Caledonia Golf Club February 2016 Update
In this edition of Tee It UP Grand Strand, meet Marc Guertin, Head Golf Professional for Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Pawleys Island South Carolina. Host Shan Coughlin joins Marc on the back porch landing overlooking the 18th green for the Caledonia Golf Club February 2016 Update.
To start, Shan asks Marc to tell the listeners, viewers and readers a little about himself. Marc is from Vermont and moved to the Grand Strand right after college. With 23 years of golf experience in the area and the last 15 of those spent at Caledonia, Marc has seen and experienced a lot of change in the golf industry and also in the area. So when Shan asks him what he thinks makes Caledonia such a special property, he has a lot of experience on which to base his answer. He says, “The unique property that it’s built upon.” The 350 year old rice plantation provides golfers with distinct views of low country rice fields throughout the round. He also says that Architect Mike Stranz worked the course into the land and not the reverse which is so often the case. This not only makes the course look like it has always been there, but makes it very playable for all skill levels. For the low handicaps who love a challenge, move it back. For those looking to enjoy their round and shoot a good score, move it forward. Like most good arena, there’s not a bad seat, or tee box, in the house.
Speaking of a challenge, the 18th hole seen behind Marc and Shan is a relatively short par 4. Marc says the tee shots needs to be about 220 yards, no more. That will leave players with a shot over the lake to the green. While that may not sound like much, on a busy day, golfers may hear several jovial folks who have finished their round, enjoying a beverage or two on the back deck making wagers on the players finishing up. Marc says they have strategically placed signs on the porch reminding patrons to be courteous as the acoustics are such that those on the green can hear it all. While it may be flattering to hear people betting on you, it could be equally troubling to hear them betting against you but all in all this festive atmosphere gives golfers a great opportunity to have a little fun after their round.
As it has been snowing on our friends and family in the North and in the Midwest, it is always fun to talk about the new renovations and updates occurring at the course to prepare for the busy spring golf season. Marc tells Shan that Jackson Clemmons, the Director of Agronomy for both Caldedonia Gold and Fish Club and her sister course, True Blue Golf Club, has been busy working on drainage projects. With the amount of rainfall that has occurred and been all over the news, courses have been identifying areas of opportunity where this is concerned. Marc mentions that on hole #1, Jackson installed a new passive capillary drainage system that is an intricate web of pipes that pulls the water into the drain allowing for faster ground drying and less time golfers have to spend on the cart path. That is what golfers like to hear, less “CPO” or Cart Path Only days.
Marc also says that Dixon Boggs has been updating the blooms in the flower beds and working on several other beautification projects. Along with the mile long entrance with the 100 year old oaks draped in Spanish moss, the ownership at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club spare no expense to ensure the aesthetics super exceed all expectations, something we at the Golf Director feel they accomplish year in and year out. Combine this with the complimentary fish chowder at the turn and golfers get the full low country experience that keeps them coming back.
For more information on this must play course and her sister course True Blue Golf Club in Pawleys Island South Carolina, visit www.fishclub.com. Hit ’em straight and we’ll see you in the fairways!
