Those who have been to the Grand Strand Region of the Carolinas for golf are well aware of the vastness of the area. The stretch of coastline running from just over the North Carolina border to the southern border of Southern Carolina is often lumped together when referred to. Still, the nearly 100 kilometers (60 miles) means portions of the region are distinct.
One has been in the south, near Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. The area has long been known as the “quiet” Myrtle Beach, known for fewer commercial outlets, instead showcasing the natural beauty of the land and sea, intersected by more organic points of interest for travelers.
A dozen golf courses in these parts were once known as the Waccamaw Golf Trail, but have recently re-branded as the Hammock Coast Golf Trail, a name more in line with one that is already more pre-dominant locally.
The Hammock Coast encompasses six communities, all located in Georgetown County – Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Georgetown and Andrews.
Along the coast, which is centered on the stunning beach, are a fair share of rental properties that attract tourists all year long, making it an ideal destination for golfers who come to enjoy some of the best know golf properties in the state. They include Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue Golf Club, TPC Myrtle Beach, and the newly renovated Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club.
“The rebranding of the Hammock Coast Golf Trail is a natural one, linking the area’s golf courses to the larger tourism community in a manner that will benefit everyone,” said Bob Seganti, general manager of Caledonia and True Blue and a member of the county’s Tourism Management Commission, which oversees the marketing of South Carolina’s Hammock Coast. “Golf is an integral part of what makes this area so popular, attracting visitors 12 months a year, and we are proud to help expand the reach of the Hammock Coast brand.”
“We’ve worked tirelessly to brand the area, and the decision of courses like Caledonia, True Blue and Pawleys Plantation to promote their properties under the Hammock Coast umbrella is a testament to the success of those efforts,” said Beth Stedman, president and CEO of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. “We are home to some of the nation’s most acclaimed beaches and golf courses, and it only makes sense to have them work together to spread the word about everything the area has to offer under the Hammock Coast brand.”
The Hammock Coast Golf Trail features award-winning courses playing through moss-draped oaks and gently flowing tidal rivers. The layouts of the HCGT – Blackmoor Golf Club, Caledonia, Founders Club, Litchfield Country Club, Pawleys, River Club, TPC, Tradition Club, True Blue, Wachesaw Plantation East, Wedgefield Country Club, and Willbrook Plantation Golf Club – allow golfers to package the area’s best courses, restaurants and accommodations on one unforgettable trip.
Headlining the area’s offerings are Caledonia and True Blue, both Mike Strantz designs that are ranked among America’s top 100 resort courses, Pawleys Plantation, a Jack Nicklaus layout that just underwent a transformative greens, bunkers, and clubhouse restoration project, and TPC, a course that has challenged the world’s best golfers.
Blackmoor is golf legend Gary Players’ only area design, while Litchfield Country Club, Pawleys Island’s first course, continues to delight with its playability and conditions.
Founders Club treats players to generous fairways framed by waste bunkers, creating memorable visuals. At the same time, River Club, Tradition, and Willbrook, a trio of layouts that deliver the quality and value that help make the area so popular, have formed the backbone of countless Hammock Coast Golf Trail trips.
Wachesaw Plantation East hosted four LPGA Tour events, a testament to the quality of the Clyde Johnston design, while Wedgefield Country Club plays along the Black River, providing views golfers talk about long after returning home.
A Hammock Coast Golf Trail package can be booked as a stay-and-play trip or a golf-only offer.
With average high temperatures of 77 degrees in October, 70 in November, and 63 in December, the Hammock Coast is a prime location for a Fall trip.
For more information on the Hammock Coast Golf Trail, visit www.HammockCoastGolfTrail.com.
