Myrtle Beach golf courses brought a new meaning to the term “water hazard” in the wake of the record rainfall and flooding that devastated much of the state of South Carolina earlier this month. But after a few days to dry out, all Grand Strand courses are back open for business.
While parts of the Palmetto State are still dealing with the fallout from the historic flooding, the Myrtle Beach area and its approximately 80 golf courses were largely spared compared to the Lowcountry and Midlands regions of the state. Less than one week after the storm pasted, every course was open for play and ready for vacationing golfers to tee it up.
“We are fortunate our beaches are up and running and ready for visitors,” Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Brad Dean said just days after the storm stopped and the floodwaters subsided. “Anyone who has visited the Myrtle Beach area knows our fall weather is typically gorgeous and sunny. We look forward to welcoming folks back to the beach.”
Myrtle Beach and the central Grand Strand escaped major damage despite receiving between 8 to 10 inches over a four-day period from Oct. 1-4. Standing water on courses quickly evaporated and allowed visiting and local golfers alike to get out and swing the sticks while others were still dealing with heavy damage.
The most damage came to the north and south of Myrtle Beach. The courses along the Carolina border in Longs, Calabash and Little River suffered the biggest issues due to as much as 2 feet of rain during that period and took a little longer to reopen, while the Lowcountry layouts around Georgetown dealt with issues as the floodwaters flowed to the coast.
But one week after the end of the heavy rains, all courses were back open for play and the flooding that effects many inland and residential areas were non-factors for golfers. In fact, the mild autumn temperatures that attract golfers from all over the world to Myrtle Beach have returned, offering lots of opportunities to tee it up in Myrtle Beach this fall.
So don't let a little rain (or in this case, a lot) spoil your autumn golf plans. If you have a golf package planned for Myrtle Beach in the coming weeks, don't cancel. If you don't, book one. Despite the recent rains and flooding, Myrtle Beach's championship golf courses are sitting high and dry and waiting for you and your crew to tee it up.
(Posted: 10/19/15)