Two Golf Courses Re-Open for Business!

Over the past couple weeks a number of golf courses have shuttered their doors including Osprey Meadows which was named "America's Best New Course" in 2006 by Golf Digest. The tough Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course was part of the now-closed Tamarack Resort in Idaho. I played it a couple years ago and wrote about it in our May, 2008 issue. It was an apologetically difficult track and two hours from Boise, so it's not too surprising to hear that it didn't survive the economic downturn. Still, it's never fun to learn that a course that just opened is closing.

But the news for golf courses isn't all bad.

On Saturday Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach re-opened after a $15 million renovation (look for a feature article in the May issue of Golf Tips).

And there's also word that the former Silver Course at Doral Golf Resort and Spa will reopen in May as The Jim McLean Signature Course at Doral. What changed? Widened fairways, enhanced water visuals and about 550 more yards.

Free Golf!

If you've ever wanted to be the first golfer to tee it up on a new (or in this case renovated) golf course, here's your chance.

Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C. is reopening on Saturday, March 14th after a 20 month, $10 million renovation, and to mark the occasion they're holding a sweepstakes--with a few perks, to say the least.

The prize includes an invitation to attend Pine Lakes grand opening ceremony, the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony, four nights accommodations at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, a round of golf at Myrtlewood Golf Club and video swing analysis from a Grande Dunes Golf Academy instructor. Oh, and of course, the first tee time for you and three friends at Pine Lakes. (If you win, play fast. A lot of people will be on your tail.)

Register here anytime before February 16th. Winner will be announced the next day.

Good luck!

Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame to Open March 2009

News today out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that the golf mecca is opening a Hall of Fame. It will be located at Pine Lakes Country Club in its new Hall of Fame Garden, near the club's renovated clubhouse.

Four to six people who've played significant roles in the Myrtle Beach golf industry will be inducted in the Hall of Fame's inaugural year. No names have been announced.

Pine Lakes opened in 1927 and is the birthplace of Sports Illustrated magazine. Originally Ocean Forest Golf Club, Pine Lakes is also the area's first golf resort. This March it reopens after a 20-month restoration headed by Craig Schreiner.