If you have a tee time coming up in the next few days be prepared for a slow morning start due to a severe Frost Advisory issued by the Natioanl Weather Station. This is a copy of the email. Good Luck!!!

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
See video of the Bald Head Island Club Golf Course! These are Windows Media files. After a short download a viewer will pop up and begin to play.

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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 767-yard, 18th hole is the area’s only par 6! This finishing hole actually begins with a tee shot into a wide fairway with a landing are in South Carolina and concludes on a large undulating green in North Carolina. YES, you tee off in South Carolina and you finish the hole in North Carolina.

The Willard Byrd / Dave Johnson design opened in 2001, stretching out 7200 + from the backs and with five sets of tees, this makes the layout enjoyable for all skill levels. Farmstead Golf Links also offers Tifeagle Bermuda greens that were the same as putting on a sheet of glass!!! Again, I have to give a special thanks to B&C Golf Management and to the staff of Farmstead. The Golf courses overall was EXCELLENT.

I found these pictures of Myrtlewood Pine Hills that I took from the year before.  As you can see for yourself, the course was in great shape then and was this past week. Hope You enjoy!

If you would like to see more of Craig Chinn`s Picasa Web Albums form area Myrtle Beach golf courses click this link.

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

Malibu Pointe which we opened about a 13 months ago, has slowly become a golfers favorite in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Malibu Pointe is a luxury condo in North Myrtle Beach with a great location, beauitful ocean views, and fantastic amenities! Malibu Pointe is perfect for anyone, whether they’re looking for Myrtle Beach Real Estate , Myrtle Beach Condo Rental, or a North Myrtle Beach Golf package. Units are available for sale or rent at low prices!

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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