This visit is just what the doctor ordered – in this case, it’s “The Open Doctor,” course architect Rees Jones, whose first solo signature design resides in Myrtle Beach! Join Charlie as he travels to Arcadian Shores Golf Club and takes on its challenging, par-4 13th hole!
Cancer knocked me down, but not out. Now, I’m cancer free. The recovery? It’s been tough. I’ll need patience, a lot of humor …
(You can only keep talent down for so long!)
… And support from friends and family. Over the last two years, I haven’t played much golf, but there’s no better place to get back in the game than on 66 courses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We’re keeping score, but just teeing it up means I’ve already won!
(You’re not going to believe where this ball ended up!)
Join me on my journey to break par!
Charlie Rymer:
Rees Jones designed a beauty here at Arcadian Shores. But man, I’ve got my work cut out for me on this hole. Got to get it over the hill on this tee shot to avoid having too long of an approach, and that one’s all carry, with a big pond between you and the green. Birdie might be a tall order here, but let’s see what we got!
I was texting last night with Rees Jones. Yeah, that Rees Jones. He’s golf architect royalty. Rees has only done 27 golf courses that have either hosted major championships or international team competitions like the Ryder Cup, the President’s Cup, the Solheim Cup. He knows how to build one of these.
This is Arcadian Shores in North Myrtle Beach. It’s one of his first golf courses. He told me last night, “Yeah, that one had a nice long run in the top 100.” It’s one of my favorite places and this is a great hole, number 13. Peels around to the left. I’m going to hit a fairway metal here. Try and get a little draw working. I can make that work.
They ain’t joking about this around here. “Beware of them aglitators.” We got some that are 30, 40 feet around here. I’ve seen them jump up in the top of trees. You guys, when you come here to North Myrtle Beach and play golf in Arcadian Shores, you’re not safe anywhere. I might be exaggerating a little bit. Just a little. Beware of them aglitators.
I was probably 10 years old the first time I played this golf course. This hole that we’re playing here, number 13, it was awesome. Because I remember my dad had a bet with the guys that were playing behind us. He missed a putt here and he threw his putter in the water. I grew up thinking you’re supposed to throw clubs because of that. Ruined forever. Thanks, Dad. Wonder if that putter’s still here. Probably rusted out.
All right, so here’s the deal. I’m just in the right rough. Don’t know if you can notice or not, but I’m playing off a little bit of a downhill lie. A couple things are going to happen here. I got to get a little more weight on my left side because I want to swing down the slope. I don’t want to swing up across it. This nine iron, well it basically gets turned into an eight iron. Ball goes a little farther off a downhill lie. A little shorter off an uphill lie. Uh oh, that one didn’t go far enough. It’s all right. I’ve got an amazing short game. Sometimes. Ow, that hurt.
I’m lucky that one stayed dry. Uh oh, a little bit of work left with that. Some people still leave that pin in. I never liked it in. We saw if you’re trying to put it in a hole, you want as little stuff as possible in that hole. There we go. Nice little ugly par. I’m just trying to keep up with old man par.
Those aglitators can’t keep me down. Par’s a good score here. Let’s take some of the momentum up the road and see how we do next at one of Myrtle Beach’s top golf resorts!