For many Canadians, Myrtle Beach is a rite of passage: a spring break destination, a buddies golf getaway or simply a retirement mecca. Located just south of the state line with North Carolina, it has always understood its price point as a value destination for Canadians that can be easily accessed by car or air for a weekend, a week or even the winter season.
The city has come a long way from its honky-tonk beach image in the 60s and 70s, with accommodation from very basic up to luxury-- all at a price that competes well with Florida to the south. While Canadians make up just three percent of the area’s visitors, that still constitutes an impressive 300,000 visitors annually-- a number local operators would be happy to increase.
Affordable golf at its 101 courses is Myrtle Beach’s calling card. A trio of local courses run by Mystical Golf sum up the Myrtle Beach golf for both playability and value. The Wizard, the Witch and Man O’War-- designed by Dan Maples-- express the different aspects of local golf as they weave through the Georgia pines and swamps that cover the region.
The Witch is a 6796-yard descent into low swamp and wetland through an impenetrable forest that recalls Civil War battles like the Wilderness. Eagles and buzzards lazily circle the lush front nine that provides an isolation and tranquility even on a busy day. Course employees are suitably respectful of the inky-black dark when it descends here, giving the course back to the creatures of the night.
After the low-lying front nine, the back nine features greater elevation changes as players work through forest dotted with flowering azaleas and dogwood in season. The 520-yard hole No. 11 typifies the rolling fairways on the bask side. If you’re wayward with your driver, the Witch will put a nasty spell on your score.
The Wizard and Man O’War run beside one other on a piece for land that was once pine forest and lakes but now tends toward a spare linksland topography. The Wizard plays a deceptive 6721 yards from the back tees and features large receiving fairways framed by rolling hillocks of rye grass and bermuda. The bent-grass greens are unusual for a climate that saw 54 straight days of temperatures above 30 C. this past summer. But they run true and quick.
The back nine at the Wizard (the clubhouse is designed like a wizard’s castle-- honestly) is perhaps the best nine on the property as it winds between the rolling dunes. The 518-yard No. 14 plays long and tight to a tiered green. Next to the Witch, the wizard’s subtle fairways and lack of water can lull you into a false sense of security.
Wind and water is a major component of 6967-yard -yard Man O’ War, however. Located right next door, it features the classic forced carries and fairways bordered by the vast lake that meanders through the property. The 392-yard No. 9 embodies the Man O’ War credo as players tee off into a fairway that doglegs--bordered on both sides by water. the fairway narrows at a green flanked by pines. The tiered green is an island that just out into the lake. Par is a worthy accomplishment when the wind howls into your face.
The philosophy of the courses, says Mystical’s owner Claude Pardue, is to provide a challenging experience but leave visitors with positive images of the courses. “We want them to leave feeling challenged by the courses but not beaten up by them. We like it when our players score well.”
Winter prices for Canadians are tempting. Play 3 rounds of golf for as little as $143.00 per person carts included before 8 am or after 1 pm , until September 7, 2011 playing each of The Witch, The Wizard and the Man O' War. As a book-it-online package just pick your dates till September 7, 2011, they'll find the times - making sure you pick times before 8 am or after 1 pm.
