GOLF COURSE REVIEW

Lockwood Folly off the beaten path, but worth the effort

HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (Feb. 4, 2003) - The Lockwood Folly River flows into the Intracoastal Waterway of the Atlantic Ocean on the inland side of this windswept barrier island in Brunswick County. For years, local oystermen have known that this nutrient-rich brackish water produces some of the Carolina coast's most scrumptuous shellfish.

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What most people - golfers in particular - don't know is that this scenic estuary also forms the backdrop for one of the Grand Strand's most secluded golf courses, the Lockwood Folly Country Club. The tight, tree-lined layout is the centerpiece of an upscale residential development situated about 30 minutes north of the Stateline.

To get here you'll need a detailed set of directions. To get home, you will probably need to drop some bread crumbs along the way. For point of reference, the closest course to Lockwood Folly is Rivers Edge, in neighboring Shallotte. And while it is classified as part of the Grand Strand by golf maps produced by the Myrtle Beach Sun News and Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, this Willard Byrd designed track is actually closer to Wilmington than it is Myrtle Beach.

"I have always said that if I could drop this course onto the same piece of property as Sandpiper Bay (to the south in Ocean Isle Beach) that the tee sheets here would always be full," says Larry Schreiber, Lockwood Folly's marketing director and long-time member. "But then again, this is one of the prettiest pieces of property that I have ever seen, and I don't know if I would trade it for anything." .

From the looks of it, Lockwood's Folly's tee sheets are just fine, thank you. Evidently, men are either getting better with directions or Map Quest has finally made its way into the homes of most Americans. A membership base of 250 also helps keep the fairways full, and 60 percent of the course's business comes from repeat play.

"We are a surcharge quality course that doesn't have a surcharge," says head professional John Briggs. "We draw a lot of play from golf packages to Myrtle Beach. People play here and they remember the service and the layout and they keep coming back." .

The course also seems to have prevailed itself upon the locals. Lockwood Folly was a finalist for Myrtle Beach Golf Magazine's "Most Picturesque Course" and "Friendliest Golf Staff" for 2002. It was also highly touted by Golf Digest upon its opening in 1989, and has received as many as four stars in the magazine's "Places to Play" rankings.

"Good golfers appreciate the shot values here and I think average golfers appreciate the scenery and quality," Briggs says. "We have four sets of tees and this course is all you can handle from the back tees."

Briggs assessment is not just "head pro speak," as golfers will quickly discover if going at it from the 6,838-yard blue tees. Lockwood Folly has three par-5s that play over 500 yards from the tips, and six par-4s that weigh in at more than 400 yards. Even the par-3s are formidable, each playing to 200 yards or better from the blues.

"You aren't going to overpower this course, and you will need to think you way around it," Briggs says.

Indeed, there are few courses in the Grand Strand (Glen Dornoch excepted) that require more precision off the tee. The 14-year-old layout was routed through an old hunting plantation, and a good portion of the Live Oaks, pines and Cypress trees remain in tact.

Lockwood Folly really tightens its grip on the 380-yard par-4 ninth hole where the fairway landing area narrows to the size of a gnat's eyelash. Hit it too long or spray it right and you are in the water; pull it left and your tee shot will either find one of two fairway bunkers or the woods.

"I wouldn't say that driver is optional, because if you are playing from the blue tees there are five or six holes where you have to get 250 to 260 yards off the tee just to have a shot at getting on in regulation," Briggs says. "But you can't just go up to the tee box on every par-4 and par-5 with one wood. You will find too much trouble if you do that."

While there's plenty of trouble to be found on holes like the aforementioned ninth and the 389-yard par-4 fifth (water, bunkers, you name it) there's also enough natural beauty that make scoring a secondary pursuit for mid and high handicappers.

The 200-yard par-3 second hole is a jaw-dropping one shotter featuring a tee shot that is all carry over a reed-choked marsh. The 405-yard par-4 eighth is adjacent to a wildlife-infested island that has been known to produce egrets, herons and gators. Capping it off is the 500-yard par 18th, with its green perched along the river and its views across the Intracoastal Waterway to Holden Beach.

"One of the best holes at the beach, period," opines Briggs.

Lockwood Folly's membership purchased the course, clubhouse, pro shop and practice facilities from the original developers in 1996 and has since taken to making the place feel even homier. A smattering of rotting railroad ties that line the cart paths are being replaced with native landscaping. And a new bulkheaded terrace below the 18th green overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway makes for one of the most breathtaking 19th holes at the beach.

"The members have taken it upon themselves to make this an incredible facility," Schreiber says. "When you get that kind of pride in ownership, you will always have an outstanding course." .

You'll get no argument here.

Sharp Says:

You have to respect what the members and owners have accomplished at Lockwood Folly. They took a layout that the prolific Byrd probably churned out in less than two weeks and turned it into a memorable golf course. The par-3s (long and strong for the most part) could use a little more variety in length from the tips, but the par-4s and par-5s are well conceived. The course was in good condition, and the overseeded Bermuda greens were in excellent shape. The exterior of the clubhouse and pro shop could use a fresh coat of paint, but the new bulkheaded terrace behind the 18th green and clubhouse is an awesome addition to Lockwood's facilities. Worth the drive and certainly worth the price of admission.

Where to Stay

Brunswick County lodging options are few and far between. Consider staying in North Myrtle Beach, where motels, cheap eats and basically anything that you require is available within a five-minute drive. The Blue Water Inn, a throwback to the Strand of yesteryear, is an excellent choice. The "BWI" as it bills itself is family owned and operated and has a loyal following among golfers and summer visitors. The property is beachfront, and is equipped with a spacious pool and deck. Rooms include two beds, a couch, and a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator. For more information and reservations, call : 1-866-409-2177, or visit BWI online at www.bluewaterinnoceanfront.com.

Where to Eat

The BWI is a stone's throw from the Overtime Sports Café (1401 Highway U.S. 17 S.) - arguably the Strand's best sports bar. Overtime features the usual array of bar food, with one notable exception: the ribs. These bad boys are fall-off-the-bone good, so order up a half or full rack, fries, baked beans and a full loaf of bread. If it's seafood you are after, famed "Restaurant Row" is just 10 minutes south via U.S. 17, and premium cuts of meat are available at Greg Norman's Australian Grille at Barefoot Landing