The World Famous Dunes Golf & Beach Club
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008The world famous Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, SC was built on a dream as a recreational facility, for citizens of New Town, SC and employees of Conway Lumber Company, now Burroughs & Chapin The Ocean Front property which was 269.8 acres, were purchased for $10.00 an acre. Among other amenities the facility would include a golf course. In the Fall of 1947, a meeting was held to discuss the building of what is now the The Dunes Golf & Beach Club at “Chapins Cabin” which is considered by many to be the first clubhouse.
On Saturday, October 22, 1949, construction beganwhen nine holes opened for play. Today those holes are the back nine of the second oldest golf course in Myrtle Beach. These holes were constructed first because of the difficult terrain. The second nine holes opened for play in December 1950.
In 1976, the “Dean of Architecture” Robert Trent Jones made modifications to holes 3, 4, 11, 15, and 18. In 1992, Jones oversaw another large scale renovation, which included new bent grass greens, tee boxes, extended the driving range adding more stations and depth and a par 3 “Alternate Hole” located between the 13th and 14th holes. The Alternate hole gives golfers a complete 18 holes should another hole be closed for maintenance. However it was Rees Jones, the son of Robert Trent, who oversaw the installation of the A-1 Bent grass in 2003 and restored all the greens to their original shape and made minor alterations to the club.
All 18 holes at the Dunes Club was also given names so golfers would know what they are up against before teeing off. The most famous hole is the Par 5, 13th hole called “Waterloo”. Waterloo is known as one of the “Greatest Golf Holes in the World”
The natural beauty of the Dunes Golf and Beach Club has amzing elevation changes and is kept in EXCELLENT condition giving its members a course to that is rich in history and ranked as one of the”Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in America”, Golfweek Magazine’s “Top 100 Classic Courses” in its annual “Golfweek’s Best” rankings and for six years from 1994 through 1999, was host of the Senior Tour Championship before the event was moved to the TPC of Myrtle Beach for one year.
With the evaluated greens, scenic marsh and breathtaking and ocean views, combined with exceptional service, attention to detail and deep in golf history makes the Dunes Golf & Beach Club a must play on any Myrtle Beach Golf vacation.