The Willbrook
Plantation Golf Course
is a Picture of Fairness

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

May 31, 1999

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. - Dan Maples' creations dot the landscape of the Grand Strand so prolifically, you'd think he must have some inroad with local area developers. Or it could be that the guy can just flat out design a lowcountry golf course.

Since in all likelihood, the good fellas that once ran Vegas probably don't run Myrtle Beach (we all know its the guy who owns all those Eagle souvenir shops anyway), it is probably the later quality that has endeared Maples to locals, tourists, and big developers. When it opened in 1988, Willbrook Plantation Golf Course practically sealed Maples reputation as one of the most sought after course designers in the Grand Strand.

Willbrook is carved from not one but two old lowcountry rice plantations. Upon playing the course, it almost seems criminal that as a private course, this layout was closed to the public until 1990. But thanks to some foresight by its owners, Willbrook was opened to the public and has found its place among the plantation tracks of the south strand.

The saying on the PGA Tour goes, "you drive for show, and putt for dough." Forget about that mantra. At Willbrook you drive to stay alive. Well placed tee shots are a must if you plan on staying away from the abundance of oaks and sporadically occurring creeks. Fortunately, Willbrook provides generous fairways that will allow your drives to stray a bit from the common cause.

Ponds, streams and creeks are present throughout Willbrook. But through some clever act of course design when the water does come into play, Maples always provides a way around it. Keep in mind that the course was designed as a private course, and members constantly gripping about dumping their overpriced balls into the drink is not something that Maples, nor the staff at Willbrook wanted to deal with.

The theme of Maples' design at Willbrook is fairness. "The course is extremely fair off the tees," says Head Professional Michael Burnside. "The real work comes on the challenging approach shots."

Many players, golf writers and even golf pros feel the need to classify courses into either the traditional or modern category. Using this invariably black and white set of criteria, Burnside opines that Willbrook is a traditional layout, graced by old Live Oaks and pine trees.

In terms of quality of service, Willbrook has set its sites high. "Our goal is to try and match Caledonia for service," says Burnside.

While Willbrook's crew is quickly approaching Caledonia in the service department, they may have already caught the neighboring course in historical and natural appeal.

"There is an old plantation house and an old slave cemetery on the course," says Burnside, "and the marshes are filled with every kind of bird you can imagine."

Bring your "A" game, your course management skills, and your Myrtle Beach Golf Hole Profile, and maybe Willbrook won't bury you.