Carolina National: White hot Bates contribution to Grand Strand golf arsenal solid, not spectacular

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

BOLIVIA, N.C. (March 22, 2004) -- Before Southwood and Circling Raven, there was Carolina National. At least that is what Gene Bates would like to remind Myrtle Beach bound duffers this spring.

Gene who?

The comparatively clandestine Palm Beach Garden, Fla. based golf course architect is in serious jeopardy of blowing his cover, what with two of the aforementioned clubs garnering national recognition as two of the best new pay for play courses in the U.S. in 2003.

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The third, Carolina National has quietly held it's own amid the seemingly endless sea of golf courses that is the Grand Strand. In fact, those in the know around here will patiently explain that National is one of the 10 best courses at the beach, no exceptions.

"It is a great golf course, no doubt about it," says Patrick Crean, General Manager at Crow Creek Plantation and a man with nothing to gain and everything to loose by tooting National's horn. "It is a good design and it's always in good shape."

Like its maker, National manages to fly quietly under the radar of most beach-bound duffers. Yet, its questionable Q rating has a logical explanation -- location, location, location. While newer North Strand courses like Crow Creek, Farmstead and Tiger's Eye enjoy an enviable 10-20 just over the N.C./S.C. border, National is situated about midway between Wilmington and North Myrtle Beach.

"The land was out in the middle of nowhere when (owners) Bluegreen contacted us about designing the course," Bates says. "They knew I worked with Fred and they needed that name to draw people out there to sell lots."

Fred, as in PGA Tour darling, sweet swinging Fred Couples. Unbeknownst to many weekend warriors, "Boom Boom" as he's known to his fans, and the unassuming Bates form one of the longest standing player/architect teams in golf course design. The partnership began in earnest in 1992 when Couples was one of the hottest names on Tour. Bates actually approached Couples prior to his 1992 Masters victory about assisting in the design of Hamilton Mill Golf Club just north of Atlanta.

"That was pretty good timing," Bates admits.

Good timing and good times are what Bates and Couples are all about. A couple of easy-like-Sunday-morning personalities, neither care much for the spotlight when it comes to taking credit for their work. Good thing, as player/architect relationships are strange beasts.

To wit, how much is the Tour player actually involved in the design work? Does the architect really want the Tour player looking over his shoulder? Are these seemingly blissful unions simply marriages of capitalist convenience? According to Bates, these issues have defined these precarious couplings over the past two decades.

"Some work, some don't," he says.

The voice of experience? You know it. Bates cut his teeth in Jack Nicklaus' design firm for six years, laying out some of the Golden Bear's card-wrecking circuits alongside player-turned-commentator Johnny Miller. When he decided to strike out on his own in the late 80s, Nicklaus surprised with a parting gift.

"Jack said to Gene, 'I hate to see you leave, but if you are going, good luck and would you take Johnny Miller with you?,' " says Andy Johnston, construction services manager for Couples/Bates design.

Bates and Miller worked together for a couple of years before agreeing to go their separate way. Miller found NBC and Bates found Couples. And eventually, Bluegreen found Couples and Bates. Or was it just Couples? A thorough perusal of Carolina National's Web site and even a trip around its 27 holes gives little or no indication that Bates was involved in the project at all. The Web site's virtual tour of the newer Ibis Nine (2000) includes an overview of the par-4 ninth hole that includes the annotation, "now what was Fred Couples thinking here?"

The controversial two-shotter is all waste bunker down the middle with fairways spilt to either side. All-in-all, it is one of the stranger golf holes in Myrtle Beach. So exactly what was Couples thinking?

"Well, Fred had never even seen that hole until he was there in 2000 for the opening of the new nine," Bates says with a chuckle. "Fred's still a long hitter so he doesn't even give the two fairways a second thought. He tries to blow it down the middle and over the waste bunker. That's a good 300 and some yards and he ends up in the bunker."

Bates wasn't there that day, but National's head superintendent Billy Lewis was.

"Fred turned and looked at everyone and asked what the heck Gene was thinking," Lewis says.

In addition to perplexing golfers of all skill levels, the ninth also typifies the misperception that exists among the golfing public when it comes to player/architect relationships; a misperception that is gladly perpetuated by the golf course itself for marketing purposes. Just as John Daly, Ray Floyd and Gary Player couldn't pick Wicked Stick, Arrowhead, and Blackmoor out of a lineup, respectively, Couples actual involvement at National was minimal.

"Fred had a lot of things going on in his life at that time," says Bates. "There was never an expectation that he'd be hands on."

Nor is there an expectation that Couples will return to take up residence in his honorary lot on the Ibis Nine. The Seattle, Wa. native isn't likely to give up his cozy life in tony Santa Barbara, Calif. for the backwoods charm of Bolivia, N.C. anytime soon.

"I think the lot was part of the agreement," says National's GM Beth Murphy.

Just like playing first fiddle on the design ticket

The Verdict

National is a fine product, worthy of mention alongside North Strand courses like The Thistle, Panther's Run, and Farmstead. However, the marshy layout falls just short of the area's top tier, which includes Tidewater, River's Edge, Oyster Bay and Tiger's Eye.

The property -- and the golf course -- have their moments, however. The par-4 fourth on the Heron Nine is an illusionary masterpiece. From the tee box it appears to require a strong drive to clear the random bunkers in the middle of the fairway when in fact a fairway wood or well struck long iron will do the trick from the black and gold tees. Looking back up the fairway from the green, the truth is revealed.

The par-3 fifths on the Heron and Ibis nines are both excellent one shotters in terms of scenery, but the shot value from the back tees on the former is a bit out of whack. The hole plays 203 yards from the tips and calls for a long iron into a shallow green fronted by a deep bunker. Huh? Bates says the hole was designed to play from the Blue, Teal, and White boxes located 45 degrees to the right. As for the aforementioned ninth on the Ibis -- we say dare to be different on the Strand -- there are only 2,000 other holes if you don't like it.

Dining out

Head to Calabash, the seafood capital of North Carolina. Grouper, snapper, shrimp and scallops fried in a light, crispy batter are the regional specialties, and they are all straight off the boat. For a little evening synergy, head over the bridge to Ocean Isle Beach. The Giggling Mackerel opened in the summer of 2003 along the Ocean Isle Causeway and the beach hasn't been the same since. The three-story seafood grill features a rooftop deck with sound and ocean views. Next door, Sharky's is a local standby with above-average seafood offerings and serviceable, thin crust pizza. After hours, Victoria's Sports Bar on the land-lubbing side of the bridge is the place to be.

Stay and play

Accommodation options are limited in Brunswick County, but there are a handful of chain hotels on U.S. 17 and a smattering of condos available at Sandpiper Bay and Magnolia Greens. One option is to hole up at the Barefoot Marriott Courtyard in North Myrtle Beach so as to be in proximity to ample nightlife and guilt gift shopping.

Fast fact

Gene Bates and Fred Couples form one of the longest-standing player/architect teams in the golf course design business.

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.