NGA Hooters mini-tour to include Black Bear Golf Club
07/02/2008

A 54- hole tournament began Tuesday and will go through Thursday at Black Bear Golf Club in Longs, SC. The tournament will be a six week stint in the Strand through September 4th. The Carolina Series in modeled after the Hooters Winter Series, the primary subsidiary of the North Myrtle Beach-based Hooters Tour, which began 20 years ago as the T.C. Jordan Tour and is staging 18 four-day $200,000 events this season predominately in the Southeast and Midwest. The Carolina Series was created in part to provide an overflow basin when the regular Hooters Tour is sold out. The group will also play at Black Bear on August 19-21, 2008.

Burning Ridge Golf Club to participate in the PGA Family Course program
04/22/2008

This summer Burning Ridge Golf Club is joining The PGA of America and U.S. Kids Golf to participate in the "PGA Family Course" program. The program attracts more family participation in the game of golf nationwide.

PGA Family Course programs create a "short course" experience within any existing course, making golf more fun, enjoyable and playable for golfers of any age or ability. Special PGA Family Tee Markers that were designed by U.S. Kids Golf, will be used to enable the course to be transformed into a beginner-friendly short course. Designated "PGA Family Course" tee plates, cart path plates and score cards will ease in participation. This program enables players of varying abilities to shoot similar scores and encourages parents and kids to come to the course together.

Currently, more than 250 facilities across the United States participate in the PGA Family Course Program. For more information or to participate in the PGA Family Course program, please call 843-347-0538.

http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?track=1075

Classic Golf Getaways- New Golf Packaging Company NOW OPEN!
05/23/2008
Classic Golf Getaways, a complete golf packaging company is available to assist golfers with planning their next golf trip. With over twelve years of experience in the golf travel industry, Classic Golf Getaways takes the worry out of the planning stage. Personal service is given with careful detail to ensure each golfer has the ultimate Myrtle Beach golf experience. Offering a wide variety or golf courses and accommodation choices, Classic Golf Getaways will customize each package to suit the needs of each group.

Contact Classic Golf Getaways at 1-877-976 GOLF (4653) for personal attention with planning your next golf trip to Myrtle Beach.

http://www.classicgolfgetaways.com

Indian Wells to participate in Father/Son Team Classic
05/08/2008

Mark your calendars for July 17-19, 2008 when fathers and sons unite for the 11th annual Martin's PGA TOUR Superstore National Father/Son Team Classic. The three day family event has become the largest father/son golf event in the world. Last year's 57 hole competition drew over 1,600 players from 44 states and 8 foreign countries-36 flights in all.

Eligibility for the tournament is open to fathers and sons, grandfathers and grandsons; stepfathers and stepsons, fathers and sons-in-law; and uncles and nephews. Along with three days of golf and an expectional gift package, each player will receive a $200 Martin's PGA Tour Superstore gift card.

Indian Wells Golf Club is one of the tournament host sites. The tournament committee remains committed to bringing participants only the highest quality golf. Other courses participating are: Farmstead, Grand Dunes, Legends, Tidewater, Wachesaw East, Arrowhead, Barefoot, Myrtlewood, Crow Creek, River Hills, Heather Glen, Thistle and Wild Wing.

http://www.fathersongolf.com

Black Bear and Indian Wells to participate in the Veterans Classic
05/08/2008

May 19-21, 2008 Military Veterans, active Military personnel and their families from across the country come together in Myrtle Beach for fun, great golf and camaraderie. This three-round team tournament features a different format each day and is flighted based on the combined team handicap. Singles are always welcome and will be paired with other players by the event staff.

http://www.veteransclassic.com

Waccamaw Golf Trail Member Will Be First South Strand Course To Open in Seven Years
12/30/2007

The Founders Club at Pawleys Island will celebrate its grand opening on February 1, 2008, and is the first course to open on the south strand since the International Club debuted in 2000. One of five courses owned and operated by The Classic Golf Group, The Founders Club sits upon on the site of the former Sea Gull Golf Club, which opened in 1965 as one of the first golf courses in Pawleys Island. The Founders Club is one of the original members of the Waccamaw Golf Trail.

Architect Thomas Walker, once with the Gary Player Design Group, directed The Founders Club project, with construction costs were estimated at more than $7 million.

Featuring Bermuda fairways and a mixture of Bermuda and Zoysia in the rough, The Founders Club joins TPC of Scottsdale as the only two golf courses in the United States with Emerald Bermuda greens. A new strand of grass just released from the Champion Turf Company, Emerald Bermuda tolerates the hot South Carolina summer sun and requires less water than other grasses.

Walker complemented the lowcountry backdrop of the Waccamaw Neck area by adding Love Grass and Bluestem native grasses, pine and centuries-old oak trees and other vegetation around the Founders Club course. The waste areas reflect the south strands terrain with a bright shade of orange sand.

We started this project back in 2006 and it will be exciting to open our doors so golfers can enjoy the newest world-class facility on the Grand Strand, said Wayne Weldon, general manager and head golf professional at The Founders Club. We worked closely with the architect to make sure that the course blends perfectly with the natural surroundings. Cart paths have been kept to a minimum and the new drainage and irrigation systems will ensure lush conditions and that the course sheds water quickly.

The Founders Club measures 6910 yards from the back with a choice of five sets of tees available on each hole, with yardage to match any golfers skill level. All Founders Club golf carts are equipped with the newest GPS technology with accurate yardages and graphics available to the golfer for each hole. The pro shop will utilize the newest GPS software to keep track of all carts on the course to expedite pace of play.

The Founders Club will also unveil the new 5,000 square foot clubhouse with a wrap-around porch, pro shop, locker rooms, dining area, meeting facilities fireplace and bar. Designed by Palmetto Architecture of Myrtle Beach, the Clubhouse overlooks the 10th and 18th greens.

About the Waccamaw Golf Trail The Waccamaw Golf Trail is a marketing cooperative comprised of 12 south strand golf courses, and accommodations providers, Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort and Pawleys Plantation. The non-profit organization was created to provide more information on golf and vacation packages. The collection of golf courses that make up the Waccamaw Golf Trail includes Blackmoor, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Heritage Club, Litchfield Country Club, Pawleys Plantation, River Club, TPC of Myrtle Beach, Tradition Club, True Blue Plantation, Wachesaw Plantation East, Willbrook Plantation and Founders Club at Pawleys Island, which will open in February of 2008. Most of the courses on the Trail were built upon the sites of 18th and 19th century rice and indigo plantations, set amid ancient moss-draped oaks and tidal rivers. The list of accolades for these courses includes GOLF Magazines Americas Top 100, Golf for Womens Top 25 in America, six 4½ -star courses and one of only three 5-star courses in the southeast as rated by Golf Digest.

Founders Club To Open February 1st 2008
11/14/2007

Celebrating the Grand Opening February 1st, the Founders Club at Pawleys Island will offer a world class golf experience at the newest course along the Grand Strand. The Founders Club is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Waccamaw River. The course offers a beautiful low country backdrop under centuries old live oak trees, native grasses and natural ponds. The waste areas reflect the south strands terrain with a bright shade of orange sand.

Architect Thomas Walker, once with the Gary Player Design Group, led the $7 million dollar construction project. While the corridors remain the same, the new golf course bears few similarities to the old Sea Gull Golf Club.

The front nine is virtually unrecognizable from the old Sea Gull golf course. The changes include Hole #1 being shortened by about 50 yards, and a huge practice putting green has been installed directly behind the tee boxes. You actually step from the putting green to the tee box. The #3 hole now has split sets of tee boxes. #4 has been converted to a par 4, and a lake has been built behind the tee boxes. The #6 hole has been converted to a wonderful risk/reward par 5. Hole #12 now has a split fairway and the green has been moved down closer to the lake. Walker has created a course that is esthetically pleasing to the eye, but near as difficult as it appears. The bunkers and mounding blends perfectly with the natural surroundings and cart paths are kept to a minimum. There are 5 sets of tees on each hole: Professional, Championship, Mens regular/Lady professional, Senior/Lady championship, and Ladys regular/Junior. The Founders Club measures 7007 yards from the back. All golf carts will be equipped with the newest GPS technology with accurate yardages and graphics. The pro shop will utilize the same GPS software to keep track of all carts on the course to expedite pace of play.

Featuring Bermuda fairways and a mixture of Bermuda and Zoysia in the rough, The Founders Club joins the TPC in Scottsdale as the only two golf courses in the United States with Emerald Bermuda greens. A new strand of grass just released from the Champion Turf Company, Emerald Bermuda tolerates the hot South Carolina summer sun and requires less water than other grasses.

The Founders Club will also unveil a brand new 5,000 square foot Clubhouse with wrap around porch which overlooks the 10th and 18th hole. Designed by Palmetto Architecture of Myrtle Beach, the clubhouse will feature an upscale grille area with a fireplace, large television sets and bar area. Classically decorated locker rooms offers card tables, televisions and showers in an elegant, but relaxed atmosphere.

Veteran Club Professional Wayne Welden is the General Manager. Book your tee time now to experience the newest course in the Grand Strand in a long, long time.

Founders Club At Pawleys Island Selected As The New Name For Former Sea Gull Golf Club
08/01/2006

Classic Golf Group Conducts Website Contest to Name New Course with Winning Entry Submitted by North Carolina Golfer

August 1, 2006, Pawleys Island, S.C. - The Classic Golf Group has announced that Founders Club at Pawleys Island was selected as the name for the new golf course being built on the site of the former Sea Gull Golf Club. During the month of June, Classic Golf Group held a contest on its website (www.playaclassic.com) and asked golfers to suggest their favorite name for Myrtle Beach's first new public golf course in the Pawleys Island area in five years.

Iris Stoudt's suggestion of Founders Club at Pawleys Island was chosen by the name selection committee, which included owners Ed Jerdon and Rowland Thomas, general manager Tommy Smothers and members of the Classic Golf Group management team, from more than 3,000 entries submitted. For her efforts, Stoudt was rewarded with a golf membership to the Founders Club at Pawleys Island.

"I think the new name has a lot of class," said Stoudt of Wake Forest, N.C. "I based my entry on the history of Sea Gull Golf Club as it was one of the first golf courses to open in Pawleys Island in 1966."

The groundbreaking for the Founders Club started July 24, 2006, with a projected grand opening date of September 2007. Thomas Walker, lead architect from the Gary Player Design Group, took the basic course design of the former Sea Gull Golf Course and made modifications to the topography, elevation and the numbers of waste areas to set tees, fairways and greens apart. Palmetto Architecture of Myrtle Beach is designing the new Founders clubhouse, which will feature a lowcountry design, a wrap-around porch, dining and meeting facilities and second-floor office space as it overlooks the 10th and 18th greens.

"The Founders Club will be a very high end golf club and a great asset to the golf community in Pawleys Island and along the Grand Strand," said Tommy Smothers, general manager of the Classic Golf Group. "We are very excited about the groundbreaking of this world-class and uniquely designed golf course."

About Classic Golf Group
Classic Golf Group is an established golf management company that provides operational and management services for a wide range of courses. Classic Golf Group creates an exceptional golf experience on quality courses for a competitive price as a result of their commitment to the game, the product and to the customer. In the last three years, two Classic Golf Group courses have been selected as the "Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year" by the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (Burning Ridge - 2006, Indian Wells - 2004). Currently, the Classic Golf Group manages five Grand Strand area golf courses including Burning Ridge, Indian Wells, Black Bear, Crown Park and the new Founders Club at Pawleys Island scheduled to open in September 2007. For additional information about The Classic Golf Group, call 1-800-TEE-OFFS or (843) 293-8008 or visit www.ClassicGolfGroup.com.

Burning Ridge Named Course of the Year
07/27/2006

Burning Ridge Golf Club was named as the "2006 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year" by the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (MBAGCOA). With the honor, Burning Ridge becomes the second Classic Golf Group property to win the "Course of the Year" award in the last three years (Indian Wells, 2004).

Burning Ridge is now eligible for the state and national "Golf Course of the Year" awards to be announced in August and in the fall, respectively.

For "Golf Course of the Year," the MBAGCOA judged and evaluated area courses on golf course quality, quality of ownership and management, contributions to the community and contributions to the growth of the game and selected Burning Ridge for its strength in each of these areas. The course's contributions to the Grand Strand community included hosting the Myrtle Beach Pelicans' annual fundraiser, working with the Myrtle Beach and Conway Chambers of Commerce and offering special membership opportunities to members of the Grand Strand retirement community.

Burning Ridge has contributed to the growth of the game by offering junior golf programs as well as featuring a year-round "Kids Play Free" program. Burning Ridge also provided internships for students enrolled in Horry Georgetown Technical College's Turf Grass Management program and San Diego Golf Academy's Golf Management program. The Burning Ridge staff is encouraged to participate in professional and community organizations and is provided with continuous education including golf professional training courses.

"I am very proud of our Burning Ridge employees and to be recognized for all the hard work makes it worthwhile," said Rick Taylor, Burning Ridge general manager. "We set a high bar at Burning Ridge Golf Club and are prepared to exceed it in the future."

"We are honored to have been selected as the '2006 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year'," said Tommy Smothers, general manager of The Classic Golf Group. "This is a compliment to the hard work of the Burning Ridge staff to be selected as the top course in the area. The Classic Golf Group ownership and management believe in focusing on the details that are important to the public. We want to help grow the game of golf and the community and not just our revenues."

"Burning Ridge is the epitome of what we consider a worthy 'Golf Course of the Year' candidate," said George Hilliard, Executive Director of the MBAGCOA. "They met and exceeded all of the criteria that we designate for the award and will represent the Myrtle Beach area well at the state and national levels."

The National Golf Course Owners Association implemented the award in 1996 and the MBAGCOA has since nominated courses from the Myrtle Beach area. Past recipients of the regional award include TPC of Myrtle Beach (2005), Indian Wells Golf Club (2004), World Tour Golf Links (2003), Wild Wing Plantation (2002), Blackmoor (2001), Tradition Golf Club (2000), Bay Tree Golf Plantation (1999), Arrowhead Country Club (1998) and Myrtle Beach Nationals Kings North (1996). Five of the Myrtle Beach regional winners also captured the state award; TPC, Wild Wing, Tradition, Arrowhead and Kings North. World Tour was named as the national Golf Course of the Year and is the only Grand Strand to achieve that honor to date.

About Classic Golf Group
The Classic Golf Group is an established golf management company that provides operational and management services for a wide range of courses. The Classic Golf Group creates an exceptional golf experience on quality courses for a competitive price as a result of their commitment to the game, the product and to the customer. Currently, Classic Golf Group manages the five Grand Strand area golf courses including Burning Ridge, Indian Wells, Black Bear, Crown Park and the new Founders Club at Pawleys Island scheduled to open in 2007. For additional information about Classic Golf Group, call 1-800-TEE-OFFS or (843) 293-8008 or visit www.ClassicGolfGroup.com.

Classic Golf Group Names General Manager
06/01/2006
Classic Golf Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas W. Smothers to the position of General Manager of the company. Tommy has been with Classic Golf Group since January 2002. He served as Assistant Golf Professional at the company's Sea Gull Golf Club where he was involved in all aspects of the club's operations including customer service, tournament operations, revenue and expense budgeting, staff scheduling and supervision, and merchandising. Tommy was appointed Business and Finance Director of Classic Golf Group in March 2004. In this position he was responsible for all finance and administrative functions in the company.

Prior to joining Classic Golf Group Tommy was the owner of S. O. S. Computer Solutions in Myrtle Beach, SC, a computer consulting and internet service operation. After building the company to a profitable position, the company was sold to a national internet company.

Tommy has worked previously in the golf business since 1991 where he began as an administrative assistant helping the golf course owner organize and supervise all administrative operations. He went on to serve as systems administrator for a multi-course operator. In this position he established the computer architecture and maintained the computer and communications hardware and software for the operations and management of seven golf courses. Tommy's extensive computer skills include proficiency in all office applications, internet applications, and many point-of-sale systems.

Tommy graduated with high honors from Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, SC. He attended Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC. He made both the President's and the Dean's list and achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average during two of his four semesters there. He was also a member of the #1 nationally ranked Methodist Monarch baseball team and participated in the Division III College World Series. He then attended NC State University where his studies included computer engineering, business administration, advanced analytical and statistical mathematics. Tommy is currently enrolled in the PGA Golf Management Program, Level 2.

Tommy resides in Myrtle Beach. He and his wife Patricia have two sons, Austin and Brennan, eleven and six years old.

Indian Wells Garners Two Major Awards
04/01/2005
Indian Wells Golf Club received the "Golf Course of the Year" award for 2004 from the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (MBAGCOA). Additionally, the Myrtle Beach Golfing News awarded Indian Wells Golf Club the "Hospitality and Operations Excellence Award" making it the third consecutive year a member of the Classic Golf Group Management Company has won the award." For "Golf Course of the Year," the MBAGCOA judged and evaluated area courses on quality of the golf course, quality of management, contributions to the community and contributions to the growth of the game and selected Indian Wells Golf Club because of its strength in each of these areas. The course's community involvement includes helping with charitable donations and services such as the Salvation Army and Children's Miracle Network, hosting charity tournaments and providing employment opportunities. Indian Wells has contributed to the growth of the game by offering junior golf clinics as well as a variety of adult programs. It has also provided internships for golf course management and maintenance programs for local colleges. Its staff is encouraged to participate in professional and community organizations and is provided with continuous education including golf professional training courses. Indian Wells has also been a proud supporter of the Coastal Carolina Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program by allowing participating students access to golf facilities. The course is also a proud member of the Audubon Society. For the "Hospitality and Operational Excellence Award", the Myrtle Beach Golfing News "Mystery Shops" the majority of the golf courses in the Myrtle beach Area. The panel of "Mystery Shoppers" then report their finding back to the Golfing News. With the scorecards compiled, the clear winner was Indian Wells. "We are honored to have been chosen as Golf Course of the Year and the recipient of the "Hospitality and Operational Excellence Award," said Skip Corn, General Manager of Classic Golf Group. "To be selected by our peers and members of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association speaks well of Indian Wells, our staff and Classic Golf Group. And the hospitality award is something I am particularly proud of because the Classic Golf Group as a company places so much emphasis on this area of our operation."