A comprehensive renovation, restoration and modernization project has helped Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club earn the 2024 course of the year honor from the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association.
The 36-year-old Jack Nicklaus design closed for 4 ½ months in the summer and early fall of 2023 for a project that included the rebuilding of greens and bunkers.
A goal of the renovation was to make the scenic 7,008-yard layout with the Lowcountry features of large moss-draped oak trees and tidal marsh less intimidating for high-handicap players while maintaining the challenge for better players.
Troy Vincent of Vincent Design, who was a 15-year design associate for the Nicklaus Group and still works with the company, provided input into the project to execute Nicklaus’ vision and maintain the integrity of his design.
Trees that had narrowed fairway corridors were removed, greens were enlarged, and sprawling bunkers were removed on more than half of the layout’s holes that in some cases were 200 yards long leading up to greens.
Large bunkers were removed on holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 18, and were replaced by areas of fairway, rough, native waste bunker areas, smaller bunkers or small ponds.
TifEagle Bermudagrass was installed on greens that were expanded back to their original size and contours, which added approximately 40,000 feet of putting surface.
Each bunker was completely rebuilt and in many cases redesigned, with the installation of Concrete Capillary Bunker Liners that make them less susceptible to washouts and standing water during heavy rains.
Stretches of concrete cart paths were rebuilt or repaired in areas that were damaged by tree roots, providing a smooth ride throughout the course. All wooden bridges on the property were repaired or replaced.
Additionally, Pawleys underwent a clubhouse renovation that included the building of a new deck overlooking the 18th hole, and the opening of Palmetto Jacks, a new restaurant that caters to both members and the public.
The MBAGCOA evaluates Golf Course of the Year nominees on four criteria: exceptional quality of the golf course, exceptional quality of the ownership and management, outstanding contribution to the community, and significant contribution to the game. By virtue of winning the award, Pawleys Plantation becomes a candidate for state and potentially national honors.
Pawleys Plantation is owned by Founders Group International, which owns and operates 21 Grand Strand courses.
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 Strand award include Rivers Edge Golf Club (2023), Tidewater Golf Club (2022), TPC Myrtle Beach (2019), Meadowlands Golf Club (2018), Man O’ War Golf Club (2017), Litchfield Country Club (2016), River Oaks (2015), Moorland Course at Legends Resort (2014), The Dye Club at Barefoot Resort (2013), The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (2012), Founders Club at Pawleys Island (2011), Sandpiper Bay (2010), Shaftesbury Glen (2009), Grande Dunes Resort Course (2008), Wachesaw Plantation East (2007), Burning Ridge (2006), TPC 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 King’s North at Myrtle Beach National (1996).
Several Myrtle Beach regional winners – Tidewater, Burning Ridge, TPC, Wild Wing, Tradition, Arrowhead, King’s North and Grande Dunes – also captured the state award. The Grande Dunes Resort Course was named the national course of the year in 2009.
Christoff named Employee of the Year
Marylyn Christoff has been at Blackmoor Golf Club for just three years, but she has made quite an impression and difference for the operation of the business and employees at the club.
Christoff was the manager of an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Binghamton, N.Y., for many years before moving to the Strand in preparation for retirement.
She is Blackmoor’s office manager and human resources director, and is the MBAGCOA Employee of the Year.
“She’s kind of a one-of-a-kind find. I think her most significant attribute is what I call emotional intelligence, and that’s simply the ability to analyze, interact and communicate with somebody on a very rapid timeline,” said Blackmoor general manager Bob Zuercher. ”She is just a fantastic customer service person for that reason. She’s also extremely good with the staff.
“She can determine where a particular staff member is in using technology, or accomplishing whatever we need done, and is always willing to assist and work with them. I think emotional intelligence is like a God-given gift. There’s not many people who can truly do that.”
Christoff not only has vast knowledge of business operations, but she is able to Impart that knowledge to other employees.
At Blackmoor, she has her hand in technology implementation, budgeting, payroll management, tax preparation and filing, audits, event planning, debt collection, and licensing. She played a key role in Blackmoor’s $1.4 million drainage project over five months that was completed under budget.
“Her accuracy in financials and audits is truly amazing, or meeting deadlines,” Zuercher said. “There’s been a lot of technology upgrades and a lot of changes . . . and she’s probably the only person on site that can truly function every aspect of all technology that we use, which is pretty tremendous.”
Christoff has chosen a fitting job and area to play out her working days, as she thoroughly enjoys playing golf.
“She’s really an asset not only to Blackmoor but to our market as well. She just does a fantastic job,” said Zuercher, who added that Christoff plans to continue working full-time at Blackmoor for at least two or three more years before joining her husband in relative retirement.
