Featured Course
Myrtlewood Golf Club: One of the Grand
Strand's Venerable Venues

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

June 14, 1999

MRYTLE BEACH, S.C. - In 1966, most of the courses that grace the shores of the Grand Strand today weren't even an idea yet. But Myrtlewood Golf Club was more than an idea at a time when Myrtle Beach was more of a hidden golf gem than a self proclaimed Golf Capital of the World. And because of its senority, Myrtlewood reaps a number of benefits not present with some of the new layouts along the Grand Strand.

For one, Myrtlewood is located in the heart of Myrtle Beach. For the potential player, a round at one of Myrtlewood's two championship layouts does not hold the daunting prospect of having to negotiate Highway 501 traffic.

So traffic isn't the primary consideration when picking out a venue for a round of golf, but it helps cut down on "in vehicle time" while simultanesously increasing "in 19th hole time (assuming the designated driver of course). But if you are a big fan of mature, classic layouts, then Myrtlewood holds more promise for you than just a quick round trip.

Myrtlewood's flagship layout is the Palmetto Course which opened back in 1966. This wide open layout was designed by Edmund B. Ault. Ault is perhaps best known for his work on the TPC Course at Avenel (Potomac, Md.), site of the PGA's Kemper Open.

"The Palmetto Course has a high slope rating and is a longer course," says Rick Schultz, Myrtlewood's Director of Golf Operations. The Palmetto Course is known among locals and tourists alike for its true rolling bentgrass greens, open rolling coastal terrain and signiture finishing hole parallel to the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway.

The Pine Hills Course is no spring chicken either, having opened in 1973 as the Pines Course at Myrtlewood. But the course was "reopend" in 1993 after being completely overhauled with Arthur Hills.

"PineHills is more of a target style course, with more of a links feel," says Schultz. "In the summer the course has tall rough. Members enjoy the PineHills course because it is shorter. The traditionalists like the Palmetto Course."

As has become the norm in Myrtle Beach, variety is the spice of golf. So whether its tradional style golf, or a more modern links course, strap on your game face, throw a quarter tank into the SUV, and give Myrtlewood a try.