Hole Profile -
The 17th at the TPC of
Myrtle Beach is Carrying
on the Par-3 Tradition

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

June 21, 1999

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Dramatic par-3's that can make or break a golfer's round (whether professional, or casual) have become the hallmark of Tournament Players Championship courses from Scottsdale to Myrtle Beach.

The 16th at the TPC of Scottsdale is as famous for its kegs as for tiger Wood's hole in one. The 17th at the TPC of Sawgrass hosts the orignial par-3 terror - a full water carry to an island green that is as hard as a Ponte Vedra seashell.

Following in the TPC tradition, the 17th hole at the TPC of Myrtle Beach is soon to be named the signature hole of Myrtle Beach's 100th golf course. This 193 yard par-3 has all the makings of an exciting hole, following in the footsteps of its TPC brethern.

The hole requires a downhill tee shot to a pennisula shaped green that is surrounded by water on three sides. The backdrop for the course is a mounded area that afford spectators at this November's Senior Tour Championship fantastic views of incoming shots.

According to assistant pro Luke Farabaugh, the green is large enough that it will hold almost any tee shot, but the tournament pin placement will be a tricky back-right position. For the average golfer, the water looms large as it stretches all the way back to the ladies tee box. While a splash down shouldn't be in the cards for the average golfer, aqua Titleist does loom as a possibilty.

Says Farabaugh, "The average golfer will be thinking don't go right or short on the tee shot. The average golfer will be thinking about where he shouldn't go on this hole, not where he should be. Fazio takes your concentration away on this hole. It is really not that difficult of a hole."

Unless you fall victim to the eminemt Jedi mind trick pladed upon you by Fazio. To aviod this spell, play the hole late in the afternoon when the Carolina sun is dropping like a well struck tee shot, and the sky is as red as a bowl of Lowcountry beans. If you put your ball in the water, at least you can enjoy the moment and the scenary.