Few golfing visitors work their way this far up the Strand, where there are some terrific courses but few golf resorts. Why should the other parts of the Strand have all the fun and profit? Pearl owner DeCarol Williamson aims to start construction later this year on a planned 3,000 housing units in 200 buildings, the teaching center, the "town center" with shops and the botanical gardens to augment the 36 holes of golf.
So if you want to play a pristine course with few homes to mar the experience, this is the time for the Pearl. For now it's just you, the lonesome cries of birds and tree-lined fairways out in the boondocks.
The West course is a links-like layout while the East is a traditional parkland track carved through the Carolina forest, finishing with a flourish along the Calabash River. In early September the West was closed for aerification, but the East was in good shape, playing through lakes and streams that add to the woodsy canvas. Anhingas and herons are a common site, especially on the final three holes.
It's a Dan Maples design with most greens crowned so that it seems like you're always putting uphill. The greens show little wear and tear from a hot, dry Carolina summer.
"Boy, there's not a flat putt on these greens," said Wayne Gaulette Sr., playing with son Wayne Jr. and Gary Cram.
The East track, renovated seven years ago, is about 6,800 yards with a slope rating of 134 from the black tees, so it can be played from back there without undue stress.
The closing hole, the longest at 572 yards, bends slightly to the left, with the river left off the bluff and a waste area to the right. Unless you're Tiger Woods, you'll have to carry the water in two to reach the slightly elevated green.
No. 6 is another tough hole, a 404-yard par-4 with a water carry off the tee - 247 yards to the drink from the black tees, 210 from the blue and 198 from the white. It's a dogleg right with a creek running at an angle across the fairway, so you can choose your route according to your muscle mass and physical courage. Beware - there isn't much landing area past the creek.
There is also thick rough off the fairways, which can result in a mess of lost balls if you're having an off day.
"It punishes you if you hit a bad shot and rewards you if you hit a good one," Cram said.
The verdict
Built on a 900-acre marsh preserve, the Pearl holds its place among the northern Strand's top courses. It's even more attractive to locals, who can play for $50. Visitors can get that rate with a local coupon book and can play for as little as $34 in the afternoons. It's well worth the price.
Stay and play
The Comfort Suites on Frontage Road is a great place to stay at Myrtle Beach, particularly if you're on a fairly long trip here and need to get to a variety of courses. It's located at the intersection of the Highway 17 bypass and 501, so you can go north, south, east or west with relative ease while bypassing the busy part of 17.
Dining out
The options are more plentiful than the golf courses - everything from fast food to fine dining. For a treat, try Martinis in North Myrtle Beach, a local hangout that's been through a number of changes over the years. I hope the current incarnation is a keeper. The filet mignon with shrimp sports the best sauce I've tasted on the Strand, and the piano bar is said to get rowdy at night.
Fast fact
Golf Digest nominated the West track for "Best New Public Course" in 1988.
Arrowhead