The International World Tour Golf Links: Sure to Peak Your Imagination

MYRTLE BEACH, S.c. - As the International World Tour Golf Links succinctly states in its promotional literature, "If playing 27 of the world's greatest golf holes is your dream, be prepared to make reservations in six countries, 22 different cities, and spend more than $25,000.... or come spend the day at the International World Tour."

While it may not compare to a day down under at Royal Melbourne, or a historic walk down the 18th hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews, World Tour makes the best effort possible to convey the spirit and challenge of each of the 27 holes it seeks to replicate.

"We have had quite a few people who have played these courses and say that yes, the spirit of the hole is there," says head professional J.P. Waldron. "Several people have played Doral and said they felt like they were down in Miami. Another fellow had played Valderama and said except for the trees along the right side of the fairway, it's looked the same."

The World Tour opened on October 15, 1999, and missed out on being a major player in many of the Grand Strand's vaunted seasonal golf package deals. But missed opportunities aside, World Tour should fill a missing golf niche in Myrtle Beach, and managing partner Mel Graham's original concept is sure to turn into a must play for tourists and locals.

The course and the concept are the brainchild of majority owner Graham, who selected the 27 holes to include in the layout almost eight years ago. At the time, there were other replica courses in the United States, but not in the self proclaimed "Golf Capital of the World."

The three nines are organized into the "Championship Nine," highlighted by the inclusion of Augusta National's Amen Corner, the "Open Nine," which consists of holes from courses that have hosted either the U.S. or British Open, and the "International Nine", which includes a number of holes inspired by exclusive, private courses throughout the world.

"The nines that we pair for eighteen holes depend on how heavy the play is, or what maintenance has going on," says Waldron. "Most people request the Open and the Championship nines because of the name recognition. But once they get out there, they agree that the International is as good or not better than the other nines. The International nine is the staff's favorite nine. "

Just how did Graham and his partners go about replicating some of the greatest and most revered holes in the world? With surgical like precision, the partners visited each course represented at World Tour and took exacting notes as to the actual layout and playability of each hole. But anyone who has played these holes, or even seen them on television will notice that the omnipresent pine trees are not the only clue that the replica holes of the World Tour are a recreation.

"Trying to duplicate elevation changes was the toughest part of building the course," says Waldron. "Take for example the 11th at Augusta replica . . . it is actually a tougher hole here than at Augusta." The reason being is that Graham and his partners were not able to move enough earth to simulate the downhill slope on the farside of the 11th's fairway that leads to so many three hundred plus yard-drives by long hitters.

Elevation changes aside, the biggest challenge facing World Tour may be capturing repeat play, as many golfers might consider the course a Disney World-like experience, and only play the course once to satisfy their curiosity. But Waldron and Director of Golf Rick Shoemaker (formerly of Tidewater), think that they can cultivate repeat play, despite the $160 greens fees that will be charged during the spring season.

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But if players decide not to come back to World Tour, it won't be because of the course conditions, pace of play, or the service. The tee boxes, fairways and bentgrass greens are in excellent condition, and the greens roll as true as you can putt.

Upon your arrival at World Tour, you immediately become a valued visitor of the premises. An ambassador at the gate has your tee time, and hands you an envelope with your bag tags and some other key information.

At the bag drop, the outside service guys take your bags, chat you up, and hand you a clip on badge that essentially serves as your ticket to anything at the course. As any top-shelf course that charges three bills for a round should, World Tour offers unlimited range balls at a practice range that in conveniently located and includes ample driving stations and mach pins.

And on this slightly chilly day, the tee time spacing and savvy pace of play called for a two hour and fifty minute round - almost unheard of anytime of the year in Myrtle Beach. The pace of play and the less than ideal weather conditions actually added to the overall experience - lending credence to a number of holes that are located in the northern United States, or in Europe.

The World Tour boasts twenty-seven replicas holes that are sure to peak your imagination and your love for the game. But the greens fee only includes eighteen holes, so be sure to check which pair of nines you will be playing that day. According to Waldron, World Tour is attempting to come up with a rate that includes all twenty-seven holes, but they have yet to settle on a formula.