We feel a certain sense of pride having been one of the few (apparently too few) people who flew Hooters Air en route to a Myrtle Beach golf vacation. After ceasing operations last April, the chance to fly on an airline created entirely from the sale of chicken wings is possibly gone forever. There have been many other recent changes to Myrtle Beach’s air-service scene, some good, some bad, for those considering a Myrtle Beach golf vacation. To help you keep it all straight, here are the latest developments:
Changes
1. AirTran has discontinued service to Myrtle Beach
2. Delta is expanding its service to Myrtle Beach (and Hilton Head) starting in March 2007.
Additions
1. Spirit Airlines will begin daily non-stop service to Myrtle Beach from Ft. Lauderdale starting February 15, 2007.
2. Southern Skyways will begin Monday and Friday service to Myrtle Beach from Allentown, Pa., Charleston, W.V., and Cincinnati, Ohio
3. U.S. Airways will begin daily, non-stop service to Myrtle Beach from New York’s La Guardia airport on March 4, 2007.
4. Myrtle Beach Direct Air & Tours will begin non-stop service to Myrtle Beach from Newark,N.J., Pittsburg, Pa., and Niagara Falls, N.Y., starting on March 8, 2007.
Myrtle Beach Direct Air & Tours is promoting its new service through a “March Myrtle Madness” special with one-way fares starting at $99. Though based in Myrtle Beach, the company’s planes are actually operated by Sky King, Inc., which operates charter flights for 24 NBA teams, 23 NHL teams, 4 MLB teams and seven Division I NCAA teams, along with many corporate, entertainment and VIP clients.


One of the Most Thrilling Courses to Play on a Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation
Myrtle Beach Rivers Edge Golf Club & Plantation
Don't let the serene scene fool you; Rivers Edge is a thrill-a-minute course located just north of Myrtle Beach. One of the most exciting Myrtle Beach golf courses you can play on a Myrtle Beach golf vacation isn’t in Myrtle Beach at all, but just across state border in Shallotte, N.C. The 35-mile drive (which can take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour depending on The Grand Strand’s Myrtle beach notorious traffic) is well worth it. Here, perched on the bluffs of the Shallotte River, Arnold Palmer created one of the area’s most dramatic and challenging layouts, which also happens to include exceptional hole variety and unrivaled scenery. Perhaps the best example is the 570-yard, par-5, ninth hole. In addition to an imposing yet tranquil marsh that looms all the way down the left-hand side, a vast ravine cuts across the fairway in front of an extremely narrow peninsula green. All but the longest hitters must play their second shot to the landing area on the right to set up a nerve-wracking approach. And, any gambler who shoots for the green in two will probably suffer a penalty unless the ball lands softly on a target that appears to be embedded in the wetlands. Like the signature ninth and others, the marsh-side final four holes are simultaneously picturesque and thought provoking. The par-3 15th involves a harrowing carry, but to a highly receptive green. And, on the short, par-5 17th, a lone tree near the green confounds players who opt for distance over a better angle into the pin. The risk and reward is even higher on 18, a cape-style hole that finishes below the clubhouse on an amphitheater green. After one round at Rivers Edge, you’ll clearly see why it was considered one of the 10 best upscale courses in the country when it opened in 2000 and why insiders include it on their Myrtle Beach golf vacation play lists.