17th Annual Myrtle Beach

The 2008 edition of our great Myrtle Beach tradition will soon be upon us. Flight plans were a record low $139 on US Air this year despite gas prices over $3.00 a gallon. Rental cars are reserved (three this year). Rooming selections have been purchased (more on that later). Jeff is sending out daily weather forecast updates. Packing will soon be done. A few more wake-ups and Myrtle Beach 17 will be underway.

Quick Links MB2007   MB2006   MB2005   MB2004   MB2003   MB2002   MB2001   MB2000   MB1991 Friday, 2/22/08 at 12:24: The Thistle, White, 71, 6190, 69.8, 126 Saturday, 2/23/08 at 12:20: International World Tour, White, 70, 6305, 70.6, 126 Sunday, 2/24/08 at 11:45: Prestwick Country Club, Blue, 72, 6347, 71.1, 126 Monday, 2/25/08 at the ACOD: Farmstead Golf Links, White, 72, 6097, 69.9, 123   Stay tuned for results live from MB08!

Last year will be hard to beat, but the 2008 course selections should prove to be a strong challenge. Round one kicks off Friday at The Thistle. The course takes its name from an ancient Scottish golf society dating back to the early 1800's, and the course layout posses a distinct Scottish links feel, with wind-swept fairways, large bentgrass greens and surrounding hillsides covered in heather and wild flowers. It is another links-styled course that plays through, and around water and marshes. It features extensive mounding, wide landing areas, five sets of tees, creative bunkering (some run into the lakes) and large greens with some interesting breaks. It was voted among Golf for Women Magazine's "Top 100 Fairways in America." Hmmm, hopefully that isn't as left-handed as it sounds. Regardless, it sounds like a tough opening day.

Day two takes us to International World Tour. If playing 27 of the world's greatest golf holes is your dream, here's the next best thing. This track has done their best to replicate holes inspired by major championships, national open sites, Ryder Cup and PGA Tour venues, and exclusive courses from around the world. Gently rolling terrain and undulating, well trapped greens are designed in the tradition of the classic courses such as Augusta National, Cypress Point, and St. Andrews. World Tour's routing is a pleasant ride with freshly manicured fairways.

Prestwick Country Club hosts day three. Another traditional Scottish style course features a 20-acre freshwater lake, love grass fairways, 8 holes where water comes into play, waste and deep pot bunkers, 6 sets of tees, dramatic elevation changes ranging up to thirty-five feet, dogwood lined fairways, groves of pines, oaks and bay trees, timber-rimmed bunkers, streams and large sculptured and undulating greens. Their signature hole is the 164-yard, par 3, 5th with water from tee to green and bermed bunkers on both sides of a multi-level green. In 2004 Golf Digest proclaimed Prestwick Country Club "One of the 5 Best Kept Secret Courses in America". A Pete Dye masterpiece, Prestwick Country Club and recognized as one of the area's best golf courses, some consider it one of the toughest courses in Myrtle Beach with the traditional "Dye Bunkers" dotting the course.

Our final MB08 round takes us north to Farmstead Golf Links. The CMGC played this Calabash course in 2005 when Jeff and Richard nearly lapped the field with a final best ball net score of -17 and a seven stroke margin over second place Scott B. and Tom. Who could forget its mammoth, 767-yard, finishing hole? The area's only par 6, number 18 actually begins with a drive into a wide sweeping fairway in South Carolina and concludes on a large undulating green in North Carolina. While the dual-state 18th hole will definitely add extra strokes to your score, it is complemented by 17 other holes that also deliver their own brand of charm and challenge. As the course layout rolls over the natural contours of the land, it provides countless views of the area's native grasses and sparkling lakes.

Now it's time to make final decisions about your packing list, mark your golf balls and double check your soft spikes. My flight leaves Columbus at 5:45 am, but no matter which flight you're on it's early. The good news is that puts us on the Grand Strand bright and early and in plenty of time for a practice round if Mother Nature cooperates. See you there.