For Our American Subscribers
Canadians can only Dream for the Spring of 2021
It hardly seems fair to tease our Canadian friends in captivity, snow covered and just coming out of lockdown, it kind of feels like jail. Fortunately, I am not speaking from experience.
Something else that would not be fair, would be not to let our subscribers in the USA know about the outstanding Stay & Play offers that are available in one of North America’s favorite golf playgrounds, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Spring of 2021.
Although this Traveling Golfer is based in Canada and for the longest time Canadian subscribers far outnumbered those south of the border, times have changed and now our US subscriber base slightly outnumber Canadians. If we factor in our Podcasts introduced this past year, that skews our base even more to the US and Podcasts are reaching more people around the world.
For any of our Canadian friends, snowbirds, that have managed to escape, there is no real need to come back here anytime soon. Why not take advantage of these great deals to stay and play someplace warm and welcoming?
As one of America’s most popular golf destinations, Myrtle Beach, S.C., is long renowned for the quality and quantity of its offerings, and is again home to the game’s premier spring package deals.
The Grand Strand, which runs from Georgetown County, S.C., to just across the border in Brunswick County, N.C., is home to 90 golf courses, including some of the nation’s best public layouts.
For group leaders in search of a package that delivers outstanding golf and great value, here are five of the Grand Strand’s most popular spring offers:
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club are both ranked among America’s best public courses, and the Top 100 Spring Break Golf Getaway! allows players to stay-and-play onsite. Golfers can play True Blue and Caledonia multiple times as part of the three-night, four-round package while staying at True Blue Resort. The offer, which runs from April 1 – May 9, starts at $699.
For those not aware, both True Blue and Caledonia are original Mike Strantz designs who is by far, and in my opinion, the most interesting golf course designer ever. Taken from the golf world far to early. If you have played Tobacco Road in the Pinehurst area or Tot Hill Farms also in North Carolina you will know what I mean. You either love him or hate him. I love his work!
Founders Group International is Myrtle Beach’s largest ownership group and the Inclusive Package allows golfers to choose among 21 of the area’s best courses, including Grande Dunes, TPC Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation and King’s North at Myrtle Beach National. The golf-only deal starts at $55 per day and players have the option to add range balls, lunch and two drafts beers to each round for only $5.
Pawleys Plantation
Two Traveling Golfer favorites in this package include King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, the Arnold Palmer design has four holes that are featured in the 100 Greatest Holes Along the Grand Strand. Famous for the island green par 5, this course truly ranks amongst the must play of the Grand Strand.
The King and the Bear go figure! Pawleys Plantation is the other favorite, a Nicklaus Signature course is a classic Lowcountry design that you can play over and over and never have the same shot twice. Challenging fairways dotted with water and unique obstacles evident on every hole, this is a player’s course that demands strategy, ingenuity and concentration. Pawleys Plantation has been ranked by Golf Digest among South Carolina’s ‘Top 25 Layouts.” Golf Digest has further awarded Pawleys Plantation 4-1/2 stars in its ‘Best Places to Play’.
A collection of 23 area courses, the Myrtle Beach Golf Trail offers a two-night, two round package that starts at just $160 per person (additional nights and rounds can be added). Among the courses golfers have to choose from are Rivers Edge, Thistle Golf Club, Carolina National and Glen Dornoch. The diverse array of offerings has helped the Myrtle Beach Golf Trail offer rise to the top of the list for many groups.
There is something about Palmer designs that make them memorable for me as noted by the previously mentioned Kings National, and now maybe my most memorable River’s Edge which is in North Carolina but still part of the Myrtle beach game plan as is the Fred Couples Signature designed Carolina National. Both are a ‘must play’ in my humble opinion.
Rivers Edge
Rivers Edge is 18 awesome holes with the par 5, 9th that I could play 18 times and not get tired of. There is not a weak hole on the course. Carolina National is 27 holes in a beautiful setting along the Lockwood Folly River winding its way through marshlands that serve as an Audubon-Certified Sanctuary Golf Course and provides a natural setting for a wonderful low country golf experience.
What the Myrtle Beach Elite package lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. The three-round deal features Tidewater Golf Club, Arrowhead Country Club, Prestwick Country Club and Arcadian Shore Golf Club, four of the area’s top 20 layouts. The offer also includes a free nine-hole, same-day replay at each course.
Barefoot Resort – Dye Course
Barefoot Resort is one the premier multi-course facilities on the East Coast and golfers wanting to enjoy the quartet of courses designed by some of golf’s biggest names are flocking to the Barefoot Experience offer. Groups enjoy three nights of on-site lodging and a round of golf on the Norman, Love, Fazio and Dye courses. There is not a better collection of great courses in one spot says this Traveling Golfer.
For more information on golf packages and the Myrtle Beach golf community, please visit www.PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com
While things may not be back to what we perceive as normal, you can play some great golf. It is nice and warm, the beaches of the Grand Strand are open, and you can even have a meal in a restaurant.
“Please release me…….Let me go”…… to Myrtle Beach that is.
For more general information on Myrtle Beach South Carolina www.visitmyrtlebeach.com
