The King Reigns Supreme at the 1996 Opening of King’s North
Arnold Palmer recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and photos and tales of his career graced the covers and pages of every golf magazine in America. Like so many people and places, Myrtle Beach, S.C. has been blessed to have hosted several Palmer sightings, including several appearances at Senior Tour Championship and a special guest appearance at the 50th Annual Golf Writers Dinner in 2003. Among his greatest gifts to Myrtle Beach are the three Arnold Palmer signature courses at Myrtle Beach National, located on Highway 501 between Myrtle Beach and Conway.
In the 1970’s Palmer and design partner Francis Duane were contracted to carve three 18-hole courses from a Carolina pine forest. They were simply regarded as the North, South and West Courses. Similar in many ways, yet different enough that everyone had their favorite, these three courses thrilled thousands of golfers each spring and fall, and literally launched the boom of golf course development along the Grand Strand.
Palmer returned to Myrtle Beach in 1996 to oversee the redesign of the famed North Course. The finished product is a stunning collection of holes, each more dramatic than the last. A few elements of the original design were preserved, including the par-3 island green, but for the most part it was a total makeover that moved the newly crowned King's North onto Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.”
Among
the many holes at King’s North that vie for signature status are the
par-5 6th hole, nicknamed “The Gambler” because of its unique split
fairway. A risky tee shot to an island fairway gives golfers a chance
to reach the green in two, or take the safe route around the lake and
hope to walk away with par. Grammy Award winner Kenny Rogers played the
hole a few years back as part of a special hole dedication.
Another very noteworthy hole is the 18th, a stunning par 4 that is guarded by 42 bunkers...on one hole.
When Arnie came to play the inaugural round in the autumn of 1996, the entire town turned out to watch the King work the course and the crowd, which included shaking hands and signing autographs for hours. In his honor, a bronze statue of Palmer was erected in front of the clubhouse to greet every golfer as they round the circular approach. His influence and love of the game is undeniable, a shining example for us all. Thanks, Arnie. Happy birthday!
For Tee Times and information, visit online at www.MyrtleBeachNational.travel or call 800-882-1281.
