COURSE REVIEWS

The Thistle Golf Club
Adds to North Strand's
Golf Arsenal

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

The Thistle Golf Club opened in March of 1999, and Calabash golf will never be the same. Designed by Willard Byrd disciple Tim Cate, the Thistle has single-handedly redefined the mantra "ferocious, yet fair."

• Past Myrtle Beach course reviews and features

A Scottish Links Style Course at heart, the Thistle Golf Club also incorporates the distinct flavor of the Calabash region as it makes its way through nearly 34 acres of water.

As is the trend with newer links style courses, the greens at the Thistle are large and receptive and the wide fairways enable players of all skill levels to enjoy the course.

If the course seems surprisingly mature for its age, its no accident. Cate and the owners of the course, the Hansen family, bided their time before unleashing the Thistle on the Myrtle Beach golf scene.

"The course was ready as early as November 1998," says Oschmann. "But they waited to open it to allow the course to mature and the wildflowers to come to fruition. This step has paid off immensely and it shows."

Indeed it does. In fact you may find that the green thumb of the family might want to ride along and just check out all the flowers and grasses. Beautiful as they are, however, the flora of Thistle Golf Club is only the sideshow - a pleasant diversion from the task at hand.

That task being trying to go low on a course that has not seen a score lower that 68, with that low posting coming from the Sunbelt Senior Tour.

"Outside of the Sunbelt, the low score from the back tees is a 70," adds Oschmann. "You can't walk all over this course."

The Thistle's par-3's are as memorable as the world-renowned Calabash seafood. The 183 yard, par-3, 4th hole plays over a scenic portion of the aforementioned 34 acres of water into a spacious green set to a background of stylish mounding and lush Carolina greenery.

The par-3, 12th hole (the 3rd Hole on the West Nine), takes water out of play, but brings into play one of the largest waste bunkers on the entire course.

Tim Cate has all but insured that that a trip to the Thistle Golf Club will yield a memorable and challenging golf course. Oschmann, his staff, and the top-notch amenities at Thistle all but insure an unforgettable playing experience.

So when that Titleist plunks down in a patch of those charming wildflowers, just remember: ferocious yet fair.

For tee times at the Thistle Golf Club, call 1-800-571-6710.

Shane Sharp is a staff writer for Myrtlebeachgolf.com and GolfArizona.com.