Inside the Blakely Golf Association: How to Plan a Large Golf Trip

The Blakely Golf Association took its first Myrtle Beach golf trip in 1984, and a group that started with a couple of high school friends has grown to include players from 13 states. Like so many groups, the BGA has distinct characteristics that make it special to participants.

The BGA trip is longer than most – 8 days – and includes 40 players. Eighteen players stay for the duration while others cycle through in two stages, playing either the first four days of the trip or the last four.  

The last four days, which includes the player draft (two captains select teams), tournament and awards banquet, are the most desirable but space is tight.

The group’s leadership includes an executive council (made up of players that have played for more than five years) who enjoy a guaranteed spot on a trip. While the executive council may have some say in trip planning, the heavy lifting is done by Dan and Chris Cardell, brothers who grew up in Blakely, Pa., hence the group name.

We talked with the Cardell brothers about the BGA and administering a trip that includes up to 40 people.

Here is a short Q&A with the BGA brain trust about their annual Myrtle Beach golf trip:

2012 golf course lineup: Shaftesbury Glen, Moorland, Parkland, Glen Dornoch, Wild Wing Avocet, Parkland, King’s North, Southcreek, Heather Glen.

When do you start planning the next trip?
Dan Cardell: As soon as we finish up we start looking (at the next year). We schedule it so we get back the week before Mother’s Day. We pick our courses in late summer and deposits are due Super Bowl Sunday.

We try to bring in rookies but it’s getting tough. Everyone wants to be there for the back end and the tournament, so the new guys have to play on the front end.

Why is Myrtle Beach the destination for the BGA?
DC: Myrtle Beach is what the world would be like with no wives! Once you have something that works, you stick with it. Myrtle Beach has variety, but we are familiar enough with everything that there are no surprises.

What tips would you provide new group leaders?
DC: The most important thing I’ve learned is democracy doesn’t work. You just have to tell people what to do, what the bet of the day is, and what the game of the day is. Organize everything ahead of time, and everybody appreciates that they can put their brain in neutral for a week.

We use Golf Desk to book our trip … (A golf packager) knows the courses and they can get tee times. When you are talking about getting seven groups off in the morning and then back again in the afternoon, it’s important that you book early.

How do you handle transportation with a large group?
Chris Cardell: We get cars and vans setup. Driving is the toughest thing, so we make sure everyone is responsible driving; we get restaurants near our place and stuff like that.