The Dunes Golf and Beach Club honored as the 2012 Myrtle Beach Course of the Year

I’m not surprised the Dunes Golf and Beach Club was honored as the 2012 “Course of the Year” by the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association.

I’m surprised the vote was even close. The club was one of several I played last fall during my first visit to Myrtle Beach (read here). It was the best conditioned course I played on the trip and had the closest thing to a private club vibe of the places I visited.

Check out my thoughts on the course here and a photo gallery here.

The Dunes Club, which edged out the Barefoot Resort Dye Course for the award in one of the closest votes ever, will advance to state competition. The “Course of the Year” for South Carolina will be announced in mid-August.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as Course of the Year in the Myrtle Beach area,” said Dennis Nicholl, Dunes Club head professional. “To be selected from among so many fine golf courses in this area is truly an honor. We look forward to representing the Myrtle Beach golf industry as we advance to the state and national levels.”

The Dunes Club, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. layout of 7,195 yards, features one of the best stretches of golf on The Grand Strand. The “Alligator Alley", beginning at No. 11, offers breathtaking scenery near marshy shores and Lake Singleton. The fairway of the par-4 11th sweeps right, revealing a green tucked into the marsh. The 200-yard 12th (photo above) flies all-carry over water and two front bunkers to a narrow green with several bunkers in back. The par-5 13th hole lays claim as one of the top holes in the world. A 3-wood up the left side avoids the lake, setting up a nerve-wracking second shot over the corner of this dogleg right to the other side of the hazard. The elevated green is severe.

I’ll bet if it wanted to, the club could host another Senior Tour Championship, like it did from 1994-99. It’s that good.