Conference 7.286::golf

    I have had some bad luck scheduling trips that time of year.  The
    temperature can get down to around freezing, causing frost or icing and
    closing down the courses for a good part of the morning.  Those courses
    that stay open (so they don't lose out to the golf insurance) are tough
    to play under the conditions.
    
    But the weather could also be in the 50's or 60's and sunny.  It's a
    chance, and that's why the prices are so low during that time of year. 
    I just find it very frustrating to be in the midst of 50+ golf courses,
    only to be stuck in my hotel room playing cards instead of golf.
    
    Gary

 About 5 years ago I went down during the Feb school
vacation week. The day we got there it was 65 and
beautiful. The weather regressed to the point where
an ice-storm kept us in our rooms for a day and a 1/2
 The guy's that were just leaving when we got there 
said "Should have been here last week...."

 - Dave

A bunch of guys from Marlboro CC have been going down there the first 
week in February for the last 20 years (or thereabouts). I've gone 
with them a few times. It's somewhat of a crap shoot, but it's been 
very rare that they've missed even a day of play. Only once (the year 
of the space shuttle accident) did the weather force them to pull up 
stakes and head further south (Hilton Head). You usually have to wear 
some warm clothes, but most years you get one or two days when you're 
in short sleeves. Can't beat the price or the concentration of good 
courses.

I highly recommend it. Don't postpone the trip a month thinking you'll 
escape the risks--March can be just as iffy. In fact, the only time 
I've ever played in snow there was during the second week in March.

Good luck and hit 'em straight.

Tom

    
    
    I usually go the last weekend in January.  There never used to be
    anyone there, word must have gotten out somehow.  Definately go -
    bring rain gear, shorts and long johns... cause you never know.
    
    -Laura
    

    Hilton Head is probably a safer bet that time of year.  The golf rates
    are very reasonable that time of year as well.  I have a condo at one
    of the Plantations on Hilton Head, so if your interested in going
    further south this year, let me know, I do short term rentals!
    
    Mark

Not February, but August -- probably very hot and humid.

My first time to Myrtle Beach.  We are staying in Sunset Beach NC
to try to get away from the worst of the crowds.  The agency we
are using has a Mid-Week Super Saver for $118 for 4 nights incl. golf.
We are adding a fifth night.

Tee times:
*  Sat	1:00pm	Heritage Club
*  Sun	~8:00am	Marsh Harbour
*  Mon	~8:00am	Oyster Bay
*  Tue	~8:00am Heather Glen
*  Wed	~8:00am Ocean Harbour
(We wanted morning tee times to play when its cool and to get
 back to the kids and spend the second half of the day with them.)

Package price:	$310/person (quad occupancy in 2 BR condo)
Includes:
	*  5 nights
	*  5 breakfast "coupons"
	*  5 rounds of golf - including all surcharges
	*  Electric golf cart
	*  Taxes
	*  Crib for infant

The condo is The Colony at Oyster Bay.  We picked it because of the
price and the proximity to the courses we (I) wanted to play.
I suppose you get what you pay for, but we're not really fussy.

The agency was very helpful and has even arranged baby sitting 
in our condo for 3 kids (4 yrs, 1 yr, 4 months) in sync with
our tee times.

Any comments on the The Colony at Oyster Bay?

Phil

 I personally love the layout at oyster bay. It sets up real
nice for me. Always seem to have a great round there. They serve
a pretty good breakfast and of course oyters on the half. LOt's
of challenging holes espically the par 3 signature oyster hole
which should be played from the back tee's to get the full enjoyment
of the whole. Otherwise it's a glorified 9 or wedge from the 
tourist tees.

 Last year there were 4 greens in tough shape. SOme kind of 
fungas problem. I'm sure they've cleared that up by now. Can't help
you with the other course... 


 Enjoy,

 - Dave

    Marsh Harbor, right up from Oyster Bay is also excellent!

    We  have  reservations  for  early  April in MB.  We got most of  the
    courses  we  asked for:   Dunes,  Legends  (Heathland  and  Parland),
    Heather Glen, Arcadian and Surf, but  the  last  day  (a  Friday) all
    "premium" courses were booked, so we got  the  following for our last
    36-hole day:  Robbers Roost and River Hills.
    
    In some other notes there have been some mention  of River Hills, but
    not of Robbers. Any information on both will be appreciated.
    
    Tavo

    We're going on our yearly pilgrimage the first week of March, but I
    have never played either Robber's Roost or River Hills.  Mayboe one
    of the others has and will reply.  We're playing Sea Trails (Byrd,
    Jones, and Maples courses, one twice), The Pearl, Marsh Harbour, Wild
    Wing (Avocet and one other), and Heather Glen (we play 18 of the 27
    in the morning, then the another 18 in the afternoon, so we play one
    9 twice).  All told we play 36 a day for 5 days (and they call this a
    VACATION????)

                                  Andy

    I played Robbers roost in Sept of 93.  Course was in good shape, It's
    pretty much open/forgiving.  People were nice and we were able to 
    play a fivesome.
    
    Jim