Tidewater Golf Club: A New Year and a Grand Reopening for the Grand Strand Delight

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

Wait no longer fellow duffers - Tidewater will be re-opening Saturday, Jan. 15 for play, play and more play.

The renovation, which was undertaken as part of Tidewater's 10th anniversary celebration, involved some major green and bunker-based renovations.

All greens were replanted with A-1, an improved variety of bent grass that is more tolerant of the Southeastern climate. The bunkers were rebuilt under the supervision of original golf course designer Ken Tomlinson and sparkling white Feldspar sand was added. Cosmetic improvements, such as landscaping, were made to the remainder of the golf course.

"The renovation of the Tidewater course is just one of the steps we are taking to provide the best golf experience in Myrtle Beach," said Chairman Dana Garmany of Troon Golf which manages the Tidewater golf course.

"At Tidewater we are committed to delivering an exceptional level of course conditioning and customer service that includes complimentary valet parking and shoe care by clubhouse attendants.

Even our driving range will be exceptional with complimentary practice balls and one of our staff professionals on hand to provide swing tips upon request. At special locations around the golf course there will be player assistants to give directions and offer assistance.

The renovations come as a welcome relief to many regular visitors to the Grand Strand, and locals as well. The course was showered with praise upon its opening, garnering the prestigious Golf Digest "Best New Daily Fee Course of 1990" award.

However, with accolades come increased play, and Tidewater fell victim to more pedestrian and cart traffic than a New York Sidewalk. Consequently, conditions suffered, as did Tidewater's reputation.

But instead of throw in the towel, or come up with some patch work solution, Tidewater ownership did what any top shelf course should do when faced with a conditions challenge - overcome it by going all out.

"Tidewater enjoyed immense success in our first decade and we want our second decade to be even better," said Tidewater General Manager Ervin Mathias. "So we have invested in course improvements that translate into higher agronomic standards and playing conditions that are even more immaculate than those already in place."

However, Tidewater's recognition did not end with Golf Digest's inaugural kudos. Golf Magazine went on to rank the course in its "Top 100 you can play" list, and in a recent Golf Magazine poll, the course ranked as the 8th best public access course in the nation.

Now that the necessary improvements are in place, Tidewater can continue marching down the road to sustained excellence, and provide all of us with another solid Lowcountry golf venue.