Myrtle Beach was well represented in Golf World’s second annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
The second annual rankings, based solely upon input from the publications’ readers, named the top 50 public, resort and private golf courses in America. Myrtle Beach placed three facilities in the top 50 and 32 received at least 75 points based on 13 different performance criteria, qualifying them for “Best in State” distinction in South Carolina.
Leading the way were Caldeonia Golf & Fish Club and its sister course, True Blue, which ranked 20th and 26th respectively in the public course category. Dunes Golf & Beach Club came in at No. 42 in the resort rankings.
“It’s a great honor to have Golf World readers recognize three Myrtle Beach golf courses as being among the top 50 in the nation,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “Caledonia, Dunes Club and True Blue have long been among the area’s most popular layouts, and it’s rewarding to have that popularity affirmed at the national level.”
Perhaps even more impressive was the aforementioned inclusion of 32 courses, which was actually low because multi-course facilities such as Legends Resorts and Myrtle Beach National only counted as one property, on the “Best in State” list.
As a whole California had only 39 courses earn “Best in State” distinction, and golf-rich Florida had just three more courses qualify than the Grand Strand with 35.
“Myrtle Beach is the world’s premier golf destination due to the quality and quantity of courses we offer,” said Golden. “The fact that 32 area courses were recognized as being among the “Best in State” is further evidence of the depth of the Myrtle Beach golf market.”
The Myrtle Beach area courses that earned “Best in State” recognition are the following: Arrowhead Country Club, Barefoot Resort, Caledonia, Dunes Club, Glen Dornoch, Grande Dunes, Heather Glen, Heritage Club, International Club, The Legends, Litchfield Country Club, Long Bay Club, Man O’War, Myrtle Beach National, Myrtlewood, Pawleys Plantation, Pine Lakes Country Club, River Club, River Hills, Tidewater, TPC of Myrtle Beach, True Blue, Wachesaw Plantation East, Wild Wing, The Witch, The Wizard, Crow Creek, Ocean Ridge, Oyster Bay, Rivers Edge, Sea Trail and Thistle.
According to Golf World, more than 46,000 votes and 600,000 criteria evaluations led to the magazine's Readers' Choice selections.
The criteria evaluated by the readers were: Quality of course, Condition of course, Reputation/prestige, Golf practice facilities, Speed of play, Clubhouse/locker room, Hotel accommodations, Caddie program, Golf pro shop, Food/Dining, Off-course activities/amenities, Service and Overall value.
To determine the overall rankings, the ratings that were received by each facility in each of the 13 performance categories were totaled and then balanced to fit on a 100 point scale.