Grande Dunes Head Pro Talks Terrazza 19, New Greens

In his recent visit to Grande Dunes Resort Course, PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com’s Charlie Rymer caught up with its new head golf professional, Tom Vanhoogen, to get his thoughts on the things he likes most about Grande Dunes’ recent makeover: its new restaurant, Terrazza 19, and its new TifEagle ultradwarf bermudagrass greens.

Charlie Rymer:

Well, I know the folks who come out here to play, they’re going to appreciate the new grass, beautiful sand in the bunkers. But what I noticed when I first came in the doors, the clubhouse has a whole new vibe. I mean, you guys have been really busy on the inside here, too.

Tom Vanhoogen:

They’ve done a great job, honestly, redesigning the clubhouse. It’s a lot more open, has a lot more modern feel. Get away from that dark wood, open it up, bright area, a lot of windows. It’s going to be nice. People have walked in, the few people I’ve seen so far since it’s so new, who’ve said, “Wow, it’s so bright and nice in here,” and that’s what we’ve been getting.

Charlie Rymer:

When you go look at the golf course, the changes have been done, what’s the most significant change for you? Is it a hole? Is it the grass in general? Is it the bunkers? What’s the biggest change for you?

Tom Vanhoogen:

I think it’s the green size. When you hear that they’re going to take the greens back to the original size, you don’t know how big that is until they get out there and do it. The greens, they are the same layout, but they look so different from the drastic size change of them.