COURSE REVIEW

Shined-up Brunswick Plantation still a friendly resort play

By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor

CALABASH, N.C. (Nov. 3, 2006) - To keep up with the Joneses on the Grand Strand, golf courses must continually re-invent themselves. That can mean anything from simple beautifying to a complete makeover.

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Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort, at the northern end of Myrtle Beach just above the South Carolina border, re-opened in mid August after several months of renovation. The changes are more cosmetic than anything else, though; this 27-hole facility remains a very playable resort course, with little rough to lose your golf balls in and wide open fairways.

"I like how wide open it is," said Vernon Brake, a long-time local "I need every bit of that. And the greens are in good shape, considering," he added, referring to the beating many area courses took this summer from the high heat and humidity.

In fact, Brunswick's greens missed the misery: All 27 were replaced as part of the renovation, as was the putting green. They're now outfitted with Champions Bermuda, which adapts better to the southern heat. The greens were in terrific shape as of this writing, and most offer good slope and some moderate undulation.

The course crew planted 300 new trees, including palms, weeping willows, crepe myrtles, wax myrtles, magnolias and dogwoods, plus 2,000 azaleas and 3,000 ornamental grasses to both spruce up Brunswick's look and better define the hazards and fairways.

"The look, feel and challenge of Brunswick Plantation are dramatically different now that we've completed our renovation," Head Professional Shawn Hicken said in a press release.

While the basic layout was untouched, some golfers will see a different course. Seven new tee boxes were added so that any combination of the three nines can be played from the tips at close to 7,000 yards.

There are new bridges, tee signs, yardage markers, ball washers, club stands, even new rakes. Three sand bunkers were installed, six older on were taken out, and several grass bunkers have been reshaped.

Last - but certainly not least to Myrtle Beach golfers weary of slow play - the tee interval was lengthened from eight to 10 minutes. It isn't quite Thistle Golf Club's 12-minute gaps, but it does make for a more relaxing day on the links.

The verdict

For green fees of $65 ($45 for locals) you get a resort golf course that's fairly easy on both the eyes and the scorecard. It's a pretty open layout, even with all the new trees, and you can pretty much swing that big, bad driver all day long.

The Magnolia nine is said to resemble Scottish links courses. I don't see it, but this is a solid track with good challenges like the 425-yard, par-4 fifth, with its green sitting at a right angle to the fairway. You have to be accurate off the tee here, both in direction and distance. The green is crowned, falling off in all directions.

The Dogwood nine plays along the waters of the Caw Caw Run, while the Azalea course meanders through thick Carolina woodlands and has an island green.

Stay and play

The Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach is right on the beach, but if the Atlantic is too rough you can be as slothful as you want in the resort's lazy river, which winds from the cool of inside to outside in the bright Carolina sun.

The Comfort Suites on Frontage Road is a great place to stay in Myrtle Beach, particularly if you're on a longish stay and planning to play a variety of courses. It's located at the intersection of the Highway 17 bypass and 501, so you can go in any direction with relative ease while bypassing the busy part of 17.

Dining out

The dining options are as plentiful and diverse as the golf courses, ranging from fast food to fine dining. For a treat, try Martinis in North Myrtle Beach. The filet mignon with shrimp sports the best sauce I've had on the Grand Strand, and the in-house piano bar is said to get rowdy at night. It's a local hangout that's been through a number of changes over the years and keeps coming back. I hope it stays the way it is.

Fast fact

Where to Retire magazine named Brunswick Plantation one of America's best master-planned golf communities.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.