The Witch Golf Course Myrtle Beach

A Night With Larry Gatlin http://p0.vresp.com/6IYf8Z

A Night With Larry Gatlin

Mystical Golf Christmas Tournament http://p0.vresp.com/sNWoAm

Mystical Golf Christmas Tournament

We Are Open during MB World AM http://p0.vresp.com/wqIkV4

We Are Open during MB World AM

The menace of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 factors into the rich history of the celebrated Witch Golf Course in Myrtle Beach. The Dan Maples-designed 18 wending through the glorious 23,000-acre Waccamaw Swamp was finished and ready to start casting its magical spell on the golfing public. The unique “haunted house” style clubhouse on the high ground was built and prepared to open its doors for guests.

The Witch grand opening was all set for Sept. 22, 1989 with an invited attendee list of golf media, local dignitaries, and family and friends of the owner and visionary of the layout, Claude Pardue. The opening was going to include “the works” with a big cocktail party and catered food. However, Mother Nature had different plans as Hurricane Hugo unleashed its fury on The Grand Strand on Sept. 21.

As Pardue recalls when discussing the opening: “Luckily there wasn’t too much damage. Mostly just downed trees and some of our bridges out on the course needed repair.” The bigger issue was that, due to the hurricane, the beaches were closed for a few weeks which led to area hotels not having as many rooms available for visitors coming in for the grand opening.

Undaunted despite the stormy beginning, The Witch had its successful debut shortly after Hugo left. “It was a smaller grand opening, but we had a wonderful time!” remembers Pardue. What would become one of the special places to play golf in the U.S. had an opening to remember!