Golf, besides being widely recognized as a gentleman’s game, has over the years formed a close relationship with Hollywood. This connection boils down not just to the golf-playing celebrities who ornament the greens, but to the heart of the film industry where golf has served as a backdrop to many films. Myrtle Beach, my hometown, known as the “Golf Capital of the World,” has had its fair share in this fascinating interaction of golf and Hollywood.
The Love Affair Between Golf and Roll Cameras
Director Ron Shelton, known for his efforts in sports-themed movies like “Bull Durham,” put Myrtle Beach on the silver screen in two golf movies in 1996: “Tin Cup” and “Tommy’s Honour”.
“Tin Cup,” starred Kevin Costner and Don Johnson. While the majority of the film was shot in Texas and Arizona, several high-profile scenes used Myrtle Beach area golf courses as film locations. Golfers around the world would recognize the Waterway Hills course, or The Dunes Golf & Beach Club’s signature No. 13, affectionately called “Waterloo”.
Just as dazzling, “Tommy’s Honour,” a lesser-known gem, revisits the origins of golf and its formative personalities. Bringing to life the highland golfing landscapes typically associated with Scotland and the British Isles, the movie was partly filmed on the sand dunes of Myrtle Beach.
Both films are a testament to the sheer beauty and diversity of the golf terrains in Myrtle Beach. The seamless incorporation of our local courses into these Hollywood movies just goes to show the unrivaled appeal they offer.
Our Hollywood Invasion Sports Golf Clubs
Our town has regularly hosted celebrities who love not just the silver screen, but also the green course. Initiated in 1994, the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament has annually taken place in Myrtle Beach, attracting talented golfers in an exciting blend of professional and amateur play. Over the years, it has welcomed personalities like Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Wahlberg, and comedy duo Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Passionate about her golf as she is with her country music, Darius Rucker, the lead vocalist from Hootie & the Blowfish, has been a significant driving force behind it. Bringing the best in music and golf together, the tournament, over the years, has donated millions for charity.
Pine Lakes Country Club: The Birthplace of Sports Illustrated
Apart from its Hollywood connection, Myrtle Beach’s Pine Lakes Country Club holds a special place in golf history by being the birthplace of the iconic sports magazine, Sports Illustrated. In the early 1950s, a group of Time-Life executives, while playing a round of golf, conceived the idea of a sports magazine. That idea grew to give birth to Sports Illustrated in 1954. This event underscores our city’s influence in the sporting world, re-emphasizing the enduring bond between print, film, sports, and, unsurprisingly, our own Myrtle Beach in that history.
Myrtle Beach: The Perfect Backdrop
With over 100 golf courses, our Myrtle Beach has accumulated an unshakeable status in the golfing world. Its beauty has been showcased in film and appreciated by celebrities, creating a symphony between golf, Hollywood, and our picturesque landscape. This relationship has fostered Myrtle Beach’s iconic status, growing more substantial with each golf round played.
In conclusion, the intersection of golf and film, I imagine, is one where there is a unique mingling of artistry and beauty, talent and passion. Both allow us to dream and escape, and both have room for heartbreaks and triumphs. That Myrtle Beach sits squarely in the middle of this intersection is a testament to our home’s appeal and its continuing allure to both filmmakers and golf-enthusiasts around the world.