Hole Profile - The 8th at Willbrook is a Player's Hole

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

May 31, 1999

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. -- The 8th hole at Willbrook offers the mid to low handicapper the opportunity to get a stroke back from the course. Playing only 519 yards from the tips, a good drive with a slight fade should set quite a few players up for a long iron approach shot to a very generous green. Michael Burnside, the Head Pro at Willbrook, enjoys the Par-5 8th like few other holes in Myrtle Beach.

"This is a birdie hole for me," says Burnside, "and it can be for many other players."

Above all its many complements, Willbrook is known as one of the fairest layouts on the Grand Strand. The 8th hole embodies this egalitarian spirit by offering up a challenging, yet rewarding golf experience.

The Hole:The 8th Hole at Willbrook Plantation Golf Club. A Par-5, measuring 519 yards from the tips. The course is bermuda with an over seeding of rye grass in the winter.

Architect: Dan Maples

The Layout:As thoughtfully depicted by Burnside. "The tips are all the way back in the tee box, and you need to carry the ball 230-240 yards to get around the corner of the trees. The green will be below you on the approach shot and there are two bunkers about 80-90 yards in front of the green. The green is large and undulating, and a pin placement in the back of the green will require an additional club on the approach." Be prepared for a green that slopes back to front, and will hold a good approach shot below the hole.

The Strategy: The good golfer may or may not be able to get on in two, depending on whether or not he or she is a long hitter, or if the corner to the right is craftily cut. "Keep it straight off the tee whatever you do," says Burnside. "Give yourself about 220 off the tee if you're not long, and then a three wood and a nine iron to the green.

The Average Golfer: Shold keep the tee shot to the right in order to make the hole play as short as possible. Making sure that the third shot of the hole is a short iron to the green is the key for the average golfer. A good second shot helps take the bunkers out of play on the approach. Don't Play: "A drive to the right," says Burnside, "because there is a small margin of error that way. The entire hole sort of slides to the right."

Play the Hole: Anytime of day, because according to Burnside the wind is usually on your side on the 8th. To play the hole wind-free schedule it during the evening.

Inside the numbers: The 8th Hole is the No. 14 handicap hole. But according to Burnside it plays to about a 6.5 scoring average. "Most of the players I see out here are shooting close to 120," says Burnside, "so there are a lot of high scores on every hole."

Wanna Play?:
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GUEST POLICY: Open
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