Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s verdant sprawl, is renowned for its affiliation with the rich sport of golf. Lying in the heart of this mesmerizing geography is a story of golf transition, from humble beginnings to the iconic status it enjoys today in the Palmetto State. Run your fingers through the fine green blades at Myrtle Beach’s renowned golf courses and feel the echo of a history spanning over a century.
A Tale of Humble Beginnings
Our tale begins in 1900, when the South Carolina Golf Club in Charleston became the first golf club in South Carolina. Following the footsteps of Scotland, the birthplace of golf, the South Carolina Golf Club acquainted the locals with the sport, marking the inception of South Carolinian golf history. The initiation, however, was not an overnight sensation but a gradual evolution.
In the subsequent years, the sport slowly gained traction, leading to the foundation of the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, the Highland Park Country Club in Columbia, and the Country Club of Charleston. The turf was set, the clubs were swinging, and the golf balls began their dance around the state; an era of prominent golfing had been ushered into South Carolina.
Great Depression and the Resilience of the Golf State
Through the roaring twenties, local interest in golf grew exponentially. However, the onslaught of the Great Depression in the 1930s put a damper on the golfing spirit as financial hardship put recreational activities on the back burner. The economic crisis, however, failed to extinct the flame of golf in the Palmetto State and golf clubs and courses held strong through the grim period.
In 1937, notable architect Robert White added another jewel to South Carolina’s golfing crown by designing the Ocean Forest Country Club in Myrtle Beach. It marked a new beginning and placed Myrtle Beach on the golfing map, paving the way for Myrtle Beach to become the “Golf Capital of the World”.
Post-War Boom and the Rise of Myrtle Beach
The resurgence of economic prosperity in the post-war period revived the golf scenario in South Carolina. With more disposable income, people once again found leisure time for sports and golf came surging back. The 1960s and 70s saw an unparalleled boom in golf course construction across Myrtle Beach and South Carolina.
With over 50 courses opening in two decades, the area became a central hub for vacationing golfers from all over the world. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Pine Lakes Country Club, and the Surf Golf & Beach Club all became part of the legendary Myrtle Beach golf landscape, attracting a sea of professional and amateur golfers.
Modern Day Golf in Myrtle Beach
Today, Myrtle Beach boasts more than 80 golf courses, scattered across the Grand Strand, from Georgetown to the North Carolina border. Each club has its unique flavor, catering to different levels and styles of golfers. Added to that, the yearly Masters tournament at Augusta National has bolstered South Carolina’s prestige on the global golfing stage.
The spiraling development of magnificent resort courses and golf-centered residential communities, such as Barefoot Resort, Tidewater Golf Club and many others, echoes the evolving taste and expanding popularity of golf. These developments provide not only world-class golf facilities but also encompass the rich South Carolinian lifestyle, making them vibrant residential and vacationing spots.
So, whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a fascinated novice, a local or a vacationer, South Carolina, especially Myrtle Beach, has more than a century of rich golf history to share with you. These lush green fairways house stories of resilience, growth and a ceaseless fondness for the sport of golf. As one takes a swing on this historic turf, one is truly partaking in a piece of history.