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!

Hong Kong One, South Carolina Zero

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (August 3, 2011) – Today many of us received our Golf.com Top 100 Courses in the U.S. and World announcement. South Carolina is well represented with Kiawah Island Ocean Course, Harbour Town and Long Cove on Hilton Head Island and Yeamana in Hanahan.  Of course I’d have really enjoyed seeing a Myrtle Beach Area course make the list.  There is a handful that you and I would certainly have considered. My beef is with the selection of the 100-member panel.

There were 36-international representatives, including one from Hong Kong, but not a single member from South Carolina. We’re a top golf destination. We’ve produced some pretty decent PGA and LPGA touring professionals. We host PGA and major amateur events.  And unless I’m mistaken we have more golf courses and more golfers per capita than any other state. Our voice needs to be heard!     

Book it now

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (July 27, 2011) – With the Heat Index approaching 105, having to worry about Tiger firing Stevie and another major still to be played, why would you even begin to think about booking your Fall Myrtle Beach golf package? At the risk of oversimplification, there could not be a better time.

Every day golf course deals are surfacing promoting great rates for rounds that are booked now for fall golf. Most have restricted play dates and many have cut off booking dates. However, the real issue is those prime tee times will be gone, soon.

Get the accommodations you want, the courses you want and the times you want all at the price you want. It just doesn’t get any better. Speak with a golf specialist at (800) 682-5699, today.   

More than just another golf tournament

They claim it’s the “Perfect Father Son Getaway.” I’ve played the annual Father Son Tournament three years with my grandson and I can tell you it works for the latter combination, too. We always finished in the middle of the pack in a middle flight, but we were the real winners!

We met some great people! The fellows from Maryland that gave my grandson the Terrapin head cover that he still enjoys, today. The father/son from Alabama that made us laugh and never complained about playing with a 10-year-old. The father/son from Ohio that got a little frustrated when they were being beat by a grandfather/grandson team, but in the end were really supportive and encouraging.

We have not been able to play the Father/Son Tournament these past few years with time restrictions hindering both of us. However, I’ll never get tired of telling anyone who will listen, it’s a great investment in family time! Bring the whole family July 21-23, 2011. Better yet arrive earlier in the week and stay a little longer. Get all the details at http://www.fathersongolf.com/.

I’m a Tim Cate Fan

This past week I played Tiger’s Eye, one of the four big cats at Ocean Ridge Plantation. I’m adding this gem to the list of “What I like about golf course architect Tim Cate.” In addition to Tiger’s Eye I’ve had the opportunity to play other Cate’s designed golf courses. Cape Fear National and The Thistle are two favorites. Although each course is different and adapts to the terrain, Cate does have some trademark additions that really add to the character of each course. These very picturesque designs offer a fair challenge to golfers of all levels. When planning your next Myrtle Beach Area golf vacation request a Tim Cate design. You’ll be glad you did.

Summer Family Golf Tournaments enter 24th Season

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (May 31, 2011) – A 2:00 PM shotgun start kicks-off the 24^th Annual Summer Family Golf Tournaments June 29^th at Legends Resort Moorland Course. Through August 10^th 8 different courses will host.

This is a great series for the entire family and an inexpensive way to play some of the Myrtle Beach area’s best courses. There are Open, Couples and Adult/Youth Divisions. Singles are welcome. Kids 16 years of age and younger always play free with a paying adult. These events tend to sell out, so we’d encourage you to reserve your spot early.

The format is Captain’s Choice using the Callaway Handicap System and the emphasis is on fun. Greens Fee and cart are included and prizes are awarded each Division, plus longest drive & closest to the hole. See the local tournament page on this web site or visit online at http://www.golfholiday.com/summer-family-golf/tournaments/

Myrtle Beach area tournaments attract visitors and locals

In the “Seaside Golf Capital of the World” local charities are blessed with a very high per capita number of golfers and plenty of golfing visitors that are anxious to join the fun. Blend numerous golf courses that are more than willing to host the event and contribute and you have the recipe for success. For slightly more than the green fee and cart cost, you can often eat, drink and play a fun golf tournament.

Having played in numerous events one of my favorites is the Hard Rock Café for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. The Myrtlewood Golf Club Pine Hills Course is the venue for this June 4^th Captain’s Choice outing.

The entry fee at $75 per person, $300 per team is a great value. It includes, green fee, cart, box lunch & gift bags, complimentary beer, soda and water on the course. A BBQ Awards Dinner at the Hard Rock Café follows the tournament. Contact & Registration Information: Janice Duffy Janice_Duffy@hardrock.com, or 843-946-0007 Ext. 208.

Regardless of when you visit the Myrtle Beach area this summer, more than likely there’s a local golf tournament going on. Join the fun and support a local charity. You may just walk away a winner!

Where are you teeing it up this month?

Three Myrtle Beach Area courses are on the Golf Digest's list of the “Greatest Public Golf Courses in America.” The Dunes Golf and Beach Club is 46th on the list, the Grande Dunes Resort Course is tied for 88th and Tidewater Golf Club and Plantation is 94th.

Golf Digest also ranks the top courses by state, with each needing at least 10 evaluations. Among the top 30 in South Carolina are No. 12 TPC of Myrtle Beach, No. 15 Heritage Club, No. 16 The Dunes Club, No. 23 Grande Dunes, No. 25 Tidewater, No. 26 Pawleys Plantation and No. 30 True Blue.

If you cannot find a top quality course in the Myrtle Beach Area, you’re not looking.

May golf package deals are here for the taking

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.

Kudos to Kelly

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.