SUNSET BEACH, NC -- Golfers are flocking to the newly-polished golf facilities at the expansive Sea Trail Golf Resort and Conference Center property, lying just off the ocean in the compact Brunswick County golf region a few miles north of Myrtle Beach.
Sea Trails is a jewel of a resort, with it's three immaculate golf courses, 70,000-square-foot conference center, dozens of villas, restaurant-spa facilities and lots more prompting thousands of individuals and groups annually to the off-the-beaten-path 2,000-acre location.
The Dan Maples course was the last 18 holes to undergo some major changes, including getting new greens, with the half-million dollar makeover completed in November 2003. The course winds its way through thousands of beautifully-twisted live oaks and tall pines. Five holes are played alongside the scenic Calabash Creek. Maples ecompassed several interesting waste bunkers on this course, including one that runs about 400 yards on the par five 15th hole. The course (opened in 1985) plays 6,751 from the blues, 6,332 from the whites, 6,035 from the gold and 5,090 from the red. The course in 2003 switched from Bermuda-grass greens to bentgrass greens and reduced the undulation on many. The course was reopened in November, winning raves from players.
The straightforward Reese Jones course (opened in 1988) features many huge bunkers, but with wide fairways and large mounds alongside ponds. Water comes into play on 11 holes. The course is 6,761 from the blue, 6,334 from the white, 5,716 from the gold and 4,912 from the red.
The Willard Byrd course, opened in 1989, wends its way through several large manmade lakes and ponds. The course is picturesque, but requires tee shot accuracy on many tight holes. The 18th calls for a drive between two large lakes.
A Golf Learning Center is available for those seeking some professional advice for their game.
One of the attractions of the beautifully-landscaped Sea Trail Resort is that it has hundreds of villas built alongside the golf courses. Most clubhouses and tennis courts are within easy walking distance of many of the villas. The Activities Center features a huge swimming pool, plus a Kiddie Pool and whirlpool.
And if the beach is your thing, too, the resort is only about one mile from the broad white sand beaches at barrier island Sunset Beach. Duke University termed Sunset Beach as "the best beach in North Carolina." One of the great things about Sunset Beach is that there is practically no sand attrition, leaving the sweeping seashore unencumbered by machinery and ditches involved in seashore reclamation.
Sea Trail is the result of the visionary thinking of its founders, who bought the land in the early '80s from a paper company and built their first course (Maples), with continuing development blending in with the lush beauty of its wetlands and timber. The result is a perfect example of how nature and mankind can live in harmony.
Sea Trail offers a plethora of activities aside from golf and tennis, such as horseback riding, biking, volleyball, badminton, croquet, canoeing, kayaking, deep sea or pier fishing, eco tours and adventure cruises. Daily children's programs are also offered.
The new conference center (the largest on the North Carolina coast) can seat up to about 1,200 (sectionalized for smaller groups) and is located alongside the picturesque Paul Dennis Gardens. Hundreds of large and small groups choose to hold meetings at the center each year (about 300 in 2002).
Sea Trail has two acclaimed restaurants and an oasis pool bar. The Tavern on the Tee offers leisure dining and spectacular golf course views.
Sea Trail offers special shuttle service to guests who want to travel to Myrtle Beach for entertainment or shopping, or to travel to or from the airport.
Sea Trail is located off U. S. Highway 17 about eight miles north of North Myrtle Beach and some 30 miles south of Wilmington.
There are almost 600 villas-suites-rooms available for rent and special golf or tennis packages can be arranged. Sea Trails rates are competitive and vary according to the season. For information, call toll-free 888-625-9207 or visit the resort's Internet web site at www.SeaTrail.com
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A GRAND EXPERIENCE

Big New Myrtle Beach Mall To Open In April,
With Lots Of Uniqueness Color And Variety

By Emilia Beth Mink

There is less likelihood of a frying pan to the head when a golf vacation is requested by hubby if it's to the golf capital of the world, Myrtle Beach, S. C., -- a vacation haven where there is something for every member of the family of all ages to do.
Already a mecca for golfers and beach lovers, of course, with its amusement venues and Broadway On The Beach shopping-restaurants-entertainment district, there is soon to be an even bigger Grand Strand star on the horizon: Coastal Grand Myrtle Beach,
a 170-acre mall located at the intersection of U. S. Highway 17 Bypass and U. S. Highway 501, only two miles from the beach.
The 1.5-million square feet shopping-entertainment-restaurant complex is being developed by Mall of South Carolina Limited Partnership, comprised of joint venture partners CBL Associates Properties, Inc., based in Chattanooga, Tn., and Burroughs and Chapin Co., Inc., headquartered in Myrtle Beach.
The grand opening is set for March 17, 2004.
A unique concept as a result of the cooperative work of many area government and community leaders, Coastal Grand is designed to be a top choice for gathering and meeting of friends and family for dining and entertainment as well as first class shopping.
Whether its a quick trip or a full day outing, shoppers might be inclined to linger in the light and airy atmosphere with a sense of not quite leaving the outdoors due to the aid of 104 skylights and color schemes from seaside paintings by Charleston artist John Carroll Doyle.
A colossal painstaking task of transporting and transplanting three mature live oak trees around the mall entrance added a touch of southern charm. Visitors can enjoy the artwork of seascapes, fishnets and pastel colors that adorn the walls along with the inlaid tile floors throughout the mall.
Marketing Director Stacie Dickerson has truly embraced the spirit of the new frontier of the ultimate shopping experience, in her description of the new facility: "We have evolved from commodities to services and now to experiences."
Anchor stores will be Belk, Dillards and Sears, with specialty shops such as Bed Bath and Beyond and Dick's Sporting Goods, and 30-plus more stores. There will be parking space for 6,073 vehicles.
On might choose to stop and take a few minutes to rest and relax in one of the many benches or Adirondack chairs throughout the mall that are designed to complement the decor as well as provide comfort. There are plenty of choices for eating at the 35,500 square feet of restaurants and movies at the 14-screen Cinemark Theater.
Coastal Grand is designed to be a total shopping destination for not only the 400,000 people who live and work in the area, but for the 14 million annual tourists and visitors to the region as well.

This story was published on 17 Dec 2003.