On the Tee

He didn't grow up feverishly playing golf like many of today's child prodigies, but when George Arthur Crump committed to the game, it became the sole purpose of his existence.

Born in Philadelphia in 1871, Crump spent his formative years across the Delaware in New Jersey, particularly Merchantville and Camden, which is just 14 miles from the product of his obsession - Pine Valley Golf Club, the finest collection of golf holes on the planet. 

When golfers gather in Myrtle Beach as they so often do, including the recent World Amateur Handicap Championship , inquiries chasing the question of favorite courses in what is often referred to as the "Golf Capital of the World" are often met with a mixed bag of responses, but in most cases the sweet sounding name of Caledonia is uttered in short order.

The name itself has an almost regal feel to it, leading those who have yet to experience the place to believe that it would be wise to do so. 

FORT MILL, S.C. - Fort Mill Golf Club, a cornerstone of golf in the Southeast for six decades, recently unveiled the dramatic results of a comprehensive $3 million renovation program, according to Gene Roper, director of golf operations for course owner Leroy Springs & Company, Inc.

The unveiling of the course renovation marks a pair of milestones at Fort Mill; the 60th Anniversary of its Donald Ross-designed front nine which opened in 1948, and the 50th Anniversary next year of its George Cobb-designed back nine dating to 1959. 

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -Kiawah Island Golf Resort has announced its diverse special events calendar for 2008/2009. The series includes golf and tennis weekends, a women's escape retreat, a gourmet and fine wine weekend and a murder-mystery whodunit.  Guest accommodation choices include private villas or The Sanctuary, the resort's AAA Five Diamond/Mobil Five Star-rated oceanfront hotel and spa.

For complete itineraries and pricing, or to request a special events brochure, please visit http://www.kiawahresortevents.com or call 800-654-2924.  Rates for single or double occupancy as well as day passes available. 

MIAMI - One of Doral Resort & Spas most renowned contributors is set to remake one of the resort's lesser known courses.

Doral Golf Resort & Spa has launched a redesign of the 18-hole Silver Course by acclaimed designer and one-time Director of Golf at Doral Jim McLean.

Set to debut in January 2009, all greens and holes on the Silver Course are being remodeled and reshaped to ensure improved playability and a greater challenge for players. The most significant changes include widened fairways, enhanced visuals of water features and increased course length from 6,557 yards to over 7,100 yards. 

Thanks to a recently announced PGA Tour contest, aspiring golf architects will have a chance to play a part in designing a hole on what could eventually become home to a regular stop on the PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour is inviting hopeful golf course designers to submit an original, hand-sketched design of the 13^th hole on the AT&T Canyons Course at TPC San Antonio, which is being designed by the legendary Pete Dye. 

When Myrtle Beach became famous for its Championship Golf there were several founding fathers: The Dunes Golf and Beach Club , Robbers Roost, The Surf Club and many others. A lot has happened since then. Many courses have opened and flourished, but none claim such a prominent role in The Grand Strand’s success as the Myrtle Beach National collection of layouts. From The Golden Bear to The King, these courses offer the traveling golfer everything needed to create an unforgettable golf vacation.

Our journey up and down the beach in search of great golf begins at the Long Bay Club , which is located on the North End of the Grand Strand. This Jack Nicklaus signature design will challenge you mentally and physically and reward you for strong play. Most holes offer plenty of room off the tee, but the well-protected greens require precise shot making. The lasting impression of this day will no doubt be No. 10, one of the most recognizable in the state. 

When Golf Magazine's list of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play, a biennial ranking of the top courses across the country where membership is not a requirement to play, hits newsstands on August 15, the top two courses on the list will remain unchanged from a similar list released in 2006.

The September issue of the publication places Bandon, Oregon's Pacific Dunes on top of the heap, followed by Pebble Beach Golf Links, now a bridesmaid in consecutive editions. 

West Virginia - A geographically stunning collection of mountains, lakes and lookouts known simply as God's country to some but stereotyped by outsiders as the land where a man is as likely to marry his sister as he is his high school sweetheart.

While the latter is an unproven misconception fueled by word-of-mouth heresy spouted from the lips of the uneducated and uniformed, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that luxury, elegance and opulence are adjectives seldom used when describing the Mountain State. 

TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Owner Sheila C. Johnson and her hospitality company, Salamander Hospitality, purchased Innisbrook last July and immediately embarked on a sweeping $25 million renovation plan that literally leaves no venue at the resort untouched. With Johnson personally involved in most design choices, plans include the repositioning of the property to the top of Florida’s list of most prominent golf, spa and corporate destinations – perfectly suited for leisure travelers, as well as a variety of high profile events that Johnson and her management team plan to attract. 

Salamander Hospitality Vice President and Innisbrook Managing Director, Chuck Pomerantz, will oversee all of the resort’s renovations. Pomerantz commented, “We’ve already received a tremendous outpouring of encouraging comments from satisfied clients and resort guests who see the continual improvements and share our enthusiasm for just how extraordinary Innisbook will become.”