International World Tour Golf Links

The majority of golf courses operating in their fifth year are hoping only to have established themselves as permanent fixtures in the golf market. A select few however, quickly rise to the top due to their possession of defining characteristics. Creative vision, an impeccable committment to service, first-rate layout and course conditioning, as well as a loyal community involvement have led to the World Tour Golf Links being named the “2004 National Golf Course of the Year.” Anyone familiar with the World Tour golf experience, its owner, golf director and his staff should not be suprised in the least by the fact this course was bestowed this coveted and prestigious honor. For those who have have not had the pleasure of aquaintance, let’s take a closer look at the World Tour story, the course, and the famous service.

Golf is a game of tradition combined with a colorful history full of passionate players and hallowed grounds. These hallowed grounds are known to golf enthusiasts as Augusta, St. Andrews, Winged Foot, and Royal Troon. The closest the average golfer will ever come to these institutions would be through television coverage or perhaps a rare tournament pass. World Tour creator and course develop Mel Graham changed that in 1999 when his vision of bringing some of the most famous and inaccessible holes in golf to the public consumer became reality. After travelling thousands of miles to the world’s greatest courses, choosing 27 of the greatest holes from a final list of 150, moving over 1 million cubic yards of dirt to reconstruct these holes, and constructing a visually-stunning 25,000 square foot Ante-bellum clubhouse, the World Tour Golf Links was ready to open to the public. Golfers in Myrtle Beach were now able to play the holes they had dreamt of playing without travelling twenty thousand miles, through six time zones, and to five different countries.

The Course
The World Tour Golf Links is a 27-hole facility comprised of three nine hole layouts, each with its own theme. The Open Nine, Championship Nine, and International Nine all feature L93 Bentgrass greens, 419 Bermuda fairways, and four sets of tee boxes. Superintendent Joel Ratcliff and his staff keep the course in immaculate condition, and were rewarded with being named “Course Consistently in the Best Condition,” by Myrtle Beach Golf Magazine in 2002. Let’s take a closer look at each nine.

The Open Nine includes holes inspired by St. Andrews (famous #1 and #18 complete with bridges), Pinehurst #2 (site of next year’s US Open), and the famous island green of the #17 TPC at Sawgrass. This side measures 3,235 from the tournament tees, 3,026 from the back, 2,859 from the member, and 2,578 from the forward tees.
1). St. Andrews #1
2). Pinehurst #2 Hole 16
3). TPC Sawgrass #17
4). Colonial #12
5). English Turn #15
6). Pine Valley #12
7). Augusta #16
8). National of Canada #1
9). St. Andrews #18

The Championship Nine pays tribute to the four major championships. Holes include Augusta’s famous “Amen Corner,” Royal Troon’s number 8, and the treacherous 11th at Bay Hill. This nine plays 3,290 from the tournament tees, 3,188 from the back, 2,967 from the member, and 2,756 from the forward tees.
1). Winged Foot #18
2). Cypress Point #10
3). Royal Troon #8
4). Augusta National #11
5). Augusta National #12
6). Augusta National #13
7). Olympic #14
8). Oakmont #14
9). Bay Hill #11

The International Side plays host to some of the best holes from England, Spain, Australia, and the United States. Highlights include Valderrama number 4, Baltusrol number 4, and the difficult par five from Royal Melbourne number 9. From the tournament tees the distance is 3,398, 3,184 from the back, 2,924 from the member, and 2,373 from the front tees.
1). Inverness #18
2). Valderrama #4
3). Baltusrol #4
4). Wentworth #7
5). Doral #18
6). Seminole #15
7). Spanish Bay #8
8). Royal Melbourne #9
9). Jupiter Hills #5

The Service
Fine service is an ammenity that can be found at most courses in Myrtle Beach, but World Tour takes it a step further through their Ambassador Service. According to Director of Golf Dennis Nichols, the goal is to treat the golfer as though they were a member of one of the exclusive golf clubs whose holes they will be playing that day. From the moment you arrive at the main gate, you will notice the dedication of the friendly staff and their committment to ensuring that philosophy. You will be greeted by a Gate Ambassador who will explain the check-in procedure and issue you World Tour passport. After driving the short distance to the magnificant clubhouse, you are met by a Cart Ambassador who handles placing your clubs on to your cart which features enhanced GPS systems. Your next stop is World Tour’s award-winning golf shop. Named by Golf World Business as “Top 100 Best Golf Shop” for the past three years, it was also awarded “Best On-Course Golf Shop” by Myrtle Beach Golf Magazine. Nancy Hilton and her staff do a tremendous job keeping the newest brands and styles available in the 2500 square foot shop. In addition to the shop, World Tour also features locker rooms and a comfortable Player’s Grille with excellent food, spacious seating, and televisions playing golf at all times. Back outside on the practice facility, where World Tour uses Nike golf balls on the range and feautures a well-manicured putting green. After a warmup you are directed to the first tee of the day where you will meet your Course Ambassador, who will act in the role of a forecaddy for the rest of the day. They will assist you in all manners in order to make your round more enjoyable, but the golf is up to you. From start to finish, you will find yourself talking about the World Tour service long after the clubs have been put away.

Conclusion
The World Tour “Golf Experience” will certainly be a unique and quality experience in your golfing record. Whether it’s the birdie you made on #17 of TPC Sawgrass, the three pars on “Amen Corner,” or just the level of comfort experienced from the Ambassador service, World Tour promises you will be feeling like a pro when you leave.