If rankings lure your eye, you'll be hooked by Wachesaw Plantation East: The Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association voted it the 2007 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year. Golf Digest gave it a four star Places to Play rating with readers voting it in the top 50 for customer service, and Golf for Women magazine gave it the nod for Top 100 Fairways. Hosting four LPGA Tour events has put it on the international map and garnered Wachesaw Plantation East the attention it deserves.

Architect Clyde Johnston carved a formidable layout from a former rice plantation and hunting ground in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Johnston pits you against water on 13 of 18 holes. You'll find Scottish flair in the traditional mounding, and the rolling fairways have the tree-lined Carolinas touch.

Five sets of tees afford opportunities to challenge all levels of play, with the forward placements avoiding all carries at 4,995 yards. Golfers taking on the tips will negotiate 6,933 yards of risk/reward play. The first hole gets you in the right mindset with a 390 yard par 4 dogleg that demands a precise drive. You'll find sniper skills to be your number one asset at Wachesaw Plantation East.

The front and back nines both finish with flourish. Number 9 features water running all the way up the right side, a large waste bunker in front of your tee shot, and a craftily twisted fairway en route to the green. The 18th, one of the best holes on the course, tempts your tee shot over wetlands when only a straight drive will put you in good position between the trees and water for your mid to long iron approach on this the 430 yard par 4. Tif-eagle greens run fast and true, so find time to test the Stimp while you're warming up at the practice range. You just may count on sinking a few putts.

Two courses also in the South Strand that you will want to put on your must play list are the Ron Garl designed Tradition Club, and Indian Wells Golf Club which after completing extensive renovations in 2004 was awarded the honour of Course of the Year. The Tradition club is one of the 4 ½ star rated courses in an area known as Litchfield Beach. This course is a favourite with both the traveling golfer and locals as well. Large fairways make this a power hitter's delight but the well-guarded greens make you hit precise approach shots in order to post a good score. Keep your sand wedge handy on this beauty.

Indian Wells is traditional in style and pride of ownership is evident the moment you pass through the gates. This is also very much a risk reward type golf course. There are many opportunities to cut corners, but biting off more than you can chew could lead to big numbers. It might be best to do your "biting off" the 2nd time around. The 418-yard par 4, 18th hole has been recognized as one of Myrtle Beach's "Dream 18". Garl surely saved the best for last here, creating one of the best and toughest holes on the Beach.

The sound of a ball dropping in the 18th cup is often followed by a growling emitted from the belly region. Murrells Inlet, also known as the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina", is definitely the village you'll want to quiet the hungry beast in before you retire to one of a number of attractive lodgings.

Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation, an Interval International Five Star Resort, resides on the golf course and has one, two or three bedroom condos nestled amongst moss-covered oaks. Suites come equipped with full kitchens and the resort amenities include kiddie pool and children's playground, outdoor pool and hot tub, exercise room and arcade.

Condtels Beach and Golf Vacations will hook you up with a condo for the price of a room and coordinate your golf package. Condtels manages a number of different properties with golf course or water views, and offers perks such as complimentary cocktails at local brew-stops. Frequent patrons may want to take advantage of their option to own and participate in a rental pool. Take a minute and check out their newly updated and user friendly site www.condotels.com

Find more information on Wachesaw Plantation East, Ellington Resort, and the Condotel properties, golf packages (starting at only $201 per person based on quad occupancy for 2 nights and 3 days - this fall) and many other area attractions, check out
www.mbgolfcourseoftheyear.com or telephone 866-490-2515.

Laura Aiken is a contributing writer of Golf-South and the current
Editor of Bay Area Golfing www.bags.on.ca