With a special invite to play the Bald Head Island Club last week, the Bald Head Island experience is a special treat for a special few. Many golfers that visit the area have never even heard of this exclusive private club located in the Atlantic Ocean and about one hour north of North Myrtle Beach, SC. Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat. With no cars allowed on the Island only golf carts, Bald Head Island preserves the natural beauty with 14 miles of pristine beaches, thousands of acres of protected salt marshes, and a spectacular expanse of maritime forest. Myrtle Beach golf at its best! These qualities make Bald Head Island a one-of-a-kind destination. With a slope rating of 137 from the men’s tees and 113 from the women’s, the George Cobb design which opened in 1974, wraps around freshwater lagoons, through a maritime forest with wild life of all kinds, and across dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The modern clubhouse and golf shop feature a variety of men’s and women’s apparel and equipment, swimming, tennis, and croquet are just a few of the amenities.

Golf Video
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I was invited to play Indian Wells by the Classic Golf Group this past week and i have to tell I was very impressed on the course. Although it was a rainy day, the golf course was in great shape and the greens were excellent. Its easy to understand how Indian Wells won the 2004 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the year award along with the Customer Service and Hospitality Award by the Myrtle Beach Golfing News.

A very challenging Gene Hamm design measuring 6600+ from the tips, has four sets of tees and awards players with accuracy. Indian Wells Golf club with its newly renovated clubhouse, offers an unusual blend of Hole #9, (a 410 yard par 4), has been named to the “Grand Strand’s Dream 18″. A special thanks to the staff of the Classic Golf Group and the staff of Indian Wells.

I was invited to play the Long Bay Club by the Myrtle Beach National Company to play last week. My first vist since I played there in July. The golf course was again in excellent shape and the greens were lighting fast.

I was also taken on a tour, of former PGA Tour player, Mr. Hugh Royer III, Champions Golf Academy.

The Academy which opened in 2006, is fully operational with a state-of-the-art learning center that includes three private teaching bays equipped with the V-1 Digital Coaching System, short and long game areas, relaxing lounge, extensive club fitting technology and its own fitness center and driving range.

I did happen to find my web album from when I played the Long Bay Club in February for the North Myrtle Beach High School Band Fundraiser Golf Tournament, that also help raise $5000 for the local high school band scholarships.

I would like to send a special thanks to the Myrtle Beach National Company

to the staff at The Long Bay Club

and to The Champions Golf Academy @ Long Bay Club.

The Pine Hills course is the first and only design along the Grand Strand by award-winning architect Arthur Hills. It was formerly known as The Pines, but renamed Pine Hills in 1993, when Hills redesigned it. The skillful use of mounding and strategically placed water hazards give the course a challenging style.

With a breeze coming off the Intracoastal Waterway that can affect each shot, the wide fairways are a great bonus off the tee. Measuring 6600 + from the back tees and just under 6200 from the white tees Pine Hills is great warm up do to not many carries over water and hazards. Myrtlewood Pine Hills is also a great layout for woman for that same reason . Overall Pine Hills was in great shape and the greens were immaculate.

Have to say great job to the Superintendent! Keep up the good work.

Email North Myrtle Beach Golf,  to play the Pine Hills or to play the sister course, Myrtlewood Palmetto.

golf@northmyrltebeachgolf.com

www.northmyrtlebeachgolf.com

I was able to squeeze in an emergency 18 at Long Bay Club this week. A true test of golf at one of three, Jack Nicklaus designs on the Grand Strand. Measuring over 7,000 yards from the back, Long Bay is a Semi Private golf club with a slope of 140!

The golf course from tee to green was in excellent condition! Long Bay is one of the most famous courses in Myrtle Beach, staking its claim with the HUGE man made mounds boarding Highway 9, that everyone has passed one time or another on their way to North Myrtle Beach since its opening in 1988.

The Golden Bear, started designing this course after his 1986 Masters win. However, thats not the main reason Long Bay is one of the most famous courses in Myrtle Beach. This Nicklaus design has hosted tournaments like the Carolinas Open, the Myrtle Beach Open, NCAA regional championships and the U.S. Senior Open qualifying just to name a few.

Long Bay also has four holes that have been voted as the “The 100 Greatest Holes along the Grand Strand”. No. 7, 10 (Pictuerd below) , 13 and 18

The Par 3 #13, which features an Island Green could be another one of many signature holes at Long Bay. The scenic Par 3 has a huge green. Depending on pin placement and wind will determine your club selection. That seems to be the trend at the Par 72 Layout, which features big undulating Tiff Dwarf greens, fairways guarded by waste areas which double as carts path and a well conditioned facility with a fully stocked Pro Shop.

The Golden Bear has designed 265 courses open for play worldwide. The Long Bay Club in North Myrtle Beach, SC is one of his best.

You can play Long Bay on several North Myrtle Beach Golf packages. The MBN 6+1, MBN 4+1 and the MBN 3-Round North that has a 36-hole replay. Email your request and make sure Long Bay is a must play on your next Myrtle Beach Golf Package.

LONG BAY CLUB

350 Fox Tail Dr
Longs, SC 29568

Phone: (800) 344-5590

I got to play this “locals favorite” with the Grand Strand Golf Directors this past Wednesday. Designed by Tom Jackson, River Hills is a great Semi Private layout, with alot of rolling terrain, tall pines, carefully placed bunkers and 40ft elevation changes, which all recently went under a $2 million renovation.

Tees, Fairways, Greens were all in really good shape. There are four sets of tees to accommodate every player and every skill level. Fairways are wide open off the tee and close in at the dog legs, which could require maybe a “bunt driver, 3/4 3-wood or hybrid off the tee.

The majority of the greens are elevated a few yards from the fairway, so when hitting your second shots in, double check the yardage, pin position and most important WIND. Yes, Wind! The wind, believe or not that far from the ocean does gust and can affect your shot a club or two.

River Hills has arguably the “Toughest Back Nine in Myrtle Beach” with the Par 5 17th Signature Hole.

Greens on some holes are very big and can be the difference between par or 3-putt bogey. Another factor is the water. The course has the feel of water on every hole with it all coming into play. You can add River Hills to any North Myrtle Beach golf package.

DIRECTIONS TO RIVER HILLS

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“Teach My People” an amazing charity in the Pawleys Island area that provides after school programs for childeren on the South End of Myrtle Beach in Pawleys Island, held there annual charity golf tournament today at The New Founders Club @ Pawleys Island.

This was the second time I got to play this course. The first was the Golf Directors back in January when it was cold and the course had no leaves on the trees. Playing the course six months later, the course was in great shape and has grown in great! Designed by former Gary Player led architect Thomas Walker, the New Founders Club had a $7 million renovation and a name change, formaly known as Sea Gull Golf Club, which was one of the oldest golf courses in Myrtle Beach.

You can view the “18 HOLES IN 18 DAYS” presented by the Classic Golf Group and Founders Club. The preview of all 18 holes were released the final 18 days before the Grand Opening, Febuary 1, 2008.

North Myrtle Beach Golf.com has added, The New Founders Club @ Pawleys Island to the, Classic Golf Packages and the Supreme Golf Package.

For more information on the Teach My People after school programs, visit there website.

FOUNDERS CLUB @ PAWLEYS ISLAND

7829 OCEAN HWY

PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC 29585

Even though this facility closed 18-holes on the West Course recently to the Myrtle Beach Real Estate boom, that did not stop the East course from winning 2006 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of Year and South Carolina Golf Course of the year.

With an invite from the Classic Golf Group to come out and play, the golf course was in great shape and very well manicured. Although we did get rained out for the final 7-holes, this Gene Hamm design which opened in 1980 features a Country Club atmosphere that recently underwent an extensive renovation. Also newly installed GPS on all carts make getting the yardage to the target a little easier. The bad thing is, that you still have to hit the shot once you get the yardage.

Burning Ridge can be added to any Condolux reservation with the Classic Golf Group Package or the Grand Strands Largest Golf Package, The Supreme Golf Package.

BURNING RIDGE GOLF CLUB

500 Burning Ridge Rd

Conway, SC 29526

Get Directions(843) 347-0538

Ranked among the best courses in the Myrtle Beach area, the North course at Myrtle Beach National also know as Kings North is one of Arnold Palmer`s best courses. In 1996 the Arnold Palmer Design group gave the course a complete make over, which to this day is one of the Grand Strands Top Golf Courses.

I got to play this EXCELLENT CONDITION GOLF COURSE and would like to first and foremost thank the Myrtle Beach National Company for allowing me to come play. From Tee to Green, the golf course was in excellent condition and would like to let the Superintendent know how good of a job he is doing! Sometimes, those guys do not get enough credit.

Kings North has some great holes, which make this course one of the most requested courses in Myrtle Beach.

With names for three of the hole starting with, the Par 5, 6th hole nick-named “The Gambler” which has an island fairway that is also a shortcut to the green that can be reached in two, but defiantly check the wind.

The 18th Hole Par 4, known as “The Bullseye” has over 40 Bunkers and with a pond on the right side of the green, makes this a great finishing hole.

Kings North can be added to the North Myrtle Beach Golf.com, Supreme and Myrtle Beach National Packages.

MYRTLE BEACH NATIONAL

PH: 800-882-3420
4900 National Dr.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

OYSTER BAY GOLF LINKS

I was fortune enough to play Oyster Bay in Sunset Beach, NC last week courtsey of the Legends Golf Group. For over 20 years, Oyster Bay has been a favorite among Myrtle Beach Golfers who want a challenging layout with beautiful low-lying marshland views, undulating greens, long par 4`s with reachable par 5`s and two island green par threes.

The Dan Maples design opened in 1983 and won Golf Digest “Resort Course of the Year” in its inaugrael year. Also wining Golf Digest`s “Top 50 Public Courses in the Country in 1990″ The par-70 course plays to just under 6,700 yards from all the way back but does have four sets of tees.

Distance:

Gold

Out: 3315 / In: 3370 / Total: 6685

Blue

Out: 3170 / In: 3155 / Total: 6325

White

Out: 2771 / In: 2805 / Total: 5576

Red

Out: 2340 / In: 2325 / Total: 4665

Throughout the the round, I think we came across 10 alligators, like this guy here on the very first hole. Overall course was in good shape, greens were consistent, views were awesome, weather was great.Dan Maples has a long-standing tradition of creating stunning and challenging golf throughout the country and in the Myrtle Beach area. With over 10 designs on the Grand Strand, Oyster Bay is arguably his best.

Oyster Bay is currently ranked in the “Top 20 Courses in Myrtle Beach” at # 19 and is a great choice for the Legends Golf Package or Supreme Golf Package at NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com.

VIEW OYSTER BAY GOLF VIDEO

VIEW CRAIG`S PICASSA WEB ALBUM FOR OYSTER BAY GOLF LINKS

PH: 800-530-1875
614 Lakeshore Dr.
Sunset Beach, NC 28464