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!

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/