The third annual induction ceremony for the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame in the Hall of Fame Garden at Pine Lakes Country Club is expected take place on a Monday in June, according to Bob Swezey, chairman of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
The first induction in 2009 was held in mid-March, and last year's induction was held in early June.
"A lot of it has to do with the season, and being able to accommodate everybody out there," Swezey said. "If it's earlier in the year, we take the chance of getting people outside and the weather not being good, so we prefer to do it a little bit later in the spring every year."
Swezey said a number of golf associations around the Grand Strand have been notified that nominations are being accepted until about May 15, and the Hall of Fame board will decide on the inductees.
Nominations from the general public can be submitted through members of the organizations, which include: the Carolinas PGA, Palmetto Golf Course Superintendents Association, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, Grand Strand Golf Directors Association and the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association.
There will likely be two inductees again this year. "I'd like to see two a year for a little while," Swezey said.
A golf tournament at Pine Lakes following the ceremony is being considered.
The hall has eight members. George W. "Buster" Bryan and Gary Schaal were inducted last year, and the 2009 class was Robert White, Cecil Brandon, Clay Brittain Jr., Carolyn Cudone, Jimmy D'Angelo and Gen. Jim Hackler Jr.
Traveling in the show
Galivants Ferry native and Aynor High graduate Michael Maness, 30, is in his third season caddying for friend Bill Haas and has settled into life as a looper on the PGA Tour.
Maness helped Haas tie for 42nd Sunday at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club with a score of 2-over-par 74-71-72-73--290.
He travels predominantly with fellow caddies Jeff Weber, who carries for Davis Love III, and Don Cooper, who caddies for Lucas Glover. "I pretty much stay with those two most every week," Maness said. "We've got a pretty good group of guys, and you at least have someone to go to dinner with every night when you're on the road."
He also has dinner with Haas at times, but "when you spend five hours with someone already, sometimes they don't want to have dinner with you," Maness said.
Maness hasn't missed any of Haas' 10 starts this season.
Haas is coming off a two-win 2010 season - the second win at the Viking Classic in October came with his brother-in-law, Steven Bright, on the bag because Maness was at a friend's wedding - and he got off to a solid start this season.
He recorded top-10 finishes in each of his first three starts, including a loss in a playoff to Jhonattan Vegas at the Bob Hope Classic, then added four more top-35 finishes to surpass $1 million in 2011 earnings before missing a pair of cuts prior to the Masters.
"He had a good start to the year," Maness said. "It's nice to make the cut. Unfortunately he wanted to play better here but it was nice to be here on the weekend, for sure."
It was a sweltering weekend for Maness in Augusta. Temperatures Sunday approached 90 degrees, and caddies have to wear traditional full-body white jump suits during competition.
"This weekend was really warm," Maness said. "It was a sweat fest in [the jump suit]."
Haas and Maness are scheduled to play in The Heritage in Hilton Head Island next week, take a week off, then play three consecutive weeks in the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, The Players Championship in Florida and Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Texas.
Maness, who played mini-tour golf after playing at South Carolina, hasn't played competitively since losing in a playoff with a chance to advance from a local U.S. Open qualifier last year.
He's playing recreationally at times, and though he's playing well he doesn't intend to play competitively any time soon. "I'm playing when I have a chance and I'm actually enjoying golf right now so we'll kind of build on that," Maness said.
Back to school
Dustin Johnson, who attended Coastal Carolina University for four years from 2003-07 but fell a few credits shy of a degree, said Sunday following his final round at the 75th Masters that he still intends to graduate.
Johnson has been talking to CCU officials to figure out a way to make it happen.
"We're trying to figure it out," said Johnson, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour who tied for 38th in his third Masters appearance at Augusta National Golf Club. "I just have to get it to where I can do online classes. I want to get my degree."
Rounds up for bid
Many of the top courses on the Grand Strand, as well as others throughout the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia, are among about 400 facilities taking part in this year's online tee time auction at rounds4research.com.
Some of the most elite private clubs in the Southeast region have opened their doors to bidders to raise money for turfgrass research, including East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and Daniel Island Club in Charleston, homes of the tour championships for the PGA and Nationwide tours.
Other courses taking part include Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, Sage Valley in Aiken, and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort, which will host the 2012 PGA Championship. The auction began Sunday and runs through Sunday.
Free fittings in April
Throughout the month of April, PGA and LPGA professionals across the country will be providing free equipment fittings as part of PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month.
Several pros on the Grand Strand are participating, and a full list of participating facilities by zip code can be found at PlayGolfAmerica.com. More than 3,000 pros gave more than 33,000 fittings in 2010.
In addition to providing a free 15-minute fitting session, pros authorized by the PGA Trade-In Network can help golfers trade in their obsolete golf clubs based on fair market value determined by the PGA.com Value Guide and apply that amount towards new and fitted clubs. Nike Golf is the official equipment sponsor and is offering an additional trade-in value.
Golfers who receive the free fittings in April are eligible to enter a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to the 2011 PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club or one of two sets of Nike golf clubs.
Demo day on tap
The Steve Dresser Golf Academy at True Blue Plantation will be hosting a free demo day from 2-6 p.m. Friday featuring products from Titleist and Cobra/Puma.
Representatives from both companies will be on site and free soft drinks and snacks will be provided.
BMW volunteers sought
Some volunteer positions are still available for the Nationwide Tour's 2011 BMW Charity Pro-Am, which will feature touring pros in groups with celebrities and amateurs. It will be played May 19-22 in the Greenville area at Bright's Creek Golf Club, The Carolina Country Club and Thornblade Club golf courses.
Opportunities to volunteer include hospitality, marshal and transportation at all courses and walking scorers at Bright's Creek Golf Club and The Carolina Country Club. Interested individuals can visit bmwcharitygolf.com. Volunteer registration fee is $40 before April 15 and $50 after. All fees go to charity organizations. The registration fee includes a tournament polo shirt, cap or visor, volunteer credential, guest credential, and food and beverages while volunteering. Registrants are expected to volunteer two days.
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