thistle imageShan Coughlin, host of Tee It UP Grand Strand, joins PGA Head Golf Professional Dustin Powers at The Thistle Golf Club in Calabash North Carolina on a brilliant sunny day in November for this November 2015 Update on course conditions, winter specials and more.  Purple is definitely the color out at the Thistle and Shan just happened to have hers on, as they honor the namesake flower, or weed, as Dustin tells us with their uniform color.  Fall golf season is now behind us along the Grand Strand and the Winter is approaching and how nice it is to have a winter golf season.  November is one of the best times to play as temperature highs tend to remain in the mid 70’s almost all month as the northern states begin seeing frost and even snow.

The facility at the Thistle has several unique aspects.  First, the tremendous clubhouse design represents an era of golf and Scottish history that spans over 100 years as displayed in the stucco, stone and brick architecture on and within the building.  Some of the fixtures and doors are replicas of the era as well.  Second, Thistle Golf Club Housethe course itself has 27 holes, three distinct nines named MacKay, Cameron, and Stewart, all designed by course architect Tim Cate with a Scottish links style.  The original “Thistle Golf Club” is no longer around but it was part of The Links of Leith in Edinburgh Scotland, considered the birthplace of golf.  The current clubhouse houses several relic golf clubs and furniture of the times as well as the original book, Rules of the Thistle Golf Club published in 1824.  Third is their philosophy surrounding tee times.  Most clubs use 8 minute tee times. At Thistle tee times are scheduled at 10 minute intervals providing an old fashioned style of consideration for the players and promoting a leisurely pace to the game.This along with their 4 1/2 star rating from Golf Digest ensures you will have a top notch golf experience.

Dustin shares with us that the over-seeding process is complete and that even with the record amount of rainfall, the course has been draining very well and most days (though not all which is completely understandable) they have been riding the fairways.  He also tells us about the new Hickory Stick Program coming out for 2016 so if you are a full time, part time, or wanna be resident of the area and love playing at the Thistle, how about being able to play all year for $30 a round.  Become a Hickory Stick Loyalty Club member and enjoy many benefits including that great rate, a reduced rate for your guest and special events.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention their fabulous chef who prepares wonderful food for golfers and guests a like.  The Thistle has holiday meals scheduled for the holidays so be sure to check with them on availability for those.  It would be impossible for us to cover it all in one article/interview so for more information, give the friendly staff at the Thistle a call and check out their website directly by clicking on the banner to the right of the page.

Thank you for interacting with us here at TheGolfDirector.com and we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.