Grand Dunes - 2009 Course of the Year

Representatives from Burroughs & Chapin Golf Management have announced that the Grande Dunes Resort Club was selected as the “2009 National Golf Course of the Year.” Presented annually by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), Grande Dunes is the second Myrtle Beach area course to receive the national honor.

The “Course of the Year” Award honors a member that demonstrates four criteria: exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of ownership and management, outstanding contribution to its community and significant contribution to the game. The “Course of the Year” Award winners come from NGCOA’s core membership and are model operations to their peers. Each NGCOA chapter selects a “Chapter Course of the Year,” which is then submitted in the running for the “National Course of the Year.” The winner is decided upon at the annual fall meeting of the NGCOA Board of Directors. One recipient each year is chosen by the Board with the award dating back to 2004. Past recipients include Saratoga National Golf Club (New York, 2005); Pebble Beach (Oregon, 2006); The Legends Golf Club (Minnesota, 2007) and Reynolds Plantation (Georgia, 2008).

Grande Dunes competed against 13 other “Chapter Course of the Year” winners including Tustin Ranch Golf Club (California), Barnsley Gardens Resort (Georgia); Juday Creek Golf Course (Indiana); Oakland Hills Country Club (Michigan); Brackett’s Crossing (Minnesota); Cascata Golf Club (Nevada); The Oaks Golf Links (New Hampshire); Colonial Golfers Club (Ohio); Honeybrook Golf Club (Pennsylvania); The Golf Courses of Lawsonia (Wisconsin). Grande Dunes will be honored on February 3rd at the 2009 NGCOA Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Grande Dunes Resort Club and Burroughs & Chapin Golf Management demonstrated their support to the Myrtle Beach area community by helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities including The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Conway Medical Center, Victory Junction Gang, Special Olympics and Patriot’s Golf Day. The Grande Dunes Resort Club is also committed to introducing the game to golfers of all ages through their active participation in Play Golf America and The First Tee of Myrtle Beach program.

“This recognition from the NGCOA is a tremendous honor for our shareholders, members, staff and community,” said Bob Swezey, executive vice president for Burroughs & Chapin Golf and Resorts Division. “The Resort Club at Grande Dunes is a spectacular facility with a superb course that is always in great condition. More importantly, it is the enthusiasm and commitment of our staff that really makes the difference. Senior director of Grande Dunes clubs and amenities, Mike Buccerone, PGA general manager, Frank Coughlin. PGA head professional Jason Mitchell and GCSAA superintendent Steve Martin lead an extremely dedicated and talented team of professionals that truly care in providing excellent service and quality products and we are thrilled that their contributions are being recognized by our peers in the industry.”

In September, Grande Dunes became the seventh Grand Strand golf course to win the region’s state chapter award since it was implemented in 1996. To be considered for the “South Carolina Golf Course of the Year” award, a golf course must first win its regional Golf Course Owners Association title and then submit a presentation to the SCGOA Board. After capturing the “Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year” award in July, Grande Dunes advanced to the state level and competed against golf courses from the Upstate, Midlands, Charleston and Hilton Head regions.

“The Grande Dunes Resort course exemplifies the quality of golf in the Myrtle Beach area,” said George Hilliard, Executive Director of the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association. “The management has played a significant role in developing the course, contributing back to the community, as well as enhancing the game of golf. We congratulate the Grande Dunes Resort Club for the honor they have received and are proud to have them as a member of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association.”