The Myrtle Beach BeatBy Shane Sharp,
The Myrtle Beach Beat . . . the latest clamorings from around the Grand Strand. Just When you Think it Can't Handle Anymore Golf For those of you who think that the Grand Strand has reached its saturation point for new golf courses, think again. Tim Cate's latest gem, the Thistle Golf Club, led the way in March of 1999 with its creative blend of links and coastal style golf. With the opening of the Thistle, both Tim Cate and the North Carolina portion of the Grand Strand are coming into their own as designer and golf mecca, respectively. Adding to the lineup in the "north strand" was the unveiling of Arnold Palmer's creation at River's Edge on October 12, 1999. As natural a layout as you will find, the River's Edge may be a darkhorse favorite to become one of the most critically acclaimed courses in the Strand. Last, and not least, where the openings of the International World Tour Golf Links and the Diamondback Golf Course. The World Tour brought to Myrtle Beach one of the final pieces of the golfing puzzle: dead ringer replicas of twenty-seven of the world's most famous golf holes.
Throw in the "soft" openings of the Davis Love III's and Pete Dye's tracks at Barefoot Resort, a new nine holes at Carolina National, and the Crow Creek Golf Club in Calabash, N.C., and you have a 162 golf holes claiming 1999 as their "daddy." But Some Things Never Change Courses may come, and in the case of Gator Hole Golf Club, courses may go. But as in so many years before, one thing didn't change in 1999 - the Dunes Club is still considered by players and head professionals alike to be the best golf course in Myrtle Beach. That hasn't stopped some other courses from emerging as the cream of the crop in one of golf's most fertile venues. Caledonia Golf and Fish Club has become the most vogue place to tee it up among tourists. Wild Wing's slew of layouts has endeared itself to locals and tourists, what with its incredible conditions and replay options. If its Not Scottish its . . . With the opening of the Thistle, and the existing links layouts at the Legends, Wicked Stick, Prestwick, and Heather Glen, the Grand Strand may come to be known as well for its Scottish Links style courses as for its Plantation style courses. It will be interesting to see how many more links style layouts the strand can support. Things to Look for in Y2K The TPC at Myrtle Beach to recover like a champ from its post Floyd beating to emerge as one of the great courses of the area. Caledonia to maintain its stronghold on popularity in the South Strand. Tim Cate's Tiger's Eye to emerge as the most critically acclaimed course of 2000. River's Edge to become the one of the favorite's of anyone who plays there. A record crowd at the Senior Tour Championship as it moves to the more accessible TPC of Myrtle Beach and sports fan favorite Gary McCord as its defending champion. |
World Tour Golf Links - Open/Championship