I’ve been fortunate to play more than my share of golf this past week. From Possum Trot and Burning Ridge to Myrtle Beach National Kings North and Willbrook they all have one thing in common. The courses are shedding their winter look Where warm weather Bermuda grass is used it’s beginning to take hold. Fairways are well on their way to perfection. Greens are coming around nicely and they’re rolling true.
May is a great time to visit the Myrtle Beach area and play some golf. With the temperatures getting warmer the summer grasses will be fully developed and the courses will be in great shape. Summer accommodations rates have not peaked and green fees are trending down. There are some great May deals available, now.
I’ve never met Kelly Tilghman. She grew up in North Myrtle Beach and spent considerable time on her dad’s Gator Hole Golf Course. I played the course numerous times during the 80s, but our paths never crossed. She went on to Duke University to play golf and had a brief career on the Futures Tour.
In this space I’ve made no bones about my distaste for golf commentators and writers. Golf is basically a simple game that the pundits seem to complicate.
Kelly Tilghman appears to be above all the noise and clutter. As the Golf Channel tournament anchor her presence is both calming and refreshing. While others on the team are over-analyzing swings, or venturing deep inside a player’s head Kelly is patient. Her transition between blabber and coverage is seamless. Her respect for the game, the players and even her fellow broadcasters is obvious.
My hat’s off to Kelly Tilghman for a job well done.
Just about a week ago, the local golf marketing coop sent an e-mail “GOLF ALERT: Spring Tee Times Are Going Fast.” We certainly do not want to alarm you, but they were absolutely correct! Phone calls, inquiries and current bookings are all pointing to a strong spring golf season for the Myrtle Beach area.
Although rainy and cool this Monday morning, the weather has turned to spring. Fairways and greens are looking good and trees and plants are flowering. Dogwood and Cherry trees are in full bloom and the azaleas will be following in a few days.
Now is a great time to visit the Myrtle Beach area and shake off those winter cobwebs. Maybe even a spring tune-up with a local PGA instructor is necessary. Regardless of your needs and desires, the best place to begin planning is with your Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts golf director.
Why spend hours online and calling to find the “best deals” only to be disappointed when one you didn’t see pops up later? Your golf director already knows which specials are special, what courses have tee times available and which accommodations best fit your group’s budget.
Whether your planning for four or forty, get your golf director involved, today.
A week ago Sunday a lady friend and I decided on an afternoon round to celebrate an additional hour of daylight. We settled on a tee time at the Myrtle Beach National West Course. Our starter asked if we’d be willing to be paired with two ladies. The starter was obviously a little on easy in asking, but we told him no problem.
Upon getting out of our cart to introduce ourselves we realized both ladies were in their 80s. Of course speed of play immediately crossed my mind. The starter accommodated his concerns by suggesting the ladies take the cart to their tee boxes. That’s all the head start they needed and speed of play was never an issue.
These ladies were great. Although they did move slowly from cart to green, on tee boxes and fairways there were no exaggerated pre-shot routines. Just choose a club, line up and strike the ball; usually down the middle. You could tell these two ladies from Pennsylvania were no strangers to the game. I can only hope I strike the ball as solidly in my mid 80s as these two did.
On No. 7 green they apologized and told us they were only playing 9-holes, today. They wanted to get home and watch the Penn State vs. Temple basketball game. “We’re big Penn State fans and really excited they’re in the NCAA tournament,” they added.
Yesterday, I had another enlightening experience. Scheduled to play the Pearl-West course, again I was a twosome and the starter paired us with a retired gentleman. That’s not a problem with me. In 30-years playing Myrtle Beach area courses, I’ve only had one really bad experience. In fact I really enjoy meeting other golfers and hearing their stories. After all I am a writer.
This pairing turned out to be truly unique. Our playing companion was a deaf-mute. I’ve never played with a golfer that had both a hearing and speaking challenge. It worked out really well. He had a small notebook he used to introduce himself. I had my own notebook to write my observations on the course. Also, we quickly developed a few gestures to indicate, “Good shot”, “I saw your ball”, and of course “What was I thinking”! If ever there was a time I wished I knew signing, yesterday was that time.
These two recent experiences brought back to light what a great game we play. If someone truly loves the game of golf neither age, nor physical challenges will keep him or her from their sport!
Over the past year I’ve been fortunate to play golf courses from Pawleys Plantation on the south end to Cape Fear National near Wilmington, NC. Often hooked-up with visiting players, I’m always surprised at the number of Myrtle Beach area courses they’ve played. It goes to show what a popular destination this area has become.
Of course they always want to know a locals favorite course. That’s almost an impossible question to answer. Not trying to be politically correct, I always tell them I can find something good about almost every golf course I’ve played.
When pressed I’ll confess to having favorite architects. How do you not like Jack Nicklaus’s Pawleys and Long Bay? Tim Cate’s Thistle and Cape Fear National are great, but how do you choose one? Pete Dye is tough and both Prestwick and Barefoot Resort are proof. I could go on, but I’d probably list 75-percent of the area courses.
The point is there are some courses and designers that should be on everyone’s “Must Play” list. However, more than likely your Myrtle Beach area list is going to be pretty long and your favorite might change on every visit. Let me know what todays number 1 choice.
Admittedly, I’m a huge fan and believer in junior golf and must give some props where props are due. First, thanks to the Myrtle Beach area golf courses that provide juniors free golf. I introduced my grandson to golf when he was 8. I would have been hard pressed to keep him in the game, if not for many area courses. Thank you! Also, thanks to the First Tee program. With major supporters like “Hootie & the Blowfish Day After the Masters Tournament” many kids are getting their first taste of this great game.
Starting about this time of year about a dozen kids from Middle/Senior High Schools everywhere are rushing to change clothes and get to golf practice. They come from different social-economic backgrounds. Few will go on to enjoy college golf scholarships. Today, they’re going to practice golf, but also learn valuable life lessons; self control, honesty, humbleness and integrity.
Here’s my plea to you. Unfortunately, it’s getting harder and harder for school districts to support a non-revenue producing sport. If you truly love this sport, get involved. Call the golf coach and find out what balls the kids are using and go purchase a dozen or two. A couple dozen balls with the school logo will be valued. Write a check to the schools booster club and designate the amount as matching funds for any golf team merchandise. Better yet get your regular foursome or league to make the donation. Most importantly go see a high school (boys or girls) golf match. Applause for the good shots from both teams is appreciated.
Local PGA tour player Dustin Johnson had more than his share of headlines this past month. There was the Natalie Gulbis, we’re dating followed by Johnson’s, and we’re just friend’s reply. Next he pulled out of the Sony for “personal reasons.” Just a week ago there was the plea of reckless driving to the DUI charge. Thursday was the late for a tee time penalty at Riviera.
Call me a “homer,” but I still really like this guy. I’m happy for what he’s accomplished and disappointed for what sometimes appears to be a lack of judgment. I do not know Johnson personally, but wish him well.
However, there is one part of golf I don’t like and regular readers probably already know. I believe the majority of golf writers and reporters are simply getting in the way. Until this week I was neutral towards the Golf Channel’s Jim Gray. However, waiting on the 14th tee and trying to interview Johnson about the 2-stroke penalty is simply inexcusable.
Really Jim give us a break. Do you really think Johnson’s going to give you any in-depth thoughts about the incident? You know he’ll talk to you after the round. Witness his patience with the media last year at the PGA Championship on the club-grounding penalty. For goodness sake Gray, the man is working here.
To the golf Channel’s credit, they pulled Gray from Riviera for the balance of the tournament. What I’d like to understand is how he got to the 14th with his intent to interview? Did his producer have no idea what was going on? This whole thing has the feel of a supermarket tabloid cover.
Just returned from three days at the Philadelphia Golf Show. Attendance was fantastic, most likely spurred by some unseasonably warm weather in eastern PA. Those folks have some pent-up demand for golf. On the other hand they must have the patience of Job.
Plenty of attendees were walking around with a new club, or two knowing they’re not going to hit that purchase for another 2-4 weeks. That’s when they need to be thinking about Myrtle Beach. With high temperatures exceeding 57 degrees every day this week, I’m glad to be home.
So, if you have some pent-up demand to just hit some balls, come on down. Even if it’s a last minute trip, check with our golf directors and let them know what you need. They’ll find the tee times and accommodations that are sure to please both your need for some golf and your wallet.
February 2, 2011 – Today I received the GOLF.com Trips eNewsletter with a feature by “Travelin Joe” Passov, Senior Editor (Course Rankings). The publication assures us he has “spent a lot of time in Myrtle Beach.” Obviously, he hasn’t been here lately.
The article is dated May 10, 2010 and reports under “What’s New” on the re-opening of Pine Lakes Country Club in March 2009, Founders Club in 2008 and Ocean Ridge Plantation’s Leopard Chase in 2007.
He goes on to give other area courses their props and we certainly cannot argue with his choices. Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Caledonia, Tidewater Golf Club and Rivers Edge Golf Club are all worthy of recognition and it’s appreciated.
But, really Joe, if you’re going to give the Myrtle Beach Area some ink at least make it fresh. Don’t simply copy and paste an old posting. Your copy and paste desperately needed some editing and updating.
Frankly Joe I’m wondering if you really have “spent a lot of time in Myrtle Beach.” My guess is that most of these readers have more Myrtle Beach playing time than you.
On weekends from January through March there will be golf shows in many major Midwest and Northeast cities. Golfers will be exploring what’s new and on-sale, the latest gizmo for guaranteed game improvement and golf destinations with weather that’s sure to be nicer than what is outside the exhibit hall. And for years the Myrtle Beach area golf industry has always been well represented.
With an almost endless amount of information available online, why do golf packagers bother with a golf show? At the risk of oversimplification, golfers appreciate first-hand, local knowledge and they like to share their Myrtle Beach experiences. Golfers’ talking to golfers reminds us that the sport we love is just as much high touch as high tech.
This year the Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts golf team will be attending 5 great shows. Stop by and say hello.
