For two months the staff at Barefoot Resort & Golf has fielded calls from people asking about the status of the highly regarded Fazio Course in the wake of the April wildfire that ravaged parts of Horry County.
While course officials assured the public the layout was fine, nothing answers questions like an open golf course.
An impeccably conditioned Fazio Course reopened to members on June 30 and public on July 1 and the course’s appearance was reassuring to all involved. One of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, Fazio is as good as it was the day before the fire forced it to close on April 23, albeit with a few less trees.
“Its lush out there – perfect conditions,” Jeff Diehl, Barefoot Resort & Golf’s marketing director, said on a sun-drenched day. “The golf course has not changed from tee to green. It’s the same golf course, it’s just a new look, more open in some areas. “
The Fazio Course didn’t suffer any damage in the fire, which destroyed 74 homes, but the some of the areas surrounding it were charred and a 570-foot bridge linking 12 green to 13 tee was destroyed. The reconstruction of the bridge, which spanned natural wetland areas, delayed the reopening of one of the area’s most high profile layouts.
While the bridge was being rebuilt, Barefoot officials turned the burnt trees into mulch, providing a more open feel to the course.
The Love Course, like Fazio, suffered damage to some of the area’s surrounding the layout but reopened on June 1. The Norman and Dye layouts at Barefoot were unaffected by the blaze.
With all four Barefoot courses now open, one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular facilities is again operating at full capacity.
“We are whole (again),” Diehl said with a smile on his face.