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Allan Long

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Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« on: August 30, 2002, 06:59:14 AM »
For those of you with knowledge of the MB golf scene, I am trying to find out what happened to Gator Hole, a Rees Jones course in MB that no longer exists. I can't find if they plowed up the course and put another on the site, or if it just became housing. Any help would be appreciated.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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I don't know how I would ever have been able to look into the past with any degree of pleasure or enjoy the present with any degree of contentment if it had not been for the extraordinary influence the game of golf has had upon my welfare.
--C.B. Macdonald

Rick_Noyes

Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2002, 07:02:41 AM »
The land Gator Hole was sitting on became too valuable to operate a golf course.  It was sold and since been engulfed (for the lack of a better term) by MB development.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Bob_Farrell

Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2002, 07:03:19 AM »
Allan:

I really don't know, but that's disturbing news. I always loved playing there. Short but a really fun track.

The only place I ever saw the cart guy drive two at a time too!!

I'll be interested to hear this one.

BF
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2002, 07:07:43 AM »
Never having been to Myrtle Beach to play golf, I can't imagine this one will be missed much when I consider everything I've heard about how many courses up there are hurting for play.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:08 PM by -1 »
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Bob_Farrell

Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2002, 07:10:34 AM »
Sounds like Rick knew what happened. What a shame!!

BF
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Scott_Burroughs

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2002, 07:25:34 AM »
Rick is correct.  The land Gator Hole sat on became too valuable, and they sold it for development.  A shopping center now sits there, with a Home Depot in it and an IHOP.  In fact, I ate at the IHOP my last time down there 2 months ago.  I alway knew where Gator Hole was located, right where the northbound lanes of route 17 went from 3 lanes down to 2 in N. Myrtle Beach.  I played GH a few years back.


This situation makes me think of a new thread to post:  "How many 'NLE' courses have you played?"

Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 1/2, though I'd bet there were more:  

-Gator Hole
-Font Hill (exec course outside Baltimore)
-Sing Sing (par 3 course in Horseheads, NY)
-the 'old' Finley (UNC's former course, before Fazio came in a built a completely new course, with a different routing)
-Virginia Tech GC's front nine, which was closed to build a conference center.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2002, 07:31:25 AM »
As I understand it, the Gator Hole situation had nothing to do with lack of play or financial difficulties--strictly a business transaction.  Such is not the case with several other situations at MB.  Links Group, which owned/managed a group of about a half dozen courses went Chap. 11 about 18 months ago.  Several other courses have changed hands as well.  (e.g. Myrtle West is now Black Bear)  
Additionally, construction at MB of new courses seems to finally have slowed (not stopped.)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Rick_Noyes

Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2002, 07:33:27 AM »
I believe there was an article in a recent Golf Journal about this very phenomenon.  Golf courses, particularly in metro areas, were sitting on valuable land.  The was one recently in Charlotte, the name escapes me right now.  Designs that stand the test of time takes on an entirely new meaning in these areas.  Not just from the pencil of the remodel but the sharp pencil of accountants.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Rick_Noyes

Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2002, 07:35:37 AM »
You are correct A.G.
I ws down there during the 4th of July.  There are now 120 courses in the MB area.  i had a saleman tell me recently this was the first time that he can remember that nothing (golf course wise) was being built in MB.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Bob_Farrell

Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2002, 07:42:25 AM »
Rick:

well we all know that the economy will do that. And if corporate greed gets involved, i.e., transforming assets into cash, it will. It's a shame that it has to happen.


Scott:

I take it NLE is "No Longer Exists"? That would be an interesting post. We have lost a number here in NJ, and it would be interesting to hear from others in a separate post.


BF
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Allan Long

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2002, 07:54:38 AM »
Thanks guys, I appreciate the information. There are a lot of worthy courses to play in MB, and Gator Hole may or may not have been one of them, but with Rees Jones' name on it, you would think that it would have had some appeal.

Courses that NLE thread would be a great topic.

Thanks again for the help.

Allan
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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I don't know how I would ever have been able to look into the past with any degree of pleasure or enjoy the present with any degree of contentment if it had not been for the extraordinary influence the game of golf has had upon my welfare.
--C.B. Macdonald

Ken_Cotner

Re: Gator Hole -- Myrtle Beach
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2002, 08:00:55 AM »
Rick,

The NLE course in Charlotte was Eastwood; now has houses or apartments.  Public, not a great course, but apparently had a lot of characters and terrific stories.  Was owned by Clayton Heafner and family.

KC
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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