2025 CCI

2025 CCI

Played in the 44^th Coastal Carolina Invitational April 27-May 1.  As trip organizer I am the last of the original group that first went to Hilton Head in 1982.  Have missed just one year in 2020 with COVID shut down.  Most of trips have been to MB with couple to RTJ, Pinehurst area and Bandon Dunes.

Trip was arranged by Brian Noblin.  Stayed in 8 bedroom house on the beach in North Myrtle Beach.  Had 11 players with most from the Cincinnati area.  Six flew in to MYR with no problems and other 5 drove.  No problems on drive to MB as took I77 through wv then 74.  We had great weather lows in AM were in the 60”s and Highs in PM upper 70’s.  Best weather I can remember having in MB

One general comment that applys to all courses in MB is that lots of people do not rake traps so we play a local rule that allows you to lift and place in sand traps when in foot prints.  I think I got lucky and only had to rake once.  Courses were in good enough shape that we played the ball down all week.

Sunday April 27th

First day was at Oyster Bay.  The bridge is open so do not have to drive thru sea trails.  No problems at check in and got the free breakfast and hit the first tee.  This course is the one I have played the most in MB but will probably give it a break for a while.  They have worked on cart paths but course conditions are still not what I expect in prime season.  Greens had a few bad patches but playable lots of poa in greens.  The big problem was pace of play, when got to No 11 our first group was still on the tee and we waited on every tee for the rest of the round.  Lots of gators in fact I left a ball on No 16 that was 1 foot from a gator.  When finished round went to clubhouse for lunch and it was a mad house.  Serving lunch to the PM tee times and AM players-no empty tables.  We left as had 2 pm time at Sandpiper.

PM at Sandpiper

Had planned on replaying OB but at  checkin they said were booked for the whole day so got PM round for $76 at Sandpiper.  Played Sand and Piper 9’s.  Been a long time since I had played this course but in good shape.  Greens had lots of grass, no poa they were slow but good grass coverage.  The grass around the greens was actually long enough that the ball would sit up a little so chip shots were a lot easier to play than normal grass around greens at other courses.  I would play there again for $76.

Monday April 28^th

Played Tigers Eye for the first time in many years.  Used to be top course but it is still a long way from earlier years.  Tees and fairways were rock hard and looked like had not been watered in a long time.  Greens were playable but around the green edges could see where the rough grass was starting to encroach on the green.

Got replay for $45.  While conditions have improved I would not play here if looking for a course with mid to upper level playing conditions

Tuesday April 29^th

Played at TPC.  Had PM tee times as its at least a 1 hr drive from the house we stayed.  Some in the group played at Willbrook and they raved about course conditions.  One of the players had an ace on the 6^th hole.  Went in the hole on the fly.  Course was in the best shape of all the courses we played during the trip.  GPS is good feature on carts, if you drove in a restricted area the cart would stop and would have to back up till got to safe area.  I think they are playing  Monday qualifier for MB tournament there.  Traps had different sand from other courses, white not the coarse sand have at other courses.  I played up tees to minimize forced carrys and long No 9.  I played No 9 at 350 and others at 450 to an uphill green.  Not sure what the GF was but would play again.  Stopped at New York on the way back up north, best dinner of the trip- expensive.

Wednesday April 30^th

Played at Glen Dornoch.  Have played here many times in past but it is a little much for our group.  The forced carrys on a couple of the holes caused lots of problems so probably not play here for a while.  Heard that old rumor that was going to be a trailer park in couple of years but they said that 5 years ago.  Course was in good shape and would play again.  We had pre booked replay for $40 which was a great deal.  We were the last group of the course which was typical for the week.

Thursday May 1

Played at Barefoot Love.    Course in good shape, second only to TPC for the week.  Starting 5 tees from the bag drop is a mad house but they manage in well.  Had cute friendly photographer take group picture.  Only comment on course is traps are somewhat inconsistent with some sand very coarse with pebbles in sand and others with nice white sand.  I would have designed fairway traps with steep lips but was in several where only option was to pitch to fairway.  Not good feature for resort golf courses.

No replay today as most courses in area were booked.

Overall good trip with some courses not in as good a condition as hoped particularly Tigers Eye.  If play here I would have lower expectations so not disappointed.

Best Regards

Roosking