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Alan Blondin

The Sun News' golf beat writer

Alan Blondin

Alan Blondin has worked at The Sun News more than 10 years and has predominantly covered golf since 2000. He previously covered high school sports, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Coastal Carolina University athletics for the newspaper. Ask him about such things as course facts, tournaments, players, and local golf events.

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Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 36 - 55 of 696 (Page 3 of 36)

Submitted by Hollis Wineland from Blackwood, N.J.

Q: Hi Alan.Question? I was looking over a old News Paper article from the Sun News (1998) That listed courses. They were talking about courses to open soon,a course that was listed was called "three rock" is this the course at "crow Creek" with a different name? This was before your time, I think, at the sun news paper. Thanks, Hollis

Answered 01/14/11 20:32:39 by Alan Blondin

A: I've been here since 1993, and it's possible that course was the one planned in Brunswick County that was going to be lit and stay open into the night. It's development never progressed past planning stages.

Submitted by mike granito from loris

Q: Now that Wildwing has been sold again will this affect any of the 27 holes there?

Answered 01/12/11 23:20:16 by Alan Blondin

A: Mike, No, it really has the same owners -- the Benton family -- they have just consolidated Wild Wing into a larger company that includes other investors. I don't believe anything will change there.

Submitted by Hollis Wineland from Blackwood,N.J.

Q: Hi Alan Just a quick question? I will be down in Myrtle Beach First week in Feb. I plan on playing the Palmetto greens course. My question is, has it been remodeled and renovated and changed from the original Colonial Charter course, or did they just change the name as some others did? I am up to 600 courses now. I will stop by Cape Fear on way down and play it, really looks like a great course. Thanks Hollis

Answered 01/04/11 19:01:32 by Alan Blondin

A: Hey Hollis, I played Cape Fear during their soft opening. It's a Tim Cate design and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Palmetto Greens was redone by Rick Robbins. It has been shortened to about 6,427 yards and doesn't resemble Colonial Charters all that much. There have been a number of changes.

Submitted by Jim Bohlman from Des Plaines, IL

Q: Alan, I have been coming to Myrtle Beach for years. Visited, owned, etc., Will anything ever become of the old Marsh Harbor Golf Course? The course was my personal favorite for design and beauty, even though conditions were sometimes not the best. Such great a great location. Is anyone taking care of it. Is it still even there? Same question about Ocean Harbor? Thanks for taking the time to answer and have a great Holiday!

Answered 01/03/11 22:58:29 by Alan Blondin

A: Both Marsh Harbour and Ocean Harbour are owned by the Williamson family and both courses have been sitting idle since closing in the early 2000s. There are definitely no plans to reopen them at the moment. I believe there are a minimal amount of lot and property sales taking place, but not much activity. They certainly are on beautiful pieces of property.

Submitted by leo artman from santa barbara

Q: Al, Watch your mail box, I'm sending you a few of the "Text Me Tiger" golf ball markers from the Masters last year. Leo Artman

Answered 01/03/11 22:55:18 by Alan Blondin

A: Got them Leo. Thanks. Sorry to hear you don't plan to return to Augusta National this year. Hope my article doesn't keep you from the grounds. I'll undoubtedly be in California sometime this year and I'll look you up.

Submitted by Dennis N from Tewjsbury Ma / MB

Q: Alan, I hope Santa will bring you lower scores for the 2011 season and you have a great New Year's. Will be in town mid January and if the weather cooperates, hope we can get together and play a round.

Answered 01/03/11 22:46:27 by Alan Blondin

A: Send me an email at ablondin@thesunnews.com when you arrive and hopefully we'll have a chance to knock the ball around a bit.

Submitted by Anne from Bridgewater, NJ

Q: How do I know if I am buying a women's iron set or a men's iron set? The online product description doesn't specify. It does say Taylor Made 2.0 Burner, right hand, steel, regular flex, 4-9, PAS. Thank you.

Answered 12/06/10 23:59:14 by Alan Blondin

A: A club with a steel regular flex shaft is primarily made for men. Usually if it isn't specified it will be a men's club. Women's clubs, especially for amateurs, generally have graphite shafts. I hope you find the club you are searching for.

Submitted by Chips Wooddy from Roanoke, VA

Q: My wife and I play golf 4-5 days a month in Myrtle Beach. Is there any golf courses that offer a out of town membership or something equalivant that would offer some savings over daily green fees? Can you tell me if there are any courses that would offer membership privileges at a rate that would be less expensive than the 4-5 days of greens fees? Thank You

Answered 12/01/10 16:58:00 by Alan Blondin

A: Chips, you probably have several options. Last time I looked into snowbird specials, Whispering Pines, Heron Point, Sandpiper Bay and Myrtle Beach National were among the courses that adopted snowbird specials, such as packages of 10 rounds, while the Tupelo Bay Golf facility with a driving range, par-3 and lighted executive course, had a comprehensive package for $99. You can also look for daily specials in The Sun News when you are here, management groups including Mystical Golf, Myrtle Beach National, Classic Golf Group, Signature Golf and B&C often offer their own memberships or packages for their courses. Perhaps your best option would be to join the Grand Strand Golf Association(grandstrandgolfassociation.com), which has negotiated discounted greens fees and allows members outside the Carolinas. It has a holiday special membership price of $29.99 right now, down from $49.99. Good luck

Submitted by Phil from Myrtle Beach, SC

Q: Hi Alan, At the risk of sounding petty about not receiving attention, I wanted to express my disappointment that The Sun News did not cover the Mayor's Cup as it did last year. The tournament grew to over 130 players this year and was conducted in fantastic weather over an ever-improving Whispering Pines layout. The firm and fast greens made scoring quite difficult. The open division was won by myself in a very exciting sudden-death playoff over Billy Belair. Don Sheads ran away with the senior division after an opening-round 69. There were several of us discussing this after the tournament and I can tell you for sure that everyone felt the same disappointment. The paper didn't even print the scores, let alone do an article. Alan Chasteen and his staff have done a great job with the event and is trying to build it into a bona fide "City Championship". It's something the city desperately needs. While tourists have multiple competitive options like the World Am and the Father-Son, there are few real competitive opportunities for local amateurs of all ability levels. The presence and coverage of the local media is very helpful in building the legitimacy and prestige of the event. I hope the paper will reconsider not covering the Mayor's Cup in the future.

Answered 11/03/10 00:02:57 by Alan Blondin

A: Hey Phil, I wrote about the tournament and aspects of the tournament, including its success with participation, but I wasn't either the men's or women's final rounds for coverage for the first time in the tournament's five years. I expect and hope to cover the final rounds again in 2011. The tournaments continue to grow

Submitted by tom HOFFMAN from 25 maricrest dr amherst ny

Q: WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO TONY PARRISH ON THE GSPGT? HE HAS NOT PLAYED IN THE LAST 4 OR 5 EVENTS. I KNOW HE RELOCATED HIS STORE ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO BUT I DIDNT THINK IT WAS GOING TO INTERFERE WITH HIS PLAY.DOES HE STILL PLAY OUT OF BAREFOOT?

Answered 11/02/10 23:57:47 by Alan Blondin

A: I got something in about Tony in one of my columns recently. He moved to Dunn, N.C., where his wife has family, and relocated his Bogeys to Birdies Golf Shop there as well. He's probably only going to play in regional tourneys, state opens and those type tournaments now rather than tour much. He also is giving hand injuries time to recover. They resulted from the amount of balls he's hit in practice over the past several years.

Submitted by marty gallagher from ossining ny and the legends

Q: al, still hearing from billy casper employees in ny that the legends is going to be taken over by billy casper management....does this mean it was sold????

Answered 11/02/10 23:49:29 by Alan Blondin

A: No, I am attempting to stay on top of the story and it's not a done deal yet to the best of my knowledge. It might have hit a snag.

Submitted by Hollis Wineland from Blackwood N.J.

Q: Hi Alan, Have you heard any thing about the new course just north of Myrtle BEACH, about 45 minutes. (Cape Fear National) I will be stoping by and play it This Month. Thanks. Hollis

Answered 11/02/10 23:48:11 by Alan Blondin

A: Hey Hollis. I played it during its soft opening period. It's a pretty impressive course designed by Tim Cate, who has done Leopard's Chase, Tiger's Eye and Thistle, and its right there quality-wise with those.

Submitted by colin from carolina forest

Q: My wife is just begining to play golf, are there any courses that let you pay & play 9 holes. Thanks

Answered 09/15/10 15:39:48 by Alan Blondin

A: For sure. In the summer especially, most courses have twilight rates if you want to go out after 3 pm or something like that and play 9 or as many as you want. Those are less than regular a.m. or p.m. rates. If you can go out in the afternoon I'd call nearby local courses and ask about twilight rates. May I also suggest par-3s and the executive course at Tupelo Bay, which is on U.S. 17 Bus. in Garden City. Other par-3s are Harbor Light in Little River, which I recently played and is in good shape, and Cane Patch on U.S. 17 Bus. in Myrtle Beach. Midway Par-3 at U.S. 17 Bus. around the old Air Force Base entrance is set up to practice your short game from different lie scenarios. You've got plenty of options.

Submitted by Chris from Sunset Beach, NC

Q: Has there been any word on what is going on at Brick Landing? Has there been any talk of re-opening the course, who has the controlling interest in the club or if they are looking to sell the property of have someone operate it?

Answered 08/30/10 12:37:45 by Alan Blondin

A: It was the lead subject of my column this past Saturday, Aug. 28. Carolina Bank foreclosed on it, then on Aug. 20 it submitted the only bid at auction for $1.3 million. There is a 10-day period for upset bids, so by Aug. 30 another party had to bid more or the bank retains ownership. Still closed, has been since January.

Submitted by Mark Hollingsworth from Pinehurst, NC

Q: Hi Al, I live in NC now, will be vacationing in Myrtle Beach. Are you aware of any local scratch skins games, or something similar, that take place on a regular basis in the Myrtle area? I used to vacation on Maui and there is a scratch skins game there with mostly locals 7 days a week...it is a terrific way to get a good quality game while on vacation. Thanks, Mark

Answered 08/16/10 21:49:01 by Alan Blondin

A: Apparently a lot of people know about the limits of my abilities, because I haven't been invited to any scratch skins games. I wish I could help you more, but I'll keep you in mind if I hear of any. I know there are probably some among members of private clubs or the better courses in the area, it might be worth a call to a couple pro shops, to say Pawleys Plantation, Grande Dunes, etc.

Submitted by Dennis from Tewksbury, Ma

Q: Alan, nice article about the World Am. I hope the exposure they are talking about will bring the tournament like it was 10 years ago. David should bring some laughs to the nigh. It is good to see celb's coming to the World Am. It really would be nice to see the local pros Dustin and Kristy to the Convention Center some year. I will be coming down the week before the tournament and wondering if you will be doing a course review that week. Would love to join you to talk golf and the tournament and how it changed the last 22 years I've played.

Answered 08/06/10 12:27:04 by Alan Blondin

A: It's unlikely Dustin will ever make it. As it is now the second FedEx Cup playoff event, the Deutsche Bank Championship, is that week. The LPGA has tournaments the week before in Winnipeg, Canada, and the week after in Arkansas, and Kristy lives in Florida now, though she visits here quite often. Send me an email to ablondin@thesunnews.com with your information for possible course review inclusion. Have you played in every World Am since the tournament's inception?

Submitted by Hollis Wineland from Blackwood. N.J.

Q: Hi Alan Just a quick question? What is the latest on Jaguar's Lair? Thanks Hollis

Answered 08/06/10 12:12:54 by Alan Blondin

A: Hey Hollis, nine holes are essentially complete but Ocean Ridge Plantation owners/operators are waiting for the housing market to bounce back before finishing and opening the course. No real timetable on an opening yet.

Submitted by Paul from Johnstown PA

Q: Looking for a women friendly golf course to play the week of 8-1 to 8-6 2010 in the North Myrtle Beach area. Any suggestions? Thanks Paul

Answered 07/26/10 00:01:03 by Alan Blondin

A: Hard for me to say what's a women-friendly course, but probably courses without many forced carries. I'd give Possum Trot a shot and maybe Eagle Nest, though the finish there is tough. Azalea Sands also wouldn't be very difficult for a woman.

Submitted by Cathy Ziegler from North Myrtle Beach

Q: Alan, I am a Golf Director for Myrtle Beach Golf Authority, a division of Elliott Realty. I am hosting a Rally for The Cure Golf tournament at Eagle Nest Golf Club and I need players. Could you put this info in the paper for me? Myrtle Beach Golf Authority, a Division of Elliott Realty, would like to invite you to join us in a day of great fun at Eagle Nest Golf Club on Sept. 11, 2010 for a Rally For The Cure Golf Tournament, benefiting susan g. komen a grassroots program that is committed to spreading awareness about breast health and breast cancer. The event will be a Captain’s Choice and will start at 1:00 pm with a shotgun start. The price is $60 for individual or $200 for a 4-person team. There will be contests for prizes, raffles for merchandise as well as a silent auction for many items. Lunch will be served starting at 11:30. Come early for a chipping and putting contest to win great prizes. If you are unable to join us please consider a donation of merchandise, gift card, free night stays or money to this worthy cause. To sign up go to our website at www.MBGOLFAUTHORITYRALLY.COM and register or give Cathy a call at 843-249-1406 ext. 330 to register. Payment can be made by mailing a check to me at Elliott Realty, PO Box 3200, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 or day of the rally, although paying in advance ensures your spot. All proceeds will go to The Susan G. Komen For The Cure Breast Cancer awareness program. Thank you Cathy Ziegler PS. Wear pink to show your support

Answered 07/21/10 16:03:46 by Alan Blondin

A: If you can email the information for the tournament to ablondin@thesunnews.com, or fax it to 843-626-0356 att: Alan Blondin, we can add it to our golf tournament list that runs on Thursday's recreation page each week. We need: tournament name, course, format, start time, entry fee, what a golfer receives for the entry fee such as prizes/food/beverages/raffle/etc., and a contact name with contact information such as phone number and email. Thanks

Submitted by Ernie from Hickory, NC

Q: Where online at www.thesunnews.com can I find the golf course specials that you see in the sun paper when in Myrtle beach?

Answered 07/13/10 19:41:38 by Alan Blondin

A: You can find some of the ads at: www.thesunnews.com/myrtle-beach-golf/

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