Willbrook Review, Played There Last Year!

Golf Digest Ranks Willbrook Plantation Among America's Top 50 Courses 

By

Chris King

  on February 9, 2010 10:00 AM | Comments (0)

Willbrook Plantation is ranked No. 31 on Golf Digest's list of America's Top 50 Courses For Women, joining a growing list of Myrtle Beach golf courses that have earned national honors.

Myrtle Beach golf courses have collected national honors like stamps in recent years and Willbrook Plantation has again joined the fun. Golf Digest ranked the South Strand layout No. 31 on its list of America’s Top 50 Courses For Women in the just released March issue of the magazine.

A panel of more than 100 female raters ranked daily fee and public courses on categories such as shot values and resistance to scoring, but just as importantly, on how female friendly a course is. Among other traits, Golf Digest “looked for the best courses that offered at least one tee that plays to 5,300 yards or fewer (with bonus points for courses that have one tee that plays to fewer than 5,000 yards), at least two tees playing to fewer than 6,000 yards, and at least two tees with USGA Slope and Course Ratings for women. Other attributes (Golf Digest) valued included a minimal number of forced carries from the forward tees, run-up areas to most or all of the greens, a more demanding challenge from the longer tees for better female players, and beautiful scenery.”

Willbrook, a long-time member of the Top Courses for Women list, has five sets of tees that range from 7,155 yards to 4,956 yards, making the layout equaling appealing for men.

The Dan Maples design also earned 4.5 stars in Golf Digest’s prestigious “Best Places to Play Guide” and has been among the area’s most popular courses since its opening in 1988. Carved out of land that used to be home to a historic plantation, Willbrook enjoys a Lowcountry setting that showcases much of the Grand Strand’s natural beauty.

Willbrook’s inclusion on the list continues a trend of Myrtle Beach golf courses being held in high regard by the game’s leading publications. In 2009, seven area courses were ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Digest, and Golfweek ranked three courses on its top 100 lists.

My memory is the Pro not being very happy about us being hung over and arriving right at tee time. Blame the Myrtle Beach Night Life!