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Is there finer Grand Strand golf than Caledonia on Pawleys Island?

Friday February 16, 2007 | 06:39:27 pm 303 words, 1874 views  

I’ve only been in Myrtle Beach two weeks now. So far, my hands-down favorite course is Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.

As a Michigan native, playing southeastern golf can get redundant, since many of the courses are in residential communities, flat, winding around ponds, creeks and huge waste bunkers. It’s still kind of weird to me carts can go in bunkers at a lot of courses here.

Caledonia blew me away. It’s got a good deal of undulation, which while playing, I wasn’t sure if it was natural or not. Turns out, the marshy property only had four feet of undulation change and this was architect Mike Strantz’s doing. He wasn’t shy with the bulldozer, but if told it was all natural, I’d probably believe it.

Many courses move dirt around trying to get some hills out of the land. Nowhere I’ve played so far does it more seamlessly than Caledonia. Nowhere comes close, really. At least so far.

What also sets the club apart is the club’s ambiance. The drive into the club is beautiful. Houses are nowhere on the property, only a handful line the perimeter.

The back nine, Hole No. 13 especially, is a beauty - and difficult. The 18th is a fantastic finisher that plays over water to the green in front of the clubhouse. There is a patio and in the warmer months is packed with finished golfers drinking and even placing bets on what shots will find the drink. According to course staff, it can get downright rowdy sometimes. A scout team from Hollywood visited Caledonia and considered the hole to be used in the filming of Tin Cup.

I’m going to try and play ALL the courses in the Grand Strand. In the early stages, my heart’s with Caledonia.

The 13th at Caledonia highlights an impressive back nine.
Permalink 2 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Eye On Golf [Visitor]
BT, many years ago, I was fortunate to play Caledonia before it even opened to the public. It was a cold December day, but it made no difference. It was one of those rare golfing experiences of a lifetime. There was something to remwmber about every hole.

Enjoy your time in MB. I spent many years there.
PermalinkPermalink 02/17/07 @ 08:39
Comment from: RonMon [Visitor] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/ron.mon
Strantz is similar to Jonathan Larson, of RENT fame...died far too young, with far too much revolutionary talent. Unlike Larson, we have a little more from Strantz.

I played True Blue last Summer, and bragged about it until my friends left. I did not get to play Caledonia, and anticipate a return one day. Try to play TB, and let us know what your comparison/contrast would be.
PermalinkPermalink 02/17/07 @ 12:02

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Brandon Tucker Brandon Tucker

a WorldGolf.com Blog

WorldGolf.com blogger Brandon Tucker offers his unique perspective on golf and travel destinations from Scotland and Ireland to Myrtle Beach. He also chimes in on news events on the PGA and LPGA Tours, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and other happenings around the world of golf.