Good Morning All,Long time no speak, been so busy at work, but this Summer's Myrtle beach Trip got changed around and we went to Pinehurst May 16th through the 20th. A different experience for sure, but still a great one. Will be coming to Myrtle in the 3rd week of September with the other half of my group!
Wednesday the 16th Tobacco Road:
Our first time playing this, and any of these courses, but wow, what an impression TR leaves on you! Conditions were a great, even though they punched the greens a week ago and they were a little slow. The hills, huge waste areas, elevation changes, blind shots, hidden greens and the just plain WOW factor of this course, will make it a yearly stop, no matter what. Club house folks were great, never saw any staff member on the course, but we did play at 2pm but they let us off 40 minutes early, and gave us free range balls!
Service:7
Course:10
Conditions:8 (just because of the punched greens but we knew this)
Challenge:9
Total Score:34
Thursday the 17th Little River Golf Club
The second part of our group (4 more) get here for our 1:45 tee time, with weather moving in fast. The course is busy, so no getting out early, but the clubhouse staff is great, and the bartender keeps the food and beers flowing, if only the rain will hold out. The starter is great, jokes with us, gives us advice, comments about my outfit many time, takes pictures of the group, and lets us all tee off at the same time (8 of us) then lets the first foursome go out and play while he held the others. Was a cool thing to do and very neat. Elevation and water dominate the course, and very lush fairways, and usually fast greens slowed a bit because of the rain. We get to the second and pours, we head back, wait an hour, then off to finish the round in cool conditions, and the course never lets us down.
Service:9
Course:8
Conditions:8
Challenge:8
Total Score:32
Friday May 18th Legacy
Worst Dressed Golfer Day for us, at the Nicklaus Design Group Course, overseen by Jack II. The conditions are great, 78 sunny, a few clouds, nice breeze. The staff is friendly, and get us right out to the course. The course is a easier than a Jack SR design, but still a challenge, with some amazing par 3s and very tough pin placement. Nothing looks out of place, no houses on the course, lots of wild life, and truly enjoyable day of golf. A lot of rain the night before kept us on cart path/rough for the first 5 holes, then they opened it up to 90 degrees. Cart girl was all over our heavy drinking group, and we were all over her!! This is alos a must play if your not on the Pinehurst Resort courses, a great design. Fast Greens!
Service:8
Course:8
Conditions:9
Challenge:8
Total Score:33
Saturday May 19th Southern Pines Golf Club
We get to the club house, had a 1pm tee time, and man it's tiny, the whole set up reminds me of some low priced Munies around us here at home. We grab a beer or two, a hamburger as we wait for more carts to come in, another bad sign. The starter tells us to make sure we use the putting greens, as they are as fast as any course in the area, man he isn't kidding. As soon as we start playing, even after looking at the 6000 yard distance and the starter letting us know it plays longer and tougher than it looks on paper, we find that out. This is A HIDDEN GEM OF PINEHURST AREA, a course built in 1906, and not much has changed except the brand new greens. 220+ feet of elevation changes, false fronts, protected greens uphill drives, down hill drives, blind tee shots, 100% the best conditions I have ever played on, this course was fantastic!!! The cart girl was out of this world, if she worked at a gentleman's club, I would be broke. This course is not expensive for the area, yet for the price, might be one of the best values in the whole country!!!
Service:8
Course:9
Conditions:10
Challenge:8
Total Score:35
We ate at a nameless China Buffet, A Great Sports Bar next to the Days Inn (forgot the name, not the food or the ladies) and ate and partied twice at Duguens Irish Pub in the Pinehurst Village, what a great spot to have fun. Best time outside of a Gentleman's club I have ever had in a bar.
1 night in the only GC in the area, Pure Gold, boy they need some others, but the girls were pretty good looking, lap dances for 40.00, outrageous! But, I found a girl willing to work side deals, and I think each girl had different rules and prices, not all bad, but no Myrtle Beach GC!
Had a great time, we stayed in a condo on Number 3, and each night, we had chipping contests to the green, which we couldn't resist. The Pinehurst Club House is a must visit, the history, walking around it, seeing number 2, eating there..what a place!!
