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" Golf
is grand," according to Judge John Davis, who believes the best
golf in the country can be found at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
He has gone there for over 10 years and his goal is to play all 106
courses in the 40-mile beautiful, lavish area known as "The
Grand Strand."
John is the "Tour Guide" for the group which includes his wife,
Kathy; Jim and Kathy Gresham, owners of Lock Stock & Barrel; Larry
and Luetta Blakeney (retired); Steve Nelson, an agent with Country Companies;
and his wife, Karen Ragee, co-owner of Star Silkscreen Designs, Inc.
of Decatur; and Wes Elliott and Laura Brelsfoard of Champaign. The group
has gone to Myrtle Beach for the past two years and is currently planning
next October's vacation.
"It usually takes about six months' advance notice to get a good deal," John
Davis says. "And I would think about the first of June would be the absolute
deadline for planning a fall trip." His wife, Kathy, says that there are
a number of criteria John looks for in searching for the best course, but mostly
it is 'word of mouth.' He's gone down there so much and hears other golfers talk
about which courses are good or he picks one from a brochure," she adds.
John then contacts the selected hotel and tells them which courses they wish
to play and at what time, and the hotels take it from there. "It's crowded,
but you don't notice it, because you are required to stick to your tee-off time," Kathy
Davis says.
Their last trip cost a total of $1100 per couple, which includes five
nights lodging in a suite overlooking the ocean at the Sand Dunes Hotel,
green fees for the selected golf courses, golf carts, buffet breakfast,
and two dinners. Last year's trip included golf games at: Pawleys Plantation,
True Blue, Oyster Bay, Pine Lakes, Parkland and a course in Knoxville
at Tellico Village on the trip down.
"They are each unique," says Kathy Davis.
What are their favorites? "The most memorable hole had to be the
one at Pawleys Island where you had to hit the ball onto a small island," Kathy
Davis says. (She got a birdie on that hole.)
Pawley's Plantation was a repeat from the year before because of its
good reputation and the incredible scenery. The Jack Nicklaus designed
course was also a favorite with Karen Ragee because of all the beach
houses, plants and trees surrounding the course. "It's just beautiful," says
Karen. "When you're having a really bad day, you can look around
and say 'Isn't this pretty?"
At Pine Lakes (also known as "Grand Daddy" since it is the
oldest course in the area and was constructed in 1927) the golfers were
welcomed to the course by bagpipers wearing kilts and treated to clam
chowder after the 7th hole. This course is also the home of Sports Illustrated.
The Grand Daddy was the only course they played which didn't require
a 30-40-minute drive from their hotel, but no one complained. "It's
all so pretty down there, we didn't mind," Kathy Davis says. "We
all just loved looking at the scenery."
The group also played the True Blue golf course on Pawley's Plantation,
designed by Jack Nicklaus and known affectionately as "Caledonia
on Steroids." (Caledonia is another tough course.)"At several
courses you have to watch out for alligators," Kathy Gresham says. "It's
real swampy, but you just remember that you are on their territory and
learn to stay out of their way."
left to right: Judge John Davis, Kathy Davis, Larry Blakeney, Karen Ragee,
Wes Elliott,
Steve Nelson Kathy Gresham and Jim Gresham
Playing golf is only part of the attraction to the ubiquitous golf courses
on Myrtle Beach. Eating is another big part of the vacation and the
group has its favorite spots.
One of their favorite restaurants, which is well known by tourists and
is also very popular with the locals, is Dick's Last Resort, located
on 4700 Hwy. 17 S in North Myrtle Beach. "Their main goal is to
insult you," Steve says. The staff members put butcher paper hats
on the diners with words on the hats--saying anything the waiters want
it to say--which in most cases, wouldn't be fit for your grandma to read.
The rest room facilities just have "2P" written on the doors,
and the staff like to play tricks.
Another favorite dining experience of the group was Russell's, a quiet
little place where you can eat oysters on the half-shell and anything
else the owner wants to serve. "We met the owner and he says the
staff doesn't even know what's on the menu until he gets there at 4 p.m.," Larry
Blakeney says. "The night we were there, they served fried mashed
potatoes." But this is not a well-known tourist place and this golfing
group is determined to keep it that way--thus, no address or directions. "It's
mostly just locals who go there," John Davis added.
The food is good, the company is fun, the scenery is great, but it's
the golf courses that keep pulling them back. The group claims they are "average" golfers,
but the Larry, Steve, Wes and John team won the Scovill Zoo Open in 1999. "Oh,
we just had a very lucky day," Steve says. "And I'd rather
be lucky than good any day in golf."
Why such devotion to the game of golf?
"You get the chance to challenge yourself," Jim Gresham says.
"You can vent your frustration," John Davis says. "Your opponent
is yourself."
"You can forget your troubles," Steve Nelson adds. "It's really
a love/hate thing. You love to hate it sometimes. You can play a really bad round
and then do something spectacular at the last hole, which is called the 'come-back-tomorrow'
shot."
"When you play golf, everything else goes out of your mind--all your troubles
and worries," Karen says. "Golf takes total concentration."
"It's the only sport you can start playing as a kid and still play when
you get older," Larry Blakeney says.
They plan to keep going to Myrtle Beach "forever." "We
go on this annual trip because we're looking for fun, golf and sun, and
we get all this there," says Kathy Davis. "What more can you
ask from a vacation?"
Golf
Equipment
If you're looking for good, sensible equipment Martin's Golf and Tennis
Shop may be one of the best deals in the area, according to John Davis.
1615 Hwy. 17 North in Myrtle Beach, 843-272-6030.
Resources
If you're interested in the golfing Mecca and don't have a John Davis
to help you plan, there is always the Web.
Several good starting places can be found by typing Keyword: Myrtle Beach
Golf.
Or email the Myrtle Beach Golf Desk at: golfdesk@aol.com or
call 800-642-3108. Another 800 number that offers good advice for planning
a trip is the Myrtle Beach Golf & Vacation guide at 800-422-1587.
This
article originally appeared in the June/July 2000 issue of Decatur
Magazine.
It may not be reproduced or redistributed in whole or in part without
the publisher's consent.
© Copyright
2000 Decatur Magazine - First String Productions. All rights reserved.
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