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June 14, 1999
MRYTLE BEACH, S.C. -- How did Rick Schultz end up in Myrtle Beach? Was it by grand design? By intense masterplanning? Family in the area?
"I went through Myrtle Beach on my way down to Florida," says Schultz, "but I liked it so much I just stayed. I had a suitcase and my golf clubs and I was going to stay until my money ran out."
Myrtle Beach's gain was Florida's loss, as Schultz's money never ran out after landing a part time job at the Myrtlewood Golf Club back in 1983. Like the Earl Weaver's and Cal Ripken Sr.'s "Oriole Way" - a system of bring up ball players from within the organization, Myrtlewood brought Schultz along from the ground up - testing his skills at a number of different positions.
"I started working outside with the carts, but I was part time and would do anything and everything," says Schultz, looking back on his early days at one of the Grand Strand's more venerable layouts. "In 1994 I took a manager position, and in 1998 I was named the Director of Golf Operations. You don't see a guy sticking with one course much."
But stuck around like a savvy minor league baseball player awaiting his shot at the big show. A graduate from Ferris State in Michigan, Schultz has developed a management style over the years that centers on giving his employees as much responsibility as they can handle.
"I am highly involved with the day to day operations, but I delegate to my staff so they can get involved with everything that is going on at the golf course," says Schultz in describing a philosophy that sounds extremely similar to the one that brought him through the ranks at Myrtlewood.
The "Myrtlewood Way", if you will, has reaped numerous benefits not only for Myrtlewood's members and staff, but for the community as well. Perhaps no Director of Golf Operations in the Grand Strand is as involved with local charities as Rick Schultz.
"I play in fund raisers all summer long, and I work to host a number of charity events at Myrtlewood as well," says Schultz.
Schultz also exercises another form of charity not always available from a Director of Golf Operations: he still finds the time to give lessons t Myrtlewood's grateful members.
Outside of the golf course, Schultz is involved with an even bigger project - helping his wife raise his three year old. When he does find a little alone time, Schultz says he likes to sneak off to a Pelicans game (the relocated Atlanta Braves farm team) or break out the fishing rod at one of Myrtle Beach's numerous drinks.
Aberdeen Country Club