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PLAY LEISURELY GOLF IN ABOUT 4 HOURS.....THISTLE GOLF CLUB OFFERS A UNIQUE CONCEPT

(January 31, 2006) - Thistle Golf club can be planned as your first golf round in the North Myrtle Beach, South North Carolina golf area. Three nines of Scottish style link golf located in the historic quaint fishing village of Calabash, N.C. has been given a 4 ½ star rating by Golf Digest Magazine. Thistle Golf Club boasts magnificently rolling bent grass greens, lush Bermuda fairways meandering around fairway bunkers and lakes and golf eighteen holes in about four hours at a leisurely pace. My foursome played the Thistle West and South course in 4 hours five minutes with a brief stop at the turn. After lunch we played Thistle’s North course and completed the golfing day in the early to mid-afternoon. Still, we had plenty of time to relax and plan the evening and enjoy a short drive to Sunset Beach.

I thoroughly enjoyed Thistle’s Scottish layout and abundant wildlife. An alligator was sunning itself this January day. Deer abound and I’m told a bald eagle was seen last year.

Thistle’s head golf professional, Gene Weldon, explained that the twelve minute tee time intervals keep the pace of play comfortable. He is correct. Our foursome was told by the starter that on the first hole you tee your ball when the group ahead reaches the first green. This gap was held the entire 18 holes. Never did we feel pushed or rushed.

Thistle’s service was impeccable. Cart attendants were professional, courteous, careful and caring. Starter and cart attendants worked in tandem to keep a steady flow of golfers to three Thistle nines. Relax! You’re on vacation. Let the boys work. Arrive early to use the range and definitely putt on the practice green. Hit uphill, downhill, long putts, short putts, but get the tempo and be ready for a truly challenging, but enjoyable putting experience.

I found Thistle’s fairways easy to hit from on this 65* January day of sunshine. Some bunkers were wet from the evening rainstorm, so I cannot truly evaluate their play. Fairway bunkers were dry, well raked and had a firm consistency to hit good shots. Fortunately, at Thistle you have enough fairways to hit fades and draws and still avoid bunkers. Very wild shots can find the heather a truly Scottish feeling.

Architect Tim Cate has made six tee boxes for your preference.

TEES           RATING      SLOPE TEE       HANDICAP RECOMMENDATION
Thistle        74.3        137             0-5
Blue           71.6        133             6-14
White          68.7        126             15-30
Gold 1         65.8        115             30+
Gold/Women     70.7        128             0-12
Red/Women      66.2        113             12+

Thistle is changing its outward appearance. A new 15,000 sq. ft. clubhouse is being built with the C/O perhaps coming in late summer. Thistle’s clubhouse will be consistent with the Scottish flavor, having a limestone and stucco exterior finished with quarried stone used widely in the 1800’s.

Interior features will include a large foyer with high rafter ceilings and a twelve foot wide stone fireplace. An antique bar will be the focal point in the pub. It features a two-sided fireplace extending through to the outside deck.

Currently, the pro shop is ample. The new shop will be expanded and be of full service to all members and visitors. The present dining room offers a variety of sandwiches, burgers, dogs, liquors, beers and soft drinks. For the cigar aficionado, Thistle offers a wide range of excellent cigars. I was impressed with their selection.

Properties are now being made available at Thistle Downs. I understand 145 home sites are to be placed over 27 holes. No crowding here!

Be sure to make Thistle a stop to play golf the next time you’re in the Myrtle Beach or North Carolina area.

Call Myrtle Beach Golf Directors at 877.480.4653 for the best available tee times.

“Hit ‘em long – hit ‘em straight, and keep the wind at your back”

Thank you.

Donnie Dap

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Myrtle Beach Golf Directors
807 Sea Mountain, Unit # B
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 249-5800 (Local) * (843) 249-5804 (Fax)
(877) 480-GOLF
info@myrtlebeachgolfdirectors.com

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