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New Name for Quail Creek Golf Club!

Myrtle Beach Golf courses are abundant, and it is important to keep up with course renovations when they occur as well as course names, as they are subject to change as well.  One example is Quail Creek Golf Club at Coastal Carolina University, which reopened October 3, 2011. It will become the “General James Hackler Golf Course at Coastal Carolina University,” following a ceremony on November 12, 2011.  The renaming comes after a comprehensive renovation over this past summer.  The course will be known as “The Hackler Course” in honor of the Coastal Carolina University golf icon and benefactor, James Hackler.

General James Hackler has an extensive background in supporting Coastal Carolina University, as well as contributing to the golf program:  he served on a variety of committees related to the university, and he was a part of a group through the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association that supported the PGA of America accreditation for the PGM program.  In addition, he has established an endowed scholarship for the golf team through his will, and upon his passing in 2008, he left a gift of more than $900,000 to Coastal Carolina University that has been used to improve the golf program.

Hackler is also in the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame for his life of contributions and service to the golfing community.  He was not only an avid supporter and contributor to the golfing community in Myrtle Beach, but a savvy businessman, who transformed the golfing business in Mytrle Beach, South Carolina.  He and his partner, Buster Bryan, established the concept of the golf package business in Myrtle Beach – which is a combination of accommodations and tee times.  They brought this package concept to the Grand Strand in the 1960s, and it led to whole new way of booking and planning your golf vacation in Myrtle Beach.   Hackler also invested in the development of Bay Tree, Robbers Roost, Possum Trot, and the Heather Glen golf courses.

The university’s trustees voted to make the new name official, after reviewing Hacklers extensive service to the golf program and the university.  It should also be noted that the Coastal Carolina University’s golf tournament, which will be played in March at DeBordieu Club, was also renamed the General Hackler Championship in 2004.  Hackler has contributed in multiple ways to the university, and several years ago, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in public service.

The ceremony on November 12, will serve as a dedication ceremony to make the new name official, but it will also serve as a grand reopening celebration for the course, which received much renovation over the summer.  The ceremony will include a breakfast beginning at 8 a.m., a renaming ceremony at 9 a.m., and a round of golf for invited guests who elect to try out the new course at 9:30 a.m.

Course Review: Kings North at Myrtle Beach National

Kings North at Myrtle Beach National is located at 4900 National Drive, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Arnold Palmer redesigned this extraordinary course in 1996.  The course was originally opened in 1973, but was redesigned and reconstructed under Arnold Palmer’s vision in 1996.  The goal has been to transform it into one of the Grand Strand’s best upscale courses.    It has earned much acclaim over the years, and in 2004 it made its way into the prestigious Golf Digest list of “America’s 100 greatest public courses.”  So if you are booking a Myrtle Beach golf vacation or package, it is a course you should definitely have on your list.

The Palmer design has given this course a variety of unique and interesting holes.  Most of the course is fairly wide open, depending on your playing ability, and the hazards are made less dangerous by the placement of generous landing areas for drives.  This structure gives golfers great opportunity to be well positioned off the tee.  As with any course, a player’s level of play and general preferences for course construction make it hard to pinpoint an honest interpretation of why the course is great.  However, here are the facts:

The par 3’s on the course measure between 140 and 190 yards from the tips, and 129 and 178 yards from the gold tees.  The par 3’s on the course are gorgeous in design, but some of them are distinctly challenging and intimidating.  For example, the green on the fourth hole, a par 3 measuring approximately 168 yards from the gold tees, is fronted by water giving it a natural slope in that direction.   The water forces you to focus on your placement and ball striking.

King’s North also has 3 large par 4’s that are spread around the course. They are longer than 460 yards when playing from the tips.  However, it should be noted that the course has a good variety of par 4’s with doglegs and which require plenty of variation in your approaches to the tee.

The Par 5s on the course can truly go either way for most players. If you are strong off the tee, most are reachable in two, but the hazards still make it a gamble.  If you are moderate to shorter off the tee, you will most likely be there in 3.  Hopefully you can two putt it from there!

Overall, the course is in immaculate shape and a great option for you to play a Palmer designed course in Myrtle Beach, SC.  If you are interested in booking a trip in the near future, don’t hesitate to c contact us and we’ll get your tee times booked and your vacation scheduled.

Crow Creek Golf Course, A Great Option!

With all the new courses that have re-opened, and many options to choose from in and around Myrtle Beach, it is always helpful to have a brief course review.   The course we will be discussing today is Crow Creek Golf Club, which is located in Calabash, North Carolina.  It is a great option for the golfer that enjoys wide-open fairways as well as fantastic scenery.

The location of Crow Creek Golf Club in Calabash, gives golfers an opportunity to get away from it all and experience a country feel.  The conditions and maintenance on the course are always two important factors when evaluating a course.  For Crow Creek, they do a great job of taking care of their greens, traps, and fairways.  They provide a good quality experience from start to finish.  It is also fairly inexpensive compared to most courses in the area, and provides a great short get away.

Additionally, the course is a fun course for most golfers.  The open space, and the fairly low amount of hazards make it a great option for the average golfer who is looking for a good time.  Here are a few more details regarding the course:  the greens are made up of L93 Bent grass, the course is 7,100 yards from the back tees, and it has hosted many tournaments including the Hooters Tour Summer/Winter events as well as The World Am.

The course is going on its eleventh year, and opened in 2000.  The course was designed by Rick Robbins, who made hole number 8 a memorable hole, as it features an old hunting cabin that has been there long before the course opened.  Another feature of the course is the Caw-Caw River that runs through certain areas of play.  Hole 18 is a shorter par 5, that is also a great hole on the course, and it gives most players the opportunity to finish strong.

If you are planning a Myrtle Beach golf outing or vacation in the near future be sure to call on us.  No matter the course or your level of play, we are here to help make your Myrtle Beach golf outing a success.  We can provide you with packages, additional information, and recommendations for you and your group. We will help you plan and book a great Myrtle Beach Golf vacation. It is a fabulous time to enjoy Myrtle Beach Golf, and we are available to help make that happen for you.

Enjoy Re-opened Courses Surrounding Myrtle Beach!

The weather has changed, and so have the courses in Myrtle Beach!  The recent fall weather has brought with it opportunities to play courses that have been closed for periods of the summer or over the past year.  Don’t miss a great opportunity to play a newly restored course.  If you are booking an outing or a Myrtle Beach Golf Package in the near future, you should definitely be aware of some of the changes and re-openings that are taking place in the community.

Many of the courses that were closed for periods during the summer or over the past year have reopened or are set to reopen shortly.  Brick Landing in Ocean Isle Beach, NC is set to reopen at the end of October after having a 22 month closing, and Quail Creek Golf Club of Coastal Carolina University reopened Monday, October 3 just to name a few.  These openings create two great opportunities to hit the links on some well-known courses that have been out of commission for some time.

The renovations to Quail Creek Golf Club provide a unique opportunity for you to enjoy a Myrtle Beach golf course that has just replaced all 18 greens with the popular “Mini Verde.”   Much of the summer heat has forced course managers and maintenance personnel to reevaluate their strategies when it comes to maintaining courses throughout the year.    You can find out more about “Mini Verde” by visiting the following site: http://www.miniverdegreens.com/.  This grass is meant to have an excellent feel, and require minimal maintenance in comparison to its counterparts.  It also has a good reputation form retaining its color throughout the cooler seasons.   A recent column in the Sun News highlights many of the updates and re-openings taking place in Myrtle Beach.   You can follow the link below to read more:

http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/10/03/2424279/renovations-wrapping-up-on-strand.html – storylink=misearch

So, if you are planning a Myrtle Beach golf outing in the near future be sure to check out the above article and try a newly renovated course!  If you are seeking additional information on Myrtle Beach Golf, and trying to find just the right course then contact us.  We will help you plan and book a great Myrtle Beach Golf vacation. It is a fabulous time to enjoy Myrtle Beach Golf, and we are available to find you places to stay, build your itinerary, and book your tee times so all you have to worry about is your swing.