The Tournament Players Club
by L.J. Gainer

The Tournament Players  Club (TPC) of Myrtle Beach -- which has the honor of being the 100th course to open in this world capital of golf - will host its first Senior Tour Championship this fall.  When the players arrive, they will find a course that is a very worthy successor to the Dunes Club which many of them call ``the best course they play all year."  In fact, the new TPC could just end up being the newest tour favorite.

The Dunes Club showcased the best of Myrtle Beach with its spectacular Robert Trent Jones layout and ocean views.  So, when Senior Tour Championship organizers announced a few years ago that they would soon move the tournament from the venerable Dunes Club to a new Tournament Players design, a collective sigh went up from the Grand Strand.  How could any new course evoke as much emotion and admiration for all things Myrtle Beach as the Dunes?
Fears that a new course several miles back from the ocean could never have the allure of the Dunes will fade, however, when the world sees what architect Tom Fazio and player consultant, Lannie Wadkins have etched into the woods of Murrells Inlet.

When the Senior Tour Championship airs in November, television viewers will see a visually stunning course that follows the natural contours of the land. The course is available visually with not much hidden from the golfer.  The fairways are rolling but there are no steep hills to climb or mounds to distract the eye.  And while some holes do require long carries over hazards, higher handicappers are provided with alternative routes. The course features Bermuda fairways and L-93 bent grass greens.  Fairways are treelined but have generous landing areas for the most part, and not a lot of water should come into play. Beginning this spring, visiting golfers have the opportunity to test drive this baby themselves.

In addition to the golf course, golfers will find a 20,000 square-foot clubhouse with a dining room that features an ``exhibition" kitchen that allows diners to see their food being prepared. There are player lounges that have showers, lockers and big screen televisions. But for many golf fans the high point of the clubhouse will be the main entry which is dedicated to the Senior Tour Championship and where the tournament trophy will be on display in a glass case.
Head pro Dan Read and his staff are available to help you fine-tune your game with a lesson or two.  They'll even work with your group to put together a day of golf that you'll be talking about for years.