Back when I was even more naive about golf course design than I am now--early to mid '90s, I had a couple of great golf trips to Myrtle and played several courses there. My favorites were Tidewater and Heather Glen. Later, I visited the Trail on two occasions. On first trip, we played the courses at Silver Lakes, Hampton Cove, Oxmoor Valley, Cambrian Ridge, and Grand National. Returned a few years later to Grand National and then played the judge at Capitol Hill. I'd go back to Alabama in a New York minute. For me, the golf was just as good, if not better, than Myrtle, and the prices were very reasonable. Recall paying a little over a hundred bucks to play Tidewater after Nov 15th. Never came close to that in Alabama. I'm pretty sure there are courses in Myrtle that are superior to those I played, but, I was turned off by the overall Myrtle Beach scene, and the general topography of that area.
I do recall having to do a lot of explaining to my New York friends when I told them we were planning a golf trip to Alabama. But, at this point, I would recommend it. I've played several courses that are more highly regarded in the Pinehurst area, but I can't say that I enjoyed them any more (except the historic significance), and they were much more expensive.
Had a great conversation with Roger Rulewich about the RTJ Trail several years ago. I have a feeling that it was a unique situation that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate.