Sometimes we get carried away with literature and theater. And in this segment, we get dramatic about a golf hole … actually two of them.
Watch the segment and tell us if it works.
Tough Par-3
The hole is the Par-3 8th hole at Rivers Edge Golf Course in Shallotte, NC.
It is one of the toughest holes on the course and in the region covering the Myrtle Beach Golf Trail.
From the white tees, it plays about 165 yards. From the pro tees, it’s 190.
Tricky Wind
What makes it tougher is the wind. The Shallotte River and its accompanying marsh runs behind the green. The wind from the river and the further east from the Atlantic Ocean is deceptive. The tee boxes are sheltered by tall trees. So, you don’t feel the wind.
That’s tough enough. But the tee boxes are elevated. And any good golfer knows you need to factor in the downward flight, meaning less yards to hit, and a higher club selection. That sounds right, except here the wind could actually be coming from a different direction you won’t feel or see, throwing off your calculations.
Another proof of how tough Rivers Edge No. 8 is: the lack of holes-in-one. We did some research and we could only find two players — Jim Carmody and Barry Saunders, both Rivers Edge members and residents – who can claim an ace. We will have them on future segments to explain.
Get Ready
Really, though, Hole-8 is just a prelude to what’s next.
The 9th hole at Rivers Edge might be one of the toughest in the state, the region, and maybe the world. Is that hyperbole? We don’t think so.
It is a 500+ yard Par-5 that has a narrow landing area with the Shallotte River and marsh to the left and dense forest to the right.
Your second shot is either a lay-up or one of the most incredibly difficult shots in golf. (We have drone video from Gallant Videography that explains it better, as you will see.)
Expect A Double Bogey
If you hit a great drive, then your second shot will be a 200+ yard shot to a narrow green that is impossible to hold. And it is surrounded by the river and marsh.
We’ve seen and hit onto the green in two only three times in 5 years of playing here.
If you lay-up to 140 yards of so, your third shot is still menacing because the green is long and narrow, the winds are always blowing, and the marsh and river are just waiting to swallow your ball.
Now, we don’t cover that in the segment here on Hole-8.
But if you have played Rivers Edge before, you will be thinking about this even as you are playing No. 8.
We guarantee there will be many stories about these two holes at the bar afterwards.
Here’s what you will face.
Susan Anzalone and John Daly are the Co-Creators and Co-Hosts of Undercover Jetsetter, 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. Join them for tips and hacks on the road, at home, or in the kitchen. Yes, as you will see, all on the iPhone.