FEATURE

Summertime specials make Grand Strand affordable option

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (April 29, 2003) -- Long-time visitors to the Grand Strand will tell you Myrtle Beach has outpriced itself. They contend the throng of upscale, semiprivate and resort courses that have opened in the past five years have priced the common man (and woman) out of the market.

This argument has some validity during the peak spring and fall seasons when rates at Myrtle Beach's premier courses can top out at $175. The summer months, however, bring more than just heat and humidity. Golfers will find they can put tee in ground at some of the beach's best tracks for less than $75.

"Most courses drop rates about 20 percent from late April to May 18 or 19 and then drop 40 or 50 percent off the peak rates during the summer," says Ben Hunt, president of the Grand Strand Golf Association.

The GSGA offers weekly, seasonal and annual "memberships" that entitle golfers to deep discounts at local courses, restaurants and retail stores. Hunt says that members can save "up to $50 per round" at high end courses like River's Edge and the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.

"The rates we get at our member courses are competitive with last-minute tee time rates, but they can book up to 48 hours in advance with our card," Hunt says.

Golfers willing to brave the sizzling temperatures in the afternoon will find even deeper discounts. Wild Wing Plantation's premier course, the Avocet, is $129 during the peak seasons. After May 19, however, golfers can play 18 holes with a cart for $50 after 12-noon.

"They don't call them the dog days of summer for nothing," says Wild Wing Plantation general manager Tim Tilma. "If you can put up with the heat, it is an incredible time to play. We have water on all the carts and the beverage cart runs every day of the year. So we make it as tolerable as we can."

Summer has traditionally been the busiest time of year in Myrtle Beach for drive-market tourism. Thousands of motorists make the drive from cities like Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh N.C., and Columbia to spend the weekend playing on the beach or taking in a show. Golf courses used to stand by and watch as hordes of visitors bypassed the links in favor of more family-oriented activities.

This is no longer the case, according to some local golf professionals.

"When I first moved down here, we didn't have much business in the summer," says Christa Bodensteiner, a head professional with Myrtle Beach National. "But we started marketing to families and we've gradually seen business pick up. Kids play free at our courses in the afternoon and you would be amazed how many families take advantage of that."

"You may see more specials like around Myrtle Beach," says Hunt. "Getting creative will become the key to a successful off season."

Deals on food and affordable afternoon walk-up rates aren't the only way to realize savings during the summer. Multi-course facilities, such as Wild Wing and Myrtle Beach National, offer replay rates that shave even more change off the full rate. Golf packages - a Grand Strand mainstay - are also a good way to save money on golf and lodging.

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For middle tier and low end courses, golf packages can go $50 a day, per person.

"There are incredible deals in the summer and if you get early tee times the heat is bearable," adds O'Neill.

But if the afternoon deals beckon, grab a hat, some sunscreen, a large bottle of water and have at it.