Head Pro Profile - Willbrook's Michael
Burnside Broadcasting
Golf On the Grand Strand

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

May 31, 1999

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. -- If head professional Michael Burnside was not gracing the pro shop at Willbrook Plantation with his presence, he may just be out on the airwaves broadcasting at a radio station near you. A television and radio major while in college at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Burnside aspired to host his own radio show - a blend of savvy talk radio and public news.

But after graduation, Burnside landed his first radio job at a country station in Charleston, South Carolina. And much like the ending of a bad country song, Burnside decided that he wasn't country, and country wasn't cool. Instead it was time to rekindle an interest in an old hobby - golf. And where better to fuel the fire than Myrtle Beach.

"I started working at Azalea Sands as an assistant pro," says Burnside, "and then I got my (PGA) card and moved on to Bay Tree."

Burnside is a natural when it comes to the game of golf. He only played intermittently during his youth, and nearly dropped the game altogether while in college. But the thought of teaching the fundamentals of the game, and running a pro shop held more a bit more appeal to than spinning Garth Brooks tunes.

"I took a job with Myrtle Beach National because at the time, they had seven courses," says Burnside in describing the journey down his reinvigorated career path. "National provided me with the opportunity to work at a variety of different courses in a number of different atmospheres."

When it comes to teaching the game of golf, Burnside employs a philosophy espoused by so many of his colleagues in the business. "I try to get my students to get back to basics," says Burnside. "The stance, the shoulder turn, and starting the downswing with the body>"

What is the problem that plagues most of the weekend warriors that Burnside comes across in his lessons? "Most of my students all come over the top. People get off the air, so to speak, with their golf swing and it starts with the grip."

Outside of Willbrook and the game of golf, Burnside confesses that he does not do much with his free time. But a radio junky at heart, Burnside gets the chills whenever he turns on National Public Radio, and the old dream of getting back into radio sticks in his mind like the lyrics of a James Taylor song.

"In the back of my mind, I'd like to start up a radio station," says Burnside. "I was bored to death at the country station. I'd like to do stories and talk shows, much like National Public Radio."

Outside of Willbrook, Burnside's favorite rounds of golf are broadcast at Caledonia, True Blue, and Wachesaw. And similar to many Myrtle Beach area club pros, Burnside cherishes the occasional round at the Dunes Club. But the graceful fairways of Willbrook and the fair round of golf if provides will always be at the top of Burnside's list.

"People like it down here at Willbrook," says Burnside. "It is a unique course and there are no gimmicks."