Lots of swag and a first-day skins game
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.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Before the actual Myrtle Beach World Am starts on Monday, they have some optional events that serve as warm-ups at numerous courses around the Grand Strand.
I chose to play in the skins game at True Blue for one of my pre-tournament rounds. True Blue is across the street from Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, and both are among my favorite courses in the area.
Before heading to the course, I dropped by the PGA Super Store to check in and pick up my swag
The line was long, but I was through in about 45 minutes. They do load you down with stuff – a cap, a shirt, a pullover, valuables bag and some other things. Players also get invited to the pre-tournament party Sunday night at The Hangout and then the 19th Hole every night at the convention center, which features food stations and an open bar. Combined with the four days of golf, the World Am is a pretty good deal.
If you are a golf course design nerd like me, undoubtedly you have heard or are familiar with the late Mike Strantz. His courses feature some wild design features and off-the-charts greens complexes. True Blue certainly lives up to the Strantz resume. Because I am an old guy, I played it from about 5,600 yards and shot 78 – pretty much right on my handicap. But in a skins game you have to make birdies and I only made two. Considering I woke up with a sore neck, I’ll take it.
Sunday it’s another skins game, but this time its at River Hills,a course on the north side of town. Myrtle Beach has become so crowded, it’s hard to get anywhere quickly. Hopefully the pain in my neck will be gone and I make a bunch of birdies.
Now, it’s on to Swig and Swine BBQ. It comes highly recommended, so we’ll see.
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: True Blue by Brian Oar
