Farmstead Golf Links…
I am so sorry I have not been blogging lately…so much riding, golf playing…and of course that work thing ALWAYS gets in the way! However…I am back… so look for that weekly Courses and Horses blog going forward!
I just got back from my second year of participating in the World Amateur Golf Championships in Myrtle Beach. One of the courses that I was SO fortunate to play on is called Farmstead Golf Links. It has one of the few par 6’s in the country (and yes…I parred it!). From the back tees it is 767 yards. From the forward tees it is 635. It is the 18th hole…what a way to come home! This course could be my most favorite public course that I have ever played.
Good News and Bad News…
Shortly after finishing my tournament round on this amazing course, I found out that the course is closing at the end of October. That is the bad news. The GOOD news is that you still have time to play it. Here is a link for tee times…FARMSTEAD TEE TIMES
Why should YOU play Farmstead?
True to its name, Farmstead Golf Links gives players the feeling of playing golf “down on the farm,” (which you know us horse people LOVE). The course occupies property that used to be farmland for a prominent local family, the McLambs. In 2001, the golf course, designed by Willard Byrd and Dave Johnson, emerged from the landscape and has been a delight to its loyal local players and thousands of annual visitors ever since. With sprawling fairways, well-placed bunkers and undulating greens, the course has an open feel, with wind affecting play most every day. We had to club up 2 clubs on the back 9. As much as I love houses…I so enjoyed not seeing ONE house the hole day. (The bad news about the lack of houses will come as you read on).
More about Farmstead…
Located on the northern end of the Grand Strand, Farmstead Golf Links is one of the most exciting courses in the Carolinas. It really is. Routed along a spectacular piece of land, the course boasts one of the most memorable holes in the Myrtle Beach area — its mammoth, 767-yard, 18th hole. The region’s only par 6, this finishing hole actually begins with a drive into a wide sweeping fairway in South Carolina and concludes on a large undulating green in North Carolina. Check out the pictures of me in South Carolina…minutes later I was finishing up my round in North Carolina! How fun is that? It was a scary hole with water all along the last few shots in to the green and behind the green.
Set on 480 acres, the links-style layout follows the land’s natural contours. Fairways are framed by native grasses and pristine lakes, providing many memorable visuals and a course that allows golfers to use their creativity. I LOVED being greeted by a HUGE rooster statue as I got my golf cart. Everything about this course makes you smile and relax as you get ready to tee off.
The BAD news…
Unfortunately…all good things must come to an end. Here is the story of the change that is going to happen at the end of October. I was so shocked when I heard this news. But, it is happening all over the country…even though golf is experiencing a HUGE boom, golf courses are succumbing to the pressure of developers with housing needs an an all time high. Farmstead Golf Links to CLOSE
So…if you have a chance to play a great round of golf on a beautifully maintained public golf course…head to Farmstead Golf Links in Myrtle Beach…SOON! I am going to schedule a time to go play one last time before the end of October…let me know if you want to join me! In the meantime…check out this great video about Farmstead…
