$8,000 CLASSIC GOLF GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED
10/12/2009

WINNER ANNOUNCED FOR THE CLASSIC GOLF GROUP’S $8,000 GOLF GIVEAWAY

Mr. Dennis Donnelly from PA named as the contest winner.

Mr. Donnelly and his three lucky guests will enjoy a six night stay at Myrtlewood Villas in Myrtle Beach, six rounds of golf at all four Classic Golf Group courses and two other local courses. In addition the Donnelly group will enjoy complementary meals at Ruth’s Chris steakhouse, T-Bonz Gill and Grill, Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse, Phillips World Buffet and others while they are here. All meals are provided for the group for the entire week. In order to get the group ready to hit the links, a $600 Martin’s PGA Superstore shopping spree is part of the prize package. The group was also outfitted with golf attire and accessories from Black Bear, Burning Ridge, Indian Wells and The Founders Club at Pawleys Island.

“This is really wonderful!” exclaimed Denny Donnelly as he was getting ready to tee off on the first a day of his golf adventure at Burning Ridge Golf Club. “We are having the time of our life.” Donnelly commented. Tommy Smothers, general manager of Classic Golf Group stated “Classic Golf Group is thrilled to reward a group of guys who love the game with a trip of this magnitude.” “Our Classic courses and Myrtle Beach will be a highlighted memory for the Donnelly group for a long time” Smothers said.

Founder Club hosts Rally for a Cure golf tournament
09/22/2009

Together we make a difference!

Since 1996 Rally for a Cure has spread the life-saving message of early detection to more than 1.4 million participants.

The Founders Club at Pawleys Island is hosting the 1st Annual "Rally for a Cure" golf tournament on Wednesday, November 18, 2009.  The format for a four person scramble with a 1:00 pm shotgun start.  For more information, please call 843-237-2299.

Founders Club general manager wins award
07/09/2009

Classic Golf Group is proud to announce Rick Taylor, general manager and head golf professional of The Founders Club at Pawleys Island as the recipient of the 2009 Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (MBAGCOA) Employee of the Year Award.

The Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association selected Taylor based on criteria established by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association (SCGCOA) that included exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of the management, outstanding contribution to the community and significant contribution to the game of golf.

Founders Club holds a Ladies Golf Championship
05/05/2009

Attention Ladies!

The Founders Club at Pawleys Island is holding a "Founders Club Ladies Championship Tournament" on June 18th, 2009. 

Format: Stroke play 18 holes.  Net scores based on 80% handicap.  Field will be flighted based on the number of particpants and handicaps.

Entry fee:  $60 per golfer which includes 18 holes of golf, prizes and a "after tournament" BBQ dinner. 

Entry deadline is: June 12, 2009

Practice:  $45 will be offered to anyone competing in the tournament before competition.  You must identify yourself as a tournament participant.

Rules: USGA rules will govern play, and approved measuring devices and cart equipped GPS system, may be used.  The Founders Club is a non-metal spike facility.  Participants may walk or ride.

Please call (843) 237-2299 for more information or to sign up.

The Founders Club name among the 30 Best You Can Play in SC
04/15/2009

The South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel has named The Founders Club at Pawleys Island among the “30 Best You Can Play” in the state. The announcement was made by the panel which comprises of 125 members and exists to promote excellence in South Carolina golf course design and operations through competitive rankings, education and public advocacy.

Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday's new article on The Founders Club
03/11/2009

Pawleys Island is regarded by many as the hub of high-end Myrtle Beach golf. The relaxed pace of the life, soaring Oak trees and more top 100 courses than Hilton Head and Kiawah combined lend credence to that line of thinking.

As a result of the area’s reputation, the bar for acceptance for a newcomer is higher than Snoop Dogg at a party. The newest Myrtle Beach golf course, Founders Club, faced those expectations upon its opening on Feb. 1, 2008, and met them.

Instead of replicating the South Strand’s most prominent courses, which make ample use of the area’s marshland, designer Thomas Walker used the different gifts the land at Founders Club provided. Uncommon elevation change and abundant, native sand created a base for Walker to work from.

Located on what used to be Sea Gull Golf Club, Walker bulldozed the old course – completely – and crafted a design that allows it to take a seat comfortably alongside its neighbors, and offer one convenient feature no other area course provides.

From a visual perspective, Founders Club (official website) is defined by the waste bunkers that run alongside side practically every fairway, providing visual contrast set against the lush, green fairways. But the waste bunkers provide more than aesthetics. The bunkers also double as cart paths, meaning the only pavement on the course is around the greens and tee boxes.

More importantly to golfers, the sand, combined with elevated fairways and outstanding drainage, means carts ride on the fairways 365 days a year. From a playability standpoint, the bunkers collect stray shots, but don’t encroach too much on the fairways. The sand isn’t overly difficult to play out of because it’s packed down, and it holds shots that might otherwise roll out-of-bounds.

The closer players get to the green, the more threatening the sand becomes. Many of the Founder’s Club greens are elevated and protected by bunkers that resemble a moat protecting a medieval castle to players on the wrong side of them.

Combine the cavernous bunkers with greens that feature significant undulation and it’s not hard to figure out why the putter is the most important club in the bag at Founders Club. After a year of maturity, the Emerald bermuda grass greens are very receptive to approach shots and offer a fast putting surface.

The challenge of the greens, which also provide some of the layouts most pleasing visuals, places a premium on accuracy at Founders Club. When the starter details pin positions and provides tips, players that sleepwalk through the instructions are making a mistake.

The front nine at Founders is an enjoyable play, but the course’s strength lies on the backside. Holes 14, 17 and 18, all par 4s, are the course’s heart and will likely decide any bets.

“I want people to remember this as an experience they didn’t have anywhere else,” Founders Club general manager Rick Taylor said. “We have things that make us distinctively different.”

The following a closer look at the challenges offered by Myrtle Beach’s newest course.

Par 3s
The Founders Club par 3s aren’t exceedingly long but they are holes players will remember. The first one-shotter, No. 3, holds the distinction of having more tees than any other Myrtle Beach golf course – 10. Whether you are teeing off from the upper or lower set of tees, the 190-yard hole challenges golfers to clear a large pond. It’s a fun hole with ample scenery, just make sure you hit enough club.

No. 5 is the longest par 3, measuring 209 yards from the tips, but it’s the easiest hole on the front nine. From the white tees it’s 158 yards and the pond on the right only comes into play if you swing like Charles Barkley.

The toughest par 3 is No. 11, measuring 186 yards. There is more sand on the hole than many beaches possess and a deep bunker in front. Despite the visual intimidation provided by the sand, the teeth of the hole is on a green from runs from front to back. The green has substantial undulation and a left corner pin placement is devilish. If you are going to miss, miss long.

Sandwiched amongst a challenging series of par 4s, No. 16 is a respite for golfers looking for a break from Founders Club’s finishing holes. Measuring just 146 yards from the tips, a short iron or even a wedge into an elevated green shouldn’t stress most players.

Par 4s
The challenge of Founders Club lies in its par 4s, which range from 372 to 501 yards in length. The front nine par 4s are good, solid holes, with none of the five measuring more than 432 yards from the tips.

No. 1 provides players a chance to ease into the round with a short par 4, but the second hole is the longest par 4 on the frontside and water lurks on the right, making it a more substantial challenge.

The toughest par 4 on the front is the eighth. Though the landing area off the tee is generous, water runs up the left side and bunkers surround a green that has a lot of movement.

Five of Founders Club’s last six holes are par 4s, led by No. 14, the course’s most challenging hole (video tour of the hole). A dogleg right that plays 449 yards from the tips and 395 yards from the white tees, No. 14 is an outstanding hole. To provide the best angle coming in, tee shots need to find the right side of the fairway. The green is elevated and flanked by a pair of traps that require outstanding shots to get up and down from.

The 17th is much longer – 501 yards – and only slightly less daunting. The 17th fairway runs from left to right, providing more run than players anticipate but with another elevated green, you need every yard you can muster. Mercifully there is a bailout area short and to the right, providing an escape.

The closing hole, the 373-yard 18th, is as pretty a hole as there is on the course. A well placed iron off the tee sets up an approach over water with Founders Club’s beautiful new clubhouse providing the backdrop. It’s an ideal way to finish the round.

Any player that successfully navigates the closing holes will leave the parking lot with a well-deserved sense of satisfaction.

Par 5s
One monster and three opportunities is what the Founders Club par 5s offer. Let’s start with the monster – the 559-yard ninth hole. A double dogleg with water running up the right side, the ninth hole is best approached conservatively.

The landing area for drives is narrow and sand stalks both sides of the fairway. The landing area for the approach shot opens up nicely 100 yards short of the green, but players trying to get closer or going for it in two face substantial risks. The green has a ridge running through it and is surrounded by sand. If your last name isn’t Woods, going for the ninth green is a bad decision.

No. 6 is an opportunity but it comes with substantial risks. Water on the left runs from tee to green and a pond lurks to the right of green, requiring courage and skill to go for the green in two. For those among us who can’t imagine going for a 546-yard (from the tips) green, the best course of action is to play to the right, allowing for the optimal approach angle.

The other two par 5s, 10 and 12 challenge players with water and sand, but both offer birdie opportunities. One thing to be wary of on No. 12 are the mounds and bunkers that split the fairway. The left side of the mounds offer the shortest route to the green; the right side provides the best angle of approach. The decision is yours.

The Verdict: Opening a new course in PawleysIsland is like a being a rookie in the New York Yankee clubhouse – it’s not easy to carve a niche among a galaxy of stars, but Founders Club has done it.

Credit Classic Golf Group and Walker for designing a course with its own identity. Founders Club, with its elevated greens and waste bunkers, provides a different but enjoyable experience. The course has five sets of tees that range in length from 7,007 to 4,805  yards, find the right set for your game and you will absolutely enjoy Founders Club.

Founders Club to host the Pawleys Island Two Man Best Ball Tournament
01/12/2009

Sign up today for the Pawleys Island Two man best ball Tournament, presented by Dead Dog Saloon.  The entry deadline is February 12, 2009.  The tournament will feature two divisions: Open and Handicap.  Entry fee is $150 per team and includes: golf, tournament shirt, prize, and post party food at Dead Dog Saloon.  Optional team buy in will be available.  ***Sponsorship opportunities: Scoreboard Sponsor $500 (inlcudes team entry), and Hole Sponsor $225 (includes team entry).

Crown Park management to change January 1st
12/15/2008

Beginning January 1, 2009 operation responsibilities of the Crown Park Golf Club will return to the owners, the Byers family. The Classic Golf Group managed the course from June 2003 to the present, bringing the course to a profitable and stable position, while raising the overall reputation of the course. 

Founders Club named to the Top 50 Best New Golf Courses in Golfweek
10/13/2008

The Founders Club at Pawleys Island is ranked #36 in Golfweek's Best NEW Courses list in 2008!  This list will be published in the October 25th issue along with a column highlighting some of the courses inside the Top 50 written by editor and golf course architecture expect, Brad Klein. 

Classic courses to participate in Patriot Golf Day, August 29-Sept. 1, 2008
08/19/2008

Patriot Golf Day is a way to give back to those who have given everything.  Beginning August 29th through September 1st, golfers nationwide will be asked to donate a minimum of $1 to raise funds to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to families of those who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty. 

In addition, all active Military Personnel will be able to play for free during this weekend.  Simply present a valid military ID at the time of check-in and golf for free.  (Offer only valid August 29-September 1, 2008)

When you play one of our Classic courses over Labor Day Weekend, please consider these heroic individuals.

The Founders Club at Pawleys Island will host the 1st Annual Invitational Golf Tournament, September 13 & 14, 2008
08/18/2008

Participants must be over 18 years or older. Senior must be 60 years or older. Handicap divisions must have a verifiable USGA or CGA handicap. Amateurs only.
Stroke play 36 holes. There will be four divisions. Open division will be played scratch. Regular men, Senior and Ladies divisions will all be full handicap. Tee times begin at 12:00 PM.

$125 includes 36 holes of golf and prizes. Prizes will be awarded to one third of the field in each flight.  Entry deadline is September 8, 2008. Cancellation deadline is September 10, 2008. No refunds after this date.

 
Official practice round date is September 12. Practice round rate is $55, call Proshop for tee times.

 
USGA rules will govern all play. Approved measuring devices, and cart equipped GPS systems, may be used. The Founders Club is a non-metal spike facility. Particpants may walk or ride.

The Founders Club at Pawleys Island - 7829 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 - 843.237.2299

9 Hole Shootout begins at Founders Club
07/08/2008

Every Wednesday afternoon during the summer, join Head Golf Professional and general manager Wayne Welden at the The Founders Club at Pawleys Island for a nine hole shootout. Fun, Food, prizes and a nine holes of fantastic golf will begin promptly at 5 PM. The cost is $40 per person and includes your golf, meal and prizes. Prizes inlcude gift certifcates for the winners, many raffle gifts and a CASH drawing! The format is a four person scramble. For more information, please contact the Founders Club Pro Shop at 843-237-2299.

Burning Ridge Golf Club to participate in the PGA Family Course program
04/22/2008

This summer Burning Ridge Golf Club is joining The PGA of America and U.S. Kids Golf to participate in the "PGA Family Course" program. The program attracts more family participation in the game of golf nationwide.

PGA Family Course programs create a "short course" experience within any existing course, making golf more fun, enjoyable and playable for golfers of any age or ability. Special PGA Family Tee Markers that were designed by U.S. Kids Golf, will be used to enable the course to be transformed into a beginner-friendly short course. Designated "PGA Family Course" tee plates, cart path plates and score cards will ease in participation. This program enables players of varying abilities to shoot similar scores and encourages parents and kids to come to the course together.

Currently, more than 250 facilities across the United States participate in the PGA Family Course Program. For more information or to participate in the PGA Family Course program, please call 843-347-0538.

Indian Wells to participate in Father/Son Team Classic
05/08/2008

Mark your calendars for July 17-19, 2008 when fathers and sons unite for the 11th annual Martin's PGA TOUR Superstore National Father/Son Team Classic. The three day family event has become the largest father/son golf event in the world. Last year's 57 hole competition drew over 1,600 players from 44 states and 8 foreign countries-36 flights in all.

Eligibility for the tournament is open to fathers and sons, grandfathers and grandsons; stepfathers and stepsons, fathers and sons-in-law; and uncles and nephews. Along with three days of golf and an expectional gift package, each player will receive a $200 Martin's PGA Tour Superstore gift card.

Indian Wells Golf Club is one of the tournament host sites. The tournament committee remains committed to bringing participants only the highest quality golf. Other courses participating are: Farmstead, Grand Dunes, Legends, Tidewater, Wachesaw East, Arrowhead, Barefoot, Myrtlewood, Crow Creek, River Hills, Heather Glen, Thistle and Wild Wing.

NGA Hooters mini-tour to include Black Bear Golf Club
07/02/2008

A 54- hole tournament began Tuesday and will go through Thursday at Black Bear Golf Club in Longs, SC. The tournament will be a six week stint in the Strand through September 4th. The Carolina Series in modeled after the Hooters Winter Series, the primary subsidiary of the North Myrtle Beach-based Hooters Tour, which began 20 years ago as the T.C. Jordan Tour and is staging 18 four-day $200,000 events this season predominately in the Southeast and Midwest. The Carolina Series was created in part to provide an overflow basin when the regular Hooters Tour is sold out. The group will also play at Black Bear on August 19-21, 2008.

Classic Golf Getaways- New Golf Packaging Company NOW OPEN!
05/23/2008
Classic Golf Getaways, a complete golf packaging company is available to assist golfers with planning their next golf trip. With over twelve years of experience in the golf travel industry, Classic Golf Getaways takes the worry out of the planning stage. Personal service is given with careful detail to ensure each golfer has the ultimate Myrtle Beach golf experience. Offering a wide variety or golf courses and accommodation choices, Classic Golf Getaways will customize each package to suit the needs of each group.

Contact Classic Golf Getaways at 1-877-976 GOLF (4653) for personal attention with planning your next golf trip to Myrtle Beach.

Black Bear and Indian Wells to participate in the Veterans Classic
05/08/2008

May 19-21, 2008 Military Veterans, active Military personnel and their families from across the country come together in Myrtle Beach for fun, great golf and camaraderie. This three-round team tournament features a different format each day and is flighted based on the combined team handicap. Singles are always welcome and will be paired with other players by the event staff.

Waccamaw Golf Trail Member Will Be First South Strand Course To Open in Seven Years
12/30/2007

The Founders Club at Pawleys Island will celebrate its grand opening on February 1, 2008, and is the first course to open on the south strand since the International Club debuted in 2000. One of five courses owned and operated by The Classic Golf Group, The Founders Club sits upon on the site of the former Sea Gull Golf Club, which opened in 1965 as one of the first golf courses in Pawleys Island. The Founders Club is one of the original members of the Waccamaw Golf Trail.

Architect Thomas Walker, once with the Gary Player Design Group, directed The Founders Club project, with construction costs were estimated at more than $7 million.

Featuring Bermuda fairways and a mixture of Bermuda and Zoysia in the rough, The Founders Club joins TPC of Scottsdale as the only two golf courses in the United States with Emerald Bermuda greens. A new strand of grass just released from the Champion Turf Company, Emerald Bermuda tolerates the hot South Carolina summer sun and requires less water than other grasses.

Walker complemented the lowcountry backdrop of the Waccamaw Neck area by adding Love Grass and Bluestem native grasses, pine and centuries-old oak trees and other vegetation around the Founders Club course. The waste areas reflect the south strands terrain with a bright shade of orange sand.

We started this project back in 2006 and it will be exciting to open our doors so golfers can enjoy the newest world-class facility on the Grand Strand, said Wayne Weldon, general manager and head golf professional at The Founders Club. We worked closely with the architect to make sure that the course blends perfectly with the natural surroundings. Cart paths have been kept to a minimum and the new drainage and irrigation systems will ensure lush conditions and that the course sheds water quickly.

The Founders Club measures 6910 yards from the back with a choice of five sets of tees available on each hole, with yardage to match any golfers skill level. All Founders Club golf carts are equipped with the newest GPS technology with accurate yardages and graphics available to the golfer for each hole. The pro shop will utilize the newest GPS software to keep track of all carts on the course to expedite pace of play.

The Founders Club will also unveil the new 5,000 square foot clubhouse with a wrap-around porch, pro shop, locker rooms, dining area, meeting facilities fireplace and bar. Designed by Palmetto Architecture of Myrtle Beach, the Clubhouse overlooks the 10th and 18th greens.

About the Waccamaw Golf Trail The Waccamaw Golf Trail is a marketing cooperative comprised of 12 south strand golf courses, and accommodations providers, Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort and Pawleys Plantation. The non-profit organization was created to provide more information on golf and vacation packages. The collection of golf courses that make up the Waccamaw Golf Trail includes Blackmoor, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Heritage Club, Litchfield Country Club, Pawleys Plantation, River Club, TPC of Myrtle Beach, Tradition Club, True Blue Plantation, Wachesaw Plantation East, Willbrook Plantation and Founders Club at Pawleys Island, which will open in February of 2008. Most of the courses on the Trail were built upon the sites of 18th and 19th century rice and indigo plantations, set amid ancient moss-draped oaks and tidal rivers. The list of accolades for these courses includes GOLF Magazines Americas Top 100, Golf for Womens Top 25 in America, six 4½ -star courses and one of only three 5-star courses in the southeast as rated by Golf Digest.

Founders Club To Open February 1st 2008
11/14/2007

Celebrating the Grand Opening February 1st, the Founders Club at Pawleys Island will offer a world class golf experience at the newest course along the Grand Strand. The Founders Club is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Waccamaw River. The course offers a beautiful low country backdrop under centuries old live oak trees, native grasses and natural ponds. The waste areas reflect the south strands terrain with a bright shade of orange sand.

Architect Thomas Walker, once with the Gary Player Design Group, led the $7 million dollar construction project. While the corridors remain the same, the new golf course bears few similarities to the old Sea Gull Golf Club.

The front nine is virtually unrecognizable from the old Sea Gull golf course. The changes include Hole #1 being shortened by about 50 yards, and a huge practice putting green has been installed directly behind the tee boxes. You actually step from the putting green to the tee box. The #3 hole now has split sets of tee boxes. #4 has been converted to a par 4, and a lake has been built behind the tee boxes. The #6 hole has been converted to a wonderful risk/reward par 5. Hole #12 now has a split fairway and the green has been moved down closer to the lake. Walker has created a course that is esthetically pleasing to the eye, but near as difficult as it appears. The bunkers and mounding blends perfectly with the natural surroundings and cart paths are kept to a minimum. There are 5 sets of tees on each hole: Professional, Championship, Mens regular/Lady professional, Senior/Lady championship, and Ladys regular/Junior. The Founders Club measures 7007 yards from the back. All golf carts will be equipped with the newest GPS technology with accurate yardages and graphics. The pro shop will utilize the same GPS software to keep track of all carts on the course to expedite pace of play.

Featuring Bermuda fairways and a mixture of Bermuda and Zoysia in the rough, The Founders Club joins the TPC in Scottsdale as the only two golf courses in the United States with Emerald Bermuda greens. A new strand of grass just released from the Champion Turf Company, Emerald Bermuda tolerates the hot South Carolina summer sun and requires less water than other grasses.

The Founders Club will also unveil a brand new 5,000 square foot Clubhouse with wrap around porch which overlooks the 10th and 18th hole. Designed by Palmetto Architecture of Myrtle Beach, the clubhouse will feature an upscale grille area with a fireplace, large television sets and bar area. Classically decorated locker rooms offers card tables, televisions and showers in an elegant, but relaxed atmosphere.

Veteran Club Professional Wayne Welden is the General Manager. Book your tee time now to experience the newest course in the Grand Strand in a long, long time.

Founders Club At Pawleys Island Selected As The New Name For Former Sea Gull Golf Club
08/01/2006

Classic Golf Group Conducts Website Contest to Name New Course with Winning Entry Submitted by North Carolina Golfer

August 1, 2006, Pawleys Island, S.C. - The Classic Golf Group has announced that Founders Club at Pawleys Island was selected as the name for the new golf course being built on the site of the former Sea Gull Golf Club. During the month of June, Classic Golf Group held a contest on its website (www.playaclassic.com) and asked golfers to suggest their favorite name for Myrtle Beach's first new public golf course in the Pawleys Island area in five years.

Iris Stoudt's suggestion of Founders Club at Pawleys Island was chosen by the name selection committee, which included owners Ed Jerdon and Rowland Thomas, general manager Tommy Smothers and members of the Classic Golf Group management team, from more than 3,000 entries submitted. For her efforts, Stoudt was rewarded with a golf membership to the Founders Club at Pawleys Island.

"I think the new name has a lot of class," said Stoudt of Wake Forest, N.C. "I based my entry on the history of Sea Gull Golf Club as it was one of the first golf courses to open in Pawleys Island in 1966."

The groundbreaking for the Founders Club started July 24, 2006, with a projected grand opening date of September 2007. Thomas Walker, lead architect from the Gary Player Design Group, took the basic course design of the former Sea Gull Golf Course and made modifications to the topography, elevation and the numbers of waste areas to set tees, fairways and greens apart. Palmetto Architecture of Myrtle Beach is designing the new Founders clubhouse, which will feature a lowcountry design, a wrap-around porch, dining and meeting facilities and second-floor office space as it overlooks the 10th and 18th greens.

"The Founders Club will be a very high end golf club and a great asset to the golf community in Pawleys Island and along the Grand Strand," said Tommy Smothers, general manager of the Classic Golf Group. "We are very excited about the groundbreaking of this world-class and uniquely designed golf course."

About Classic Golf Group
Classic Golf Group is an established golf management company that provides operational and management services for a wide range of courses. Classic Golf Group creates an exceptional golf experience on quality courses for a competitive price as a result of their commitment to the game, the product and to the customer. In the last three years, two Classic Golf Group courses have been selected as the "Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year" by the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (Burning Ridge - 2006, Indian Wells - 2004). Currently, the Classic Golf Group manages five Grand Strand area golf courses including Burning Ridge, Indian Wells, Black Bear, Crown Park and the new Founders Club at Pawleys Island scheduled to open in September 2007. For additional information about The Classic Golf Group, call 1-800-TEE-OFFS or (843) 293-8008 or visit www.ClassicGolfGroup.com.

Burning Ridge Named Course of the Year
07/27/2006

Burning Ridge Golf Club was named as the "2006 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year" by the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (MBAGCOA). With the honor, Burning Ridge becomes the second Classic Golf Group property to win the "Course of the Year" award in the last three years (Indian Wells, 2004).

Burning Ridge is now eligible for the state and national "Golf Course of the Year" awards to be announced in August and in the fall, respectively.

For "Golf Course of the Year," the MBAGCOA judged and evaluated area courses on golf course quality, quality of ownership and management, contributions to the community and contributions to the growth of the game and selected Burning Ridge for its strength in each of these areas. The course's contributions to the Grand Strand community included hosting the Myrtle Beach Pelicans' annual fundraiser, working with the Myrtle Beach and Conway Chambers of Commerce and offering special membership opportunities to members of the Grand Strand retirement community.

Burning Ridge has contributed to the growth of the game by offering junior golf programs as well as featuring a year-round "Kids Play Free" program. Burning Ridge also provided internships for students enrolled in Horry Georgetown Technical College's Turf Grass Management program and San Diego Golf Academy's Golf Management program. The Burning Ridge staff is encouraged to participate in professional and community organizations and is provided with continuous education including golf professional training courses.

"I am very proud of our Burning Ridge employees and to be recognized for all the hard work makes it worthwhile," said Rick Taylor, Burning Ridge general manager. "We set a high bar at Burning Ridge Golf Club and are prepared to exceed it in the future."

"We are honored to have been selected as the '2006 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year'," said Tommy Smothers, general manager of The Classic Golf Group. "This is a compliment to the hard work of the Burning Ridge staff to be selected as the top course in the area. The Classic Golf Group ownership and management believe in focusing on the details that are important to the public. We want to help grow the game of golf and the community and not just our revenues."

"Burning Ridge is the epitome of what we consider a worthy 'Golf Course of the Year' candidate," said George Hilliard, Executive Director of the MBAGCOA. "They met and exceeded all of the criteria that we designate for the award and will represent the Myrtle Beach area well at the state and national levels."

The National Golf Course Owners Association implemented the award in 1996 and the MBAGCOA has since nominated courses from the Myrtle Beach area. Past recipients of the regional award include TPC of Myrtle Beach (2005), Indian Wells Golf Club (2004), World Tour Golf Links (2003), Wild Wing Plantation (2002), Blackmoor (2001), Tradition Golf Club (2000), Bay Tree Golf Plantation (1999), Arrowhead Country Club (1998) and Myrtle Beach Nationals Kings North (1996). Five of the Myrtle Beach regional winners also captured the state award; TPC, Wild Wing, Tradition, Arrowhead and Kings North. World Tour was named as the national Golf Course of the Year and is the only Grand Strand to achieve that honor to date.

About Classic Golf Group
The Classic Golf Group is an established golf management company that provides operational and management services for a wide range of courses. The Classic Golf Group creates an exceptional golf experience on quality courses for a competitive price as a result of their commitment to the game, the product and to the customer. Currently, Classic Golf Group manages the five Grand Strand area golf courses including Burning Ridge, Indian Wells, Black Bear, Crown Park and the new Founders Club at Pawleys Island scheduled to open in 2007. For additional information about Classic Golf Group, call 1-800-TEE-OFFS or (843) 293-8008 or visit www.ClassicGolfGroup.com.

Classic Golf Group Names General Manager
06/01/2006
Classic Golf Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas W. Smothers to the position of General Manager of the company. Tommy has been with Classic Golf Group since January 2002. He served as Assistant Golf Professional at the company's Sea Gull Golf Club where he was involved in all aspects of the club's operations including customer service, tournament operations, revenue and expense budgeting, staff scheduling and supervision, and merchandising. Tommy was appointed Business and Finance Director of Classic Golf Group in March 2004. In this position he was responsible for all finance and administrative functions in the company.

Prior to joining Classic Golf Group Tommy was the owner of S. O. S. Computer Solutions in Myrtle Beach, SC, a computer consulting and internet service operation. After building the company to a profitable position, the company was sold to a national internet company.

Tommy has worked previously in the golf business since 1991 where he began as an administrative assistant helping the golf course owner organize and supervise all administrative operations. He went on to serve as systems administrator for a multi-course operator. In this position he established the computer architecture and maintained the computer and communications hardware and software for the operations and management of seven golf courses. Tommy's extensive computer skills include proficiency in all office applications, internet applications, and many point-of-sale systems.

Tommy graduated with high honors from Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, SC. He attended Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC. He made both the President's and the Dean's list and achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average during two of his four semesters there. He was also a member of the #1 nationally ranked Methodist Monarch baseball team and participated in the Division III College World Series. He then attended NC State University where his studies included computer engineering, business administration, advanced analytical and statistical mathematics. Tommy is currently enrolled in the PGA Golf Management Program, Level 2.

Tommy resides in Myrtle Beach. He and his wife Patricia have two sons, Austin and Brennan, eleven and six years old.

Indian Wells Garners Two Major Awards
04/01/2005
Indian Wells Golf Club received the "Golf Course of the Year" award for 2004 from the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association (MBAGCOA). Additionally, the Myrtle Beach Golfing News awarded Indian Wells Golf Club the "Hospitality and Operations Excellence Award" making it the third consecutive year a member of the Classic Golf Group Management Company has won the award." For "Golf Course of the Year," the MBAGCOA judged and evaluated area courses on quality of the golf course, quality of management, contributions to the community and contributions to the growth of the game and selected Indian Wells Golf Club because of its strength in each of these areas. The course's community involvement includes helping with charitable donations and services such as the Salvation Army and Children's Miracle Network, hosting charity tournaments and providing employment opportunities. Indian Wells has contributed to the growth of the game by offering junior golf clinics as well as a variety of adult programs. It has also provided internships for golf course management and maintenance programs for local colleges. Its staff is encouraged to participate in professional and community organizations and is provided with continuous education including golf professional training courses. Indian Wells has also been a proud supporter of the Coastal Carolina Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program by allowing participating students access to golf facilities. The course is also a proud member of the Audubon Society. For the "Hospitality and Operational Excellence Award", the Myrtle Beach Golfing News "Mystery Shops" the majority of the golf courses in the Myrtle beach Area. The panel of "Mystery Shoppers" then report their finding back to the Golfing News. With the scorecards compiled, the clear winner was Indian Wells. "We are honored to have been chosen as Golf Course of the Year and the recipient of the "Hospitality and Operational Excellence Award," said Skip Corn, General Manager of Classic Golf Group. "To be selected by our peers and members of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association speaks well of Indian Wells, our staff and Classic Golf Group. And the hospitality award is something I am particularly proud of because the Classic Golf Group as a company places so much emphasis on this area of our operation."