Guests at Long Bay Resort are conveniently located to some of the best attractions, shopping and dining Myrtle Beach has to offer, along with perhaps THE BEST golf course on the Grand Strand – The Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
Opened in 1949, The Dunes Club was the second golf course built in the Myrtle Beach area, behind only Pine Lakes International Country Club. Situated on the exclusive north end of Myrtle Beach, The Dunes Club borders the Atlantic Ocean and covers the scenic woodlands and wetlands of the Lowcountry. The beautifully diverse terrain and quality handiwork of legendary architect/designer Robert Trent Jones combine to create a unique golf experience you won't find at the other 100-plus courses on the Grand Strand.
The Dunes Club is not only considered one the top layouts in South Carolina; it's also ranked among the top courses in the United States. Jones carved his masterpiece out of marshlands and maritime forest, creating an ideal merger of natural beauty and a manmade craftsmanship. Featuring sandy, rolling terrain along the oceanfront and towering trees framing the fairways, The Dunes Club was awarded 4 1/2 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest, and the course continues to be voted the consensus “No. 1 Golf Course in Myrtle Beach” by various national golf publications. In addition to receiving national and international fame, The Dunes Club has played host to several professional tour events, including the Senior Tour PGA Championships, the Women's U.S. Open and PGA Tour Q-Schools.
The Dunes Club has undergone several renovations projects over the years, but club officials have made sure to preserve the original design left by Jones. In fact, the most recent project in 2013 – which saw the conversion of all greens from A-1 Bentgrass to Ultradwarf Champion Bermuda surfaces, major changes to the driving range and practice facilities, and added more than 250 yards to the championship tees – were performed under the watchful eye of Rees Jones, the son of the founding father and a renowned architect in his own right. He made sure to tread lightly on his father's vision.
Now measuring at 7,450 yards from the championship tees, The Dunes Club stays true to the original layout while keeping up with the technological advances that have given golfers unfair advantages over older layouts. The positioning of fairways and greens throughout the forests and waste areas makes The Dunes Club especially challenging. Every hole is a gem at The Dunes Club, but a few memorable holes stand out, particularly the aptly-nicknamed No. 13 “Waterloo.” Like Napoleon, many golfers have met their demise on this par-5, 640-yard beast that wraps around Lake Singleton and dares golfers to cross the open waters to the banks lined with elevated mounds and alligators. Waterloo has made numerous lists for the hardest holes in America.
But the degree of difficulty is tempered by the scenic beauty of the course and the Southern charm of the clubhouse. Following 18 of the toughest yet most enjoyable holes of golf you’ve ever played, enjoy a drink at the 19th hole overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and share stories about your rounds with the regulars. The Dunes Club is semi-private, so only a limited number of public rounds are available. Ask the friendly staff at Long Bay Resort to book your group’s tee time at The Dunes Club or any of the 100 courses on the Strand, and create your own dream Myrtle Beach golf package for extra savings on accommodations and greens fees.
(posted 9/5/14)