On this edition of Tee It UP Grand Strand, host Shan Coughlin joins PGA professional Mike Benson on the course at The Pearl Golf Course in Calabash, N.C. to settle a little grudge match, but to also discuss winter golf on two diverse sister courses. With perfect weather conditions on their side, Coughlin and Benson took on hole No. 13 for the camera. A par 3 on the backside of the West Course, Benson explained he was playing from 140 yards from the blue tees and hitting an eight iron. After Benson’s shot hit the cart path, Coughlin took her shot for the win. “I didn’t want to go long,” laughed Benson, after both golfers had completed the hole. “I misjudged the wind, and off the cart path into the hazard. I couldn’t get up and down to save bogey. So, I made double and you made a really nice two putt for par,” he told Coughlin. “Thank you very much,” Coughlin said. “I enjoyed winning that hole.” These two will definitely have a rematch so be sure to check in next month for that.
The Pearl offers golfers not just one course, but 36 great holes of golf on two completely different courses. The West Course is a link-style golf course with a more open feel and wider fairways. The East Course is a parkland-style course, featuring pine trees and Bermuda grass, and is much more of a traditional Carolina-style course. The best part is, Coughlin pointed out, golfers don’t even have to leave the clubhouse to enjoy the different experiences; they are both right onsite. Additionally, golfers can play on two different types of greens by playing the Pearl East and the Pearl West courses. Benson explained the West Course features A1/A4 bentgrass, which offers a smooth putting surface.
“It’s such a great roll this time of year, it’s just in heaven,” Benson said of the bentgrass greens. “In the summertime, it doesn’t love the heat as much as the bermudagrass that we have on the East Course. But right now, this bentgrass is in the prime of its life and it shows. It’s rolling really well right now,” he said. With winter golf in full swing, golfers are looking ahead to spring golf. For those planning a trip to the Grand Strand, the Pearl is associated with some great specials.
East Coast Golf Management (ECGM) is offering three great golf packages through their PGA program – PGA standing for “Play Golf Again” – which can be used at the Pearl and other area courses. The PGA 4, 5 and 6 packages offer golfers the chance to play four rounds of golf, and receive a $100 gift card; play five rounds of golf, receive a $150 gift card; play six rounds and get a $200 gift card. These gift cards can be used on food and beverages, apparel, and replays. To book a tee time online, or for more information about the Pearl and the PGA golf packages, visit www.ThePearlGolf.com or log onto TheGolfDirector.com. Or call the golf shop at (910) 579-8132. The Pearl is located at 1300 Pearl Blvd. Calabash, N.C.
