Golf-South.net, your link to the Traveling Golfer.

By Marc Atchison

SHALOTTE, N.C. — For decades the debate raged about who was the better golfer — Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer. A mute point now that Tiger Woods is poised to rewrite every record either Nicklaus or Palmer ever held! However, a discussion that's still prevalent today regarding Nicklaus and Palmer is which of the two golf greats is the better course designer.

Big hitters will argue in Nicklaus' favour. Finesse players tend to like Palmer's designs. Since I'm neither, let me cast a vote on behalf of Ordinary Joe golfers who just want to enjoy a game of golf, not audition for a spot on the PGA Tour. So, my deciding vote goes to — drum roll, please — Arnold Palmer.

Like the man himself, Palmer's course designs tend to be fair and friendly — especially to Ordinary Joes. I've never played a Palmer course I didn't like and one of my favourite courses in the entire world is British Columbia's Whistler Golf Club, Palmer's first-ever Canadian design.
Now, another Palmer design has won my heart.

Rivers Edge Golf Club is located in the sleepy little town of Shallotte in the Brunswick County region of North Carolina less than an hour from north Myrtle Beach. The sweeping Palmer masterpiece set amidst gator-filled marshes with impressive river views. Rivers Edge is one of those special courses where you're always anxious to get to the next tee just to see what delightful visual surprises Palmer and his design team have in store for you. At Rivers Edge, there's at least one thrill per hole.

The front nine at this 6,909-yard, par-72 treasure is some of the most valued golf real estate in the United States. Seven of the course's 18 holes are elevated and overlook the breathtaking tidal marsh the property is built around. The most intimidating of the "super seven" is the 536-yard par-5 ninth.

"If you get a bogey on No. 9, it will feel like a birdie," said the starter as we began our memorable round.
On the club's yardage book, there's a comment about No. 9 which reads: "This is one (hole) you'll be talking about later."

Actually, we were still talking up No. 9 to our friend's weeks after we returned from North Carolina. The peninsula green that's just 20 yards wide and juts out into the unforgiving marsh demands strategy and nerves of steel. Palmer challenges big hitters to go for the green on their second shot and the thousands of balls embedded in the black marsh mud surrounding No. 9 are a testament that being macho doesn't mean you're smart.

But even those who lay up find their approach shots challenging — mine ended up in the marsh but my playing partner escaped with a par that "felt like an eagle" to him.

The four finishing holes here rank among the best in golf — starting with a knee-knocking tee shot on the par-3, 190-yard 15th that requires you to clear the yawning marsh and over come the ever-present wind. There's no room for error here, folks.

The 16th green is tucked into the marsh and you have to hit your tee shot over the right edge of a fairway bunker to set up an attempt at a birdie. The smallish green awaiting 386 yards away on this par-4 beauty falls off into the marsh so anything long is long gone.

The 17th is a reachable par-5 but the marsh comes into play down the entire right side of the hole so it's advisable to play up to the creek running in front of the green. Smart play will result in big rewards here.

The 18th is a super finishing hole. Cut off as much as you can off the tee to set up a short iron to the medium-sized stadium green. The 361-yard, par 4 is the perfect ending to a perfect day of golf.

Rivers Edge is rated at 74.7 and has a slope rating of 149 on Bermuda grass and has received "Top" status from just about every golf magazine in the world.

Forget the ratings of others, though — we rate Rivers Edge No. 1 in the Brunswick area and few courses in the entire Grand Strand can match this Palmer masterpiece for design and playability.
Green fees range from $70.00 to $109.00 per round depending on the season. Those on Stay and Play Packages will certainly fair better than that. Rivers Edge may be the best bargain in championship golf that you will find.

Rivers Edge once again proves that Arnold Palmer's courses are on the leading edge of design and the cutting edge of excitement.

For some of the best rates on Stay and Play Packages that include the Rivers Edge Golf Club visit www.mbgolfwizard.com or www.ncgolfvacations.com

Rivers Edge Golf Club is just one of over 30 golf courses that you will find in the Brunswick County area of North Carolina, visit www.ncbrunswickgolf.com to find out about the rest.