Episode 11: Ryder Cup Recap, Myrtle Beach National Courses in Myrtle Beach! This episode was a doozy, with plenty to discuss in the world of golf and Myrtle Beach golf! The Route in Rome was evident from the opening session on Friday, as the Europeans handled the USA yet another loss abroad, reclaiming the Cup 16.5 to 11.5. A goose egg in Friday Morning Foursomes, a 9&7 blowout dealt to World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and reigning PGA Champ Brooks Koepka during Saturday Morning Foursomes, and Jordan Spieth not winning a match for the first time in his Ryder Cup career are some of the glaring low lights of a disappointing tournament. Even Team USA’s only spark came with controversy, as Patrick Cantlay’s stellar play was overshadowed by “Hatgate,” in which the media portrayed Cantlay’s bare head as a symbol of protest for the lack of monetary compensation for Ryder Cup participation. Overall, it was an extremely disappointing result for Team USA, and we wished we had slept in over the weekend! On to Bethpage in 2025, where we will be anticipating some redemption from the Red, White, and Blue! Tiger Woods is expected to be a top candidate for Captain when the Ryder Cup returns to home soil in 2025, but his new ventures in the game are taking shape much sooner than that! Tiger Woods, along with Justin Timberlake, have launched a new dining and entertainment venue, T-Squared, which recently opened its first franchise in midtown Manhattan this summer. This luxury sports pub has upscale food in a casual, fun environment, and state-of-the-art golf simulators to boot! This is something that would fit well in a metropolitan area, but how about a historical setting? How about the most historical golf town in the world? That’s right, Woods and Timberlake have submitted plans to open a T-Squared in St. Andrews, requesting to renovate the only cinema in the town that birthed the game of golf. The locals and golf purists alike do not like this idea in the slightest, and have pushed back with nearly 10,000 signatures protesting the possible move. We love Tiger and his ventures, as his min-golf franchise, Pop-Stroke, is planning to come to Myrtle Beach in 2024! However, we agree that a modern bar and grill does not mesh well with the tradition and history in a setting like St. Andrews. Hopefully, this concept stays just where it is, as only an idea and not reality! The featured courses of the episodes are the ever-popular tracks at Myrtle Beach National! Head PGA Professional Ryan Ruddy stops by to talk shop on the 3 courses and what makes them so popular amongst Myrtle Beach golf travelers. Ryan describes the South Creek Course, a 1973 Palmer Group design, as a shot makers’ course that will test every club in your bag. This course makes you think, and those who aren’t bombers can be creative off the tee to hit to spots. Also introduced in 1973 by the Palmer Group, the West Course is a very player-friendly course off the tee, which can cater to the risk taker. Approach defenses even the score, as the greens slope back to front, making long shots a tough up and down. Either the South Creek or West Courses and Myrtle Beach National are coined as great starter courses for your next Myrtle Beach golf trip! The famed King’s North, is a 1994 redesign by the King himself. Huge sand waste areas and wide landing areas are key characteristics of one of Myrtle Beach’s favorite golf courses. King’s North No. 6 is possibly the most iconic hole in all of Myrtle Beach. Known as The Gambler, you can take a short cut off the tee by hitting on to an island fairway. Watch out for arrant shots or windy conditions, or as Kenny Rogers said, “Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em!” The golf package of the episode was the Founders Inclusive package, which has lunch, drinks, and range balls with each course you play! Accommodations of the episode is the Ocean Bay Club, offering premium 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom luxury oceanfront condos just off of famous Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.
