MYRTLE BEACH FEATURE:

Grand Strand on the Rebound with Fall Specials

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Pardon the Myrtle Beach golf industry if it's feeling a bit victimized lately.

The economic and social events of the past year and a half play out like some kind of cruel tragicomedy for an area that has dubbed itself the Golf Capital of the World. The Grand Strand had just spent the past 30 months constructing 20 new golf courses, bringing the region's total to a jaw-dropping 120. This fearless building bravado was egged on by an increase of over one million annual paid golf rounds between 1990 and 1999.

Enter the next millennium, the great equalizer.

Gas prices rose faster than a Brittany Spears song in the Top 40, and the humbling but unavoidable economic theory of supply and demand kicked in as there simply weren't enough golfers in the world to fill up all those new and old fairways.

By the time the tragic terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. occurred on Sept. 11, the Grand Strand was already feeling the effects of a stagnating golf industry.

Annual paid rounds had decreased during 2000 and the first half of 2001. The Links Group, the beach's largest golf management company, found itself clawing out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. And at one point, as many as 28 golf courses were reportedly up for sale.

Ah, but the Grand Strand is nothing, if not irrepressible. When the going gets tough, the tough soften up a little bit and lower their fees. While the price of a round of golf hasn't exactly plummeted this fall, a number of package providers and individual courses have stepped up with some solid bargains.

"Our business is actually up this month from last year," says Jerry McGraw, President of Carolina Golf and Travel. "There are some individual courses that have some good deals out there. We always knock about ten percent off the fall price versus the spring price anyway."

McGraw is presently offering a fall golf package special that includes a two-night stay in a two-bedroom condominium, three rounds of golf, and all applicable taxes and surcharges for $206 per person. Golfers can choose from 40 golf courses including Angles' Trace, Brick Landing, St. James Plantation, Lions Paw, Sandpiper Bay, Eastport, Calabash Golf Links, and Bay Tree Plantation.

"All our rates are good seven days a week, and are good until the beginning of December," McGraw says. "In December, it even gets better and you can do the same package for $146."

Golf Vacation Packages of the Carolinas, a North Myrtle Beach based golf package provider, has a number of fall specials for golfers to take advantage of. President Marty Ekster says GVPC is offering a midweek package that includes three rounds of golf and three nights stay in a golf villa for $219, including carts, taxes, and surcharges. Players may choose from Rivers Edge, The Thistle, and Tidewater Golf Clubs - three of the Strand's better tracks.

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GVPC is also offering a "Fanatic" golf package for those who prefer 36 holes, a quick beer and a bed to the Strand's tempting nightlife. The package includes six rounds at six-premium North Strand's golf courses and three nights stay at a golf villa or a hotel. The package starts at $269 and varies according to the season. Players may choose from Angles Trace North and South, the Pearl East and West, Carolina National, and the Gauntlet

Golf packages have always been the best way for players to get the most bang for their buck. But many locals and weekend warriors prefer to focus on one or two of their favorite golf courses. A number of Grand Strand courses are offering specials this fall that should get players off their couches and into their SUV's.

The Wyndham Resort and Arcadian Shores Golf Club are offering a "Fairways and Facials" golf package, which provides women golfers with championship golf and amenities. The three-day, three-night package includes two days of greens fees, an ocean view room and a facial and deep-tissue body massage, with prices ranging from $200 to $426 based on occupancy and length of stay.

Caledonia and True Blue, two of the beach's most sought after rounds, are offering a replay special for autumn afternoons. Golfers that play either course in the morning are eligible for an afternoon replay rate of $60, subject to availability.

The Myrtle Beach National Company is offering a three round special to golfers who play Long Bay Club, Aberdeen Country Club and Waterway Hills through October 28. Golfers can play all three courses for as low as $157 through October 4 and then $188 October 5 through October 28. With both rates, golfers can replay nine holes at Waterway Hills and Aberdeen Country Club for free.

Grand Stand Fall Notebook

Two new golf courses are set to open this fall: Farmstead in Brunswick County and Shaftsbury Glen in North Myrtle Beach. Both tracks have meet with favorable reviews from golfers who'd played the courses in September and October. Farmstead is designed by Willard Byrd, and is intended to serve as the upscale sibling for the Meadowlands. Some reports have it pegged as the best North Strand inland course since The Thistle. Farmstead also has the unique distinction of having the region's only par 6! That's right, the 740-yard 18th hole is sure to become one of the most talked in the Grand Strand.

Shaftsbury Glen, designed by Clyde Johnston, opened back on September 24. The course is operated by the Glens Group, purveyors of Heather Glen and Glen Dornoch. In a unique twist, the course also offers a fishing venue along the Waccamaw River.

"Winged Foot was the model for the course," says Rich Ballinger, who will move over from the head pro position at Glen Dornoch to take over the reigns at Shaftsbury. "There will be very wide, generous fairways and landing areas."

Ballinger says that the course will place a premium on second shots, and will become more difficult closer to the greens. Greens will be turfed with A-1 bentgrass, and according to Ballinger, will be large and undulating …

Construction of a new course at Ocean Ridge Plantation in Brunswick County is expected to begin in early 2002, and Tim Cate has been commissioned with the design. An upscale practice facility and a golf school designed to rival any along the Southeast coast will accompany the course.

"We are very excited about the plans for a fourth course and the upscale practice facility," says Director of golf Plankers. "These additions will continue to enhance Ocean Ridge's growing reputation as one of the best golf facilities along the Grand Strand and throughout the southeast region."

Construction on Barefoot Resort and Golf's Clubhouse should wrap up by mid November. The new 40,000 square foot facility will anchor three of the Resort's Courses. The Resort Clubhouse overlooks the 18th hole of the Fazio Course with a view of the lake. The Clubhouse houses a casual lounge area, a banquet room, grill room, men's and ladies' locker rooms and a pro shop.

Shane Sharp is a Contributing Writer with TravelGolf.com. Contact him at sharp@travelgolf.com.