Step Back in Time at Pine Lakes - The Granddaddy of Myrtle Beach #Golf Courses!

When you first catch a glimpse of Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you know exactly why it is nicknamed "The Granddaddy"; the Clubhouse radiates with southern charm beckoning you set a spell and the course, with its well-manicured fairways, invites you to grab your sticks and play golf.

The Clubhouse used to be an upscale hotel, and is resplendent with splendid chandeliers and large elegant gathering rooms with fireplaces - you could almost picture this entire layout as a scene in Gone With the Wind!

Pine Lakes opened in 1927, so there is an abundance of history and tradition within the Clubhouse and on the golf course. The first President of the PGA, Robert White, was the initial course architect and, over the years, although there have been changes made to the course and to the original building, the heritage of the Granddaddy lives on in Myrtle Beach.

I was fortunate to learn about some of the memories hiding in plain sight at Pine Lakes from the course's head professional, Jonathan Brock during a Facebook Live session with LPGA Teaching Pro (and Myrtle Beach superstar) Meredith Kirk.

History Hall, located in the Clubhouse, for example, has many stories hanging on its walls such as where a certain well-known magazine got its start.

I will be sharing my new-found, insider's knowledge about the "Birthplace of Golf" with readers on MBN.com; answers to questions such as:

• Which hole is the most notorious?
• Tips on what to expect when playing golf at Pine Lakes, aka “The Granddaddy”.
• Which sports magazine (with ladies who sometimes grace the cover) kicked off right on the premises of Pine Lakes (go ahead, take a guess!)
• And, can you name the uber-famous celebrity who had to change his company logo because it was too much like the Pine Lakes moniker?


If you are considering a Myrtle Beach golf vacation to Pine Lakes and need to make golf tee times and lodging accommodations, check out MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com, the easy and affordable way to book.


Read about two other southern-traditional Myrtle Beach golf courses: Caledonia and True Blue!

Share your thoughts on The Granddaddy, Pine Lakes, on our golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Now that Bubba Watson has won the Masters, what will he do for an encore?

Although millions of golf fans tuned in to The Masters tournament, it was most likely to see Phil Mickelson attempt to win his fourth green jacket. As Lefty's chances faded, another left-handed golfer stepped into the limelight to steal his thunder.

To many fans, Bubba Watson's victory in a sudden death playoff is now begging the question, "What will he do for an encore?"

Will Watson become a "folk hero" as David Letterman and the latest Sports Illustrated portrayed or will he fade away, as Devil Ball Golf queried, "with fourteen different winners in the last fourteen events and twelve of those being first-time winners, the odds are not good."

Speaking of majors, the U.S. Open being played at the Olympic Club will be a proving ground for Bubba Watson. The Lake Course will "create narrow chutes on several holes that might present a problem for Watson on his tee shots," mentioned golf writer Ron Kroichick.

Bubba Watson's goal is to have (at least) ten wins but as ESPN golf analyst Justin Ray stated, his next major may not come at the US Open. Although the 'other' Lefty may be "in the mix", "the past four Masters winners not only went winless on the world's two premier tours the rest of their green jacket seasons, but they combined for just twelve top-ten finishes the rest of the way."

I would like to think that Watson has a bright future in store as long as he can focus on golf and control his temper. Just closing your eyes and hitting it hard, as Bubba stated, doesn't win tournaments.

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