Myrtle Beach Amateur
of the Week - Joe Hackler

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

April 2, 1999

MYRTLE BEACH, SC - -
Joe Hackler ran a restaurant in Myrtle Beach for 21 years. But at the ripeyoung age of 50, Hackler is out of the service industry, "semi" retired and playing more golf than he ever has in his life. In fact, he is playing some of the hottest amateur golf in Myrtle Beach. Hackler, who plays out of the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, says "I am getting better, but I have no plans at taking a shot at the senior tour."

His recent tournament resume includes a tie for 10th in the Gasparilla Amateur, and a runaway seven stoke victory at Southern Pine's 'Pine Needles Four Ball Invitational'. But to set the record straight, Hackler didn't just drop the restaurant business and pick up the great game of golf, only to find himself a ringer. "I have been playing golf for over 43 years, just sometimes more than others," Hackler says.

Joe Hackler's story is one of golf in a myriad of venues. He played for the University of North Carolina's men's team, and in 1971 competed in the NCAA finals in Tucson, Arizona. "We didn't fare too well. There was a guy named Ben Crenshaw playing out of Texas who won it all that year."

Joe went on to play for the Strategic Air Command golf team in the United States Air Force, and qualified for three tournament entries. "I was a missile launch officer, but there was no war going on so I never really had to launch a missile." If his accuracy with a missile is anything like his pinpoint control with his sticks, then some country would have been in a world of hurt had Joe been pulling the trigger. Joe's history at the Dunes is as rich as a big plate of lowcountry seafood. His father was the club champion in 1955, and his memories and tales from the historic layout by the sea are many.

"One time a friend of mine missed a two foot putt on the 12th hole in the qualifying rounds of the Carolina Amateur. He then tried to pop it in from one foot and the ball hit the back of the cup and it shot up in the air a couple of feet. Not thinking, he reached down and caught the ball in the air forgetting about the two stroke penalty. He still qualified though."

Asked if this was the best anecdote he could conjure up after his many years at the Dunes, Joe responded with an empathic, "No". "Once we were about to putt out on 18, and a fellow walked up the fairway and threw his clubs into the lake. We are still standing on the green laughing, and the guy comes back from the parking lot, wades back into the water and grabs his bag. He unzips the bag, gets his keys and throws the bag back in the lake."

Joe has two daughters, and a one son who just happens to be lighting up the South Carolina Junior golf scene at the age of 14. It appears that the Hackler legacy will continue on well into the next millenium. If Joe is not playing golf, he is either spending time with this family, listening to Classical Music, or improving his art collection. Outside of the Dunes, he enjoys playing at Heather Glenn, Bay Tree Green, and Thistle Golf Club. As for his tournament plans, Joe is headed back to North Carolina to play in the Pinehurst Four Ball Invitational.