COURSE REVIEWS

Carolina National rises to top shelf of Grand Strand golf

By Shane Sharp,
TravelGolf.com Senior Editor

MYRTLE BEACH - If Fred Couples were to sign his name to a course in the Grand Strand, what type of amenities might it have? Television's with "SportsCenter" replaying at every tee box? Obligatory holes guest designed by good friends Jim Nantz and Davis Love III? Maybe a fleet of golf carts decked out with University of Houston paraphernalia?

While Couples may have coveted many of these add-ons at his dream course, he can't be disappointed with the course that has come to be known simply as "National" among locals. Carolina National, located in the peaceful confines of Bolivia, North Carolina (just north of North Myrtle Beach), is located about half way to Wilmington, but well worth the venture outside of the traditional realm of Grand Strand courses.

Unlike many of the Myrtle Beach vicinity's inland courses, Carolina National is a coastal course in the spirit of Tidewater or the Dunes, as it makes full use of the scenic wetlands upon which it is delicately perched. The back nine also features picturesque views of the Lockwood Folly River.

As it turns out, getting Couples to put the player's perspective design touches on his first Carolina course was about as easy as one of Freddie's fluid swings for the Blue Green Golf Company.

"Couples and Bates were sought out by Blue Green Golf, and they ended up signing on," says National Head Professional Rick Slone. "They designed the first eighteen holes and there is a new nine under construction."

At first glance, Carolina National appears to sport an ultra modern design that utilizes subtle shaping and bunkering to make its presence felt. As Slone explains, these design features have there roots in their designers background.

Much of the golf course has Nicklaus traits, as Bates worked for him for years. Many bunkers. Plays over 7000 yards from the back tees. There are forced carries over wetlands, until you get to the forward tees.

"Gene Bates worked for Jack Nicklaus for several year," says Slone. "This is especially true in the bunker areas. The course has deep bunkers and drastically undulating greens. The are huge. They average close to 6000 square feet."

And like any top shelf course, the greens put the finishing touches on an a totally unique golfing experience. The true rolling dance floors of Carolina National are a mixture of 194 and Crenshaw Bentgrass that according to Slone, "usually roll around a 10 1/2 [on the stimpmeter]". The fairways and tee boxes are strictly Bermuda grass to protect from the searing Carolina summer heat.

But if it the natural surroundings that clinch the overall golfing experience for you, then National will not disappoint - Carolina National Golf Club received designation as an Audubon International Certified Sanctuary Golf Course in the fall of 1998

"There are some thirty acres of wetlands on the golf course," says Slone. "The new nine will be totally different. It will have lots of elevation changes, and it will be done in November. The original course has been carved right out of the trees."

According the Slone, the back nine at National is a bit more difficult than the front, as it winds its way along the Lockwood Folly River. The signature hole, the par-3 14th Hole, is indicative of this arduous trop in.

Rates at Carolina National are extremely reasonable for a course that players rank up with Tidewater in terms of quality and design. Summer greens fees are $60 before 1:00 p.m., and $50 after.