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.

 

Why waste time? Call on a professional.

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.

This really is a great game

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!

What’s your favorite?

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.

It’s time for my annual plea

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.