most Important Club in the Bag?: Positioning off the tee at Glen Dornoch is key, not length. Whether it’s a 3-wood, a 5-wood or a hybrid, whatever you can hit 200 to 225 yards, with a degree of accuracy, is the most important club in your bag. Find the fairway!

]]> 2. Be Ready Early: The first four holes are relatively tame. Playing from the white tees (6,035 yards), the first three holes are, in order, 292, 335 and 272-yard par 4s. Follow that up with a 137-yard par 3, and you should be feeling good about yourself heading to the fifth tee. A good start is critical because …

3. Myrtle Beach’s toughest finishing stretch?: There is an argument to be made that the finishing holes at Glen Dornoch are Myrtle Beach’s toughest. The three closing holes offer stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway, but wind, wetlands and water require players to be at their best. Conversely, if you are trailing by a few shots, you will have the opportunity to make up ground.

4. Clear Thinking and Shot-Making Are Rewarded: As previously mentioned, Glen Dornoch isn’t a bomber’s course. Course management and good shot-making skills are exponentially more valuable than distance. Examine the yardage book and play smart, and you will put yourself in position to score well.

5. Play the 19th Hole: No matter how you play, make sure you take the time to enjoy the beverage or snack of your choice on the clubhouse deck. The double-green the ninth and 18th hole share and Intracoastal Waterway are just yards from the clubhouse. There are few better scenes in all of Myrtle Beach golf.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> 3 Best Holes At Glen Dornoch tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4285 2010-04-22T16:57:42Z 2010-06-22T19:02:49Z Glen Dornoch has provided some of Myrtle Beach golf's best visuals since it opened in 1996. Five holes play along the Intracoastal Waterway and designer Clyde Johnston maximized the available land, creating a layout that is near the top of many play lists. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ no 17 green glen dornoch.jpgGlen Dornoch has provided some of Myrtle Beach golf’s best visuals since it opened in 1996. Five holes play along the Intracoastal Waterway and designer Clyde Johnston maximized the available land, creating a layout that is near the top of many play lists.

 We consulted with Glen Dornoch’s marketing director, Jason Himmelsbach, who has played the course hundreds of times, for one man’s opinion on the course’s three best holes. Himmelsbach happily obliged.
 

]]> No. 8 – 570-yard, par 5: From an elevated tee box, the long par 5 is in front of players and the Intracoastal Waterway, running behind the green, comes into full view. The hole presents a risk-reward choice; the safest play is the left side of the fairway, but the right offers the best angle into a green with six nearby bunkers.

The eighth has considerable elevation change, enhancing the view of the Intracoastal, and it helps gives long hitters the opportunity to go for the green in two. It’s not difficult to figure why it’s the best hole on the course, in Himmelsbach’s opinion.

No. 16 – 431-yard, par 4: The 16th doesn’t play as long as the yardage suggests because it’s all downhill. The hole’s second shot is one of the most dramatic on the Myrtle Beach golf scene, overlooking native wetlands and the Intracoastal with a green that offers little room for error off in the distance.

Note of caution: pay special attention to distance control on the downhill tee shot. The crest of the fairway is approximately 250 yards from the tee boxes. Players that fly the crest will likely see their tee shots tumble into a bunker, leaving an extraordinarily difficult second shot, or end up in the wetlands.

The 16th isn’t easy, but it’s a hole no one forgets.

No. 17 – 212-yard, par 3: Again, the Intracoastal provides a memorable backdrop and the passing boats can, temporarily, take your mind off a challenging tee shot. The green is enveloped on three sides by wetlands, and a huge mound, sprinkled with bunkers, is on the right.

What do you need to know before hitting your tee shot?

“Take an extra club, no matter what the wind is doing, because the trees block the tee box,” Himmelsbach says. “When you get up (above the trees), it’s more open (and the wind can be blowing).”

What are your three favorite holes at Glen Dornoch?

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Course Spotlight: Glen Dornoch is Easy on the Eyes tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4290 2010-04-22T16:36:39Z 2010-06-22T19:04:10Z As players bring clubs to the bag drop, their eyes are naturally drawn to the Intracoastal Waterway, which wonders by Glen Dornoch on its way to the nearby Atlantic Ocean. When players check in, it's almost impossible not to look out over the double-green the ninth and 18th holes share and see the Intracoastal. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ no 16 glen dornoch.jpgAs players bring clubs to the bag drop, their eyes are naturally drawn to the Intracoastal Waterway, which meanders by Glen Dornoch on its way to the nearby Atlantic Ocean. When players check in, it’s almost impossible not to look out over the double-green the ninth and 18th holes share and admire the backdrop the water provides.

Long after leaving the course, the eighth, ninth, 16th, 17th and 18th holes, which bring golfers to the edge of the waterway, stir memories. The Intracoastal runs from Maine to Florida, and the more than half-mile stretch that runs alongside Glen Dornoch defines the Clyde Johnston design.

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Boats pass by the clubhouse almost as often as golf balls find a watery grave, and on the other side of the Intracoastal, only undisturbed wetlands and trees block a view of the Atlantic. The scenery puts Glen Dornoch in any discussion involving the most scenic Myrtle Beach golf courses.

Pretty as the course may be, people come to the Little River layout for golf, and Glen Dornoch delivers on that account as well.

The course, which opened in 1996, isn’t exceedingly long, playing 6,890 yards from the tips, but it’s plenty challenging. Most players play from the blue (6,446 yards) or white tees (6,035 yards), but don’t let the “lack” of yardage lull you into playing from a set of tees your game can’t handle.

Some layouts need length as a defense; Glen Dornoch isn’t one of them. The course was one of Johnston’s first independent designs and he crafted a layout that rewards creativity and shot-making. Pulling the driver on every tee isn’t a recipe for success as wetlands and/or water come into play on the final 14 holes.

Playing from the blue tees only three of the 10 par 4s play more than 400 yards, including the final two, and that number drops to one when playing the whites (something you should do if your handicap is over 15). 

18 green glen dornoch.jpgThe short par 4s challenge golfers to be accurate off the tee and find the right spots in the fairway, but they don’t take the driver completely out of the bag. Glen Dornoch invites players to get off to a fast start as none of the first three holes – all par 4s – play more than 342 yards from the blue tees. For long-hitters, No. 2 and No. 3 are birdie opportunities.

The inviting nature of the opening holes stands in contrast to the difficulty of 16, 17 and 18, holes almost universally regarded as among the most scenic and difficult on the Grand Strand. But that’s part of the fun. At times players wear down toward the end of the round and turn their attention toward the 19th hole, that doesn’t happen at Glen Dornoch .

“It keeps you in the round because you want to see how you do on the last three,” Jason Himmelsbach, Glen Dornoch’s marketing director said. “Even if you don’t finish exactly how you want, it’s a great test and it keeps your game focused.”

The holes along the Waterway provide the take-home memories, but Glen Dornoch is solid throughout. Here is a closer look at what the Johnston design offers:

Par 3s
The 17th is one of Glen Dornoch’s signature holes. It plays 182 yards from the blue tees and 164 from the whites. According to the scorecard, it’s the second easiest hole on the back nine, but the scorecard can’t measure the visual intimidation of the wetlands and the wind coming off the Atlantic.

The front side par 3s, No. 4 and No. 7, give players a chance to score. No. 4 is the course’s shortest hole, playing just 155 yard from the blue tees and 137 yards from the whites. The redan green is inviting and there is nothing tricky. Just play the yardage and hit a good shot. The seventh (176 yards/166 yards) is much the same. Bunkers on the left pose potential problems, but players don’t have to thread the needle to score here.

Wetlands factor in on No. 14, but if you favor the left side there is plenty of margin for error. It’s the easiest hole on the back nine, and players need to take advantage.

Par 4s
Length isn’t required to play Glen Dornoch’s par 4s well. Accuracy, on the other hand, is a must. Players that can hit the ball between 200 and 225 yards and do so accurately will have opportunities at Glen Dornoch. There is only one front nine par 4 that plays more than 400 yards and that is the knee-knocking ninth.

No 1 glen dornoch.jpgNo. 9 plays 420 yards from the blues and 406 from the whites, and the Intracoastal runs along the entire right side. The hole will make players with a slice wake-up at night with cold sweats.

The first three holes are all short par 4s  and players should take advantage.

The back nine offers opportunity, particularly on the 330-yard, 12th hole, but the closing par 4s, No. 16 and No. 18, are among the course’s most challenging. The 16th hole, which plays down hill, is one of Glen Dornoch’s best and most dramatic.

The 18th forces a difficult decision. Played conventionally, no. 18 is a dogleg left with a landing area that is difficult to hit, but Johnston gives players the opportunity to cut the corner, though it’s an all or nothing proposition. It’s approximately 161 yards to clear the wetlands from the white tees and 220 from the blues. The distance needed to clear the wetlands isn’t great but there is no room for a bailout and there is sand on both sides of the fairway.

Players that attack the hole conventionally are left with a 175-yard approach into what is often a left-to-right wind. Given the difficulty of that shot, it’s worth it to try and cut the corner.

Par 5s
Glen Dornoch’s par 5s don’t give up birdies easily. The course, taken as a whole isn’t long, but the par 5s require strength. The fifth hole plays 532+ yards from all three sets of non-senior tees and wetlands are a factor throughout. It's is a three-shot hole under all circumstances. Play your second shot to the left side of the fairway (but beware of the creek) for the best angle into a deep green.

The Intracoastal comes into sight for the first time on No. 8, a long par 5 (540 blue tees/512 white tees) that features abundant elevation changes. The fairway isn’t exceedingly wide but take a crack with the driver and the opportunity to get home in two might avail itself.

The 10th is reachable in two (508 blue/472 white) but wetlands that dissect the fairway leave a second shot of nearly 250 yards, so it’s far from given. 

The most difficult hole on the backside is the par 5 13th. The dogleg left has water running along the left side and requires a demanding second shot. With water on the left, it’s easy for players to push their second shot right and into the trees. Keep it in the middle and don’t get greedy here.

The Verdict: Glen Dornoch is beautiful and challenging. The holes along the waterway provide players with the coastal golf experience they can’t get at home, and the inland holes help consolidate Glen Dornoch’s reputation as a Myrtle Beach golf favorite.

Glen Dornoch is a course you will tell your friends about long after you’ve returned home, and that’s the highest form of praise for a course you are traveling to play. 

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Photo Gallery: Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4287 2010-04-22T16:11:54Z 2010-04-27T19:47:18Z Playing along the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway, Glen Dornoch is in any discussion regarding Myrtle Beach's most scenic golf courses. The North Strand layout has numerouis holes golfers will remember long after they leave the area, including the 16th, 17th and 18th. Enjoy a photo Gallery of Glen Dornoch. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Playing along the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway, Glen Dornoch is in any discussion regarding Myrtle Beach's most scenic golf courses. The North Strand layout has numerouis holes golfers will remember long after they leave the area, including the 16th, 17th and 18th. Enjoy a photo Gallery of Glen Dornoch.

 

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]]> Nature Valley's Tips From The Pro: Getting Better in the Backyard tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4289 2010-04-22T15:57:57Z 2010-04-22T18:02:19Z Looking to improve your game at home (I don't mean hitting waffle balls!)? Classic Swing Golf School's Ted Frick shows you his three best training aids in this installment of Nature Valley's Tips From the Pro. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Looking to improve your game at home (I don’t mean hitting waffle balls!)? Classic Swing Golf School’s Ted Frick shows you his three best training aids in this installment of Nature Valley’s Tips From the Pro.

 

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]]> Charlie's Corner: Putting the Masters Into Perspective tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4281 2010-04-20T19:54:42Z 2010-06-22T19:07:19Z Now that I've had a week to let this year's Masters breath I can appreciate it even more. For me personally, it was my second favorite all time. In 1986 I was a senior in high school and had the chance to be at the Masters on Sunday. I picked up Jack Nicklaus in the 11th fairway and saw every shot he hit the rest of the way. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ charlie.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

 

Now that I’ve had a week to let this year’s Masters breath I can appreciate it even more.  For me personally, it was my second favorite all time. 

In 1986 I was a senior in high school and had the chance to be at the Masters on Sunday.  I picked up Jack Nicklaus in the 11th fairway and saw every shot he hit the rest of the way.  It was his 18th major and he won it at the age of 46.  And that, by the way, used to seem old to me.  Not so much anymore. 
 

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This year the Masters was really two big events.  The first, of course, was the continuation of the Tiger Woods saga.  As the week began, no one really knew what to expect.  Tiger handled the press conference on Monday beautifully and left no unanswered questions. 

Masters Monday was the beginning of the 2nd half of Tiger Woods’ career.  I’m hopeful he will follow the path he has laid out for himself.  He will certainly face severe scrutiny and any missteps will be highly criticized. 

And that’s gets me to his language on Saturday at the 6th hole when CBS first came on air.  Someone needs to explain to Tiger that the use of G and D in the same phrase is highly offensive to a large portion of the population, myself included.  While we all have our issues and I am certainly not above letting the occasional foul word cross my lips, the G and D are words that I avoid, and whenever I do hear them it’s like taking an arrow to the heart. 

I understand that the changes he has committed to will be great, and I give him credit for making serious progress at the Masters, but the language issue has to be addressed.  I look forward to watching him play golf on a more regular basis and wish him the best in trying to put his personal life back together. 

In particular, I’m hopeful his wife and children can eventually find peace.

The actual golf portion of the Masters was extraordinary.  Phil Mickelson and his family have had a tough year in dealing with health issues and I’m sure this win is very special to all of them.  Phil was at his best and played without fear. 

I think that dealing with adversity outside of the ropes puts the game into better perspective inside the ropes.  The 2nd at 13 on Sunday was one of the most daring and courageous shots I have ever seen played.  It was a well deserved victory.

Looking forward, we have Phil and Tiger committed to play the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, N.C. the week of April 26.  These guys have the potential to put on great battles and I have a feeling we are gonna witness some epic contests. 

Let’s all hope so.

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

]]> Golf Digest Spotlights Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4279 2010-04-15T15:09:09Z 2010-06-22T19:11:28Z Golf Digest, one of the game's leading publications, dedicated 17 pages of editorial in its May issue to covering all things Myrtle Beach golf. Digest's lead travel writers, Pete Finch and Matt Ginella, spent several days in the area talking to golfers and polling locals about the area's best off-course activities. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ digest.jpgGolf Digest, one of the game's leading publications, dedicated 17 pages of editorial in its May issue to covering all things Myrtle Beach golf. Digest's lead travel writers, Pete Finch and Matt Ginella, spent several days in the area talking to golfers and polling locals about the area's best off-course activities.

The result is a comprehensive guide to Myrtle Beach. Finch and Ginella tell the stories of golfers who come to Myrtle Beach and what brings them back year after.

 

Enjoy their work.

 

]]>
  • A Buddies Trip Haven
  • Suffolk County Police Department Tournament
  • Bernard Porter Open
  • The Cruds
  • Pinnacle Benefits Group
  • Myrtle Beach's Super 60
  • Golf Digest Photo Gallery

    • Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Video: Darius Rucker and Branford Marsalis perform the National Anthem tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4278 2010-04-15T15:03:53Z 2010-06-22T19:15:00Z The Hootie and The Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am is one of the highlights of the Myrtle Beach golf calendar. Country music star Darius Rucker and jazz legend Branford Marsalis kicked off the year's event with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Enjoy. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ The Hootie and The Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am is one of the highlights of the Myrtle Beach golf calendar. Country music star Darius Rucker and jazz legend Branford Marsalis kicked off the year's event with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Enjoy.
     

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>  

    ]]>     Video: Gary Valentine and Woody Austin Enjoy the Monday After the Masters tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4277 2010-04-15T14:48:44Z 2010-06-22T19:17:31Z A good time was high atop everyone's priority list at the Hootie and The Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, and PGA Tour player Woody Austin and comedian Gary Valentine gave everyone a good laugh. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ A good time was high atop everyone's priority list at the Hootie and The Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, and PGA Tour player Woody Austin and comedian Gary Valentine gave everyone a good laugh.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>  

    ]]>     Photo Gallery: Monday After the Masters tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4280 2010-04-14T14:45:58Z 2010-04-27T19:45:15Z The 16th annual Hootie and The Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, a Myrtle Beach golf favorite, atttraced more than 6,000 fans and a star-studded field to the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort on April 12. The event, which attracts some of the biggest stars in sports, music and entertainment, is one of the nation's premier charity tournaments, having raisded in excess of $4 million. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ The 16th annual Hootie and The Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, a Myrtle Beach golf favorite, atttraced more than 6,000 fans and a star-studded field to the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort on April 12. The event, which attracts some of the biggest stars in sports, music and entertainment, is one of the nation's premier charity tournaments, having raisded in excess of $4 million.

     

    Enjoy the day in photos.

    ]]>  

    ]]>     D.J. Trahan and Steve Azar Win Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4273 2010-04-12T22:34:26Z 2010-06-22T19:26:00Z The sun was shining, the stars were out, and the 16th annual Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am enjoyed one the best days in tournament history. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ MAM2010 - Furyk signs autographs.JPGThe sun was shining, the stars were out, and the 16th annual Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am enjoyed one the best days in tournament history.

    A sellout crowd of more than 6,000 people packed the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort and Golf to watch a team led by PGA Tour pro D.J. Trahan and country music singer Steve Azar win the event with an 18-under par effort.
     
    There was a five-way tie for second at 17-under par. Among the teams in second were squads led by PGA Tour star Jim Furyk and Hootie and the Blowfish lead singer/country music star Darius Rucker, and Myrtle Beach resident/PGA star Dustin Johnson and Hootie drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld.

    ]]> On an idyllic afternoon in Myrtle Beach, the emphasis for spectators was on star-gazing and autographing hunting. The star-studded field was headlined by the likes of Dan Marino, John Daly and Branford Marsalis.

    One of the primary reasons for the event’s popularity is the interaction between the celebrities and fans. The first, fourth and 10th tees were engulfed by fans and celebrities typically signed autographs, posed for pictures, and bantered with the crowd.

    The first tee, home of the long drive contest, was anchored by the tournament’s MCs, NBC news anchor Craig Melvin and Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt, who were equal opportunity needlers, making (good-natured) fun of both fans and celebrities. The 10th tee was home to a grill and a pair of guitars that led to impromptu performances by many musicians and some golfers (see John Daly video below).

    Fans weren’t the only people flocking to the event. The Golf Channel was in town filming a one-hour special on the tournament, ESPN.com covered the event, and radio stations from New York City, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Columbia broadcast live. Comcast SportsNet-DC was also on-site filming a 30-minute special on Myrtle Beach golf and the tournament.

    All proceeds from the event go to the Hootie and The Blowfish Foundation, which benefits education and junior golf in South Carolina.

    The 2010 Monday After The Masters Tournament featured one of the most star-laden fields in tournament history. Professional wrestling legend Ric Flair, NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino, former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, NASCAR drivers Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip, and LPGA golfer and Conway native Kristy McPherson played.
     
    Representing the music world were country sensations Colt Ford, Jack Ingram and Johnny Lee, R&B singer Javier Colon, singer-songwriter Edwin McCain, musician Branford Marsalis, Alter Bridge drummer Scott Phillips, Andrew Copeland of Sister Hazel and Dan Tyminski of Union Station. Actors included Tom Berenger and Paula Trickey.
     
    Former NFL players George Rogers and Sterling Sharpe competed, along with former Major League Baseball stars Mickey Tettleton and Chuck Finley.
     
    The PGA Tour was represented by Woody Austin, Ricky Barnes, Ben Bates, Rich Beem, Mark Blakefield, Kris Blanks, Josh Broadaway, Scott Brown, Kris Cox, Chris DiMarco, Ken Duke, Matt Every, Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, Robert Gamez, Bill Kratzert, Cliff Kresge, Spencer Levin, Mark Lye, John Maginnes, William McGirt, Jim McGovern, David Mobley, Garth Mulroy, Larry Rinker, Lee Rinker, Charlie Rymer, Darren Stiles and Nicholas Thompson.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Monday After The Masters Ready To Tee Off in Myrtle Beach tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4270 2010-04-05T20:33:54Z 2010-06-22T19:28:08Z Most of the nation eagerly anticipates The Masters. In Myrtle Beach, it's the end of golf's most famed event the people look forward to, because that is when the fun begins. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ annika1.jpgMost of the nation eagerly anticipates The Masters. In Myrtle Beach, it’s the end of golf’s most famed event the people look forward to, because that is when the fun begins.

    For the eighth consecutive year, the Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Master’s Celebrity Pro-Am will be played at the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf on April 12. The event, in its 16th year overall, always brings a star-studded field to the Grand Strand and 2010 is no different.
     

    ]]> Among the participants scheduled to play are Jim Furyk, Boomer Esiason, Samuel L. Jackson, Jim McMahon, John Daly, Woody Austin, LPGA player and Conway native Kristy McPherson, Chris Dimarco, PGA Championship winner Rich Beem and 2009 U.S. Open runner-up Ricky Barnes, among many others.

    Monday After the Masters tournament tickets are on sale at the House of Blues, the Barefoot Resort & Golf pro shops and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $15 with children 12 years of age and younger admitted free. All ticket proceeds benefit the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, which supports the educational needs of children in South Carolina and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation.

    “Each year, the list of great athletes and celebrities continues to grow, and to know we come to Myrtle Beach to have fun and raise money for a great cause (is phenomenal),” Hootie’s lead singer and country music star Darius Rucker said. “It is without a doubt one of things I look forward to doing every spring.”

    The Monday After the Masters has grown into one of golf’s leading celebrity events, attracting the likes of Bill Murray, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods over the years. Golf Channel will be in town for the event, filming a 30-minute special on the Monday After the Masters, and filing a report on the event for Golf Central.

    Golf Channel is hardly the only media outlet covering the event. The nation’s largest sports talk radio station, New York City’s 660 The Fan, will be on-site and Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, the hosts of the station’s morning drive program, will be broadcasting live from the Dye Clubhouse. ESPN Radio’s Dallas affiliate will also have a program originating live from the tournament, as will The Gerry Dulac Show from Pittsburgh.

    The day, which begins with a celebrity long drive contest, features an 18-hole captain’s choice golf tournament at the Dye Club. In 2009, the six-person team led by Hootie & The Blowfish lead guitarist Mark Bryan, Bill Murray and Woody Austin captured the Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am title with a score of 18-under-par.

    The Dye Club, one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, according to Golf Digest, is an ideal venue for the event. The stadium style design allows the course to welcome 6,000 spectators, who have the opportunity to meet some of sports, music and entertainment’s biggest stars. 

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Charlie's Corner: Sizing Up The Master's Field tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4271 2010-04-05T16:43:58Z 2010-06-22T19:29:32Z It's that time of the year. My eyes are watery, my nose is itchy, and the azaleas are popping. And I'm craving pimento cheese sandwiches. If you have ever attended The Masters, you know just what I mean about all of the above. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ CharlieRymer_2009.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

    It’s that time of the year.  My eyes are watery, my nose is itchy, and the azaleas are popping.  And I’m craving pimento cheese sandwiches.  If you have ever attended The Masters, you know just what I mean about all of the above. 

    I’m expecting this year’s Masters to be one of the most interesting ever.  No one knows quite what to expect with Tiger returning to competitive play for the first time since November.  If you haven’t noticed, he’s been in the news a bit lately.  I wish him the best in his personal life, especially so for his wife and children, and I can’t wait to see him play golf.

    ]]> As for the favorites in the tournament, I think you have to give Steve Stricker and Ernie Els a good look.  Both of these guys have had great starts to the season.  Ernie in particular is coming in with momentum having won at the CA Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  And with his putting stroke you can’t rule out Stricker.  On the fastest greens in golf, the man with the quietest hands certainly has a shot at running the table. 

    A great dark horse pick is Myrtle Beach resident Dustin Johnson.  He picked up his third career win earlier this year at Pebble Beach in convincing fashion.  He is likely the longest player in the field and should be comfortable at Augusta National after making his debut last year.  Johnson is much more than just a bomber.  This guy has a complete game and will be a factor in golf for many years. 

    As far as I’m concerned the favorite to win is Tiger Woods.  Early in the week he should get his media duties out of the way and when the bell rings Thursday he will answer the call in strong fashion.  I am expecting his play to be relentless. 

    I don’t expect issues with the patrons and if something out of character happens it will be dealt with swiftly.  Off grounds may be a different can of worms.  The energy and interest behind the Tiger Woods story should not be underestimated.  Hopefully the circus will stay on Washington Avenue.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Poll: Who Is Going to Win the Masters? tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4269 2010-04-05T15:48:24Z 2010-04-05T20:55:23Z The Masters is the first major of the year and a "must-see" tournament for avid golfers and casual fans of the game. The return of Tiger Woods heightens interest in the tournament exponentially, but once play begins, who do you think is going to win? Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ The Masters is the first major of the year and a "must-see" tournament for avid golfers and casual fans of the game. The return of Tiger Woods heightens interest in the tournament exponentially, but once play begins, who do you think is going to win?

    poll by twiigs.com
    ]]>     Restaurant Review: Hooters Offers More Than a Nice View tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4272 2010-04-04T14:19:51Z 2010-06-22T19:35:16Z Hooters reputation has long been secure. Attractive waitresses in tiny neon orange shorts, tight white tank tops, and the chain's suggestive name successfully established the brand years ago. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ hootrs group.jpgHooters reputation has long been secure. Attractive waitresses in tiny neon orange shorts, tight white tank tops, and the chain’s suggestive name successfully established the brand years ago.

    But there is more to Hooters than a stable of hot waitresses, especially along Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand. Hooters was the forerunner for the wing craze that has swept America, the nation’s first nationally prominent restaurant that specialized in chicken wings. During Hooters emergence, it was based in Horry County, giving Myrtle Beach a unique connection to America’s most "delightfully tacky yet unrefined" restaurant.

     

    ]]>  

    Local businessman Bob Brooks, who has since passed away, purchased Hooters in the mid-1980s and turned it into a household name, much to the delight of the millions of people. Myrtle Beach is home to three Hooters and it has long been a favorite haunt for golfers.

    The Hooters restaurants in Myrtle Beach have always made taking care of their core customers a priority. All three area Hooters offer what amounts to a free “replay” for golfers. Groups of four or less that return to an area Hooters for a second time during their trip get 10 free wings and a half pitcher of beer while groups of four or more get 20 wings and a full pitcher. (Just ask the store manager for the coupon on your first trip)

    While wings remain Hooters signature offering, the menu has diversified over the years, as has the atmosphere for watching games. The crab legs, shrimp and hamburgers at Hooters are the equal (if not superior) of the other comparable chain restaurants that dot the area’s landscape.

    Mix-in more than 20 high definition televisions at each Myrtle Beach location and Hooters has proven to be an outstanding place for post-round happy hour or even dinner.

    “Hooters is a great place for golfers to go grab a cold beer and be surrounded by pretty girls,” said Paul Howard, the chain’s Coastal Carolina regional manager said.

    The Verdict: Hooters is a known quantity. Over the years it has, understandably, become as identifiable for its wait staff as its food.  While the waitresses remain a draw, especially after staring at your buddies on the course for four hours, Hooters also offers quality food.

    The wings are good and they offer 10 different sauces to choose from. Starting a meal with lots-a-tots or Hooters fried pickles (highly recommended) and a cold drink is ideal.

    A trip to Hooters will bring a smile to your face.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     La Quinta Wins Palmetto In Sudden Death Playoff tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4268 2010-04-04T00:16:43Z 2010-06-22T19:41:22Z Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ laquinta 3.jpgLa Quinta (Calif.) High School seniors Alfred Castro, Mark Hicks, Tad Murray, Joey Simonds and Tyler Henry have been friends since grade school. They attended junior golf clinics and have been competing together since they started playing the game, which made their sudden death victory in the 13th annual Palmetto High School Golf Championship Saturday at Ocean Ridge Plantation all the sweeter.

    After 36 holes of stroke-play competition, La Quinta and Forestview High School (Gastonia, N.C.) were tied at 605. The Palmetto’s rules call for a team, sudden death playoff. All five players for each team competed with the top four scores counting, a format the close knit Blackhawks embraced.

     

    ]]> The playoff started and ended on the 375-yard 10th hole on the Lion’s Paw course. Castro, Hicks, Simonds and Murray, all made par 4s, giving La Quinta an aggregate total one stroke better than Forestview.

    The Blackhawks bested a field that included 60 teams from 12 states. (full scoreboard)

    “This is huge,” La Quinta coach Joe Simonds said. “This is about as big (a tournament) as we play. You’ve got teams from all over the nation coming. It’s pretty impressive.”

    It was the second win in tournament history for La Quinta, and Castro (3rd), Hicks (t-5th) and Murray (t-12th) all finished in the top 12 individually.

    “The thing that makes it special is all five us being such good friends,” Hicks said. “Doing it together, in a sudden death playoff, makes that high of winning even higher.”

    It was a disappointing end for Forestview, but the Jaguars played outstanding golf, led by Taylor Dickson, who captured medalist honors after shooting a 70 at Lion’s Paw, the low-round of the day. Dickson finished with a two-day total of 145, same as South Pointe (N.J.) High School’s Miles Curley. Dickson won medalist honors by virtue of shooting the lower round on Saturday.

    South Pointe finished third in the championship flight with 36-hole total of 612. Charlotte Country Day, which entered the final round with a one-shot lead, finished fourth (613). Defending tournament champion Pinewood Prep was unable to make a charge and finished fifth (618). Pinewood’s Cody Austin, the 25th ranked junior in the world and the defending medalist winner, shot a 72 at Lion’s Paw and finished fourth (147).

    Academic Magnet School won the First Flight with a 36-hole total of 636, six shots better than Diamond Bar (Calif.) High School. Davis Womble of Wesleyan Christian Academy captured medalist honors with a 144. The First Flight played at Lion’s Paw.

    Greer (S.C.) High School cruised to victory in the Second Flight, finishing at 653, 19 strokes better than second place Carolina Day School. Greer’s Ryan Lynn won Second Flight medalist honors (150).

    Niagara District School won flight three with a two-day total of 698, besting Chapin High School by nine strokes. Nate Butcher of Millville High School (N.J.) and Asheville (N.C.) High School’s Brandon Twigg each shot a 14-over 158, but Twigg’s won the individual competition with his second round 77.

    The Second and Third flights played the highly acclaimed Tiger’s Eye layout Saturday at Ocean Ridge.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Myrtle Beach To Host Annual Palmetto High School Championship tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4267 2010-03-31T14:40:22Z 2010-07-14T17:24:35Z From North Myrtle Beach to the Big Easy to LaQuinta, Calif., high school golf teams from across the United States are gathering in Myrtle Beach for the 13th annual Palmetto High School Golf Championship, April 1-3. The largest boys' high school tournament in the nation, the 2010 Palmetto has attracted 60 teams from 13 states. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ pinewood.jpgFrom North Myrtle Beach to the Big Easy to LaQuinta, Calif., high school golf teams from across the United States are gathering in Myrtle Beach for the 13th annual Palmetto High School Golf Championship, April 1-3. The largest boys’ high school tournament in the nation, the 2010 Palmetto has attracted 60 teams from 13 states.

    The 54-hole, college-style event will be played on 10 of the Grand Strand’s best courses, including five that have been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest. All 60 teams will play a qualifying round on Thursday and then be placed into one of four flights, based on their score, for the 36-hole finish. (Follow Live Stats)

    Heading into the event, everyone is chasing Pinewood Prep, the defending champion from Summerville, S.C. The Panthers, led by Austin Cody, the 25th ranked junior in the world, according to Golfweek, won the championship flight by 13 strokes in 2009. Cody, the defending medalist winner, was one of three Pinewood players that finished among the top six individuals last year. Richard Hubbard, who finished sixth last year, also returns for Pinewood.

     

    ]]> The host courses are the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort, the Love Course at Barefoot Resort, Heritage Club, Lion’s Paw, Panther’s Run, Tiger’s Eye, Pawleys Plantation, Prestwick, Tradition Club and True Blue. Jack Nicklaus, Mike Strantz, Pete Dye and Davis Love are among the big-name architects who have designed tournament courses.

    Among the Palmetto’s alumni is rising PGA Tour star Rickie Fowler, who won the event in 2006.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Charlie's Corner: Happy To See The LPGA Return Home tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4266 2010-03-30T20:24:32Z 2010-07-14T17:25:20Z The domestic portion of the LPGA season is underway with the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, CA at the La Costa Resort having been played last week. Golf Channel was there and I was pleased to be on board for the live coverage of the event. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Charlie Low rest.jpgWelcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his charectaristic whit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf.

    The domestic portion of the LPGA season is underway with the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, CA at the La Costa Resort having been played last week.  Golf Channel was there and I was pleased to be on board for the live coverage of the event.  I've been covering the LPGA for the past six years now and it has really been fun. 

    Getting to know the players has been a challenge but I'm over the hump now.  At 6'4" and slightly more than 200 pounds I can be a little intimidating.  I think I scared some of the players at first.  But now that most of them know I'm non-threatening things have smoothed out a bit. 

    My favorite part of an LPGA week is Wednesday.  I usually blunder around the course and practice areas chatting with the players and anybody else that wants to chew the fat.  Last week I had a nice conversation with Juli Inkster.  I always like chatting with a Hall of Famer.  She is 49 years old and it seems like every time we have her on air hitting a shot one of the announcers points out her age.  She was really giving me the business about revealing a lady's age.  She said she weighs 145 pounds and that we should talk about that as well. 

     

    ]]> Oh, maybe I shouldn't have brought that up.  Juli is a lot of fun to talk with and you better be on your toes with her because if not, she will needle you pretty good. 

    I also ran into Dave Stockton and his son Dave, Jr.  Those two, along with Ron Stockton, have started quite a putting and short game teaching empire.  Their work with the likes of Phil Mickelson, JB Holmes, Hunter Mahan, Michelle Wie, Inkster and Morgan Pressel has been quite impressive. 

    In fact, I interviewed the Stocktons about their work with these and other players.  We talked for well over an hour and I was fascinated.  Their approach is simple and puts fun back into the equation for players that are well off track with their putting and pitching. 

    Dave Stockton is known as one of the game's great putters and he has almost a thousand starts on the PGA and Champions Tour.  He has 25 wins including 2 PGA Championships.  He learned from his dad and it’s really neat to see him passing that knowledge down through his family and on to other players. 

    Knowledge use to be conveyed this way in golf but we have gotten away from mentoring over the years.  Watch for this interview to air during Golf Channel's wrap around coverage of The Masters. 

     

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Hot List: Top 5 Reasons To Take a Myrtle Beach Golf Trip tag:www.golfholiday.com,2009:/content//23.3839 2010-03-29T11:37:42Z 2010-07-14T17:26:08Z There is still plenty of golf to be played in Myrtle Beach this year and here are the top five reasons to take a trip to the Grand Strand this fall. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ high five.jpgAfter a summer that featured less than ideal weather in many parts of the nation, fall and winter are beginning to creep up on the horizon, a prospect that sends shivers down the spine of golfers not fortunate enough to live in a temperate location. But there is still plenty of golf to be played in Myrtle Beach this year and here are the top five reasons to take a trip to the Grand Strand this fall.
     

    ]]> 1.    Value is king in Myrtle Beach – Times are tight everywhere, a reality the Myrtle Beach golf community recognizes. As a result, the value of a Grand Strand golf vacation has never been better. Browse a list of packagers, checkout specials, and get a Quick Quote. There is a Myrtle Beach golf vacation for every budget.

    2.    Weather –     Fall is arguably the best time of year to play golf in Myrtle Beach. In October, the average temperature is 77 and in November it’s an equally appealing 69, ideal weather for golf. If you are in the Northeast or Midwest preparing to hunker down for a long winter, don’t miss the opportunity to experience the Golf Capital of the World at its most pleasant.


    3.    Myrtle Beach Air Service –     Getting to the Grand Strand has never been easier. Spirit, Direct Air, Allegiant Air, US Air, Delta, Continental and Northwest all service Myrtle Beach International Airport. Myrtle Beach is also fortunate to have direct flight service from more than 20 markets, including Chicago, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C.

    4.    Great Golf – The weather is nice and direct air service is a boon, but ultimately what you are looking for is great golf, and Myrtle Beach has it The Grand Strand is home to seven of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses,” according to Golf Digest, a figure no other destination can match. The area’s strength is in its depth, a notion validated by the presence of more than 40 4-star courses.


    5.    Myrtle Beach is a Great Time –     The only thing that comes close to matching the golf Myrtle Beach offers is the experience it provides off the course. The last year has been stressful for everyone but with the economy recovering, a Myrtle Beach golf trip is a guaranteed good time (with the added bonus of not breaking the bank). No matter your agenda, if you can’t find something to do in Myrtle Beach, you aren’t looking. 

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Myrtle Beach's 5 Best Seafood Buffets tag:www.golfholiday.com,2009:/content//23.3181 2010-03-23T13:44:23Z 2010-07-14T17:27:30Z One price, all-you-can-eat seafood - it's a dream come true for many of Myrtle Beach's land-locked visitors. The Grand Strand is chocked full of seafood buffets, but before you dip your first crab leg in a cup of melted butter, check out our list of the area's five best: Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ crab legs.jpg

    One price, all-you-can-eat seafood - it’s a dream come true for many of Myrtle Beach’s land-locked visitors. The Grand Strand is chocked full of seafood buffets, but before you dip your first crab leg in a cup of melted butter, check out our list of the area’s five best:

     

    ]]> 1.    Original Benjamin’s – Myrtle Beach’s first standout seafood buffet remains its best and largest (170 items). A nautical theme complements excellent food. Located on restaurant row, Benjamin’s serves Calabash style seafood (i.e. fried) along with crab legs, shrimp and a full buffet of Southern cuisine.

    2.    Captain George’s – Though it lacks the longevity of the Original Benjamin’s, Captain George’s is unquestionably among the area’s best. In addition to excellent food, Captain George’s offers the added benefit of being located directly across from the PGA TOUR Superstore on 29th Avenue and it has the area’s largest dining room. You will never wait to eat there.

    3.    Crabby Mike's – From the lighthouse on the building’s exterior to the Crabmobile – a black van with a giant crab on top – Crabby Mike’s is a good-time buffet. Though Crabby Mike’s doesn’t take itself to seriously, there is no indifference in the kitchen – the food is very good.

    4.    Seafare Seafood Buffet – A pirate-themed restaurant with live mermaids, the Seafare isn’t your typical buffet. The restaurant has twice been featured in Southern Living and in an area renowned for its fried food, Seafare also touts its gourmet buffet with broiled, baked and steamed seafood, in addition to a raw bar.

    5.    Preston’s Seafood & Country Buffet – Located at the entrance to Barefoot Resort, Preston’s offers a buffet that includes everything from crab legs to baby back ribs and prime rib. This is an under-the-radar favorite.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Top 5 Sports Bars: Central Strand tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4257 2010-03-17T20:00:59Z 2010-07-14T17:28:17Z Myrtle Beach is at the heart of the Grand Strand's entertainment scene. In March Madness parlance, it's a traditional power that offers an abundance of options, and here are the top five seeds (the best places to watch a game) in Central Strand Region. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ sports bar.jpgMyrtle Beach is at the heart of the Grand Strand’s entertainment scene. In March Madness parlance, it’s a traditional power that offers an abundance of options, and here are the top five seeds (the best places to watch a game) in Central Strand Region.

    1. Spencerz – One of the area’s largest bars, Spencerz offers ample room to enjoy the Madness. Combine a diverse menu (try the tater tots!) with a surplus of televisions and you have the recipe for an outstanding sports bar. 

    ]]> 2. Broadway Louie’s - Located at Broadway at the Beach, the epicenter of Myrtle Beach nightlife, Broadway Louie’s is home to a 27-foot projection screen, the area’s largest. That monster is flanked by five other large projection screens. Broadway Louie’s also offers the added benefit of being situated by 10 other nightclubs, providing plenty of postgame options.

    3. Hooter’s – A long-time Myrtle Beach favorite, Hooter’s is one of the area’s most popular March Madness destinations. Good food, good atmosphere and a healthy complement of televisions make Hooter’s, home of three area locations, an ideal place to watch a game. Another plus, if your alma mater is losing or your hopes of winning the office pool are crumbling, is the scenery.

    4. Handley’s – The only reason Handley’s ranks this low is location – on 501 just off Carolina Forest Boulevard. With televisions at every table, excellent food, an outdoor patio (that includes a large projection screen) and an area to play corn hole, it’s an outstanding place to watch a game.

    5. Shamrock's Sports Bar - Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Shamrock's will provide local flavor to your sports bar experience. it has two sides, one is a bar area with several roundtop tables and a mass of televisions. The other is setup more like a dining room but has its own bar and is ideal for large groups that want to watch a game.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Top 5 Sports Bars: South Strand tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4256 2010-03-17T19:52:16Z 2010-07-14T17:29:04Z NCAA Tournament viewing on the South Strand is like rooting for the mid-majors in the Big Dance. The choices offered are good, but they don't receive quite the acclaim. The South Strand is known for its casual pace and upscale golf and dining options, but there are still a host of establishments that offer an inviting atmosphere to watch a game. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ beer.jpgNCAA Tournament viewing on the South Strand is like rooting for the mid-majors in the Big Dance. The choices offered are good, but they don’t receive quite the acclaim. The South Strand is known for its casual pace and upscale golf and dining options, but there are still a host of establishments that offer an inviting atmosphere to watch a game.

    1. Murphy’s Law – If you are looking for a little local flavor, Murphy’s Law is your answer. Sports memorabilia (much of it Pittsburgh-based) adorns the walls and televisions abound. Great wings and happy hour specials make Murphy’s Law, which now has three locations, a prime spot to watch the NCAA Tournament.
     

    ]]>
    2. Jimmagan’s Sports Pub – There is no more scenic sports bar in Myrtle Beach than Jimmagan’s, which overlooks Murrells Inlet on the Marshwalk. When you aren’t gazing out across the water, more than 60 televisions, including a large projection screen, provide ample viewing opportunities. As an added bonus, 40-cent happy hour wings hit the spot.

    3. The Island Bar & Grill – Located on the corner of 17 Bypass and Glenn’s Bay Road in Surfside, the Island Bar is a surprise member of the list. The Island Bar is a friendly establishment with an owner who was a former Division I wrestler at Michigan State.  If you are rooting for Sparty this March, the Island Bar is for you.

    4. Dagwood’s –     The sister bar of the ever popular Bumstead’s in Myrtle Beach, Dagwood’s in Surfside offers a cozy environment, televisions at every booth and outstanding food. It’s not a sports–watching paradise like Overtime but it’s an enjoyable spot to take-in a game.

    5. Carolina Wings & Rib House –     There are a sufficient number of televisions and it’s a new establishment, so Carolina Wings & Rib House is nice, but the food is outstanding. How do 20 different wing sauces or baby back ribs slow cooked over 12 hours and finished with one of six barbeque sauces or rubs sound?  Thought so. If you are deep on the South Strand, this is your spot.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Top 5 Sports Bars: North Strand tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4255 2010-03-17T19:45:58Z 2010-07-14T17:29:48Z The North Strand has grown into a golf and entertainment powerhouse in recent years, earning its spot as a good time destination. For the sake of comparison, think of the North Strand might be analogous to the Big East, a conference that didn't exist three decades but is now, unquestionably, one of college basketball's best. Which destination's are the Syracuse and Villanova of North Strand sports bars? Wonder no more: Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Overtime Sports pic.jpgThe North Strand has grown into a golf and entertainment powerhouse in recent years, earning its spot as a good time destination. For the sake of comparison, think of the North Strand might be analogous to the Big East, a conference that didn’t exist three decades but is now, unquestionably, one of college basketball’s best. Which destination’s are the Syracuse and Villanova of North Strand sports bars? Wonder no more:

    1. Overtime Sports Café –     The area’s best sports bar is also the best place to watch the tournament. The North Myrtle Beach establishment has 150 televisions, including a 12-foot video wall, and three 10-foot projection screens. You can’t go wrong watching the game at Overtime.

     

    ]]> 2. Oscar’s - Ninety-eight televisions, including a 6-foot projection screen, a collection of sports memorabilia and good food is a hard combination to beat. Oscar’s, located just minutes North of Barefoot Resort, is an appealing option, especially if you are a Pitt Panthers fan.

    3. Wild Wing Café – Wild Wing enjoys a prime location and some of the area’s best wings. You won’t go wrong at the Wild Wing and enjoys the added benefit of being at Barefoot Landing where several other bars and restaurants await.

    4. Bully’s – Also located at Barefoot Landing, Bully’s provides a more intimate but no less appealing environment than Wild Wing. Bully’s has $2 draft beers all day, every day and outstanding wings – a winning combination during March Madness.

    5. Pat & Mike’s – An Irish pub located in Little River, Pat & Mike’s will provide local flavor to your viewing experience.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Course Review: Tradition Club Makes Golfers Feel At Home tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4254 2010-03-17T19:26:33Z 2010-07-14T17:30:26Z Generous fairways. Superb conditions. Outstanding customer service. Many factors combine to make Tradition Club a 4.5-star layout, according to Golf Digest, and contribute to its inviting atmosphere. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ no. 2.jpgGenerous fairways. Superb conditions. Outstanding customer service.

    Many factors combine to make Tradition Club a 4.5-star layout, according to Golf Digest, and contribute to its inviting atmosphere.

    Tradition isn’t one of seven Myrtle Beach golf courses ranked among America’s 100 Greatest, but it delivers an outstanding round of golf and a good value. It’s the type of course people want to play year after year.

    The Ron Garl design earned its name; Tradition isn’t a tricked up layout. The challenge is in front of golfers as Garl’s only Grand Strand layout features wide fairways, many of them lined with Carolina pine trees, and some of area’s largest greens.

    From a design perspective, Tradition offers great variety. The par 4s range in length from 329 to 475 yards. Some holes encourage players to bomb away with the driver while others demand precision off the tee. Unlike many area courses, water isn’t a huge factor, coming into view on nine holes, but Tradition does have a pair of island greens that are memorable.

    Two of the course’s four par 5s are reachable in two, and the par 3s are distinct.

     

    ]]> In short, Tradition has a little bit of everything.

    “None of the holes play alike, and they all have a different look,” Tradition’s general manager, Clay DuBose, said.

    The course plays 6,875 yards from the tips and 6,313 yards from the white tees, so Tradition doesn’t overwhelm players with length. Playability is one of Tradition’s strengths, and while the course isn’t a pushover by any stretch, golfers that play well can expect to score well.

    For the mid to high handicapper, there aren’t a lot of forced carries and there is room to run the ball up to the green. Speaking of greens, Tradition’s average more than 8,500-square feet per complex.

    When players arrive at the green, they will find complexes that challenge with subtle break as opposed to being forced to make putts with more twists and turns than a country road. Most of the greens run from front to back and are receptive to approach shots.

    “(The course) isn’t going to beat you to death,” DuBose said. “But if you are a good golfer and want to step it back, it will give you all you want.”

    Par 3s
    Garl used water, waste bunkers and natural waste area to craft a memorable quartet of par 3s that give players a chance to score.

    The 201-yard second hole (165 from the white tees) has water and a waste bunker on the left side, encouraging players to play to the right side of a relatively small green (28 yards deep).

    The 203-yard fifth hole is clearly the hardest par 3. Only a disaster off the tee will bring water into play but sand in front and on the right side present challenges on the longest par 3. A back right pin placement can be particularly dicey because the green narrows and a bunker looms.

    The 12th hole is Tradition’s easiest, playing 185 from the tips (but just 147 from the white tees) into a large flat green. The 12th is a good place to start a back-nine run. The 15th hole (174 yards from the tips/157 from the whites) plays into what amounts to an island green. The green is a massive 46 yards deep and it’s surrounded by water and sand. While trouble lurks, if players can past the visual intimidation, the 15th isn’t exceedingly difficult.

    Par 4s
    The par 4s at Tradition offer great diversity, ranging from the 329-yard third hole to the 455-yard 18th.

    The longest of hitters might be tempted to try and drive the third hole, which plays 300 yards from the white tees, and is a slight dogleg right, but it’s a daunting challenge.

    On a course with large greens, No. 3 is the exception. The third green is Tradition’s smallest and a waste bunker runs the entire right side of the hole, claiming its share of errant shots. The percentage play is a 225-yard drive up the left side of the fairway, leaving a good angle into the green.

    The most memorable front nine par 4 is the seventh, which features an island green. The water that surrounds the green requires a 100-yard carry.

    The scenic seventh is followed by Tradition’s most difficult hole, the 430-yard eighth. The hole offers a slight dogleg left and players must drive the ball to the right side of the fairway to avoid the risk of having their view of the green blocked by trees. A fairway bunker on the right increases the difficulty of your drive, as does the fact that the prevailing wind is typically in your face.

    Tradition closes with three strong par 4s, all playing at least 379 yards from the white tees. The 18th is an outstanding finishing hole, playing 455 from the tips and 407 from the whites, and it requires a decision off the tee. Players that opt to hit driver face a fairway that is pinched by a waste bunker 250 yards from the white tees.

    If you are accurate enough to hit the sliver of fairway untouched by the sand, a relatively short approach could await. If you play the percentages and layback, a long approach into a green flanked by a large bunker on the left awaits.

    Par 5s
    Tradition has an outstanding collection of par 5s, giving players a pair of opportunities to reach the green in two.

    The 540-yard fourth hole, isn’t one of those opportunities - it’s a true three-shot hole.

    The ninth hole, the first of consecutive par 5s, opens the door for a possible eagle putt, but players have to thread the needle. The hole is relatively short (490 from the tips/453 from the whites) but the area’s natural wetlands dissect the fairway 300 yards from the back tee. Any chance of reaching the green in two requires players to push up against the wetlands without going in. Either way the opportunity for birdie exists.

    The 10th is a dogleg left with a waste bunker that runs the length of the hole on the left side. The most memorable par 5 is the 500-yard 14th, which requires a carry over water into the green. The hole is reachable in two, especially from the white tees (450 yards), but there is little margin for error. It’s a great risk-reward hole.

    The Verdict: Tradition comes highly recommended. It’s the type of under the radar course – if a 4.5-star layout can lay claim to that mantle – that makes a Myrtle Beach golf trip memorable. The course won’t beat you up but at the same time it’s challenging. If your group leader books Tradition, he (or she) is doing you a favor.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     3 Best Holes: Tradition Club tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4253 2010-03-17T19:18:15Z 2010-07-14T17:31:04Z Tradition Club is a Myrtle Beach golf "sleeper." Located on the South Strand, the layout doesn't enjoy the high profile of some of its neighbors, but Tradition is an outstanding course, carved through the area's native pine trees Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ TC14.jpgTradition Club is a Myrtle Beach golf “sleeper.” Located on the South Strand, the layout doesn’t enjoy the high profile of some of its neighbors, but Tradition is an outstanding course, carved through the area’s native pine trees

    One of Tradition’s greatest strengths is the variety of holes it offers.  With that in mind, we asked Clay DuBose, Tradition’s general manager, to tell us the course’s three best holes, and he obliged.

    No. 7, 393-yard, par 4 – Most men play from the white tees, meaning the seventh plays 377 yards, and it features an island green. If you are a long hitter, leave the driver in the bag, because the water is 286 yards from the white tee.

     

    ]]> “(No. 7) has a large fairway so drive ball up the right side with a little drawl and you will leave yourself with the best angle into the green,” DuBose said.

    The green is 35 yards deep and surrounded by bulkhead. If you manage your nerves, there is plenty of room to keep the ball dry. It’s a fun hole.

    No. 8, 430-yard, par 4 – In addition to being one of the best, No. 8 is also Tradition’s hardest hole. Your drive needs to find the right side of the fairway because a couple of large oak trees on the left can block your view of the green.

    There is trouble on the left (sand) and right (trees) on the approach, though the green provides an ample target.

    The eighth is challenging but fair.

    No. 14, 500-yard, par 5 – If the eighth is the course’s hardest hole, No. 14 offers the chance to get a stroke back. The hole is reachable in two for most players (it plays 450 yards from the white tees) but a pond that fronts the green raises the stakes.

    “If I drive the ball up the right side it will catch some hard ground and get a lot of roll,” DuBose said. “With a well placed drive, you have a really good chance to get on the green in two.”

    Be wary, shots that come up short  will funnel back into the water, so take one club more than you think you need. If your drive is errant, you still have plenty of opportunity to layup on the second shot and put yourself in position for a birdie with a good approach shot.

    What are your favorite holes at Tradition?

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     5 Things You Need To Know About Tradition tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4251 2010-03-17T15:57:07Z 2010-07-14T17:31:37Z Tradition Club is Ron Garl's only Myrtle Beach golf design, a 4.5-star course that leaves players smiling. What do you need to know about Tradition prior to your first swing? Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ TC 12.jpgTradition Club is Ron Garl’s only Myrtle Beach golf design, a 4.5-star course that leaves players smiling. What do you need to know about Tradition prior to your first swing?

    Here are five things that will help you arrive at the course prepared to play well:

    1. Green Room – Players don’t have to have to be Phil Mickelson with a wedge to hit a green at Tradition.  Getting it close might be a different story. The course’s greens, which average about 8,500-square feet per hole, are among the area’s largest, so a precision iron game is rewarded.
     

    ]]> 2. Two to Win – Because of the size of the Tradition’s greens, distance control is the key to putting well. Elephants aren’t buried under the greens, most which feature subtle break, and good lag putters should be able to consistently two putt. 

    3. You Won’t Drown – Water isn’t an overwhelming concern for players. Water is visible on nine holes but on numbers 3, 5 and 16, it will only come into play on the worst of shots. That being said, island greens at No. 7 and No. 15 provide two of Tradition’s take-home memories.

    4. You have latitude off the tee but …  – The fairways at Tradition are generous, but trees typically await just beyond the short grass. You will have the opportunity to rip the driver, with some margin for error, but if you are to wild, the trees will penalize you.

    5. Tradition earned its name – Tradition is a throw-back. The challenges are in front players, and it’s not a tricked up course, which adds to its appeal. The course provides  an enjoyable round, thanks partly to the work of Garl, who took what the land provided him and maximized it.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Photo Gallery: Tradition Club tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4252 2010-03-17T15:08:55Z 2010-03-22T15:40:34Z Tradition Club, celebrating its 15th birthday this year, is a South Strand staple. From the bagdrop to the 19th hole, Tradition treats its guests like members, and as a result, it has grown into a Myrtle Beach golf package favorite. Enjoy a Tradition Club photo gallery. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Tradition Club, celebrating its 15th birthday this year, is a South Strand staple. From the bagdrop to the 19th hole, Tradition treats its guests like members, and as a result, it has grown into a Myrtle Beach golf package favorite. Enjoy a Tradition Club photo gallery.

     

     

    ]]>  

    ]]>     Coastal Finishes Second At General Hackler Invitational, ETSU Triumphs tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4250 2010-03-16T20:53:27Z 2010-07-14T17:32:34Z Coastal shot a 3-over 291 in the final round and finished at 22-over 886, three shots behind champion East Tennessee State at 883, who shot 296 in the last 18. Augusta State was third at 892, with Pepperdine (894) and Wake Forest (895) rounding out the top five teams. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ ETSU team low res.jpgThe Coastal Carolina University men's golf team posted the best final round and moved up three spots to finish as runner-up at the 2010 General Hackler Championship, March 15. Hosted by the Chanticleers, the two-day, 54-hole event was played at Coastal's home course, the TPC of Myrtle Beach (Par 72 - 6,950 yards) in Murrells Inlet, S.C.

    Coastal shot a 3-over 291 in the final round and finished at 22-over 886, three shots behind champion East Tennessee State at 883, who shot 296 in the last 18. Augusta State was third at 892, with Pepperdine (894) and Wake Forest (895) rounding out the top five teams.
     

    ]]> Senior Dan Obremski led the Chanticleers in a tie for third at even-par 216, one shot behind co-medalists Seamus Power of East Tennessee State and Pepperdine's Josh Anderson. Freshman Charlie Winegardner also posted a top-20 finish, tying for 20th at 226 after a team-best 69 in the final round, while senior Sam Lyons tied for 27th at 228. Freshman Sebastian Soderberg was next in a tie for 31st at 229, with redshirt-sophomore Drew Ernst rounding out the team scoring in a tie for 60th at 240.

    The Chanticleers also had three individuals in the field. Freshman Anders Larson tied for 17th at 225. Redshirt-freshman Daily Young posted back-to-back sub-par rounds with a 71 and 70 in the last two 18s, including an ace on the par-3 7th hole on Monday, to tie for 27th at 228. Redshirt-sophomore Alan Lee was the final individual for Coastal, tying for 66th at 246.

    Coastal will next be in action Friday-Sunday, March 26-28 at the Linger Longer. The three-day, 54-hole tournament is hosted by Kennesaw State at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Charlie's Corner: Rymer Gets Robbed, Reminded of his Good Fortune tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4249 2010-03-15T20:47:58Z 2010-07-14T17:33:59Z Last week I played my first ever round of golf with rental clubs. My clubs were swiped from my car the day before a round so I had to go with the clubs the golf course had available. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ CharlieRymer_2009.jpgI just realized how incredibly spoiled I am when it comes to golf. 

    Last week I played my first ever round of golf with rental clubs.  My clubs were swiped from my car the day before a round so I had to go with the clubs the golf course had available. 

    The theft occurred in my own driveway (in Florida). 

    For most folks, and round of golf with rentals wouldn’t be a big deal, but keep in mind that I am not a normal size human being.  I am 6’4” and top the scales at a number significantly above 185 pounds.  My clubs are an inch and a half long, super extra stiff, and the grips are as thick as sausages. 

    The same thief that stole my clubs also ran off with a pair of my size fifteen golf shoes.  The beautiful irony in all this is that these clubs and shoes will be totally useless to the thief or whoever ends up with them. 

    They also got my GPS and it has a theft deterrent code.  The thief will be able to use the GPS only as a doorstop, the clubs as bar bells, and the shoes will make lovely his and hers kayaks. 

    ]]> In fact, if you see someone navigating a river in Florida with a Garmin GPS in an Adidas 360 Tour golf shoe using a Rossa Itsy Bitsy putter as a rutter, please alert the authorities. 

    Since I was 18 years old I’ve had access to the latest in golf technology that was expertly fitted for me.  This is something that I’ve very much taken for granted over the years.  In my round with the rentals I had to drastically alter my swing and set up.  It was almost like I had never played before. 

    While most golfers are a little closer to “normal” in their physical characteristics than I am, I still think taking the time to work with a professional fitter is a wise investment.  Having fitted clubs gives you the opportunity to play your best golf.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Coastal Carolina, TPC Set To Host Nationally-Renowned General Hackler Championship tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4247 2010-03-10T20:32:13Z 2010-07-14T17:34:53Z Coastal Carolina University's men's golf program will host the nationally-renowned General Jim Hackler Championship, Sun.-Mon., March 14-15 at the TPC of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, S.C. This is the eighth straight year that TPC of Myrtle Beach has hosted the event. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ The TPC of Myrtle Beach - Murrells Inlet, SC.jpgCoastal Carolina University's men's golf program will host the nationally-renowned General Jim Hackler Championship, Sun.-Mon., March 14-15 at the TPC of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, S.C. This is the eighth straight year that TPC of Myrtle Beach has hosted the event.


    This year's field is one of the best in the program's history, as 10 of the 12 teams played in last year's NCAA Regionals, with two advancing to the NCAA Championship (Duke and Wake Forest). It also features the last six team champions of the tournament, including Pepperdine (2004), Coastal Carolina (2005), East Tennessee State (2006), Lamar (2007) and Wake Forest (2008 and 2009).

    Seven of the 12 teams are currently ranked in the top 50 and all 12 in the top 100, according to GolfStat and Golfweek, with the top being Augusta State, which is ranked ninth in GolfStat and sixth by Golfweek. Among the individuals are 19 players ranked in Golfweek's Top 150 college golfers currently, including Wake Forest's Brendan Gielow at No. 10 and defending medalist and 2009 NCAA individual champion Matt Hill of NC State at No. 55.

     

    ]]> The General Hackler Championship is named in honor of the late United States Air Force General James F. Hackler, Jr., a long-time supporter of Chanticleer golf. Coastal Carolina also has previously honored Hackler with the naming of the Coastal men's and women's golf program's Hackler Trophy.

    The trophy is awarded annually to the individual chosen on an established record of academic achievement, dedicated to the ideals of citizenship, devotion to preserving the integrity in the playing of the game of golf, and abilities as a golfer with special emphasis on the scholar-athlete’s sportsmanship and attitude toward fulfilling his or her potential in the game.
     
    2010 General Jim Hackler Championship Field
    (GolfStat /Golfweek Rankings as of Feb. 24)
    65/73 Coastal Carolina**
    9/6 Augusta State**
    34/33 Duke*
    33/38 East Tennessee State**
    91/95 Kennesaw State
    45/36 Kent State**
    56/70 Lamar**
    61/68 Minnesota**
    28/27 NC State**
    50/46 Pepperdine**
    55/67 UNC Wilmington
    36/35 Wake Forest*
    * 2009 NCAA Tournament Team
    ** 2009 NCAA Regional Team
     
    Individuals Ranked in GolfWeek's Top 150
    10. Brendan Gielow Wake Forest
    14. Ben Pisani Minnesota
    29. Henrik Norlander Augusta State
    31. Rhys Enoch East Tennessee State
    55. Matt Hill NC State
    57. Patrick Reed Augusta State
    60. MacKenzie Hughes Kent State
    63. John Hahn Kent State
    81. Brett Cairns Kent State
    82. Brad Revell NC State
    86. PierreAlexis Rolland Lamar
    97. Mitchell Krywulycz Augusta State
    100. Andrew Putnam Pepperdine
    102. Julian Suri Duke
    121. Brinson Paolini Duke
    124. Jeff Karlsson Kennesaw State
    125. Mitchell Sutton NC State
    127. Taylor Floyd Augusta State
    144. Wes Roach Duke

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Hot List: Myrtle Beach's 5 Shortest Par 4s tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4234 2010-03-03T21:06:10Z 2010-07-14T17:35:31Z The Grand Strand is home to more than 1,800 holes, including a handful of short par 4s that provide a chance to drive the green (or possibly record an ace). If you can hit the driver long and relatively straight, here are the five holes you might be able to reach, though there is risk involved (all yardages are listed from the tips): Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ hells half acre.jpgLining up an eagle putt is one of golf’s most enviable positions. It’s also a rarity for most players, particularly on a par 4, but a Myrtle Beach golf trip does afford a few opportunities.

    The Grand Strand is home to more than 1,800 holes, including a handful of short par 4s that provide a chance to drive the green (or possibly record an ace). If you can hit the driver long and relatively straight, here are the five holes you might be able to reach, though there is risk involved (all yardages are listed from the tips):

    ]]> 1. Love Course at Barefoot Resort, No. 4, 294 yards – The shortest par 4 on the Myrtle Beach golf scene is also one of the most photographed. The fourth hole on the Love Course features the faux ruins of an old plantation home (which, by the way, are in play) and begs player to try and drive the green. If you miss, don’t find the large pot bunker about 30 yards short on the left side. The smart play might call for an iron off the tee, but set the “book” aside and let it rip here.

    2. Glen Dornoch, No. 3, 300 yards – Glen Dornoch is full of character and this hole is a prime example. It plays 285 yards from the blue tees and 272 yards from the whites, so it’s reachable for a lot of people. The hole is a slight dogleg and two bunkers guard the left front of the green. If you go for it, your tee shot needs to stay to the right to avoid the bunkers if it comes up short.

    3. Avocet at Wild Wing, No. 14 308 yards – One of Wild Wing’s best holes, No. 14 offers a risk-reward choice. The hole plays just 265 yards from the tips, but six bunkers and a three tiered green provide ample defense. This is a hole you have to take a swing at.

    4. Moorland at Legends, No. 16, 313 yards – The area around the 16th green at Moorland is known as Hell’s Half-Acre and it earned its nickname. The hole is drivable from every set of tees, but there is plenty of trouble awaiting wayward shots, including pot bunkers, waste areas, grass bunkers, pampas grass and, whatever you do, don’t find the bunker located just over the green. No. 16 at Moorland is a lot of fun to play.

    5. Maples Course at Sea Trail, No. 1, 315 yards – The opening hole on the Maples Course offers players the opportunity for a good start, but if it’s great you are looking for, long-hitters can unsheathe the driver and take a poke.  No. 1 plays 295 from the whites and 275 from the gold tees so it is reachable, but not without risk. Water runs along the right side of the hole and out-of-bounds on the left makes it a relatively tight drive. It’s an interesting decision to open a round with. What would you do?

    * The list doesn’t include the eighth hole at Blackmoor, but it, arguably, should. No. 8 measures 371 yards, according to the scorecard, but designer Gary Player cut a chute through the trees that gives players the opportunity to drive the green. Taking the short cut, knocks 100 yards off the length of the hole, making it very reachable.

    Have you ever driven the green on a par 4 in Myrtle Beach?

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     Barefoot Resort Turns 10, Looks Better Than Ever tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4233 2010-03-03T20:54:44Z 2010-07-14T17:36:27Z A drive through Barefoot Resort in the spring of 2010 reveals a golf community in full bloom. Home of the Love, Fazio, Norman and Dye courses, Barefoot is one of the most popular Myrtle Beach golf facilities for many reasons. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Fazio-HR.jpgA drive through Barefoot Resort in the spring of 2010 reveals a golf community in full bloom. Home of the Love, Fazio, Norman and Dye courses, Barefoot is one of the most popular Myrtle Beach golf facilities for many reasons.

    Three of the four layouts have been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest.

    The resort is home to two of the area’s best clubhouses, including one dedicated exclusively to the Dye Club.
     

    ]]> The amenities continue far beyond the golf course. The glistening Barefoot Tower, one of the area’s finest accommodations properties, is on the Intracoastal, and a pizza parlor/sports bar are just down the street.

    Throw in a private bridge that connects the resort to Barefoot Landing, which includes Greg Norman’s Australian Grille and the House of Blues, among an assortment of restaurants, bars and shops, and a portrait of the area’s most inclusive facility comes into focus.

    Today, the magnitude of Barefoot’s opening is almost taken for granted, but as the facility prepares to celebrate its 10th birthday, it’s worth reflecting on what was accomplished at the North Myrtle Beach resort.

    When Barefoot opened on April 13, 2000, it was (and remains) the most highly anticipated debut in Myrtle Beach golf history. Barefoot did the previously unthinkable on that spring day, opening four public layouts at the same facility on the same day.

    “Being the first time four courses were opened at the same time and being in the Golf Capital of the World, we were the new kid on the block,” said Dave Genevro, who was a co-first assistant on opening day and has grown into his role as Barefoot’s general manager. “They were all anxious to play.”

    The golf courses, which immediately rocketed to the top of many favorite course lists, where in impeccable condition from the outside. While the layouts didn’t open until April, they were completed many months before and used the intervening time to fine-tune conditioning. 

    Beyond the golf course, little of what is now visible existed in the spring of 2000. The property’s trademark drawbridge wasn’t ready on opening day, requiring players and their bags to be shuttled across the Intracoastal Waterway on a pontoon boat.

    (Yes, there were occasionally problems transporting clubs and people across the water. On at least one occasion, a set of clubs plunged to the bottom of the Intracoastal where they, presumably, remain!)

    The 8,000-square-foot clubhouse that serves players at the Fazio, Love and Norman courses was no where to be found and neither was the opulent 9,000-square-foot facility that welcomes players to the Dye Club. Cart barns doubled as a pro shop in the opening days, but offered all the essentials.

    “There was never any disappointment because once they got off the boat and into the golf cart, the courses were complete,” Genevro said of Barefoot’s opening days. “They were very satisfied, because (the golf courses) were in great shape.”

    That initial satisfaction has grown has grown into adoration for many players. The resort clubhouse opened in 2001, followed by the Dye Clubhouse a year later, accelerating Barefoot’s ascension in the Myrtle Beach golf hierarchy.

    Thumbnail image for Clubhouse-side.JPGBarefoot’s rise also garnered national attention. The Love Course was honored by Golf Magazine as one of the nation’s top 10 new public courses when it opened, and since 2007, the Love, Fazio and Dye layouts have been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest.

    When Barefoot opened it faced the daunting task of meeting great expectations, but its most harrowing challenge rose from out of the ground last spring. A wildfire that ravaged parts of Horry County and destroyed 70 homes at Barefoot forced the Love Course to close for one month and the Fazio Course to shutter for two month.

    Fortunately, neither golf course was damaged (the closures were to allow bridges to be rebuilt and charred trees to be mulched) and there are few reminders of a fire that attracted national attention while it was burning.

    This Spring the focus is on a celebration of the property’s past and a look forward to its future.

    “It was wonderful to be here from Day 1,” Genevro said. “People who come down can’t believe the (growth) … to be part of this from the beginning was exciting and to still be here 10 years later, I love it.”

    Golfers will love some of the plans Barefoot has to celebrate its 10th birthday. In addition to golf package specials that will run throughout the spring, Barefoot is celebrating its birthday March 18-21 with the following promotions:

    • Discounted replays
    • Daily closest to the pin contest on all courses
    • Food and beverage specials
    • Special merchandise deals
    • Complimentary anniversary cake
    • Thursday, March 18 – long drive contest at the driving range
    • Friday, March 19 – closest to the pin contest at the driving range
    • Saturday, March 20 – closest to the pin contest on a bunker shot contest at the driving range
    • Grand prize drawing for a four-round golf trip, including accommodations, golf and breakfast at Barefoot.

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

    ]]>     5 Things You Need To Know About Barefoot Resort tag:www.golfholiday.com,2010:/content//23.4232 2010-03-03T20:48:45Z 2010-07-14T17:37:16Z Barefoot Resort, home of the Dye, Fazio, Love and Norman Courses, is celebrating its 10th birthday this spring. The facility drew national acclaim upon its opening and has been at the forefront of the Myrtle Beach golf market ever since. Chris King http://www.golfholiday.com/content/chris_king_1/ Love - 3.jpgBarefoot Resort, home of the Dye, Fazio, Love and Norman Courses, is celebrating its 10th birthday this spring. The facility drew national acclaim upon its opening and has been at the forefront of the Myrtle Beach golf market ever since.

    While you may have played all four courses, here are five things about Barefoot you need to know:

    1. Barefoot Is One of the Nation’s Premier Multi-Course Facilities     – Three of Barefoot’s four layouts – Love, Fazio and Dye – have been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest. The fourth, the Norman Course, has six holes that play along the Intracoastal. Barefoot is one of three single-site facilities in America that is home to three top 100 public courses.
     

    ]]> 2. The Dye Club is the Home of the Monday After the Masters – The Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am came to Myrtle Beach in 2002 and the event has been played at the Dye Club every year since. In the soon-to-be-nine years the event has been at Barefoot, Arnold Palmer, Annika Sorenstam and Bill Murray are just a few of the big names that have played the course.

    3. Barefoot is the Only Facility to Open Four Courses on the Same Day     – When Barefoot opened on April 13, 2001, it became the first American golf facility to open four courses simultaneously. It was a significant undertaking that has grown no less impressive with time.

    4. Barefoot Is An All-Inclusive Property     - With accommodations, a sports bar and Golf Dimensions all on the resort side of the bridge, the facility is truly an all-inclusive property. Throw in Barefoot Landing, the forerunner to Broadway at the Beach, the House of Blues and Alabama Theatre, and a group can enjoy an outstanding vacation without leaving Barefoot.

    5. Barefoot Was Davis Love’s First Marque Design     – The selection of Pete Dye and Tom Fazio as architects was easy, as was the decision to bring Greg Norman on board. Davis Love, on the other hand, hadn’t worked on a high profile project prior to Barefoot. The Love Course was Davis’ first plum job and he crafted one Myrtle Beach’s most popular golf courses. Wouldn’t you agree?

    Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

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