Myrtle Beach Golf News and Reviews -

            Myrtle Beach is a huge melting pot of numerous world class golf courses. With Myrtle Beach being the biggest golf destination in the world, it has attracted many of the most prolific, world renowned and most sought after course designers on Earth. Many of these designers have either designed or redesigned some of the most famous courses in the world.

            Who can forget what happened at Torrey Pines not too long ago? One of Tiger’s most memorable performances took place as the world watched and felt his pain and then his joy. Rees Jones was probably pretty happy with what took place as he redesigned the course and worked with the USGA in preparing the course to accommodate a U.S. Open. The 2008 Open will go down in history as one of the best ever. This wasn’t Rees’ first major championship rodeo. He has had a hand in several others at courses like Baltusrol, Congressional (remember Ernie?), Eastlake, Medinah, Pinehurst #2 (Payne in ’99), Oakland Hills and next year’s U.S. Open on the Black Course at Bethpage. You can be able to see what he is thinking when you come to Myrtle Beach as he has designed the Rees Jones course at Sea Trail. It’s pretty fitting to have his name on a course.

            Pete Dye. That’s all you have to say. He has three courses under his belt here in Myrtle Beach, including Prestwick, the Moorland course at Legends and the Dye Club at Barefoot Resort. (He got his name on a course here, too). Pete has made his magic known at some majors also. Remember when John Daly won his PGA Championship at Crooked Stick? Pete. Remember Whistling Straits? Pete did that too. Oh, and then there’s a course called TPC at Sawgrass with some of the most famous holes in golf. He also designed PGA West and Harbourtown. If you play Prestwick, Moorland or The Dye Club, bring your A game and some extra pellets because we all know what happens when the pros get to #17 at Sawgrass.

            Now we come to Robert Trent Jones, Sr. If you want an old style, traditional layout, he’s your guy. He Jones, Sr. has two courses with his name attached in Myrtle Beach; Waterway Hill and the Dunes Club. The Dunes Club is the oldest course in Myrtle Beach and has played host to the Senior Tour Championship in years past, and for good reason. Robert Trent Jones has had a hand in designing or redesigning Firestone, Spyglass Hills and last but not least, Augusta National. Two of those are in the top ten in the nation and the Dunes Club ranked #28.

            Tom Fazio has made his mark here in Myrtle Beach as well, with the Tom Fazio course at Barefoot Resort and the TPC of Myrtle Beach. The TPC course has hosted the Senior Tour Championship like the Dunes Club, so that’s saying something. Tom has a few courses that you might have heard of, including Trump National and the Ocean Course at Kiowah Island. He was also hired by PING to design Karsten Creek in Stillwater, OK, which is where one of the best golf traditions in college calls home; Oklahoma State.

            Now to some players that have gotten into the design business. We'll start with Arnold Palmer. Arnie has four TPC courses around the nation along with PGA National, and a redesign of Oakmont. There are four courses in Myrtle Beach where you can see what Arnie likes to do with courses. There are three courses at Myrtle Beach National which are all by Arnold Palmer; The West Course, SouthCreek and King’s North. As you drive up to the clubhouse when you play these, make note of the statue of Arnold in front. The other course with a piece Arnold’s mind is River’s Edge. This, along with King’s North are both in the top 100 in the nation.

            Along with his eighteen major championships, Jack Nicklaus has a slew of designs around the world. Two of them are in Myrtle Beach. Most of you know that he has made Muirfield his own and at the two courses here, you get a taste of Muirfield. Long Bay and Pawley’s Plantation both have hill lined fairways, elevated greens, depressed greens and some deep bunkers. Sounds like Muirfield...

            All of these designers will go down as legends. It’s like their minds never stop playing golf. The next time you are looking at a trip to Myrtle Beach, try to get on some of the nearby courses that really, truly are cousins to some of the most famous courses ever.