This is a legendary episode of the Traveling Golfer.
That’s because our June show is loaded with legends.
First, we’re celebrating 50 years of legendary and award-winning Golf Course Designer and Architect Rees Jones. Our Traveling Golfer legend and host Tony Leodora gives us his personal connections with Rees over the years.
Second, Rees’ first solo design was Arcadian Shores in Myrtle Beach, SC back in 1974 that is celebrating its half-century anniversary this year. And we take you through all the great sites and tastes you need to explore.
Third, you have the legendary General Manager of Arcadian Shores Frank Coughlin. Affectionately known as Uncle Frank, he guides us through the iconic 13th Hole, a par-4 that is a narrow dogleg with a downhill second shot over a lake to a tricky green. Then Frank takes us into the kitchen to show off his culinary skills by making us the perfect breakfast sandwich. But he tops it all with one of his Uncle Frank comic rants about how golfers should act while they’re visiting Arcadian Shores.
I was fortunate enough to do some fill-in hosting for Tony on this episode. So, I give you some of my observations from playing Arcadian Shores many times. It is one of the many highlights awaiting you on the Myrtle Beach Golf Trail.
Legendary Course
As you will see, the course continues to impress players with its challenging layout, breathtaking scenery, and impeccable course conditions. Designed with the natural landscape in mind, Arcadian Shores offers a unique golfing experience that showcases the beauty of the South Carolina coast. The course features lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens that provide a true test of skill for golfers of all levels.
In addition to its exceptional design, Arcadian Shores Golf Course offers a range of amenities to enhance the overall golfing experience. From a fully stocked pro shop to a practice facility and clubhouse, the course provides everything a golfer needs to enjoy a day on the links.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a first-time visitor, this milestone anniversary is the perfect opportunity to experience the magic of Arcadian Shores Golf Course.
You will feel the magic of Rees Jones’ design. You will understand why he is affectionately called “The Open Doctor” for his U.S. Open redesigns. I am a big fan of playing his courses and watching them on TV. Every winter, I watch the Farmers Open from the San Diego area at Torrey Pines. I was also fortunate enough to play the course before and after Rees’s design changes. If you’re like me, you’ll remember the US Open in 2008 where Tiger, with a broken leg beat Rocco mediate in a Monday playoff.
Rees’ other original designs include the Nantucket Golf Club along the ocean in Massachusetts and The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club in Orlando FL. And the big tribute to him is those courses stand the test of time.
The Open Doctor
But his reputation as The Open Doctor is borne out by the numbers. Seven U.S. Open venues. 9 PGA championship courses. 6 Ryder Cup sites. 2 Walker Cup sites. And Three president cup venues. He has garnered all the prestigious golf architect awards that are out there.
Rees was born in 1941. He was actually “born into the game” of golf. His father Robert Trent Jones senior was a legendary golf designer and his younger brother Robert Trent Jones Jr. also followed in their father’s footsteps. As a youngster, Rees learned to play golf and competed as a junior golfer. His upbringing led him to play golf around the world where he gained invaluable insights into course design after attending Montclair High School in New Jersey. Reese then pursued higher education. He graduated from Yale and later completed graduate studies at Harvard. In 1965 he worked alongside his father. And then in 1974 Reese founded his own design firm — Rees Jones, Inc. Since then, he has either designed or renovated 270 golf courses around the world.
You will feel Rees at Arcadian Shores.
So, as we celebrate 50 years of excellence at Arcadian Shores Golf Course, we invite you to join us in honoring this iconic destination and experiencing the magic of golf at its finest. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor from afar, Arcadian Shores welcomes you to be a part of its storied history and create new memories for the next 50 years and beyond.
To book a tee time go to Arcadian Shores website or the Myrtle Beach Golf Trail.
Here’s the show to enjoy.
“Real” John Daly, not to be confused with Long John Daly, is a Producer and fill-in Host for the Traveling Golfer. He writes and produces for the TGD Newswire at www.thegolfdirector.com. He is a former player on the Celebrity Players Tour who still holds a single-digit handicap. He was the host of Real TV, the groundbreaking reality show in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is currently the Co-Creator and Co-Host of Undercover Jetsetter with Susan Anzalone, a show on travel, food, wine, mixology and, of course, golf. They show you how to jet set the world and at home. They also co-authored the book, The TV Studio In Your Hand: How to Shoot, Edit & Deliver the Easy Way on Your iPhone.