Everything is clicking except putting
Editor’s Note: This is part of a a series of daily diary entries by Alabama Golf News Editor Gregg Dewalt, who is competing in his first Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship, the largest gathering of amateur golfers in the world.
CALABASH, N.C. – That’s right, my second round was played up in North Carolina at Brunswick Plantation. It was about a 40-minute drive in some heavy fog.
The Grand Strand, as this area is known, at its peak, was once home to approximately 115-120 golf courses. Now, it’s around 90, including several courses in North Carolina and extending down to Pawley’s Island. Many of the courses are open to the public, which is why Myrtle Beach is a popular golf destination.
There’s a bunch of things Myrtle Beach is known for as well. Pancake houses, seafood buffets, beachwear souvenir stores and mini-golf courses are seemingly on every corner. You could probably eat at one of them every day for a year and still have a few left to sample. I don’t eat seafood, so I have no recommendations. However, Swig and Swine has an incredible brisket sandwich called “The Big Nasty” that was worth every penny.
Now to the golf. Brunswick Plantation reminded me of an old-school Florida course. Some holes were routed among tree-lined fairways, while others were more open with water in play. There was more strategy involved at TPC Myrtle Beach – Tom Fazio created a course where there were a lot of uncomfortable shots – while Brunswick Plantation was more of what you see is what you get. It wasn’t nearly as scary off the tee.
The good news: I shot 78. I played better. Hit my driver better. Hit my irons better.
The bad news: I didn’t putt quite as well. Had four really good looks at birdie and missed all of them. I did break my birdie-less streak at 53 holes, though. Two double bogeys really derailed my round.
I moved up from T15 to T9, as my 78 was the sixth-best score in my flight. But I am 11 shots out of the lead and five shots out of fifth place, which is the final spot that gets paid.
Off at 7:39 tomorrow at Myrtlewood’s Pine Hills course. It’ll be moving day, so let’s go low.
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News
Have a story idea or a news item to report to Alabama Golf News? Email gregg@alabamagolfnews.com
Featured image by Gregg Dewalt
