Course Concerns

[Mike Morgan]

Course condition is often a topic on this bulletin board and for good reason. Some of the courses (mainly the Cats) have been terrible in past World Ams.
I live in Myrtle Beach so I have first hand knowledge of courses we are scheduled to play. Here are some concerns I have:
1. Caledonia has lost 7 greens due to using the wrong chemicals. The greens are nothing but dirt at this time and will have to be reseeded. Can’t help but wonder what shape they will be in
2. River Hills is closing June 20th for 2 months to install new greens. That would mean that as long as there are no unforeseen delays that they will be done just 1 week before we are scheduled to play. Again, can’t help but wonder what shape brand new greens will be like to putt on. There is an article on Playgolfmyrtlebeach.com detailing this
3. The Hackler course is in the worst shape anyone can remember. On one of the local websites they have wondered if this is being done on purpose since it is on Coastal Carolina University property and the school could use the land for expansion. More information on Myrtlebeachgolftalk.com. Even though the school owns the course the school teams to not even play there because it is not up to standards.
4. Azalea Sands- What can be said that hasn’t been said before on this site? It is a dog track
5. Every year we ask why the cat’s courses are included in the rotation when they are in such terrible shape. Lion’s Paw, Tiger’s Eye and Panther’s Run are all still scheduled for the World Am and all 3 are still very run down and in bad shape.
I know we all look forward to this event and want to draw good courses. I am afraid that if the World Am puts us out on courses that we know and they should know are in bad shape that we will see a big drop off in participants. I have been coming for 18 years and want to continue to enjoy this tournament and see it grow. Just thought I would pass on some course information for you all to know

[Mike Cheeseman]

Thanks

[Bob Newman]

Mike, appreciate the info on course condition. I am coming down in July for vacation. I have a friend in the area and he keeps me in the loop on a lot of the courses condition as he knows I don’t like to play on poor condition courses. I have voiced my concern on other topics so no need to go there again. I will tell you that the procedure that Champions uses can have you playing on them and in good condition in about 3 months. Have witnessed this at my home course. I truly hope that everyone gets all the good courses

[Chad Wilson]

Reading through some of these redundant posts has me laughing. Two serious questions for yall who are course condition lobbyists…

If Caledonia has 6-7 greens in tough condition would yall actually want the World Am to drop the course from rotations? It is still hands down a top 5 golf course in the area regardless of some bumpy putting. The whole flight plays the same greens, so what would it actually matter?

The World Am is massive, gigantic big. I don’t think everyone on this bulletin board actually considers what goes into hosting 3,500 golfers in a single day. Sure, some of the courses in the mix are well below par, but they simply couldn’t host that many people without those courses in the mix.

Like the great George Washington once said, “IT IS WHAT IT IS”. Yall try to have fun out there, life is short enjoy it!

[Maci Wilson]

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect to play tournament golf on courses that meet a certain playing standard. Why should one flight be sent off on a dirt track while others play on courses with ideal conditions? The world Am registration fee is expensive and it’s gone up every year I’ve played. 4 players from my Florida group have declined to play this year after playing the previous 2 years. The reasons are the slow play 5 1/2 hour rounds and some have complained about courses with poor conditions. Add in the rising cost’s and you can understand where these individuals are coming from. While I’ve been fortunate to only have played on one course with what I thought was less than ideal conditions, I believe for the amount of money we pay to play this event, the tournament committee owes it to “we” the players to at least know which courses are in poor condition and take the appropriate steps to correct this issue.

[Bob Newman]

Very well said. Thanks.

[David Baker]

The WA bills itself has the best of the best yet has people playing on the best of the worst courses knowingly. Yes, we all play the same course, is that an acceptable excuse for a course in terrible condition. When you come to MB to play in a premier event, you expect to at least play a course in reasonable condition. You are paying a premium fee to play 4 courses and to play on two like we did in March is a shame and the WA should be ashamed to bill it has a premier event. I have been playing since 1997 I don’t remember playing one or two courses in bad to terrible condition. The WA people are great and run a first-class event in all but one area, sometimes they utilize subpar courses. Complaining about them seems to do no good, so eventually it will drive people away just as the sandbagging did in the late 90’s.

[benny shepard]

Every year courses are lost in the area due to development and economic conditionsThe don’t seem to be building new ones. Better courses are a premium .what happens next

[Bob Newman]

David, I agree with all you said. I am going to attempt to put my perspective on all this and I am not trying to offend anyone. I think the WA staff does a tremendous job on putting together the event.
I also think that the staff has a higher up corporation that they fall under (i am not using a name b/c I will probably get it wrong).
When the WA first started it was set up for this week to promote this “in between week” as it was not a good week for golf, due to where it falls. At this time, the golf courses were pretty much on their own, The WA did a tremendous job of putting golfers on the courses when Dupont sponsored it.
as it grew, so did the number of co-ops that started buying up the golf courses (or management groups).
This Week has now become a BIG WEEK for most of these courses.—Which leads to the fact that many courses have become lazy in how they go about treating us ie: putting us on courses that are not playable, not bothering to check on pace of play, not having them properly marked, etc. A lot of courses are needed for 3000+ golfers. if a group has 20+/- courses and 3 or 4 are not up to par, then to get the good ones, you have to take the bad ones. This is what I believe is happening. I honestly do not know how this can be solved. Of the 3000 that play, some players do not really care about the course conditions in my opinion, just as long as they are at the beach and playing. I have played a lot of courses that I will not set foot on if I am paying them. I have enjoyed playing in this event but i doubt I will participate this year. I just can not take playing on poor golf courses for what this cost now. All of tis is just my take on it.

[David Baker]

Bob, I think a lot of what you say, in part, is true. This tournament is really held to promote Myrtle Beach, economically, that is obvious, as the WA has a business relationship with the courses. This is a down week, but because of the WA it has brought people to MB, and that translates to dollars. I don’t know for certain, but I believe that the WA has to support courses, good or bad, for business. This is a business for the WA and MB and as such needs to insure that the courses are covered. Is this still a good value? I believe that it is primarily due to the people that play in it and the WA staff that works to make this happen. I have had disagreements with them, but for the most part they are really trying to make this a fun week, and to that point, I agree. Cost, what is not going up? Eventually that may become an issue and drive people away. I guess my 2 cents worth is that I come because of my friends that I have met over the years and look forward to seeing them at the WA. If not for the WA I would not have met some of the greatest people in the world. So THANK YOU WA.

[Bob Newman]

David, re: cost. The cost is not the primary reason I have decided to not come back. the corses are not measuring up to my expectations. With the total number of courses in MB area, I just think we should not have been on 6 of the courses I have been on the last 4 years. I have been on golf trips to other venues that the courses were all top grade courses (and one trip was to MB-Caledonia, true blue & arrowhead). I am at that stage in life when I just can’t take sub par golf courses. I’m even having issues with the bunkers at my home course not getting the attention they deserve. I enjoyed the years I have been to the WA, met a lot of people, bought a bunch at the CC, sill enjoying my Peltz Putting green, finally got a SKYTRACK(after seeing it at WA). I’m even working on a way to get to the CC this year. Most of the WA STAFF know me and I appreciate what they do each year. I’ll probablly even try to catch up with them in July when I’m down on vacation. Y’all have fun.

[maurice cleaves]

I have just returned from a 3 week trip to Myrtle Beach having been visiting there for 15 years except for the pandemic break and would like to report on the condition of the courses I played.
These are the courses; Beachwood, The Pearl, Heritage, Barefoot Love/Dye/Norman, Wild Wing, Long Bay, Glen Dornoch. The greens at Beechwood were poor but the rest of the courses were in great condition, in fact, the best I have seen them. Plenty of grass on the fairways and the greens running well. The one concern would be that the ponds were all pretty low and water may be a problem during the summer unless they get some more water during the summer. Fingers crossed!!

[Rick Kimbrell]

So, all of the other courses you played with exception of Beechwood were in great shape?

[maurice cleaves]

Rick. They were. I was surprised. Best greens I’ve seen for a few years. Barefoot greens used to be pretty bad for a premium course but they have got that sorted. Was particularly impressed with Long Bay – for the price the condition was great.

[Rick Kimbrell]

Thanks Maurice, great to hear that.

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