Pawleys Plantation Named One of America's Top 10 Women-Friendly Courses

MyrtleBeachGolf.com Staff Report

June 21, 1999

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. - Pawleys Plantation in Pawleys Island, S.C., has one of America's Top 10 women-friendly courses, according to Golf For Women magazine. The magazine's annual rankings of the nation's "Top Fairways," which this year celebrates the 100 most women-friendly golf courses in North America, were published in the August issue.

The magazine placed Pawleys Plantation's award-winning 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus signature golf course among the Top 10 in the nation, noting that it offers women a fair yet challenging layout.

This award marks the second national recognition Pawleys Plantation has received in the past two months. The Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School, which began its climb to the top at Pawleys Plantation, was named one of America's Top 25 Golf Schools by Golf Magazine in May.

"We're honored to be recognized by Golf For Women because it shows how hard we work to keep every golfer in mind," says Les Morris, owner of Pawleys Plantation. "Our goal is to provide a great golfing experience for everyone who visits Pawleys Plantation and this Golf For Women award demonstrates that we are on the right track."

Each of Golf For Women's Top 100 courses has at least one set of tees that measures 5,500 yards or less from the front. In addition, how challenging a course's design was from all sets of tees to pro shop selection to the number of on-course restrooms to the number of women teaching professionals on staff was also taken into consideration.

Pawleys Plantation has a top woman teaching professional in Jennifer Buchanan, who joined the staff at the Ritson-Sole Golf School in 1996. Buchanan, a former competitor on the Futures Tour and Ladies Asian Tour, has eight years of teaching experience and has worked with such top instructors as David Leadbetter, Davis Love II and Bob Toski.

The par 72 layout at Pawleys Plantation is a traditional layout that Nicklaus designed to capture the natural terrain and complement and enhance the beauty of the salt marsh and Lowcountry. The course has five sets of tees to challenge all levels of golfers. From the back or Golden Bear tees, Pawleys Plantation measures 7,026 yards with a slope of 140 and a 74.8 rating.

Other yardages, slopes and ratings include Yellow Finch tees (rated for seniors) 5,564/118/67.2, (rated for ladies) 5,564/131/73.2; and Red Tail Hawk tees 5,029/124/70.5. While landing areas and greens are generous, the course does require all golfers to think their way around the 18 holes in keeping with Nicklaus' belief that golf is a game of precision as well as power.

Pawleys Plantation is not only one of the premiere golf courses for women in America, but it's also a premiere destination for vacationing couples. Nestled among moss-draped oaks, natural wetlands and salt marshes, Pawleys Plantation is a 582-acre golf course community in Pawleys Island, S.C.

Bordered on the south by a 600-acre nature preserve, Pawleys Plantation offers visitors a great resort destination carefully developed within a secluded, unspoiled community that includes swimming pools, tennis courts and fine dining at the 27,000 square foot Antebellum-style clubhouse.

Conveniently located near a wide variety of cultural and recreational amenities, Pawleys Plantation is approximately one hour from Charleston, S.C., a city well known for its Southern grace and charm; and the historic port of Georgetown, S.C., is less than 15 minutes south on U.S. 17. More than 100 golf courses are in nearby Myrtle Beach.