2025 World Am - my 38th

This was my 38^th consecutive trip to the MB World AM.  I fall into the 70-79 age bracket and having just turned 79 in August, I again decided was just not competitive enough with the 70 year olds to play in a competitive flight against them.  I turn 80 next year so I may go back to the competitive bracket…80 to death.  That is assuming of course, I do not fall into the “death” part. 

Also, I signed up to play with my friend, Nick Martin.  Nick is 64 years old and does not look it nor hit a ball like it.  I look more like 94 years old and hit shots like I am all of 94.  If y’all don’t mind, let me give praise to my friend Nick Martin.  Nick and I were paired my very first year, first day in the Dupont MB World Handicap Championship (aka WA) at Brick Landing.  When I met him that first day, he was just a grunt working for Big River Broadcasting in Florence Alabama.  If I remember correctly, I beat him by 1 or 2 strokes back then.  Anyway, these days Nick is CEO of that same Big River Broadcasting and is on the board of the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington DC.  This year, he was inducted into the Alabama Broadcasters Hall of Fame.  And, last year on day 2 of the World AM, he hauled my ass to the emergency room after only 9 holes and stayed there with me until I was released many hours later.  Gang, this to me is what the WA is all about.  Meeting folks who you look forward to seeing every year, become friends for life with.  The WA brought the friendship together for Nick and I. 

Anyway, enough of that…back to my trip.  Some of which I have plagiarized from my other long-term friend, Jeff Green, 2025 WA report. 

We traveled both ways from Houston via Southwest through Nashville. Only issue was lightening in the area causing a 35-minute late departure but had long enough layover that it was not a problem.

National Car Rental – since I am an Emerald Club VIP member, I got to skip the counter line, go outside to the customer service booth and just choose a car and away we go.  Easy pickup and return.  Got a Nissan Altima with less than 200 miles.  Only complaint, who ever did the turn around prep did not do a good job of vacuuming out the car.  You could tell a golfer had rented it before since it had some grass clippings on the driver side they missed. 

8-22-25 Upon landing in Myrtle Beach, we drove over to Arcadia Shores since its just across the street from the Hilton where we were staying. The got us out as soon as we got our clubs unpacked as last 18 hole going out for the day. We teed off on number 10. The course was in good condition with greens running medium fast and no bad spots.

8-23-25 Brick Landing was back in the rotation for first time in many years. We decided to add another course to Jeff’s list of courses played. I was not expecting much based on comments I've seen over the years but was pleasantly surprised. It appears they were happy to have WA back and already had hazards and any ground under repair clearly marked. Fairways and greens were good. Hopefully they trimmed the rough before the WA guys got there as some tall rough in spots was only complaint. Course has lots of water in play. For all the bad comments I had read in the past, the food there had gotten good reviews.  I can attest; it was good. They had a cart girl and she stated they just started running again since Covid after getting the WA nod.

8-24-25 Played Aberdeen as one of our guys had a rain check from two years ago which they honored without question. As most know Aberdeen can flood and we were concerned as google maps had a river flood warning but again was pleasantly surprised. I think we had 2 cart paths only holes and just a few wet spots. Most of the bunkers either had some water in them or needed some work, fairways and greens were fine.

8-25-25 Barefoot Dye. First off, let me say I do not like it.  But my opinion has nothing to do with the following.  Bag drop was swift and easy. Guy was pleasant.  Clubhouse – beautiful. Course, tee boxes, fairways, greens…all in wonderful shape.  Bunkers were so so.  Cannot complain about the course.  Overall, I just don’t care for it. But everyone we met on the staff from bag drop to starter, to marshals, to grill staff…all pleasant and helpful. 

8-26-25 Wedgefield Plantation.  We had the good, now for the UGLY.  1-1/2 hour drive.  Since Nick and I were playing together every day, I decided to drive the next 3 days so his wife could have their car.  Bag drop off, very easy and friendly.  Maybe too friendly as we had the very last tee time of the day, 9:50.  So we had some time hanging around the bag drop and got to hear about what good shape the course was in compared to what it had been previously.  Well, it has been years since I played there 3 different times.  Back then, it was no worse than any low tier course we may happen to play at home.  This year, tee boxes were iffy at best but I could overlook that.  Greens had some kind of something growing in them from the collars that looked sort of like St Augustine grass (a running grass).  The greens were mowed to the height you would expect the collars around the green to be mowed...running maybe to a 5.  Then there were the fairways.  I will admit, did not see a lot of weeds in the fairways but they were mowed somewhere between what you would expect for the 2^nd cut (if there had been one) and the rough.  On one hole, I found 5 balls that had been lost by players in the fairway.  The course was dry so it wasn’t like they were plugged.  They were just down in the long fairway grass.  After 9 holes, Nick and I decided this was no fun so we quit, went to their Brickhouse Pub (best thing about the whole place) for some adult beverages before driving back.  Sitting at the bar in the Pub was the supposedly cart girl having here own adult beverage.  We had not seen her for 9 holes. 

8-27-25 Sea Trail Byrd.  Back to the good.  Last time I played Byrd, it was not in good shape at all.  But, better than Wedgefield…yes.  Someone has spent some money there.  The clubhouse was beautiful inside.  Complete makeover and well done at that.  Definitely a good place for locals to hang out or golfers after a round.  The new owners have renovated the Byrd course.  The Maples course is closed for renovations and when that is complete, the Jones course is scheduled next.  You could not ask for better playing conditions than we found on the Byrd course.  Other than a few thin spots in 2 or 3 fairways, overall, it was wonderful.  Greens rolled nice and true.  What a surprise.  If the owners can keep doing what they are doing and plan to do, this could be a wonderful 3 course stay and play location in the future.  Only complaint about the place, the bag drop guy was a complete jerk.  I would promote him to floor sweeper, janitor or something that got him away from being the first guy you meet at the complex. We played with a man and his wife.  He was one of the original players in the first every World Am.  His 42^nd year.  He had a stroke earlier in the year.  He also had gone completely deaf and just 8 weeks ago had the Cochlear Implant.  His wife was just playing because he has sworn to attend all WAs as long as he can.  He did not play every shot but she did.  They were so pleasant and friendly.  Glad he is still able to play.  FWIW, he is a year younger than me.  I should thank God every day that while I am not in good shape, I am in ok shape that allows me to play complete rounds of golf. 

8-28-25 Arrowhead – Lakes to Waterway.  Never ever disappoints.  Always in good shape.  Always friendly staff everywhere.  Played here many times and it is always a pleasure to be there.  Nick and I ended up being only a 2some and the very first group out.  They told us to play slow because we would run up against the guys going off other side as me make the turn.  We tried to but still ended up about 20 or so minutes ahead of the last group going off the other side. The starter comes in the bar and tells us that the last group on that side is a 2some and he will put them with us.  We will play our last 9 holes on Waterway and then they will go on to play their last 9 on Lakes.  No problem.  Strange luck.  We played with these 2 guys last year and Nick actually requested that he and I be paired with them this year.  For whatever reason, that did not happen.  Well, let’s put it this way…we had a hell of a time for 9 holes with them.  Great guys.  Again, Arrowhead…wonderful layout, wonderful facility, great folks. 

8-29-25 Myrtlewood Palmetto.  Our post WA round since Jeff did not make the finals and I was definitely not eligible. Course was in good condition. Greens looked slightly sanded and maybe aerated with small tines recently but rolled fine.

Food and drink:

Friday lunch – Brick Landing.  Very good.

Friday night - Ate at Margarita’s Mexican Friday night.  Margaritas were good.  Sat at bar and ordering food was very slow but the food was very good. 

Saturday lunch – Brick Landing as mentioned above. 

Sunday – WA sponsored happy hour at Broadway at the beach.  Lots of adult beverages.

Tuesday – breakfast, Nick treated me to Marriott Grand Dunes breakfast buffet,  Great breakfast at a beautiful hotel.

Tuesday after golf - Harry the Hats. As Jeff said, had our usual Taco Tuesday at Harry the Hats which is always good (when we first started it was 50 cent tacos now its up to 95 cents).

Wednesday – breakfast.  Again Nick treated me to breakfast at Marriott Grand Dunes.

Wednesday – lunch – Nick and I had lunch at the pool bar at Marriott Grand Dunes. Great Philly Cheese Steak sandwich.

Monday thru Thursday – we grazed and drank (free beer and booze) at the 19th hole. Sample portions but you can make a meal of it.

Friday after WA - went to Chuck's for happy hour but that section was full so just sat in normal area and had a good meal. I had Baby Back Ribs with baked potato and loaded up on salad at their salad bar. 

Saturday after WA - before flying out, we went to Grumpy Monks at Broadway at the Beach.  I had Sweet Burbon Spicy boneless wings.  They were good.  Beer was cold.  

Overall:

Weather – it was great.  Temps so cool in the mornings had to wear a long sleeve pullover to start the day. Really beautiful weather.

Hotel – Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort.  Was there last year.  Outside bar is nice. Easy parking in the garage. Nice lobby. Room very comfortable and nice.  No microwave.  Bummer, I wanted popcorn and warm Pop Tart. I needed to be able to send emails and could not.  Had to leave hotel to be able to handle email traffic I need to do related to a my various at home golf club and league duties.  May spell the end for me there. 

All in all, I had a great time at my 38^th World Am especially with all my friends. Hopefully there will be a 39^th for me. 

Please excuse any typographical errors.  My arthritic fingers are not as nimble as they used to be.  😀