Tidewater Golf Club Review:
Not Your Typical
Grand Strand Golf Facility

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

For a designer who may not have the technical background of a Pete Dye or a Tom Fazio, Tomlinson did the right thing, and let the layout do the talking. Aside from its white feldspar bunkers and its sparkling light green bentgrass putting surfaces, Tidewater looks as if it just "happened" to this premier piece of land in North Myrtle Beach

The Layout: (rating: ±±±±)

The first two holes at Tidewater, the 530-yard, par-5 first and the 400-yard, par-4 second, are solid holes, but only a prelude to the holes that follow. The 157-yard, par-3 third hole takes golfers out of the inland and delivers them unto the Intracoastal marshes that border the east side of the course. Just behind the tee box of the third hole is the dramatic par-3 twelfth hole, which features a carry over the marsh to a three-tiered green.

The four holes that border the marsh at Tidewater are the four holes you will never forget; these are the type of golf holes you picture in your mind's eye when you are finishing up your tenth spreadsheet of the day at the office.

If you didn't know that the 414 yard, par-4 fourth hole was voted "Best Par-4 on the Grand Strand" by readers of the Sun News, it would only take one look before you made the declaration yourself. As you stand on the tee box and gaze out at a fairway that wraps around the coastal marsh, and slides sharply towards a waste bunker below, you chin will have a tendency to drop towards the head of your metal wood driver.

Tidewater's interior holes are lush with oaks and pines, and the hundreds of houses that dot the fairways are rarely visible - a true rarity among courses built in the past ten years. The course's most memorable interior hole has to be the insanely long 470-yard par-4 fifth hole. The sheer length of the hole and the dense live oaks lining the fairway create one of the most stunning corridors in Myrtle Beach

The back nine holes that feed into the Intracoastal Waterway are almost as dramatic and challenging as the marsh holes. The 572-yard, par-5 sixteenth hole is the highlight of the Intracoastal holes, with its green snuggled up against the tidewater.

Course Conditions (rating: ±±±):

For a course that just reopened after some major surgery, Tidewater is in incredible condition. Unlike some courses, Tidewater's fairways are nearly flawless - devoid of burn marks or cart treads. The newly installed A-1 bentgrass greens have almost completely grown in, and even hold well-struck approach shots.

"We fumigated the greens, roto-tilled them, and brought them back out to their original perimeters," says Tidewater superintendent Bob Grounke. "We did not change the design of the greens or the bunkers. In some cases we added some additional bunkers, like on eight and nine."

Tidewater's course conditions will peak in the upcoming months, when all the new bentgrass grows into the greens, the new bunkers are finished, and the grass grows back over the newly installed irrigation lines. At that point, look out - Tidewater's conditions may be unsurpassed by any course in the Carolinas.

Service (rating: ±±±±):

As soon as you pull up to the bag drop at Tidewater, you quickly realize that you are not at your typical Grand Strand golfing facility. The outside service employees are decked out in ties and button downs, and valet parking is available if desired. The Tidewater Clubhouse is understated, yet chocked full of fine duds, shoes, and a solid restaurant.

Out on the practice range, things are as they should be on a top shelf course - range balls are stacked in neat pyramids, and sport the brand names of Titleist and Pinnacle without yellow paint or obnoxious red stripes. A "pre-starter" paces the green and keeps you updated as to the progress of your eminent tee time. But that is not all that the Tidewater crew have planned in the near future.

"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," says Chairman Dana Garmany of Troon Golf. "At special locations around the golf course there will be player assistants to give directions and offer assistance." As if the cinnamon pecans at the first tee weren't enough.

Value (rating: ±±): Tidewater, at just over three bills in the "off" season, is not the cheapest course on the Grand Strand. But despite its superior layout, service, and overall experience, its still not the most expensive course around, either. Let's get this straight, if you are playing a course like Tidewater, money is either: a) no issue, or b) an issue, and you'll be sleeping on the couch until the next time you visit Myrtle Beach.

That being said, for the money, Tidewater (843-249-3829) is a bargain considering the course, layout and service you get. But all things considered, throwing down enough money to pay for you kids first semester's worth of books at college to play a game can't be considered a value, period.

Overall Rating: ±±±±

TGM rating system:
* - Fair
** - Solid effort
*** - Pro style
**** - Top shelf, the best

If you like Tidewater, you'll also like . . . Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, Pawleys Plantation, and Long Bay.

Places to Eat: Angelo's in Myrtle Beach. You can't play golf in Myrtle or North Myrtle Beach and not hit the Strand's most venerable pasta and steak joint. Angelo's has the best steak in town, a full all you can eat pizza and pasta bar, and a bottomless salad bowl. Angelo's is located at 2011 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (843) 626-2800

Where to Shop: Barefoot Landing is only a five wood south on Highway 17, and it is worth the short drive. Shops range from candy stores to designer clothes, and restaurants are well represented.