‘A 24/7 operation’: Behind the scenes look at Myrtle Beach Classic course preps

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Golf pros will flood the Grand Strand for the Myrtle Beach Classic, but there are stars behind the scenes making sure the course shines for its PGA debut.

The Dunes Golf & Beach Club Agronomy and Facilities Director Steven Hamilton said he has nearly 50 helpers on staff for the week, and the work starts at the crack of dawn.

“We’ll be here at about 4 a.m.,” Hamilton said. “We’ll provide some snacks and coffee to get the guys amped up. Then, by 4:30 a.m., we’ll be out on the property starting to prepare.”

Hamilton said preparing the 236-acre property for an event of this magnitude is all about repetition and precision.

“We change cups every day, we mow the greens and the fairways maybe three or four times a week,” Hamilton said.”It’s a 24/7 operation seven days a week,”

He also said the work isn’t over once the players tee off. The group comes back in the afternoon to repeat the same process.

“We’ll cover up divots made by people swinging the clubs, get some extra mowing in, or do debris and leaf clean up,” Hamilton said.

Parker Bourne is one of the many volunteers helping prep the course for the big event. However, he is no stranger to the Dunes Club.

Bourne is a recent Horry Georgetown Technical College graduate with a degree in turf management.

He said he jumped at the chance to help get the course PGA ready at his old stomping grounds.

“It was utter excitement,” Bourne said. “When I found out the tournament was coming to the Dunes Club where I worked in college I had to.”

Bourne said the little details are key, and there is no task too small to make sure the course is up to par for players and spectators.

“I think it’s a standard of excellence,” Bourne said. “Every golf tournament since the beginning of time almost you see has these pristine conditions, and it’s just part of the game. It looks good and you feel good, and it’s just a good representation of the tournament venue as well.”

Bourne now works in New York as an assistant golf course superintendent at the Maidstone Club, a course ranked in the top 50 in the U.S.

Current HGTC students interested in becoming golf superintendents are also helping out prep the course.

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