Heather Glen to close soon?

[Eric Strulowitz]

Looks like one of my favorite courses on the Grand Strand might be closing soon.   I know many courses have closed in the last 10 years there , but had no idea that golf was  still doing poorly.  Looks like plans are to build hundreds of homes on the beautiful land that occupies that course.


Frankly, the area has become so congested, I can't see  the appeal of the area anymore, and with so many alternatives why anyone would want to retire there. 


Here is the link:  http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/golf/article161878928.html

[Tom_Doak]

That was one of your favorite courses in Myrtle Beach?  It was one of my original zeroes in The Confidential Guide.  Quite a few of them have closed in the last 20 years - but so have a lot of better courses.

[Eric Strulowitz]

That was one of your favorite courses in Myrtle Beach?  It was one of my original zeroes in The Confidential Guide.  Quite a few of them have closed in the last 20 years - but so have a lot of better courses.

Yes, your esteemed highness, it was one of my favorite courses in MB.   Along with Glen Dornoch across the street, the two Glens courses made for a great 36 hole day.


I could care less that you think it is a "zero".  Others would disagree. When the course opened it was named Best New Course in America By Golf Digest.  The course was consistently voted among the top publics in SC.  If you do a google search on reviews of the course, you will find many positive reviews by golfers and golf writers.  Here is but one:   http://myrtlebeach.twoguyswhogolf.com/reviews/heatherglen.html


In addition to playing the course, there were wonderful condos on the property, and my wife and I stayed there on a few occasions and enjoyed some amazings stay and play deals.  The course was a lot of fun, scenic, had some unique design features, and a great place to stay at and use as a base for a MB trip.


The fact that someone of your stature takes the time to tell a hopeless hack as myself that a course I really liked, and have postive memories of , rates a "zero", well  that is beyond humerous.  You are a funny guy, have you ever thought about stand-up comedy, maybe the Las Vegas stage awaits.  Thanks for reminding us that a great course that has hit tough times is a"zero".   I hope to be in MB this fall, if the course is still open, I will be sure to get a time in tribute to you and I will be sure to let the staff know that the course they have loved and nurtured over the years is but a "zero".  I will frame my score card and be sure to take a marker and put a big ZERO on it.


Thanks for this enlightening post Tommy!

[corey miller]

Not sure that a comment that Tom did not think much of the course many years ago deserves such vitriol? Would you feel better Eric if it were rated a "1" ?

Why not tell us what you like and compare it to the local options which is all that really matters IMO in Myrtle Beach.

[Eric Strulowitz]

Not sure that a comment that Tom did not think much of the course many years ago deserves such vitriol? Would you feel better Eric if it were rated a "1" ?

Why not tell us what you like and compare it to the local options which is all that really matters IMO in Myrtle Beach.

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but to say the course rates as a "Zero"  leaves me jaw dropping speechless.  Zero is  a score  as low as  it gets, unless you can score courses in the negative numbers these days.   Heather Glen is far from as low as it gets from an architectural standpoint.  Indeed, the Scottish design elements were maybe overhyped, but there were some pot bunckers, some tall grasses, and some green complexes that gave the average MB player who will never see Scottish soil a remote taste of that kind of golf and the Scottish theme they promoted added to the appeal of the place.   It was an interesting attempt to take what is basically low county swamp land and add a Scottish flair, and the designers succeeded in creating a course that was not only a LOT of fun, but visually stunning. Not a Streamsong by any stretch, but a fun sporty course with a lot of architectual imagnation that made for a venue that was everything but forgetful, and you surely would want to play again. You can google pictures of the course,  it was very scenic, and there were some holes with good risk/reward options and a lot of really visually appealing and fun to putt green complexes.


A few pictures can be seen here:  http://www.worldgolf.com/photo-galleries/heather-glen-golf-links-course-myrtle-beach-little-river-south-carolina-9250.htm

[Kalen Braley]

Eric,


I wouldn't take it so hard...its actually kind of hard to get the recognition of zero, I don't think Tom gives em out too often, so its got that going for it.  And as Corey says, would it really be any easier to swallow if he had given it a 1 or even 1.5?


P.S.  I haven't read his review on it, but I'm guessing it got the rare 0 for being a high cost to build, faux-scottish links in what appears to be swamp-like land....interesting combination to say the least.

[Michael Whitaker]

I've played Heather Glen many times. Back in the day it was a real treat and one of the courses my golf buddies enjoyed on our annual trip to Myrtle Beach.


I agree with Eric... it's not a zero. It was fun and offered some unique holes. Sorry to see it go.