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Why Is the PGA TOUR Coming to the Grand Strand? The Answer: Great Golf Courses
- December 15, 2023
Mid-2023 brought exciting news for the Myrtle Beach area golf community, as well as for those who enjoy playing the game on the Grand Strand — and it’s a fitting honor for a destination known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” Starting in 2024, the PGA TOUR will introduce a new tournament called the Myrtle Beach Classic. The event, sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach and set for May 9-12, 2024, will of course be played on the Grand Strand, and the host course for the tournament’s first four years will be the renowned Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
The tournament will be what’s known in the pro golfing world as a “full-field alternate event,” which means that the players who don’t qualify for the week’s PGA TOUR-designated elevated event will be able to join the tournament lineup. But don’t let the “alternate event” terminology fool you — the tournament will still be a very big deal, as evidenced by its $3.9 million purse and the awarding of 300 FedExCup points to the tournament champion.
5 Top Courses to Play During Your South Strand Stay
Obviously, with a moniker like the “Golf Capital of the World” and with more than 60 local courses to choose from, the Myrtle Beach area will serve as a fitting home for the tournament. And when it’s time to choose another host course for the Myrtle Beach Classic, there will be plenty of tournament-worthy course options available in the area. Even on the South Strand alone, there are several world-class courses — and they’re all within easy reach of Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort.
Looking for a great course to play during your next South Strand stay? Consider these five leading options located on the southern end of the Grand Strand:
1. Willbrook Plantation
This par-72 course in Pawleys Island is a Dan Maples design that occupies the former site of a pair of Carolina plantations and is surrounded by a centuries-old oak forest. Nature abounds on this course that Golf Digest has awarded 4.5 stars in its “Places to Play” listings since 2006.
2. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
A par-70 course designed by Mike Strantz, this is another Pawleys Island layout. Repeatedly ranked by major golf publications as a Top 100 course to play, the course is built on a former rice plantation — and its grand entrance through rows of twisted live oaked adorned with hanging Spanish moss lets you know right away that you’ve found someplace special.
3. River Club Golf Course
This par-72 layout in Pawleys Island was designed by Tom Jackson and is one of the Myrtle Beach area’s most popular plantation-style courses. Distinguished by its maritime forests, pristine wetlands and plentiful sand traps and bunkers (more than 100 dot the course waiting to capture players’ off-the-mark shots), the course offers a beautiful Lowcountry setting and a considerable (yet fun) challenge.
4. Litchfield Country Club
One of the inaugural eight golf courses to take up residence on the Grand Strand (and the first to open in the Pawleys Island/Litchfield area), this par-72 layout designed by Willard Byrd made its debut in 1966. Built on the former site of a rice plantation, the course with a “traditional” design winds through giant oaks and shimmering lakes to create a challenge golfers will want to seek out again once they’ve played it.
5. Pawleys Plantation
A Jack Nicklaus design in Pawleys Island, this par-72 masterpiece boasts a serene beauty with fairways framed by centuries-old, moss-draped oaks and surrounded by numerous marshes and creeks. The course has been ranked among South Carolina’s top 30 by Golf World, and Golf Digest awarded the course 4 stars when including it among its “Places to Play.”
A Hole-In-One Resort for Links Lovers
With a prime location in tranquil Pawleys Island, a broad range of rental types and a long list of amenities, Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort puts you just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean and a short drive from a wide range of area attractions, including several premier golf courses. Book your Grand Strand getaway with us today — and start teeing up all your upcoming adventures in the area!
