Recently in Tim Cate Design Category

Two of the most exciting times I can think of to play golf are (in no particular order) are the following:

Golf playing friends in Myrtle Beach

Having new clubs in the bag

I had the privilege of playing the Thistle Golf Club in Sunset Beach just the other day. My friends Harry, Cathy and their son Tyler, were in Myrtle Beach for a 5 night vacation from mid-Michigan (and yes they stayed here at the Caravelle). With so much for their family to do, we only had time for 1 round so I wanted to make it some place special. That and I were looking forward to seeing The Thistle's brand new clubhouse. I wasn't let down and my friends were greatly impressed.

We played the North to West combination of this 27 whole gem. I knew they had aerated their greens about two weeks before we played, but they were in great shape. A little slower then I remembered, but still, I have no excuse as to why I three putted the first 3 holes. Bogey, triple, double is no way to start a round. I calmed down after the first three holes and still scraped around a **.  Harry was loving life after shooting 42 with a double on the Par 5 ninth, my friend Brad was okay with his score and Cathy was ready for a drink.

We scooted over grab a couple adult beverages where we finally got our first glimpse of the new pro shop. Unbelievable.  A HUGE outdoor seating area complete with fireplace for those cool mornings. A 62 inch Plasma TV on one wall, a couple 50 inch plasmas on the others. High ceilings, ceiling to floor windows with a great view of the course, hand crafted window frames and probably the best stocked bar I have ever seen at a golf course. After the round, I got a little tour of the entire clubhouse and let me tell you, it might be the best on the Strand. The guys grab a couple a piece and the bartender makes Cathy 'something fruity' and we headed back out.

I finally got my head out of my butt on the 11th. Well, not really. However, three bad shots and one great putt still makes par! The hardest thing about a 3 week layoff is getting that touch back around the green. I was greenside in regulation on the next 4 holes and the best I could make was bogey. Poor chipping and bad lag putting means I need to spend sometime on the practice green. Although Harry didn't score as well on the back, he couldn't stop raving about the course. Cathy couldn't help but to rave about her drink and how 'pretty' the course was. Brad couldn't stop raving about how well he hit his irons.

On days like this, scores are about as important as what color boxers you have on. We had a little skins game going on, but that is more for bragging rights. Playing with some friends that I only get to see a couple times a year beats any score I could put up. Overall, The Thistle is one of the classiest places around. The whole atmosphere make you not want to leave.

For those of you who have not played the Thistle, you have been missing out on one of the best kept secrets in the area. For those of you that have played, head back and check out the new pro shop. I would the 'Legendary' Head Pro Gene Weldon and the First Assistant Rob for having us out for a great day.

Until next time,

Chad