New nonstop flights from nine destinations perfect for summer and fall golf

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (April 27, 2012) - Vision Airlines, an 18-year-old air carrier, has announced new Myrtle Beach flights, including four Ohio cities - Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Columbus; Indianapolis; Louisville; Nashville; Springfield, Illinois, and Clarksburg, West Virginia. The non-stop flights on 737-jet service will provide service from May 31 to October 31. For schedules and fares visit online at www.visionairlines.com, or call 1-877-359-2538.

Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts welcomes Chris Vest

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (April 6, 2012) – Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, a hotel/condominium ownership and management company has announced that Chris Vest has joined their team as Director of Golf. “We are delighted that Chris has come onboard to direct our golf operations. We’re fortunate to have his experience,” stated Chris Shroff, Owner and CEO of MB Seaside Resorts.

Vest brings more than six years of hands-on golf packaging experience to his new position, having worked at Ocean Reef as their golf director. A native of South Bend, Indiana Chris is an avid golfer

“My intent is to exceed the expectations the visiting golfers have for both our packages and their Myrtle Beach experience,” Vest commented. “With six great properties and more than 1,000 rooms, plus our extensive golf course relations, we’ll be able to mold a golf package to every group’s need,” Vest continued. Already, the golf team is reaching out to local restaurants and attractions for value added additions for their golf packages.

Call Chris directly at 1-800-682-5699 Ext. 5522, or e-mail Chris.Vest@mbseasideresorts.com. Be careful though, his enthusiasm for Myrtle Beach golf is contagious.

TifEagle ultradwarf Bermudagrass growing in popularity

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 27, 2012) – The P. B. and Pete Dye designed Prestwick Country Club will be changing its greens to TifEagle ultradwarf Bermudagrass this summer. Scheduled to close June 17, reopening is planned for September 15, 2012.

In addition to Prestwick, the King’s North Course at Myrtle Beach National and Barefoot Resort’s Dye Club and Love Course are closing this spring/summer to install ultradwarf Bermuda on greens.

A number of recognizable Myrtle Beach Area courses have changed to TifEagle over the past decade. Included on that list are True Blue Plantation, Tidewater Plantation & Golf, Oyster Bay Golf Links and Legends Resort’s Moorland Course.

This newer brand of bermudagrass is as close to the speed and quality of bentgrass, but much easier to maintain.

Now is the time to act

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 22, 2012) – As many of our regular readers know Direct Air, a Myrtle Beach headquarter discount airline, has suspended operation and filed for bankruptcy. With reorganization their hope is to resume operations this coming May. We wish Direct Air a speedy recovery and hope they’re back in the air come May.

Many of us have wondered how the timing, just prior to the peak golf season, will impact the industry. Over the past few weeks I’ve spoken to a half dozen golf courses and packagers.

The common theme is - sure we lost 8-12 tee times, or I’ve had a few cancellations, or the visit has been shortened since the golfers are now driving. Nobodies individual business seems to have been damaged beyond repair. However, I cannot help but wonder how these smaller losses might add up to considerable damage throughout the golf industry.

If you’re still on the fence about a Myrtle Beach golf vacation, or just late in putting your plans together, now is the time to act. Some choice accommodations have opened up and some prime tee times might just be available. You can book online now or call (800) 682-5699 to speak with a golf specialist.

Links Newsletter you have some explainin’ to do

Links Newsletter you have some explainin’ to do

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 2, 2012) – Today I received the Links Magazine eNewsletter and was anxious to read their “Top 10 Golf Getaways Right Now Index” feature. Now, I’m wondering if their editors have ever reached into their own pocket and paid for a golf getaway. Four of their “getaways” are out of the country, and the remaining six are divided equally between the warmer east and west environments.

Call me a “homer” if you must, but I doubt there is a better “Golf Getaway Right Now” destination, than the Myrtle Beach, SC area. March weather is great, the courses are in fantastic shape and with such a wide variety of accommodations you’ll certainly find the perfect fit for your group. You will not go hungry with every imaginable type of food and the evenings come alive with casino gaming and live variety shows.

This month thousands of golfers will visit us and wear the dust off their grips. It’s what we’re here for. With almost 100-golf courses there’s still prime tee times and super accommodations for your gang.  

Looking good

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (February 3, 2012) – It’s not easy living in the Myrtle Beach area and enjoying golf. First of all you need to deal with playing year around. There’s never a month of rest! Next, there are more than 90-golf courses from which to choose. That’s a lot of decision making! Finally, course conditions are great throughout the year, even in January.

The week of January 15, 2012 was a case in point. We played three rounds in three afternoons on three courses in weather that never went below 58 degrees. Our courses of choice were the Mystic Group - Man O’ War, The Witch and The Wizard. Each is a really good golf course in its own way. However, one commonality stood out. Each course was in almost unbelievable condition for this time of year.

Virtually every golf course located in a resort destination will over seed with grasses that grow green in colder weather. Generally the over seed is confined to tee box, fairway and green. Not so at the Mystic Group golf courses, they over seed both the previous mentioned and both cuts of rough!

If you think these courses look great in January, imagine how well they’ll develop as spring approaches and daylight gets longer. It’s just another reason to bring your golf vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC.

Book online now or call (800) 682-5699 to speak with a Myrtle Beach golf specialist.

It doesn’t get any better

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (January 19, 2012) – This week it was announced that the popular ESPN Mike & Mike in the Morning Show will again be broadcasting live from the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am on April 9, 2012 at Barefoot Resort’s Dye Club. Those special 6-days in April are the perfect time for a Myrtle Beach area golf trip.

Consider this – great springtime weather, morning rounds of golf on your choice of courses that fit every skill level and budget, afternoons watching the Masters, evenings filled with great restaurants, entertainment and gaming and topping it all off with a Monday Pro-Am that attracts great names from both golf and entertainment.

Call our golf specialist today at (800) 682-5699 and let them get you started on a marvelous golf vacation.

It’s going to be a great year

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (January 5, 2012) – By the time you read this BLOG entry, I’m sure you’ve received a fair share of Happy New Year and Best Wishes type greetings. You’ve probably made some resolutions and like a few you may have broken them, too.

My resolution is simple. Get up and down for Par more often. It will take some practice on the chipping and putting greens, but that’s fine. However, if spring arrives and improvement is not noticeable, a lesson may be required.

I do not drive the ball with distance anymore and I’m not as accurate using those mid and long irons. Chipping and putting can keep me competitive for years and years to come. A good short game isn’t just for those of us that may be distance challenged.

Here’s a Myrtle Beach Tip that’s guaranteed game improvement. On the first day of your golf trip have one of our golf specialist schedule a mid-morning tee time. Ask them to arrange for the course’s teaching professional to give your group a 30-minute short game clinic before that tee time. Take another 30-minutes to practice what you’ve learned. I promise your golf scores will improve with just one additional up and down each round. Guaranteed.

Time is running out.

NORTH MYRETLE BEACH, SC (December 24, 2011) – Between now and December 31, 2011 Direct Air round-trip flight vouchers are available for purchase for just $169.00, including all taxes and fees! The vouchers are good for travel between January 12, 2012 and October 31, 2012. You can purchase up to 20 vouchers without travel dates, or passenger names. The vouchers are good on all round-trip flights to Myrtle Beach. Direct Air services Niagara Falls, NY/Toronto, CN; Newark, NJ/New York City; Columbus, OH; Orlando West/Lakeland, FL; Plattsburgh, NY/Montreal, CN; Pittsburgh, PA; Springfield/Central, IL and Worcester/Boston. MA. Purchase online at http://www.visitdirectair.com/sale/takeyourpick-2011/.

With vouchers in-hand the next step is to gather your group and determine a date for your golf trip to Myrtle Beach. The rest is easy. Simply turn all the planning and details over to the golf specialists at Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts. Regardless of the time you’ve chosen to visit, you can be assured your accommodations and tee times will be just what you’re looking for. http://www.myrtlebeachgolf.net/ or (800) 682-5699.

Price Points

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (December 9, 2011) – A graphic artist friend has a sign on his wall – Price • Quality • Service: Pick Two. The message is pretty straightforward. You cannot have all three and in today’s economy more and more buyers are starting at price. The golf packaging industry is being impacted by those same price influences.

The experienced Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts golf team is well equipped to meet your price parameters. They can put you on some great golf courses and provide comfortable accommodations well within your budget. Of course regardless of the package they build for your group, there’s always a ton of value-added.

The first steps to a great package is getting your group together and determine a time of year for the trip, agree on a price point and gather any specific golf course requests. Armed with that information put the burden of planning your trip in the hands of one of our golf specialists at (800) 682-5699. Armed with their expertise and your input you can rest assured you’ll have the very best package available in the Myrtle Beach Area!

Tee It Forward: A new program from PGA and USGA

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (November 25, 2011) – During the past 10-days I’ve had an opportunity to play three outstanding Myrtle Beach Area golf courses – the highly acclaimed Kings North at Myrtle Beach National; the Jack Nicklaus Signature course, The Long Bay Club and a perennial Myrtle Beach must play the Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood Golf Club.

My intention was to try this new national initiative from the PGA of America and the United States Golf Association. Simply stated it’s a program that encourages the golfer to choose a set of tees based on their driver distance. Admittedly distance challenged, my driver in normal conditions travels 200-225 yards. At that level the recommended 18-hole yardage is 5200-6000.

The golf courses were all in great shape, but some rain the previous few days produced damp fairways and little roll. Still at each Par 3 and Par 5 I was able to swing at a green with something other than a 5-wood, or more. It was enjoyable hitting some low and midirons for a change. Even on the Par 4s I had an opportunity to go at the pin on a few shorter holes.

We all like the challenge of taking-on a golf course at its most difficult setting. However, for the pure enjoyment of the game and to play a little faster, Tee it Forward. 

That’s swing thought number 12

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (November 16, 2011) - When a shot goes astray, I’ll often blame “Swing Thought Number 12.” That’s the one found just at the beginning of my backswing! There are still 37 swing thoughts to follow.

Between advice from a dozen golf publications, the Golf Channel’s instructional shows, on-air tournament analysis, a seemingly endless array of books and our helpful friends, we are blessed with hundreds of tips and pointers about our swing. It’s information overload. With the exception of our friends (and who listens to their advice) none of the others have ever seen our swing.

If you are really interested in game improvement, get help and direction from a PGA instructor. The Myrtle Beach Area is blessed with both some great teaching pros and wonderful golf schools.

We know you’re probably not coming to the beach for golf lessons. You’re coming to wear the grips off your clubs, play some outstanding courses and have some fun. However, do not give-up on game improvement just because you’re interested in playing as many holes as possible.

The golfer’s “Value Season” is the perfect time for game improvement instruction. Without Daylight Savings it’s almost impossible to play 36-holes. However, it’s quite easy to take a lesson and follow with an hour of practice. Either before or after your round, a lesson in the winter months adds enjoyment to your golf trip and fine-tunes your game for the upcoming spring/summer season.

Call our golf specialist today at 800-682-5699 for a value-loaded golf package that includes instructional time with an area professional, or golf school.

What’s this overseeding thing all about?

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (November 15, 2011) - Winter overseeding of bemudagrass with ryegrass is primarily done for aesthetic purposes at resort courses. A rich green turf is far more pleasurable to visiting golfers than a dormant brown grass. High traffic bermudagrass tees and greens need to be overseeded to have a better quality turf, while the jury is always out regarding overseeding fairways.

From the course superintendents perspective overseeding provides some bermudagrass protection from heavy play and traffic. It may reduce winter weed growth and ryegrass may help to dry the soil preventing muddy conditions.

Of course there is a downside to overseeding. Those disadvantages include both cost and agronomic reasons. The former is easiest to understand. Overseeding with ryegrass adds a maintenance expense for seeds, fertilizer and labor. Many golf courses have previously assumed the additional expense as a cost of doing business. However many are now re-considering the value and importance of overseeding.

Even when dormant the newer and better forms of bermudagrass, such as MiniVerde, are very playable and provide a positive golf experience for visitors. Along with improved bermudagrass, cutbacks in budget and an unwillingness to pass the cost to golfers have course owners and superintendents taking another look at the value of ryegrass overseeding.

From the agronomic perspective the challenge of overseeding begins in the fall. Slowing the growth of bermudagrass in preparation (verticutting, etc.) for overseeding may not be in the best interest of the grass come spring and summer. The biggest worry is simply - has the bermudagrass survived. New herbicides are available for effectively controlling Poa annua before and after overseeding, allowing superintendents to focus on the health of bermudagrass versus stopping its growth.

You do not have to be a golf course superintendent, or owner to contribute to a golf course’s playing condition. If a fairway is not overseeded understand it’s helping to keep your greens fee reasonable and playability is not suffering. Do note that the tee boxes, greens and around the greens are probably overseeded. Please observe all golf cart rules. Stay off the fairways in wet weather and at all times stay out of wet areas. Cart traffic damage is evident in early summer and hinders the play of future golfers.

Unlike both private and public clubs further north, Myrtle Beach Area golf courses do not close for winter. On the contrary, golf is a year around sport in the “Seaside Golf Capital.” So much of the areas success is owed to the guys with the mowers. They’re the ones with the talent and expertise to provide a great golfing experience, regardless of the time of year you choose to visit.

If you need to know the condition of your golf courses of choice, simply ask the golf experts at Myrtle-BeachGolf.net.

Here’s one you do not want to miss

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (November 10, 2011) – Seldom does a weekend go by that there is not a charity golf tournament in the Myrtle Beach Area. Local golfers support them, while more and more visiting golfers are discovering the great value many of these tournaments provide.

A case in point is the YMCA 8^th Annual Golf Classic - Fore The Kids. Scheduled for the weekend of Friday December 2^nd and Saturday December 3^rd, it’s a great reason to visit the beach and bring your clubs.

The weekend kicks-off with a Tournament Gala on Friday, December 2^nd at the Dye Club and includes dinner, drinks, entertainment and a silent auction. December 3^rd you’ll shotgun start at 9:30 AM for a Texas Scramble. Each player receives a deluxe gift bag, on course contests, and hole in one competition.

Call our golf specialist today at 800-682-5699 for accommodations, a Friday practice round and even a Sunday departure round.

Golf clubs ready when needed

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (November 4, 2011) - The good news is the Myrtle Beach airport is expanding; new flights are added regularly and now more than ever it’s convenient to fly to the “Seaside Golf Capital of the World.” While the extra baggage cost of bringing your clubs is still an issue, there is a solution available.

GolfClubsAway.com (GCA) is now available in Myrtle Beach! The process is simple. Order clubs online and they’ll be waiting at your accommodations, or golf course when you arrive. In fact if you order by 4:00 PM a set of clubs will be delivered by 7:00 AM the next morning. Keep the clubs as many days as needed and they’ll be picked up when you’re finished.

Full sets of Nike Clubs both right and left handed are available. The Nike Men’s Standard Set, Nike Men’s Pro Graphite Shaft Set and the Nike Women’s Standard Set are featured. Rates are quite reasonable and discounts are available for multi-day use.

No longer will your clubs be lost or damaged in transit. Check out www.GolfClubsAway.com for all the details.

A perfect time for a golf trip

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (September 27, 2011) – Congratulations to Charlotte, NC resident Bill Haas for his dramatic win at the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup playoff. With all that drama behind us, it’s now time to be thinking about the next great golf event, the 2011 President’s Cup. Haas’s win in Atlanta earned a Captain’s pick along with Tiger Woods. Regardless of how you feel about these Fred Couples choices, the upcoming competition is going to provide some great golf. And there’s some great golf waiting for you in the Myrtle Beach area.

During the President’s Cup - Wednesday November 16^th through Sunday, November 20^th - is a perfect time for a golf package to the “Seaside Golf Capital of the World.” Play some golf and than cheer for your favorite team and player at a local lounge. The Golf Channel has live coverage in the evening of both the opening ceremonies on the 16^th and the Foursomes on Thursday the 17^th. NBC has daytime tape delay coverage daily for the remainder of the tournament.

Let the Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts golf team build the perfect package for you. You may not be in Australia at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, but there’s great golf waiting for you right here.

This one caught my eye

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (September 7, 2011) – Regular visitors and residents of the Myrtle Beach area are well aware of numerous opportunities to play tournament golf virtually every weekend. This is a charity minded community and there’s never a shortage of golfers. Recently, I received information on one that sounds very interesting.

“All-in Fore Kids Charity Golf Tournament benefits Help 4 Kids and Backpack Buddies; two charities with solid reputations that are doing good work. The tournament is individual stroke play golf at the International Club and a No Limit Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament on SunCruz Casino.

Your $250 entry fee gets you golf and 10,000 starting chips in the poker tournament, buffet dinner and great gifts. The Grand Prize is entry into the World Series of Poker Main Event with cash awarded for 1^st through 4^th place.

Have some fun, help the kids and maybe you’ll be on your way to Las Vegas. For information and registration visit www.Internationalclubgolf.com.

5th Annual Patriot Golf this Labor Day weekend

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (August 26, 2011) – This Labor Day weekend is the golfing communities opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women that have been disabled, or killed protecting our nation.

Patriot Golf Day is the flagship fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides postsecondary educational scholarships for the children and spouses of military men and women disabled or killed while serving our great nation.

On Labor Day weekend, September 2-5, 2011, golfers across the country are asked to add an extra dollar to their greens fees to fund Folds of Honor scholarships. The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association jointly support the Patriot Golf Day campaign.

We certainly hope you’re playing golf in the Myrtle Beach area Labor Day weekend and visiting our numerous participating golf courses. If you’re staying home and playing local look for participating courses in your area and support them and the Folds of Honor Foundation.

A very pleasant surprise

SHALLOTTE, NC (August 24, 2011) - Earlier this week I had the opportunity to play Rivers Edge Golf Club for the first time. At the risk of oversimplification, it is one of the most visually striking courses in the Myrtle Beach area. Six stunning holes parallel the Shallotte River marshlands and the interior holes are certainly no less spectacular. Be aware though that this Arnold Palmer design is not just another pretty face.  Although fairway-landing areas are not particularly narrow, fairway bunkers and waste areas and a tough Bermuda grass rough will punish shots that stray from their target.  The new Paspalum greens are generous and well protected by greenside bunkers.  Although the course is not particularly long, it will require shot making and accuracy.  This golf course is well worth the short drive to Shallotte.

Frankly, I don’t get it

(NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC) AUGUST 10, 2011 – Years and years ago I met with a hotel group in Ocean City, Maryland to discuss golf. They were anxious to know, “How has Myrtle Beach become such a successful golf destination?” The answer was simple. It’s the golf package. In those days one telephone call and you booked your accommodations, golf, cart and most likely a good Southern breakfast. After a small deposit you paid the balance upon check-in. Each detail was taken care of for you.

Today the Myrtle Beach Area is still the leading golf destination, but surprisingly packaged rounds are decreasing ever so slightly. Frankly, I don’t get it! Maybe the Internet has some visiting golfers thinking they can get better deals from the courses. One golfer actually told me he didn’t want to pay the hotel’s mark-up! Let’s straighten out the confusion right now.

Do not think for one minute you’re getting a better deal than a hotel packager. At the very least the price would be the same and more than likely the packager is getting a slight break. Also, the hoteliers are not marking up either the golf, or the room. It just doesn’t make sense. In addition to the convenience and value of using a Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts property, they simply give you more for your money.

In addition to green fees, cart, comfortable accommodations and breakfast your packages include at no extra cost – 15-percent off dinner coupons at their restaurants, a complimentary drink coupon at one of their restaurants/bars and a complimentary golf gift. It just makes good sense to deal with a hotel packager. Call the Myrtle Beach Golf experts at (800) 682-5699, or visit on line at www.myrtlebeachgolf.net. Let them take care of each of those details and more!