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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.

For recommendations or opinions on specific golf courses, visit our Golf Discussion Board.

Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 1 - 15 of 696 (Page 1 of 36)

Submitted by Lefty Gomes from Little River

Q: I live near the old Silver course of Baytree, the other day somebody was doing surveying on the course. I hear rumors that the owner may revise the Green course. Is this true?

Answered 02/08/12 19:52:38 by Alan Blondin

A: I'd haven't heard that and I'd be surprised for a number of reasons. For one, the golf business doesn't seem all that profitable right now. Secondly, the property is so far removed from being a golf course a large investment would be necessary to open the course. Third, the owners of the property -- the last I knew -- was Wakefield Development Co., a builder of large, high-end communities in Raleigh, N.C. If that company is still the owner, it isn't involved in the golf business and would have to hire someone to operate the course. But I'll make a couple calls to see if there's any truth to the rumors you've heard.

Submitted by Bill from NC

Q: Alan, has Brick Landing reopened, and if so, what do you hear about the condition of the course? Thanks

Answered 02/01/12 19:03:16 by Alan Blondin

A: Brick Landing has reopened, and while the course conditions are likely to continue improving into the summer, I've heard from people who live and play on the course regularly who say it's worth a look now.

Submitted by Robert Clair from Myrtle Beach

Q: I am a handicapped golfer who requires the use of the Solorider golf cart. I know of, 2 courses Whispering Pines and Myrtlewood that have this special cart. Do you know any other courses on the Grand Strand that have Soloriders?

Answered 01/09/12 20:58:57 by Alan Blondin

A: I know the Solo Rider and Club Car's 1-Pass are available on a few courses. I have to go back to a story I wrote in December 2009, but at that time there were at least six single-rider carts in the area, though none of them got used more than a few times a year. The TPC of Myrtle Beach had one, and Burroughs & Chapin Golf Management had five that were shared among its eight golf facilities. One is shared by Farmstead Golf Links and Meadowlands Golf Club, and the others reside at Tidewater Plantation & Golf, River Hills Golf & Country Club, Grande Dunes and Myrtlewood Golf Club. Arcadian Shores is another B&C property. The carts could also be provided at B&C par-3 facilities including Cane Patch Driving Range and Par 3. TPC said it would lend the cart to another course if someone would come pick it up and drop it back off. Advanced notice is probably needed in all situations. Good luck.

Submitted by Dennis N from Tewksbury/Myrtle Beach

Q: Alan, would like to wish you, your family and the staff at The Sun News a wonderfull holiday season. Hope we can connect next year for a couple of rounds and chat World Am. dennis

Answered 12/23/11 17:38:20 by Alan Blondin

A: Thanks Dennis, happy holidays to you and your family. Thanks for reading

Submitted by paul webster from myrtle beach,sc

Q: I understand that theWedgefield ownership is in the process of leasing the Island Green golf course and plan to open January, any validity to this?

Answered 12/19/11 22:03:03 by Alan Blondin

A: Yes, my column online today (Dec. 19) and in the Dec. 20 edition of The Sun News has a story about the possibility of Island Green reopening. The Wedgefield ownership is negotiating and expects to open the course but the contract isn't complete yet

Submitted by Hollis Wineland from Blackwood N.J.

Q: Hi Alan Have you had any up date on the new course at Ocean Ridge? "Jaguars Lair" that was being built and originally going to open in 2010. Has it been put on hold still? Thanks Hollis

Answered 12/13/11 13:36:48 by Alan Blondin

A: Hey Hollis, Yes Jaguars Lair is on hold indefinitely right now. I actually spoke to course designer Tim Cate about another story recently -- The Lost Art of Walking story -- and asked about the course and he said there's no movement whatsoever. Between housing market and golf market, no reason to put money into it right now. The front nine has been fully designed and back nine ready for completion whenever things get started back up.

Submitted by andrew from myrtle beach

Q: any best ball tourneys this weekend?

Answered 11/28/11 22:55:58 by Alan Blondin

A: These are the next tourneys coming up: Dec. 9 | Shop with a Cop Charity Tournament, Barefoot Resort Fazio Course, 11 a.m. shotgun start, captain’s choice format. Entry fee of $50 per player or $200 per team includes lunch, non-alcoholic beverages, and prizes for top teams and multiple contest winners. The Shop with a Cop program provides $100 shopping sprees at WalMart for children chosen by school guidance counselors. Organizers hope to help 100 children in 2011. Email recreation@nmb.us or call the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Dept. at 843-280-5584. Registration forms are also available at J. Bryan Floyd Community Center in North Myrtle Beach. Dec. 10 | The 14th annual TLC Tournament of Angels Benefit Tournament, Tidewater Golf Club, 10 a.m. shotgun start, captain’s choice format. The entry fee of $75 per person includes unlimited range balls, a buffet breakfast, lunch, refreshments, prizes for teams and contest winners, a raffle and silent auction. Organizers are also accepting raffle and silent auction items. TLC (The Lord’s Children) at King of Glory Lutheran Church provides an early education program for preschoolers in the community from 2-year-olds through first grade and serves more than 175 children each year. Email tiff.oceanfront@gmail.com or call 704-962-9777. Dec. 10 | Socastee High School Golf Teams Tournament, Prestwick Country Club, 9 a.m. shotgun start, four-person captain’s choice format. The entry fee of $75 per golfer includes a gift bag, silent auction, mulligans, awards, raffle prizes, a breakfast provided by Chick-fil-A, and lunch provided by Subway. Hole sponsorships available. Registration deadline with player contact information is Dec. 2. The event benefits the Socastee boys and girls golf teams. Call Socastee golf coach James Smith at 843-450-6190. Dec. 17 | Christmas Child Golf Tournament hosted by D G Golf Management at The Wizard and Man O’War courses. Captain’s choice format with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The tournament is limited to the first 64 teams. The entry fee of $65 per player includes lunch, prizes including merchandise and foursomes to area courses, a raffle, mulligan packages, and awards including longest drive and closest to the pin contests. Contact Randy Broughton at 843-236-8000.

Submitted by Troy Vlahos from Philadelphia, PA

Q: Hey Alan, Every year we come down and play early rounds. The problem is that many of them don't offer delicious breakfast sandwiches. Do you know of any courses that offer fresh sandwiches for breakfast? Or for matter, which course offer the best lunches? soups? Thanks!

Answered 11/07/11 22:49:08 by Alan Blondin

A: I haven't given much thought to freshly cooked breakfast sandwiches, but they are nice prior to a round. I'd call the course before taking my word for it, but I think the TPC of Myrtle Beach might have fresh breakfast sandwiches, Tidewater is a possibility, maybe Myrtle Beach National. But I'd call first.

Submitted by Bryan from Pittsburgh, PA

Q: We are coming down in May to play, Pawleys, Kings North, Tradition, and Rivers CLub.. Thoughts on these four? Also any other suggestions for the other two rounds..Same Quality..

Answered 11/07/11 22:45:57 by Alan Blondin

A: I think you'll enjoy all four rounds. These are generally Myrtle Beach National courses. Another course in Pawleys Island run by them is Willbrook. A couple other courses managed by other companies in that area are Heritage Club and Founders Club, which is formerly Sea Gull and was redone with a multi-million dollar makeover. Those are worth a look.

Submitted by tom HOFFMAN from buffalo new york

Q: WHAT IS GOING ON WITH JEREMY POPE... I HAVE NOT SEEN HIS PARTICAPATION IN ANY OF THE AREA TOURNMENTS.

Answered 10/28/11 16:22:53 by Alan Blondin

A: Good question. When I last checked with him in the summer he said he was working with his father and with Will Akers at a golf shop in Pawleys Island, and was planning to play the eGolf Tour when he returned to play.

Submitted by Troy from Cumberland, MD

Q: My buddies and I are coming down from October 13th-16th and we would like to enter a captain's choice tourney. Is there a website that lists local charity events? I have noticed flyers on a bulletin board at Martin's but cannot find any listing online.

Answered 10/07/11 16:48:33 by Alan Blondin

A: Unfortunately for you October is golf season and captain's choice events are generally held in the summer. We run a calendar of golf events every Thursday. Here is what we have upcoming: Oct. 15 | Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Foundation second annual Family Golf Day, Tupelo Bay Golf Center. The day features an 18-hole mini-golf tournament and a nine-hole par 3 tournament open to juniors and their families and friends. Participants can play in either or both events. Mini-golf starts at 1 p.m. and costs $5 per player. The Par 3 tournament, a two-person team competition, starts at 3 p.m. and costs $10 per player. Players will be paired if necessary. Junior age divisions are 8 and under, 9-12, and 13 and older. The par 3 event will also have an Adults/Juniors division. Prizes will be awarded to top three finishers in each division and to contest winners for Most Holes-In-One and Closest-To-The-Pin. Complimentary food and beverages follow at 5 p.m. Call Tupelo Bay at 843-215-7888 or Russ Brown at 843-450-9034 for more information. Oct. 24 | Coastal Animal Rescue Golf Tournament, the private Wachesaw Plantation Club, 10 a.m. start, captain’s choice format. Proceeds benefit the all-volunteer rescue in Murrells Inlet, which cares for abused and abandoned pets and homeless animals until they are adopted. Entry fee of $125 includes a continental breakfast, lunch, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar at the awards ceremony. More than $13,000 in prizes includes merchandise and gift cards for courses, restaurants and attractions, and does not include a 2012 Nissan and $1,000 shopping sprees for holes-in-one. The Coastal Carolina men’s golf team will participate in on-course contests. Tournament chairman is meteorologist Ed Piotrowsky. The event is limited to 100 golfers. First Palmetto Insurance and 212 Carpet Solutions LLC are sponsors. Visit www.coastalanimalrescue.org or call Karen Nierengarten at 843-651-2663.

Submitted by Jerry Spearman from Greenwood

Q: I am the General Partner at Heron Point Golf Club. Though the golf course industry is going through a tough time, we have decided to increase our investment in Heron Point. Over the next 6 months you should see our bar expanded, an upgraded Pro Shop and numerous improvements to the golf club.

Answered 10/07/11 16:21:38 by Alan Blondin

A: Sounds good Jerry, I hope things work out and we'll check you out when improvements are finished.

Submitted by hnorth from newfane, vt.

Q: is there any speculation that someone/some group will buy or operate Island Green ? Realize it's always possible but is there any real interest ? Seems like there could be a slot for this type of course. inexpensive and accessable are good things for us average hacker types.

Answered 09/21/11 11:48:43 by Alan Blondin

A: I don't have any indication that anyone is looking to buy and reopen Island Green. The company/group that owns it is the one developing the housing around it and on the previously nine closed holes. But you never know.

Submitted by Joe Dunning from Bath, N.Y.

Q: I read that Island Green has closed and was owned by the Signature Golf Group. My question is what's the fate of Heron Point Golf Club located nearby that is also owned by the same group? Is it in trouble and could it close?

Answered 08/27/11 08:10:11 by Alan Blondin

A: The courses are not owned by Signature Golf Group. The company had a management contract with the owners of Island Green and has a management contract with the owners of Heron Point. I have not heard that Heron Point is in financial strife. But in the current economic climate and in a very competitive market, there are likely a few courses that are experiencing a financial strain.

Submitted by dennis from Tewksbury

Q: Hey Alan, just a week and a half until another World Am. Second year for Golf.com to sponsor. Are you ready to write about us or actually come out and play. Will you be at the convention center doing interviews/picturs? Also need a fourth to play the Friday before at Pine Lakes if you are interested. Email me and let me know.

Answered 08/23/11 23:27:22 by Alan Blondin

A: email me at ablondin@thesunnews.com to refresh my memory about your group.

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