Tiger's Eye Set to Spring
on Grand Strand

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

The final piece of the Ocean Ridge Plantation puzzle, Tiger's Eye Golf Links, is set to open in March of 2000. Designed by Panther's Run architect Tim Cate, Tiger's Eye is being hailed as the "crown jewel" of the Ocean Ridge trifecta, and one of the most unique layouts in Myrtle Beach.

"Tiger's Eye is different than anything else in Myrtle Beach," says Ocean Ridge Director of Golf Tom Plankers. "The property has elevation changes of over 60 feet. Lots of earth was moved to give the effect of being in the foothills of North Carolina. [Tim] Cate did not use any wooden bulkheading materials whatsoever. He used Coquina boulders which are native to the area."

While Panther's Run embodies the coastal setting of Sunset Beach, Tiger's Eye has been designed to mimic the sand hills of south-central North Carolina. Think Pinehurst, if you are having trouble developing a picture in your mind's eye. With the addition of Tiger's Eye, Ocean Ridge may have one of the most varied set of courses along the Grand Strand.

"Anyone will tell you that you can come to Ocean Ridge and play three different courses," says Cate. "Tiger's Eye runs up and down hills, and uses tons of rock boulders. The course uses G2 bentgrass on the greens. Its a well bunkered course . . . a very unique course. It runs up and down through long leaf pines and then back down a sandy live oak area. Seven of the holes surround a fifteen acre lake. Believe me, the challenge will be there."

Mouth watering yet? Throw in a stunning combination of natural waste areas, native grasses, wild flowers, Carolina Bays, two waterfalls and a marshland and water quickly turns to drool. So stylistically, just how should Tiger's Eye be characterized?

"Tiger's Eye is a traditional style course with a temporary flair to it," says Cate. "There are large grassy bunker areas next to the greens. Mounding was not needed on the course, we used grassy bunkers and nice sized greens instead."

Tiger's Eye should shape up to be a real thinking man's course - a layout that will call for prudent course management and precise shotmaking. Of course, good old fashioned luck, a cold beer and good karma couldn't hurt either.

According to Plankers, the greens at Tiger's Eye and the elevation changes set the stage for the rest of the golfing experience.

"Cate really stuck with the elevation idea - and that is prevalent out there [on Tiger's Eye]," says Plankers. "The greens are unbelievable, with the new G2 bent - the same as Pinehurst. There are slow undulations in the greens, not drop offs, so it is nlot unfair at all."

According to Cate, Tiger's Eye is essentially complete, and the grassing of the course is in progress. So with Tiger's Eye's billing as the crown jewel of Ocean Ridge, how do Lion's Paw and Panther's Run stack up with Cate's latest masterpiece?

"Its like comparing apples and oranges. They are three different golf courses," says Plankers. "On Lion's Paw the back nine is difficult because of the wind. Panther's run is not as difficult off the tee, as there is a lot of landing area. Cate gets you around the greens and on the greens itself. Tiger's Eye will be totally different because of the elevation changes. People are not used to it on the beach, they will be short. Plus the greens are huge, and if you don't hit it where you should hit it, three putts are likely."

For more information on Tiger's Eye, or Ocean Ridge Plantation, call 1-800-233-1801.