Monday, July 28, 2014

2015 Package Set

Legend's, our home away from home.




















OK gentlemen. And I use that title loosely. Our 2015 package is set.

We will be staying again at the Legends resort. This year, we will return to playing a Legends package. Three courses at the Legends and sister course, Heritage on day two. This year all rounds include BREAKFAST, LUNCH and 2 BEERS.

The four night/four round package starts on Friday, May 29 with a Tuesday departure.

For those who wish to arrive a day early, Thursday, May 28, that can also be arranged.

Here is the lineup and tee times:
5/29/15 - Legends Parkland * @ 1:56
5/30/15 - Heritage * @ 9:00
5/31/15 - Legends Heathland * @ 8:04
6/01/15 - Legends Moorland * @ 8:04

Check your e-mail for more info.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Pairings 2014

In case you forgot or the new guy didn't know, every day is a captain's choice.  As we are on vacation, the last thing any of us needs is to get upset about our golf game.  So, several years ago we shifted to a captain's choice format and added a little friendly competition.  I think it originally started when Charlie was looking for the cart girl at 8 AM for shots of Jack because his game had gone south.

Here are the pairings for this year. As is always the case, there may be someone you don't play with, and you won't play with anyone more than once.

Using a simple spreadsheet here is the "rotation".  Sixteen spots A-P that rotate.

I initially drew names at random to fill spots A-P.  However, I wanted to make sure that Scott played with his "sponsor" so when Clemson's name was drawn I paired Scott with him.  Other than that the draw was purely random.

Spot K was originally Isenberg, so that spot is now vacant.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Rule Changes and Basic Information

OK, lots of info. in this update.  I will release the pairings next week.

Rule Changes -
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Well, not necessarily.  We WILL continue to play all rounds as captain's choice.  However, the "executive board" met in January to discuss some suggested rule changes.  Two were approved...
1) As is done in many captain's choice tourneys, this year we will require each team to use at least two (2) tee shots from each member of the team.  In the event that a team has only three members, each team will be required to use three (3) tee shots from each member.  This will be tee shots on any hole, par 3, 4, or 5.

In the event that there are only three team members, the three players will alternate taking the 4th shot.

2) It was suggested (from Pennsylvania) that one day we play a Red, White and Blue round.  This format will take place on Sunday at Wild Wing-Avocet.  This game involves rotating between these tees.  In order to not raise any issues with a starter, we will begin with White tee on #1, then go Blue, Red, then repeat for all 18 holes.  Following this round we can discuss and determine if we want to pick a round each year with this format.

Basic Information -

We are inside three weeks til Myrtle.  Be reminded that with our golf package this year, lunch is included the first two days with golf.  We also get a couple of free beers at the clubhouse those days also.  Breakfast is NOT included.

The way this works, once we check in at the course with the golf vouchers, meal and drink vouchers will be given to us.  I have the golf vouchers.

On Friday we need to meet at The Wizard (see info. below for directions).  I will check in at the pro shop upon arrival to get the vouchers, so we can get our lunch that day prior to playing golf.

Our first tee time at The Wizard on Friday is 1:56 and we'll need to group up before hand for pairings, etc.  Hopefully all will arrive in time for lunch.

Wizard is at 4601 Leeshire Boulevard, in Carolina Forest (about a 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile west of the entrance to Legends off of Rt. 501).  From 501 turn at the light into Carolina Forest (Carolina Forest Blvd.).  After approx. 1/2 mile, turn left at the school.  At the fork, Wizard is to the left.

There are about eight showing up on Thursday to check in.  For those coming down on Friday, you/we can check in at Legends after the first round.

After each round, I will distribute the prize money for the day. The winning team receives $160 each day.  In the event of a tie, like day one in 2012, we will  declare a definitive winner based on a tie-breaker (going with the lowest score on the #1 handicap hole and if still tied, moving to #2 handicap, the #3 until a winner is determined).  If there is a tie and we cannot complete the round due to weather, the money will be split (as happened a few years ago at Heathland).

Curtis - don't forget to bring the trophy.  PS, we have already heard about your quote, "Why should I take it to Myrtle when I am going to bring it back with me again."

For dinners on Saturday and Sunday, we will follow the tradition of spaghetti and jambalaya respectively.

After conversation with a few people, we will go with this rooming list...
1 - T Wilson, K. Buhrdorf, C. Mathers, K Mathers
2 - R Haswell, C Higgins, D Denston, 
3 - D Lane, CK Allen, B. Swarthout, M. Neebe
4 - T Haswell, M Thompson, D Clemson, S. Wheeler

I will announce pairings (basically random) in a few days.

Rules for the course -

We do have to get to courses early.  It is suggested that we arrive no later than 20 minutes before the first tee time.  I tend to go by the half hour rule.  It does take time to unload cars, get balls, tees, etc. together, load up carts and get out to the tees, etc.  What you do with the extra few minutes (practice putting, go to the range, go to the john, check out the pro shop or try to get a preview of the cart girls) is up to you.   I will have directions to courses for people and I'm sure most will have GPS in their cars. 

No metal spikes allowed.  I know most people have gotten rid of metal spikes by now, but just in case.....................

No jeans allowed. 

Collared shirts are required.  No one has trouble with mock turtles, just make sure there are no t-shirts.

Condos do have washers/dryers, so don't hesitate to pack light and do laundry there.

In an unusual situation in Myrtle Beach, at our first two courses (Wizard and Witch), coolers ARE allowed.

The courses on Sunday and Monday DO NOT allow coolers. So, be subtle if you take beer on the course. Some have coolers in bags which seem to be OK.  Of course, you can buy beverages at the course.  Telling the starter that the cooler doesn't have beer, but contains your insulin might work at some public course in Virginia, but the starters in MB will ask to look in the cooler.

Remember to bring any medication you need.  That includes aspirin, Pepto or anything else for your stomach or head.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Day 4 - Prestwick


Our final round takes us to our closing day course from 2013. As you recall, last year we got rained out after nine holes, so this day is a half complimentary rain-check round, saving us a few bucks.

Opening in 1989 and designed by Pete and P.B. Dye, Prestwick opened as a private club.  Now accepting limited outside tee times, Prestwick has holes that feel like a links course and has some reminiscent of Harbour Town Golf Links.

A little tamer than some Dye layouts, Prestwick will be a suitable finishing course to this year's excursion.

This course has been rated by Golf Digest about one of America's best kept secrets.  Half links and half parkland, a true gem that recently replaced its greens. 

Below are three reviews and three videos to show you what we have in store.

Reviews

Review 1
Review 2
Review 3

Course Videos
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Day 3 - Wild Wing Avocet

Day three takes us just a few miles north on Rt. 501 to Wild Wing Plantation.  The Wild Wing Avocet course is the only remaining 18-hole course at the Wild Wing Plantation. Like much of Myrtle in the early 2000's, developers closed the Falcon and Woodstork for housing. Avocet was the centerpiece of the four course resort and has survived to rave reviews.

 The Avocet course, designed by Larry Nelson and Jeff Brauer, has been a Myrtle Beach must-play for nearly two decades. Wide fairways/landing areas make this tough course very manageable for all golfers. Avocet was recognized by Golf Digest as one of “The Top 10 Best New Courses in America” for 1994. All 18 holes are challenging, but a fair test of a player’s skill. Creative contouring presents elevated tees and greens, double fairways, grass bunkers and even a double green serving two holes.

Below are a couple of reviews and some video of Avocet.

Review 1
Review 2

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3

 

Friday, April 18, 2014

Who Is The New Guy?



Scott Wheeler will be joining the group for the 2014 Myrtle Beach trip.  He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and two kids (boy and girl) in addition to a son at James Madison University for his freshman year.  Scott is a member of Springfield Country Club in Springfield, VA.

Originally from Ohio (yes, a Browns fan), Scott spent his younger years in Richmond and later attended Virginia Commonwealth University.  He is the owner of Access Printing in Lorton, VA, which has been in operation for over 20 years.  Scott earned his PGA Tour Card…err, tries to get out on the course as much as possible with his previous Little League Baseball coaching and East Coast Travel Baseball days behind him (his ties to Clemson and Randy), but his time is still limited with his daughter currently involved with Jr. Olympic Developmental Soccer as well as keeping a successful business running smoothly.  However, Scott can still smack the ball around with the best of them.  His abilities to play golf and drink large amounts were slightly tested but confirmed during a previous Member-Guest where he slept in the front foyer of his house each night, but his mastery on the course continued nonetheless.

Please help me in welcoming Scott to the group.  I know he is looking forward to the trip and his wife is glad he will be able to get away from the office for a while.   

Contributed by second year participant-David Clemson

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Day 2 - The Witch

The Witch
We are now inside of two months til our return to Myrtle.  Time to add the second course to the blog.

Day two takes us to the dark side.  Actually this is one place I might not want to be after dark.  This is due to the isolated nature of the layout.

This is a return trip for us and listed by several as their favorite course we have played in Myrtle.  The second course we play from the Mystical Three, lunch and two beers is also included today.

This 4 1/2 star course, as rated by Golf Digest, is located on nearly 500 acres of a combination of dense forests and wetlands.  The Witch is different from most courses in Myrtle in that there is no housing to be seen and there are no parallel fairways.  Once you step on the course, you are isolated from the rest of the world and other golfers on the course.  This course has been listed as the most under-rated course on the Grand Strand (which is hard to imagine with a 4 1/2 star rating).  However, it is also the least expensive course in the Southeastern US with that rating. 

I have requested that we start on the back nine (wooded) and finish on the front side (swamp).  Don't forget your cameras.

Check out these reviews and videos.
Witch Review 1
Witch Review 2
Witch Review 3
Witch Review 4 (most recent)

Course Video 1
Course Video 2

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

2014 - Day 1 - The Wizard

After the worst winter in recent memory, the time is growing close for our annual pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach.

First, some housekeeping......

This year we unfortunately say goodbye to Greg Dunn, in more ways than one.  Greg has left single life in the Blue Ridge Mountains for Corona, CA and will be getting married soon.

Taking Greg's spot will be Scott Wheeler.  Scott is another addition from Northern Virginia.  More info. on Scott later.

Also returning will be Mark Neebe.  Mark is back in and will be taking the spot vacated by Mike Tadyk, who this year only, is also feeling the magnetic pull of California.

Finally, before info on our day one course, the executive Board met early in January and passed the following rule change.  While still playing captain's choice, the teams are required to play at least two  (2) tee shots from each player during the round.  This adds a little more strategy and keeps everyone involved.

Now - on to The Wizard.

May 30 finds us at Dan Maples' Wizard.  Wizard has been rated 4-stars by Golf Digest.

Our visit to Wizard included lunch and two beers.

Check out these reviews of the course.
Course Review 1
Course Review 2

Here is a video look at the Wizard.
Video

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

2014 Tee times

We've got one new and one returnee to the group this year.  More specifics later.

Golf tee times:
Fri.,  May 30  Wizard (1:56 PM) - Lunch included
Sat., May 31  The Witch (8:00 AM) - Lunch included
Sun., June 1  Wild Wing Avocet (7:50 AM)
Mon., June 2  Prestwick (8:00 AM)