Back to Myrtle Beach - Warmup

Despite most having the CV vaccine and a few having flights booked,  
after a few of my group decided to drop out, being concerned about flying,
age and their wives, the rest dropped like dominos.  I got the Pfizer vaccine 
and I drive, so I decided to go to MB anyway.  I didn't plan meeting anyone,
in case I had to cancel last minute, felt sick or they had the same issues.   
 
This is my MB Warmup report.  The rest of my report will be posted
around Mother's Day. 
 
So far it has been 3 days of mid 60's temps, but strong chilly winds. 
I avoided the worst with 2 PM rounds and one at 10am.     
Winds kept the 80% Sat rain away until after golf. 
 
Ocean Reef hotel is fairly busy, but I only see a few golfers here.   
Breakfast Buffet has fewer items and the cooking personnel are 
dishing out what guests want, plus eggs to order.   
 
ARROWHEAD: 
Just like the recent Polekat report, conditions were excellent. 
Range balls are provided.  Bag drop organized. 
The greens are smooth and fast, no overseed on greens. 
I played with a guy who moved to MB from North NJ. 
He said his property tax in NJ was $15,000.  With a bigger 
house in MB, in Carolina Forrest, now $800.   
We played Cypress/Lakes.  
 
SANDPIPER BAY: 
I played with a couple from Ohio and a member who lives on SPB.   
We played Bay/Sand.  I feel the Bay is the nicest and most 
challenging at SPB, mainly due to more water than the other2 nines.  
This is more of a warmup, SR, locals, budget course.    
The cart paths are full of speed bumps from the tree roots, so they
are horrible to ride, enough though we only had to ride them at tees
and greens.   The greens were still overseeded and very slow, but
good condition. 
 
OYSTER BAY: 
Not very crowded, maybe the forecast and/or condition reports. 
AH + SPB had been sold out.  The 2some I was paired with either 
didn't show or got off early.  I went out alone, last time of the AM. 
I caught foursomes after 3 holes and I wasn't playing fast, because 
I figured that would happen.  On #7 a 3some caught me as I waited, 
so I had them join me.  Turns out they had started on #10, so they
quit after #9.  The group ahead of me took a food break, so I got 
ahead of them on #10.  It was clear until #15.   
        The tree lined holes have thin fairways, looking like they 
were not overseeded, else very light.  The greens were pretty 
good, not overseeded, with nice speed.    A few edges of greens 
were sodded, but in some cases only part of the bad area. 
This did not affect play.  Some greens have fairway grass spots 
in them.  They will grow bigger and create a camo appearance. 
 
There are lots of bare areas along the tree lines between the
fairways and trees and the cart paths are destroyed.  This all 
creates a ugly appearance.    Hole #16 has great bermuda
growth, with mostly no trees.  Despite clouds, the gators 
were out in force on #16 and 1 on #17 green.   #14 had
a big one also.   
 
Some holes have new front tees to shorten the holes, but 
they are not open yet.  If you play the 6300 par 70 blue tees, 
you have 5 par 4's in the 430 range.   
 
They are building a completely new tee on #17.  Right now 
your choice is to tee off where the red tee is at 70 yards or 
the tips at 165 yards.  The green is small.   
 
The bermuda will only get better with heat, so summer +
fall will be a better time to play OB.   OB may have more 
Signature holes than any MB course.   The layout might 
make it a decent occasional play at Passport rates, but I
don't recommend bringing your package group there, 
unless maybe you have rainchecks to use. I believe 
Legends accepts rainchecks from any of their 5 courses 
at the other Legends courses. 
 
A PM round at SPB made it convenient to eat at
Boundary House, a copy of Carolina Roadhouse.   
It was very busy like usual.  I would be afraid to be in 
there without the vaccine.  Servers had masks. 
Customers wear masks to enter. 
 
The old Dollhouse at Waterway Hills is a big restaurant center now. 
New buildings replace TDH building, which was torn down. 
SOHO Prime Steak, Sushi, Lunch + Breakfast. 
A Cearwater Seafood + a Oyster grill/bar. 
Plus original Geno's pizza + Jersey Mikes subs, which are good.