Venerable Gator Hole to Close

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.c. -- The Grand Strand is used to golf courses opening, not closing. So when the Gator Hole Golf Course in North Myrtle Beach announced its eminent closing, an almost decade-long Myrtle Beach area trend was bucked, if only ever so slightly.

Effective immediately, Gator Hole will be closing its golf course and golf operations as the property awaits the construction of a shopping center.

A Rees Jones designed layout, Gator Hole was considered by many locals and savvy visitors to be one of the sneakiest difficult courses in the Grand Strand. Sneaky, in that the course only weighs in at 6045 yards . . .from the tips.

• Past Myrtle Beach course reviews and features

Jones, who has designed over 100 courses throughout the U.S., told the Sun News he was sad about the closing of one of his prized pieces of work.

"Fortunately, I've built a lot more courses since then," Jones added.

But while Jones has many other endeavors to fall back on, Gator Hole's closing will have a much greater impact on the local golf scene.

Along with Weldon, Gator Hole's general manager, Phil Tilghman, superintendent Chris Tilghman, bookkeeper Geri Kramer and snackbar manager Diane Inman have been with the course since its opening in 1980.

If one of the over 100 golf courses in the Grand Strand are looking for some incredibly reliable, loyal golf course professionals, there appear to be quite a few on the market.