Hello again, this is the Par King with another great course to tell you about.

This week we went to Haig Point on Daufuskie Island just a short ferry ride from Hilton Head. Although this is a private course, we were invited to play by the Head Professional.

After a very enjoyable ferry boat ride to the Island, we were taken by bus to the clubhouse. Our clubs were already on our carts and ready to go.

We had a little wait until our tee time, so we hung out in the lounge area. This was a really beautiful lounge, with mahogany everywhere and only the best furnishings and amenities.  Being a private club, the members expect the best and they get it.

Unfortunately, being guests, we had to pay very dearly for the few drinks we had. This is not uncommon at golf courses, so we kind of expected it. Regardless of all that, when we got to the course, all was forgiven.

This is a track that, if possible, should be played. The course is beautifully set up and impeccably maintained. There are some difficult holes, but overall, not terribly tough. The scenery is great and worth every bit of the cost. The staff is very efficient and friendly. This was a day well spent. 

The Par King & The Golf Goddess had a wonderful day at
the Melrose Golf Course on Daufuskie Island. Daufuskie Island
is a short ferry ride across Calibogue sound and lies south of Hilton Head Island.

It was a beautiful morning for the 45 minute ferry ride.
Once on the island, we took a bus to the golf course
where our clubs were on a cart already waiting for us.
The staff in the shop were very pleasant and helpful.
We had some friends from Massachusetts with us and they
were very impressed with the whole operation. 

The course was in terrific condition. The greens were
fast and true. There are not two holes on the course that
are alike. This diversity is what makes Melrose one of
Jack Nicklaus’s best designs.

The homes along the fairways are very nice and blend in
well with the terrain. The last three holes run along the
ocean with a great view of Calibouge Sound and the
lighthouse in Harbor Town. The ocean front homes on these
holes remind me of Bermuda, all painted in  bright pastel
colors.

It was a great day of golf and we also had the pleasure
of watching dolphins swim by on our ferry ride back and
forth.
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Melrose by the Golf Godess

Another delightful day spent playing golf at The Melrose Golf Course. The course was in fantastic shape and the weather was perfect.  This course is on my top five!!  I hopefully
will be able to play it again this winter with good friends and hopefully good weather!!

  Hilton Head Island, known for it’s pristine beaches, will be undergoing a $16 million dollar
beach  re-nourishment project. The project has already begun and will continue through May of ’07. There will be about 2 million cubic yards of sand being dumped onto eroded and washed away areas of the beach.
 
The process of rebuilding one Hilton Head’s top amenities is one that has taken more than three years to prepare. Crews with the re-nourishment contractor plan to work 24 hours a day. They will be able to re-nourish approximately 200 to 300 ft per day.
 
Though guests of Hilton Head might be skeptical about spending a day at the beach during this needed project, the town engineer stated that the sound of the sand being pumped on to the beach tends to blend in with the ocean. The only complaint from the ’97 was the backing up of the bulldozers in some of the areas. Is that enough to reschedule a vacation, I think not, especially with Hilton Head still having 80+ degree weather in October.
 
For the vacationers in the summer season of ’07, get your buckets and shovels ready because not even your biggest sand castle will affect our brand new re-nourished beaches.

Hope to see you around the Hilton Head Island.

This is the Par King with another course to tell you about.
Talk about lucky, we got to play the Harbour Town Golf Links, noted for the annual Pro tournament, the “Verizon Heritage” and the world famous red and white striped lighthouse overlooking Calibogue Sound.
This is the premier course in the area.

The fairways are narrow, the greens are small and there are many sandtraps. It is a beautiful layout, with lots of tricky holes that make you think before you hit that next shot.

The only bad thing, from my point of view, is the fact that this is
a “cart path only” course. I have very bad knees and have a tough time walking a lot. Other than that, it was a total joy to play, with the views of the Sound and the condition of the course, which was perfect.

A great course to play, but I personally, would not pay the extremely high greens fees during peak season. Again, this is a must play if you can afford it. The amenities, from the practice area, putting green, to the refreshment cart traveling around the course, are terrific. The Pro shop is well stocked and also a great gift shop.

All in all, a wonderful experience to be able to relate how the Pros play
to your own woefully sub-par talents.

Hilton Head Rentals & Golf Packages

Map and Directions

Here is the fabulous golfing foursome of the century from Hilton Head island. Left to right above, we have Ken and Jeanne Meade and our very own Golf Co-ordinator, Mark Ridgway who were joined by Jim Riegel (below in cart).

Jim and his wife, Joanne come to Hilton Head Island from Raleigh, N.C., several times a year. Jim plays different courses each time with Ken and Jeanne. This time Mark was also able to join them on their outting to Harbourtown Golf Links.

Watch for an upcoming blog from Ken (a.k.a. Par King) with his take on their golf trip to Harbourtown Golf Links.

 I ventured out to play golf at Arthur Hills course in Palmetto Dunes. I was really anxious to test the new the air conditioned carts!!!  Let’s be honest, when it is 100 degrees + heat index not much can help to cool you down.  Other then hitting my head on the hose every time I got back into the cart and waking up with a stiff neck from the air blowing on my neck, my game was on the  mark!!! 

It’s a great course and very challenging.  The ruff was a bit thick which added to the difficulty for me.  I would highly recommend the course to anyone but make sure you pick a day that the temperature is comfortable.
 
Golf Goddess

Here’s Muddy,
Muddy and her parents had a wonderful time on Hilton Head Island.
Their villa was “pet friendly” so the entire family could enjoy the beach
and Hilton Head together. Thanks for the pictures and come back soon, Muddy.

Summertime on Hilton Head Island golf courses is HOT! HOT! HOT!.  Some people don’t mind the heat of July and August, but I’m not one of them.  Regardless of the heat, the Hilton Head Island courses are usually in peak condition with plenty of irrigation keeping most courses green and healthy, providing a beautiful setting to enjoy a morning or afternoon round.

There are lots of affordable rates available in the afternoon because of the heat and lack
of play. Some courses that may have been beyond the realm of affordability, suddenly look much better. Take advantage while the rates are low and enjoy a course, you might not otherwise have played.

Be sure to check Sunday’s Hilton Head Island local newspaper, “The Island Packet”  for information on specials and discounts.