Spirit Air Adds More Cities And Super Cheap 9 Dollar Flights

Spirit Air to Launch Non-Stop Service From 5 New Markets, Including Washington, DC

By

Chris King

  on October 28, 2010 2:17 PM | Comments (0)

Spirit Airlines will start non-stop service from five new destinations next year.

A Myrtle Beach golf trip just got a lot easier for residents of Washingon, DC, Pittsburgh, Charleston, WV, Montreal, Buffalo, Toronto and Niagara Falls.
Spirit Airlines introduced the next phase of the ultra low cost carrier’s Grand Strand expansion as it announced non-stop service to five new cities from Myrtle Beach.  Effective May 5, 2011, Spirit will begin seasonal service to the following new markets:

•    Washington, DC Reagan National Airport – daily non-stop service to our Capital’s close-in airport.

•    Plattsburgh, NY – four times per week.
Located in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York on the shores of Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh is centrally positioned near Albany, New York; Burlington, Vermont; and Montreal, Canada.

•    Niagara Falls, NY (near Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Canada) – three times per week.
In addition to Niagara Falls being a tourist destination in itself, the Niagara Falls International Airport is also conveniently located near Buffalo, New York, and just across the border from Toronto, Canada.

•    Latrobe, PA – four times per week.
Located in southwestern Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh.

•    Charleston, WV – three times per week.
State Capital serving all of West Virginia.

To celebrate, Spirit is offering $9 introductory fares* (each way based on round trip purchase) available today and tomorrow only at www.spiritair.com.

Schedule for Spirit’s Myrtle Beach (MYR) – Washington, DC (DCA) seasonal service effective May 5, 2011:

    Depart    Arrive    Flight #    Stops    Frequency
From Myrtle Beach to Washington, DC:    10:05 pm    11:30 pm    548    0    Daily
From Washington, DC to Myrtle Beach:    6:00 am    7:25 am    547    0    Daily


Schedule for Spirit’s Myrtle Beach (MYR) – Charleston, WV (CRW) seasonal service effective May 5, 2011:

    Depart    Arrive    Flight #    Stops    Frequency
From Myrtle Beach to Charleston, WV:    6:15 pm    7:30 pm    278    0    Tue, Thur, Sun
From Charleston, WV to Myrtle Beach:    4:10 pm    5:25 pm    279    0    Tue, Thur, Sun


Schedule for Spirit’s Myrtle Beach (MYR) – Latrobe, PA (LBE) seasonal service effective May 5, 2011:

    Depart    Arrive    Flight #    Stops    Frequency
From Myrtle Beach to Latrobe:    6:10 pm    7:30 pm    412    0    Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
From Latrobe to Myrtle Beach:    4:20 pm    5:35 pm    415    0    Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat


Schedule for Spirit’s Myrtle Beach (MYR) – Plattsburgh, NY (PBG) seasonal service effective May 5, 2011:

    Depart    Arrive    Flight #    Stops    Frequency
From Myrtle Beach to Plattsburgh:    3:50 pm    5:55 pm    820    0    Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
From Plattsburgh to Myrtle Beach:    1:15 pm    3:20 pm    819    0    Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat


Schedule for Spirit’s Myrtle Beach (MYR) – Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) seasonal service effective May 5, 2011:

Depart    Arrive    Flight #    Stops    Frequency
From Myrtle Beach to Niagara Falls:    3:20 pm    5:05 pm    226    0    Tue, Thur, Sun
From Niagara Falls to Myrtle Beach:    1:00 pm    2:45 pm    289    0    Tue, Thur, Sun


$9 Introductory Fares* (each way based on round trip purchase):

One-Way    Applicable date
Myrtle Beach – Washington, DC    $9    5/10/11, 5/13/11, 5/17/11, 5/20/11, 6/8/11, 6/10/11, 6/15/11, 8/5/11, 8/9/11, 8/19/11

Washington, DC – Myrtle Beach    $9    5/7/11, 5/9/11, 5/10/11, 5/18/11, 6/1/11, 6/7/11, 6/11/11, 8/2/11, 8/13/11, 8/16/11

Myrtle Beach – Charleston, WV    $9    5/10/11, 5/12/11, 5/17/11, 5/19/11, 5/24/11, 6/7/11, 6/9/11, 8/9/11, 8/11/11, 8/16/11

Charleston, WV – Myrtle Beach    $9    5/8/11, 5/10/11, 5/15/11, 5/17/11, 5/22/11, 5/24/11, 6/5/11, 6/7/11, 8/2/11, 8/7/11

Myrtle Beach – Latrobe     $9    5/11/11, 5/13/11, 5/18/11, 5/20/11, 5/25/11, 5/27/11, 6/8/11, 6/10/11, 6/15/11, 6/17/11

Latrobe – Myrtle Beach    $9    5/9/11, 5/11/11, 5/16/11, 5/18/11, 5/21/11, 6/6/11, 6/8/11, 6/11/11, 6/13/11, 6/15/11

Myrtle Beach – Plattsburgh    $9    5/11/11, 5/13/11, 5/18/11, 5/27/11, 6/1/11, 6/3/11, 6/8/11, 6/10/11, 6/15/11, 6/17/11

Plattsburgh – Myrtle Beach    $9    5/9/11, 5/10/11, 5/11/11, 5/17/11, 5/18/11, 5/21/11, 6/7/11, 6/8/11, 6/14/11, 6/15/11

Myrtle Beach – Niagara Falls    $9    5/10/11, 5/12/11, 5/17/11, 5/19/11, 5/24/11, 5/26/11, 6/7/11, 6/9/11, 6/14/11, 6/16/11

Niagara Falls – Myrtle Beach    $9    5/5/11, 5/10/11, 5/12/11, 5/17/10, 5/19/10, 5/22/11, 5/24/11, 6/7/10, 6/9/11, 6/5/11


About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (www.spiritair.com) is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.  As the unbundling leader in the industry, Spirit allows consumers the option of paying only for the features they value without subsidizing the choices of others.  Its all-Airbus fleet flies more than 150 daily flights to 40 destinations.  The company is based in South Florida.

Save The date For Myrtle Beach Trip 2011

 Afternoon All,

  Planning ahead to 2011, it looks like the best dates, deals, packages and savings will be June 22nd (Wednesday Night departure) through Sunday June 26th. We will most likely be staying in the nice end of the River Oak Condos and be playing the Challenge Package through Brian Noblin at the golf desk. We will be going in sixes, because the 3 bedroom condo deal far out weights the 2 bedroom deals.

We will be playing four rounds Thursday afternoon, Friday Morning, and Saturday Morning and Afternoon as usual. We will leave Sunday Morning. The standard for our trips, but the golf and conditions I promise will be much better, as I am planning ahead in case they have a heat wave that destroys the bent grass greens.

We will be choosing from the following courses:

MAN-O-WAR

THE WIZARD:

THE WITCH:

WILD WING ADVOCET:

ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB:

Golf Variety Awaits You In Myrtle Beach

One-dimensional?

Recently, our local newspaper carried a Letter to the Editor from a gentleman that seems to regularly offer his opinions on golf subjects. The article began with a walk down memory lane that reminded we “chronologically challenged” readers of the munies we grew up playing.

No tee times, no carts, carry bags and a course that was fairly straightforward. Place your ball in the rack and when it was your turn tee it up. Where I grew-up the nine hole public course featured 4-holes on each side of the railroad tracks and then back over the tracks to the Par 3 No, 9 finishing hole. Separate tee boxes gave a slightly different look to the 2^nd nine, but the tracks were still there.

All was well with the gentleman’s “Letter” until he began pontificating and portrayed golf course design as one-dimensional. He further described today’s courses as “monstrously long and difficult.” I beg to differ.

During the past twelve months I’ve had the privilege to play more than 30-Myrtle Beach area golf courses. I’m a writer doing 20+ course reviews each year and an average, mid-teen handicap golfer. Thank goodness I’m a better writer than I am a golfer.

Granted there are some monstrously long and difficult holes, but I’ve found this area’s courses quite playable. The one thing they have in common is their diversity. A case in point is reflected in the two Glen’s course we played last week. Heather Glen Golf Links and Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf are in name and positioning quite similar. However, both are quite different in playability, length and visual appeal. I thoroughly enjoyed and had fun on both golf courses, but for decidedly different reasons.

If you’re concerned with distance and difficulty, play from the tees that are appropriate for your handicap. However, if you’re concerned with playing one-dimensional golf courses on your Myrtle Beach trip, talk to your golf director. Make sure they know you’re looking for golf course variety. There are plenty of courses to consider and they’ll be happy to accommodate you. 

Arrowhead In Myrtle Beach, Country Club Golf For Everyone

 

 

Arrowhead Country Club

With a canvas of Bermuda Fairways and Bentgrass Greens, the team of Ray Floyd and Tom Jackson have created a 27-hole masterpiece along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach. Each nine-hole layout is unique, featuring uncommon elevations, hardwood wetlands and the most impeccable manicured holes in the area.

Arrowhead was recently awarded SC's Golf Course of the Year (1998).
Arrowhead is conveniently located five minutes from the Myrtle Beach International Airport. Ask about our special programs for Juniors. Non-metal spikes required.

You're always welcome at Arrowhead Country Club

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Sept. 21, 2003) -- Raymond Floyd once produced a video called "From 60 Yards In." It sounds like a primer for all National Football League field-goal kickers not named Tom Dempsey or Jason Elam (who share the record for the longest three-pointer at 63 yards). More aptly, the Floyd tape was a pitching, chipping, putting and sand play briefing by an acknowledged wizard of getting it up and down from situations that are bogey at best for most mortals.

• Myrtle Beach course guide • Myrtle Beach golf course reviews • Myrtle Beach golf features

It is no surprise that his biggest input on the Arrowhead Country Club course, a 27-hole Floyd Signature design that opened in 1994, was on the green
complexes, according to head golf professional Eddie Dennis. The routing was done by prolific Southeastern architect Tom Jackson, whose other Grand Strand designs include River Hills Country Club, Myrtle West and Buck Creek Plantation to name a few. But it was Floyd, the man notorious for putting teeth back into Doral's Blue Monster course for a short while, who made sure his imprimatur was all over the scoring shots at Arrowhead.


"The golf course was cleared and the fairways were somewhat set on the way the holes were going to go before (Floyd) became heavily involved," said Dennis, who has been at the course since its opening. "Floyd's input was primarily on and around the greens, including swales, runoff areas and trap placement. He wanted golfers to have different options if they missed a green.

"Some courses have elevated greens where your only option is a flop shot," Dennis added. "Floyd is more of a pitch and run kind of a guy. He gives you two or three options of shots to hit around the green. You can use a sand wedge, a bump and run or even putt it from off the surface. That feature is probably the true signature of a Floyd course."
With Floyd long gone from his only South Carolina design, Arrowhead has had to forge its own renown in a competitive market that offers golfers a smorgasbord of over 120 courses to choose from.
The niche it has carved, and one that has served it well, is as a friendly facility that resident Stranders consider a favorite.

Veteran travelers know that if you want to find the best spots in any town, find out where the locals go. That goes for restaurants, shopping and, yes, golf courses. Arrowhead Country Club is one that is beloved by the residents
.
While it thrives on business from local hotel packages, as do almost all of the courses in the area, Arrowhead, unlike some, does not shun local play in lieu of the high dollar tourists.

As a reward for its local loyalties, Arrowhead has been ranked among the "Best of the Best" for consecutive years by readers of the Myrtle Beach Sun News. It is a quality course that was chosen South Carolina's Golf Course of the Year in 1998 by the National Golf Course Owners Association.

Additional reasons why Arrowhead is preferred and respected include consistently good conditions, reasonable greens fees, free range balls, free yardage books, staggered tee times and a friendly staff that seems versed in Dale Carnegie interpersonal training.

Whether greeting you at the bag drop or chatting you up on the course, the staff will let you know that your presence is appreciated.

"We try to have a really relaxed atmosphere," said Dennis. "It's not a real tight country club setting. Our staff is real laid back and friendly. The biggest thing that we hear from golfers is that they have been made to feel welcome. That and compliments on the course conditions. It's been in consistently great shape in the 10 years since I've been here because the ownership is committed to keeping it that way and willing to spend the money necessary to do it."

With a total of 27 holes on the Lakes, Waterway and Cypress nines, Arrowhead is not prone to backing up golfers like a drain in dire need of Liquid Plumber. Combine that with nine minutes between tee times, plus additional breaks -- i.e., no golfers -- thrown in and quick rounds at Arrowhead are as common as sunburned tourists cruising Ocean Drive with Ohio plates.

"We try to do everything to make (playing at Arrowhead) as good of an experience as we can," said Dennis, who related that after almost a decade of having the luxury of shepherding a facility with an extra nine, he would not know how to go back to a course with just 18 holes.

The Lakes and Cypress nines opened first with the Waterway holes completed about 14 months later in September 1995. Because they border the Intracoastal Waterway in some spots, the Cypress and Waterway courses are the most requested. But the opportunities to do yacht watching aside, there is little difference in the playability of any nine. All three have course ratings within two-tenths of each other and the lengths differ no more than 50 yards.

"Most golfers claim that the Cypress course plays a couple of shots harder, but I don't know if that's true," said Dennis. "It may be more visually intimidating than the other two." Holes No. 2, 3 and 4 on the Cypress course require carries over water and are the most scenic and strategic triumvirate of consecutive holes at Arrowhead.

Perhaps the biggest challenge at this course is pinpointing your favorite hole after your round.
No. 3 on the Lakes course, a par-5 of 556 yards, is a dogleg left with water running down the left side and fronting the green. A private consultation on course management with Ray Floyd himself before teeing off on this hole is your best bet for remaining unscathed. A good drive and you can go for it in two. A mediocre tee shot or lacking a Phil Mickelson go-for-it constitution and you can play it safe by caressing it to the green down the right side.
A sight that you don't normally see while golfing, water skiers, might greet you on No. 5 on the Waterway nine. At 387 yards, it is not a particularly long or difficult par-4. It is considered the second toughest hole on the nine maybe because of the potential distraction of spotting a Thurston Howell III look-alike sailing by at the helm of his vessel a few nautical yards left of the cart path.

Along with a variety of holes and nines, Arrowhead is a very playable course, which Dennis credited for a history of repeat customers.

"One of the great things about Arrowhead is that it provides opportunities for pars and even some birdies for golfers who don't hit it that far but can put a couple of good shots together," said Dennis. "On a lot of courses, shorter hitters can't reach the par-4s in two shots. Here, a golfer who drives it 180 yards off the white tees can still get to most of the greens in regulation and have the chance to score well."

And if they don't, they can probably find a copy of Floyd's "From 60 Yards In" instructional video at the local Blockbusters.

Improve Your Myrtle beach trip Planning, Thanks To Chris King

Hot List: 5 Tech Tips To Improve Your Myrtle Beach Golf Trip

By

Chris King

  on October 13, 2010 8:52 AM | Comments (0)

Technology can help improve your next Myrtle Beach golf trip.

Technology has improved our lives in countless ways, and if you are savvy, it will make a Myrtle Beach golf trip little more enjoyable as well. Whether you’ve got the iPhone 4 , an old-school Blackberry or rely on a personal computer, we have five tech tips that can make your next Myrtle Beach golf trip a more efficient one.

1. Download a List of Golf Courses – There is no need for a smart phone for our most basic piece of advice. Before leaving for your trip, go to the courses section  on the Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday website and have a list of area courses emailed to you. The list comes as a PDF and includes a phone number, physical address and web address for each course. Print it out and bring it with you.

2. Bring All Relevant Phone Numbers – Whether you have the DroidX or the cellular equivalent of a rotary phone, enter the number of your package provider, any courses you will be playing, and the people you will be traveling with in your address book. It seems simplistic, but if you are running behind, want to book a replay in advance or just need some advice, it could be a lifesaver.

3. View Your Trip On A Map – This is especially vital for newcomers. The Myrtle Beach area is a 60-mile stretch of Carolinas coastline, so take the time to map out your trip and have an idea how long it will take to get to each course. The MBGH website has an easy to use map  that provides turn-by-turn directions to and from every golf course in the area.

4. Access GolfHoliday.com mobile – Even if you follow the above advice, you may find yourself looking for another Myrtle Beach golf course, in which case you can access Golf Holiday’s mobile site. It’s easy to use and every golf course phone number is easily available.

5. Use Your Phone as a GPS – If you like to use a GPS and don’t have the money for a new Bushnell, you can download the GolfLogix  app for your phone. The GolfLogix app is as good as any for a mobile device and beyond requiring a special battery to keep your phone charged, it’s infinitely cheaper ($39.95) and just effective as the traditional models.
Do you have any tips to add to the list?

Wild Wing Avocet Shines In The Crowded Myrtle Beach Golf Market

 

Avocet Course at Wild Wing Plantation

The Avocet, designed as a signature course by the team of Jeff Brauer and Larry Nelson, the Avocet presents creative contouring, elevated tees and greens, and an all around uniqueness that cannot be matched.

The opening hole, a 402-yard par-4, sports grass depressions in lieu of sand bunkers around the green. The par-4 sixth hole features a three-tiered, double green shared with the par-3 17th. The 362-yard ninth, considered by many to be the signature hole, has a double fairway bisected by a line of grass and sand pot bunkers.

Here, each hole is memorable for it's enjoyment and playability and golfers come back to this favorite year and after year.

The South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association name The Advocet South Carolina's 2002-2003 Golf Course of the Year.

Wild Wing's Avocet Course cashes in on popularity, uniqueness

CONWAY, S.C. (May 7, 2003) -- The third time was indeed a charm at Wild Wing Plantation. The crown jewel of this 72-hole facility - the Avocet Course - was the third to open here in 1993. The Larry Nelson, Jeff Brauer designed layout is first on most golfer's lists, however, when it comes to booking a tee time.

"Avocet is our premier course and that is simply based on popularity," says general manager Tim Tilma. "Falcon has the big name designer in Rees Jones and anyone who plays regularly at the beach is familiar with Willard Byrd, who designed the Hummingbird and Wood Stork. But Avocet is the favorite among players because of its uniqueness."

That uniqueness is evident right out of the gate. The opening hole, a 402-yard par-4, sports grass depressions in lieu of sand bunkers around the green. The par-4 sixth hole features a three-tiered, double green shared with the par-3 17th. The 362-yard ninth - considered by many to be the signature hole - has a double fairway bisected by a line of grass and sand pot bunkers.

"It may not be traditional but it is memorable and playable," Tilma says. "It is easier than the Falcon and more dramatic in the looks you get. Let's face it, the general golfing public likes big fairways and big greens."
Actually, Nelson and Brauer give a somewhat warped yet under appreciated nod to the game's architectural origins with their non-conventional design approach. For example, the large depression on the front left part of the green on the aforementioned ninth is a recreation of the "Valley of Sin" on the 18th green.

The architectural allusions continue through the back nine: the par-3 12th hole is a mirror image of Scotland's famous and often replicated Redan style hole. The 453-yard par-4 18th, dubbed Cape on course guide, was modeled after the famed C.B. Macdonald cape hole at Mid-Ocean in Bermuda. The hole sweeps left with water down the entire left side. It tempts players to cut off as much of the hole as they dare in order to shorten what is easily the most difficult approach shot on the course.

"Strategically, it is one of the better holes on the course," Tilma says.
Tilma has been with Wild Wing from the beginning and had the good fortune to pick the brains of the various course designers represented on site as they developed their routing plans and layouts. He says that despite Avocet's historical underpinnings, Nelson and Brauer's goal was to create a playable, enjoyable course that would garner repeat play.

"Larry Nelson said that you could play the course with a putter," Tilma says. "This is basically true, with the exception of a few holes."

One of those being the 308-yard par-4 14th. This reachable two-shotter has most golfers thinking driver and not putter. From the Magenta and White tees, the hole plays 283 and 265 yards, respectively (and temptingly). Taking the gamble means ripping your tee shot over water and a series of pot bunkers to a green bisected by a large ridge running front to back.

"If you can carry 210 yards of water off the tee it's an easy decision," Tilma quips. "The wind is also a factor on how you play that hole. On certain days, the thought of going for it barely enters your mind. On other days it is hard to get the thought out of your mind."

Avocet's playable, thought-provoking design has made it one of the most popular rounds in the Grand Strand. But Wild Wing owes much of its overall success to two non-architectural rudiments: course conditions and liberal replay policies.

"It has been a goal of our owner to provide consistent conditions and service, even during down times," Tilma says. "We know our main product is the golf and we invest in that no matter what the economy is like and no matter what season it is."


Wild Wing was one of the first Myrtle Beach golf properties to use bentgrass on its greens. Tilma says there are no plans to abandon the firm, true-rolling surfaces in favor of one the popular ultra dwarf Bermuda strands that are sweeping the beach.

"We have convinced our owner that our greens set up apart," he says. "The reason we can pull it off is no secret - we have four courses. We can rotate play around as needed to protect the greens and perform maintenance."

Golfers who prefer 36 holes a day - and you know who you are - relish Wild Wing's pre-booked replays. Not only can you play the course of your choice in the afternoon at a reduced rate, but the tee time is guaranteed up front. If you have a little time to kill between rounds, Wild Wing houses a state-of-the-art practice area including a 50,000-square foot putting green and a 30-acre driving range.

Stay and play

Wild Wing Resort Rentals offers two bedroom, two bathroom villas with two double beds per person. The villas have a large living room, cozy dining area, full kitchen, washer/dryer, cable TV and outdoor pool.

Chow

Wishbones answers the call with some of the best golf course eats in the Grand Strand. The stylish restaurant is located in the clubhouse overlooking the Woodstork Course. For casual fare, the Players Pub is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and diner.

Finial Tee To Green Series Starting This Saturday At Bow Creek

Good morning,

I am going to hold the final green to tee series of the season starting this weekend. It looks like the weather will be good,

We will start with putting and move on from there.  I am the only instructor for this series as Rick has obligations.

If enough of you reply that you will attend, I will bring in outside help and we can do putting and chipping.

The class will run from 1000-1130. The fee is only $10.

Jamie Smith and Rick Bidnick, PGA Professionals

Man O' War Golf Club, Don't Go In The Water!

 

Man O' War Golf Club

Rising up from the depths of an 80-acre lake, this long-awaited course contains all the drama and challenge that are the hallmark of world-famous architect Dan Maples. The lake at Man O’War winds through the course, defining holes and changing from ally to enemy, as its sparkling beauty becomes a punishing hazard.

Man O’War, “Rated 4 STARS by Golf Digest," features large Bentgrass greens, a practice range and a unique marina clubhouse.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Perhaps no golf course fits better along the Grand Strand than Man O'War Golf Club, featuring a layout with so much water that golfers may believe they are playing on the beachfront.
Dan Maples certainly had water on his mind in the mid-1990s as he designed this par-72 track. The aqua is an omnipresent threat - its 100 acres within view from every spot on the golf course - but it's not domineering to the point of unfairness to any golfer.

Challengers must tee off over water nine times and hit approaches over water that fronts five greens. Still, it's usually more of a mental challenge than physical.

 

 

 

Man O' War Golf Course - Public in Myrtle Beach

5601 Leeshire Blvd
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29579
Horry County

( 5 reader ratings )

"I think it's the right mix," said Larry Smith, a 7-handicap. "There are times you have to hit over water, but I don't think it's an unfair shot with a long iron. When you do hit over the water, it's usually with a high iron."

Man O'War Golf Club: The course:

 

This golf course, about 10 miles from the beach in the community of Carolina Forest, plays nearly 7,000 yards from the tips and measures a shade over 5,000 for the ladies, allowing each individual to suit his or her needs - depending on the individual's comfort with the water.

Man O'War G.C. is a fair golf course with rolling, medium-width fairways, little to no rough and a sparse number of pine trees, giving even high handicappers a chance to thrive.

"It's a fair challenge," said Lou Tripodi, a 16-handicap. "The setup gives me a chance to shoot a decent score. With the sand and the water - even though it doesn't always come into play - it makes you think."
Since most golfers don't have any problem hitting the fairways at Man O'War, the golf course needs a built-in defense mechanism. The Crenshaw Bentgrass greens, in great condition even in mid-January, are large with an average depth of 40.5 yards, but they are undulating. It makes a two-putt difficult if approach shots do not find the proper part of the putting surface.

Shallow bunkers that front many of the contoured greens provide a stiff challenge with high lips.
Smith, Tripodi and the other members of their playing group believe that while the depth of the greens makes it easier to find the putting surface, it also challenges each golfer in club selection. For example, the par-3 sixth hole features a 47-foot-deep green, providing a tee shot that varies with every pin placement and passing gust.

The wind, in different ways, affects every hole on this golf course, which is privy to ocean breezes despite its distance from the shoreline.

And that beach is never that far from mind; the plentiful water assures that.
For most of the front side, water runs alongside the fairway, but it would take a tee shot well off course to reach it.

Just before the turn, Man O'War Golf Club presents its signature hole, the par-4 ninth. Believed to be the only hole along the Strand that features an island fairway and island green, it invites golfers to first hit over water and then into a green near the tip of the island.

"It's a little intimidating," said Randy Broughton, Man O'War Golf Club's director of golf. "There is ample room to hit, but the longer right you go, the tougher it makes your second shot. There are bunkers down the left that protect the ball from the water but also grab the errant tee shot. With the second shot, it's an open area, and the wind really affects your shot. But you've got to hit into the right part of the green."

Water plays a bigger role on the back side, which opens with tee and approach shots over water on the 10th and 11th holes. Then the par-4 14th and par-3 15th feature island greens. They're tough but manageable.
"A lot women find it intimidating because of the water when they first come," said Vicki Smith, a 6-handicap. "They see all the water and it scares them. But I think, in the long run, if they played this course, it would make them a better golfer. It makes you become aware of the lengths of your clubs. When you're hitting into greens with water, you have to know your lengths. I like this course because of that challenge."

Man O'War Golf Club: The verdict

Man O'War Golf Club's not among the flashiest golf courses in Myrtle Beach, but it's certainly a good value. The golf course offers several package deals that provide a quality experience without a big investment. Included are opportunities to play its sister courses, The Witch in Conway and The Wizard, right next door.
Man O'War Golf Club may not challenge low handicappers as much as others, but the water and the wind impact all players. Depending on the conditions, it could play much differently from one day to the next - or from morning to afternoon. Man O'War extends a worthy challenge, if for no other reason than the chance to spend a day around the water - and hopefully not in it.

Facilities and instruction at Man O'War Golf Club

Fittingly, the Man O'War clubhouse, which includes a grill, is suspended above one of the many lakes on the golf course. It also offers a driving range and putting green.

Lessons are available from the PGA Professionals on staff.

New Mid-Week Golf Class At Bow Creek

Rick Bidnick is starting a new mid-week golf class on Mondays, the info is as follows:

For any of you that can attend a weekday class I will be doing a new session starting Oct 11th at Bow Creek. It will last 5 weeks and we will mostly be on the range every week, hitting a variety of shots. The class will be held rain or shine, if the weather is bad we will go inside and discuss the golf swing. The schedule is as follows and the cost is $60 for the entire class.

If you can attend please respond to me at pgapro24@yahoo.com Thanks to you all, Rick Bidnick PGA

Monday Oct 11,18,25 Nov 1,8 10am-1130am

The Witch Golf Course Features Both Tricks And Treats For Golfers

 

The Witch Golf Club

Journey into a world of golf unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. 18 holes rise as if by magic from undisturbed woodlands and enchanted wetlands.

Nearly 4000 feet of bridges wind their way through hundreds of acres of wetlands, left intact as nature's perfect hazards. But the beauty of the setting doesn't diminish the challenge lurking in the layout.
In the best spirit of golf, The Witch, "Rated 4.5 STARS by Golf Digest," was designed to bring out the best in players of all levels. It's an unforgetable golfing experience.

It isn't as upscale as some: no ball boys currying favors, ornate clubhouses or "hosts" telling you how glad they are you're there. It doesn't boast a beach address and you can bring your own cooler, a little perk every golfer loves.

But it qualifies as one of the better, underrated courses along the entire Grand Strand. First of all, it's well away from the hubbub of Myrtle Beach, laid out in the vast wetlands of Conway with nary a house or condo to intrude on your experience.

These are virtually undisturbed wetlands - a swamp, for the less environmentally enlightened - and snakes lurk in the undergrowth. Bridges - 4,000 feet of them - ferry you over the wetlands and under thick canopies of growth.

There's no out of bounds, only lateral hazards, and with the fall leaves changing colors, you'll think you're on a duck hunt. Thick stands of pine counter the swamp-like feel.
The course itself can be tricky, with a lot of elevation changes atypical of lowcountry golf.
"Most of it's natural, especially on the front nine," said Associate Professional Steve Jaynes. "They did move some dirt to build up the tee boxes."

Both the marsh and the elevation are integral to the course. You'll be hitting over high, marsh grass on some holes, virtually blinding you to the landing area, and hitting uphill and downhill on others, making club selection a priority.

The elevation changes are key because the course is barely more than 6,000 yards if you stretched it like saltwater taffy. Still, the slope rating is 133 and the fairways are narrow.

"If you have any distance off the tee, you get a short iron in, but you have to be accurate and consistent," said George Svos, a mid-handicapper from California. "If you're not consistent out here, you can lose a lot of balls. It is a very pretty course."

No. 8 is a long, difficult par 5, as is No. 15, a 574-yarder with a wriggle in the middle of the fairway. If you're not in the right fairway off the tee, you'll have to wrap your second shot around trees to the left. As with all well laid-out courses, hitting close to the hazards will give you the best look at the green.

The verdict

The Witch is a very good core golf experience - highly recommended. It has some challenging holes, with good movement in the fairways, and the four finishing holes are excellent.
The only negatives are the service isn't the best. Plus, the Bermuda greens are a little slow.

Stay and play

Sea Trail has one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom accommodations, as well as mini-suites and luxury suites from $72 to $386 a night.

It's on the southernmost coast of North Carolina, and most of the golf villas are on the fairways of the courses, within walking distance of the Byrd/Jones clubhouse and the Magnolia Restaurant. The villas have full kitchens and the plantation has tennis, swimming and fitness centers. It's a terrific place to play the plantation's three courses, as well as the other courses located here at the northernmost Grand Stand.

River Oaks Golf Plantation, just to the west of the Intracoastal Waterway, is also a good, centrally located place for golfers to stay and play Myrtle Beach. It's easy to go north or south via Highway 17, and it's close to Broadway at the Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
They have one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, many of them overlooking the fairways of the 27-hole golf course on the property. It's also within walking distance of both Fantasy Harbour and the Waccamaw Pottery shopping complex. There are also indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis and walking trails.

Dining out

Myrtle Beach has more than 1,600 restaurants and they aren't all fried fast food. In fact, the area has some nice eateries: Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Frank's Restaurant and Bar on Pawleys Island, Bella Napoli, Islamorada Fish Company, just to name a few. The buffet at Sea Trail Plantation is said to be excellent.

Fast fact

The greens at the Witch were bumpy and slow in late October, but officials had just overseeded the course - like most in the Myrtle Beach area this time of year - and promised conditions would improve.