The Witch Golf Course at Myrtle Beach is a renowned golfing destination that offers a unique and challenging experience for golf enthusiasts. Set amidst the natural beauty of South Carolina's Lowcountry, this golf course is known for its stunning views and meticulously designed layout. Located just a short drive away from the heart of Myrtle Beach, The Witch Golf Course is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including lush forests and serene marshlands. The course's setting perfectly blends with its name, creating an enchanting atmosphere that captures the attention of every golfer. With its 4.5-star rating from Golf Digest, The Witch Golf Course is recognized for its impeccable course conditions and exceptional playability.
Closing Set for The Witch Golf Links
5-star rating from Golf Digest, The Witch Golf Course is recognized for its impeccable course conditions and exceptional playability. The meticulously maintained fairways and greens offer a true test of skill and strategy. The layout features challenging hazards, including large waste bunkers and water hazards that add an extra level of difficulty to the game.
Claude Pardue, President of D.G. Golf Management, which owns and operates the Conway, S.C. club, said flooding that has plagued its golf course for several years has made it “impossible to operate it properly and successfully.” The 32-year-old course will close on November 21 if a sale to R.S. Parker Homes is completed. Already, sales of hats and shirts with the club’s distinctive logo are “flying off the shelves” as the news that they’ll soon become a novelty has spread.
It appears that golfers have less than four months remaining to play The Witch Golf Links in Conway, S.C., The Sun News of Myrtle Beach, S.C. reported.
The course is under contract with Greensboro, N.C. homebuilder R.S. Parker Homes, The Sun News reported, according to course partner Claude Pardue, who said the course is scheduled to close on November 21 after the fall golf season if the sale is consummated.
A housing and commercial development that has been approved by Horry County, S.C. covers 120 acres of The Witch and includes the golf course’s back nine, clubhouse and driving range, The Sun News reported
The plan submitted by G3 Engineering & Surveying of Pawleys Island, S.C. and approved by the county calls for a 326-home residential development consisting of 115 townhomes and 211 single-family homes and 6 acres of commercial development along S.C. Route 544, The Sun News reported
Flooding has plagued the golf course over the past several years, particularly the front nine that runs through swamps and wetlands off the Waccamaw River, The Sun News reported
“We wouldn’t sell this golf course if we didn’t have the problem with floods,” Pardue said. “It’s been impossible to operate it properly and successfully. We’ve had eight floods in the past five years and three of them have closed us down for an entire fall season.
“The floods have made it impossible, and it’s gotten to a point where we know it’s going to be a regular thing,” Pardue added.
Some area residents voiced displeasure to the Horry County Council and planning commission late last year of a proposal to rezone and redevelop the course, but it moved forward, The Sun News reported. The property was already zoned for single-family housing and a commercial element, and then was rezoned to reduce lot sizes and setbacks, allow for multifamily housing, move lots away from 38 acres of wetlands and floodplains on the property, and reduce the amount of commercial area.
The proposed redevelopment now also includes recreational open space and a community garden, The Sun News reported
The front nine of The Witch, a course designed by Dan Maples, consists of approximately 400 acres in the midst of swamps and wetlands and is not proposed for redevelopment, The Sun News reported
“I hate it because that is a wonderful golf course,” Pardue said. “You get to the front side and it’s peaceful and quiet back there, and you have all that wildlife back there. It’s fun, and Dan [Maples] did a great job with the layout. It’s a real shame.”
The Witch abuts the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge to its south, and the nature of the front nine property makes it a candidate to become an expanded part of the protected land, The Sun News reported
“I wouldn’t be surprised if [Parker Homes] donated it to somebody once they get their operations going,” Pardue said.
The 6,800-yard, par-71 course opened in 1989 and is owned and operated by D.G. Golf Management, of which Pardue is the President, The Sun News reported. D.G. Golf Management also owns and operates neighboring courses Man O’War Golf Links and The Wizard Golf Links.
“We’re going to keep [The Witch] as perfectly maintained as we possibly can [until its closing],” Pardue said. “because our packagers and our customers are very important to us because we’re keeping Man O’War and The Wizard open.”
Shirts and caps with The Witch’s distinctive logo (pictured above) are already flying off the shelves as the news that they’ll soon become a novelty has spread, The Sun News reported. “Everybody wants a shirt or cap from The Witch before we close,” Pardue said.
But he also cautioned that the sale isn’t complete just yet. “It’s a little bit more sure, but I’m not 100 percent sure until I see the money,” Pardue said. “I’m experienced enough to know it’s not 100 percent until [the sale] actually closes.”
About The Author
Joe Barks
Joe Barks contributes to Club & Resort Business magazine working out of Wayne, Pa. (suburban Philadelphia). He has been covering the club and resort industry since the launch of C&RB in April 2005 and during that time has written cover-story profiles of over 150 club and resort properties, as well as many additional articles about specific aspects of club management and profiles of leading club managers. Barks has been a writer and editor for specialized business publications for over 40 years, covering a wide variety of industries and professional disciplines over the course of his career. He is a four-time winner of Jesse H. Neal Awards from the American Business Press, known as the “Pulitzer Prizes” for industry trade publications. He has also been a freelance contributor to many leading national consumer and business publications, and served as Marketing Manager for the Hay Group, a leading worldwide management consulting firm. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Review: The Witch, Man O' War, & (Wizard) Golf, SC
Myrtle Beach has a golf course on every corner so how are courses going to stand out in such a loaded market. I think the two things that these courses did well and helped their visibility in such a crowded market were having excellent conditions and coming up with a catchy name. There are lots of “pines”, “oaks”, “dunes” and “links”, but there is only one Witch, Wizard and Man-O-War. Just those names are intriguing enough to bring some golfers in. While this was my first trip to Myrtle Beach, I had heard of these courses before simply based on their creative names.
But a name alone is not going to make a course great, that comes from a good layout with excellent conditions. I found both of these factors at the Mystical Golf Courses I played. While my rounds only consisted of the Witch and Man-O-War, the Wizard was right next door to Man-O-War and you could see the layout, and we assumed the conditions would be identical to the other two. Dan Maples designed what looks to be 3 great courses in the Myrtle Beach area for any skill level of golfer.
Mystical Golf offers many different stay and play options allowing just about any size group on any budget to enjoy multiple rounds in Myrtle Beach. While we already had lodging accommodations we did find even just the walk up golfers were treated very well.
Our group consisted of a lady, a senior, a high-handicap and myself. We played from all the different tee-boxes to get a good feel of how theses courses played in terms of length and forgiveness.
The Witch Golf Course boasts a par-71, 6,796-yard layout that provides a variety of challenges for golfers at every skill level. Its unique design incorporates the natural terrain, creating a harmonious balance between the course and its surroundings. This ensures an unparalleled golfing experience that is both enjoyable and challenging. In addition to its exceptional course, The Witch Golf Course offers a range of amenities that ensure a memorable visit. The well-appointed clubhouse provides golfers with all the necessary amenities, including a pro shop stocked with top-quality golf gear and apparel. The onsite restaurant offers a delectable selection of food and beverages, allowing golfers to relax and refuel after a game. Whether you are a seasoned golfer or a beginner looking to improve your skills, The Witch Golf Course is a must-visit destination in Myrtle Beach. Its enchanting ambiance, stunning views, and challenging layout make it a truly remarkable golfing experience..
Reviews for "The Witch Golf Course: Where Golfing Legends Are Made in Myrtle Beach"
1. Sam - 1/5 stars - I had high hopes for the Witch Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, but I was sorely disappointed. The course was in terrible condition with patches of dead grass and unkempt fairways. The greens were slow and bumpy, making it difficult to enjoy a smooth round of golf. The layout of the course was also confusing and poorly marked, leading to many missed shots and frustration. Overall, I would not recommend this course to any serious golfer looking for a quality experience.
2. Jessica - 2/5 stars - The Witch Golf Course in Myrtle Beach did not live up to the hype. The course was overly challenging with narrow fairways and countless hazards. It felt more like a punishment than a fun round of golf. Additionally, the staff was unfriendly and unhelpful, making for a less-than-pleasant experience. The only positive aspect was the scenery, as there were some beautiful views throughout the course. However, the overall condition and difficulty of the course outweighed any positives for me.
3. Ben - 2/5 stars - I found the Witch Golf Course in Myrtle Beach to be average at best. The course layout was uninspiring and lacked any memorable holes. The condition of the course was also lackluster, with patchy fairways and inconsistent greens. The pace of play was slow, and it felt like the course was overcrowded. Additionally, the staff seemed disinterested and unenthusiastic, which did not enhance the overall experience. Overall, I was not impressed with this course and would not choose to play here again.
4. Lisa - 2/5 stars - The Witch Golf Course in Myrtle Beach was a letdown. The course was not well-maintained, with overgrown rough and inconsistent greens. The layout was confusing, with poorly marked holes and inadequate signage. It was frustrating to navigate the course and locate the next hole. Furthermore, the pace of play was slow, making for a long and tiring round. Overall, I did not enjoy my experience at the Witch Golf Course and would not recommend it to others.