Craig Schreiner begins renovation project at Pine Lakes CC

Golf course architect Craig Schreiner has started a renovation project at Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The course, known as the ‘old Granddaddy’ of Myrtle Beach, closed on 26 April so Schreiner – who previously renovated the course in 2008-09 – could begin work on greens and bunkers.

Greens will be restored to their original size, expanding the total putting surface area from 103,000 to 124,000 square feet, creating more pinnable areas. Paspalum grass on greens will also be replaced by a new Sunday bermudagrass variety.

Schreiner is also restoring every bunker as he aims to bring back a more natural look, as original architect Robert White designed. He’s also working to improve drainage and playability of bunkers, with these efforts supported by a new drainage system.

“I call this a restoration because they asked me to do the bunkering as well as the greens, and that’s where we are restoring an important part of the architecture – updating it, modernising it and adding new sand drainage, which was always lacking here,” said Schreiner. “In terms of the bunkers, the sand will be a little less obvious and the faces won’t be as highly flashed, as grass faces will be more prevalent.”

“Pine Lakes holds a special place in the Myrtle Beach market, and this project, highlighted by the new Sunday bermudagrass greens and the bunker restoration, will ensure the Granddaddy continues to deliver the type of experience golfers have enjoyed for more than 90 years,” said Steve Mays, president of Pine Lakes’ parent company Founders Group International. “This is the first step as we begin looking forward to the 100-year anniversary of Pine Lakes’ opening and the birth of Myrtle Beach as a golf destination.”

Pine Lakes is scheduled to reopen in early July.

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

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