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By Joe Derus – NorthMyrtleBeachONLINE.com
 Sunset Beach, NC July 24, 2007--The first decision the Hackers had to make is which of the three course at Sea Trail to play - the Jones, Maples, or Byrd courses. Through the courtesy of Myrtle Beach Golf Directors, the Hackers had the opportunity to play and review The Jones Course at Sea Trail.
The second decision the Hackers’ had to make is which route to take from the North Myrtle Beach area. I suggest you make is easy on the driver. Head North on route 17 towards Calabash, NC and look for Route 179. It is just a short drive from the SC/NC border. Turn right on to 179 through Calabash for about four miles and the Sea Trail entrance is on the right. Just follow the signs to the impressive club house and conference center. The restaurant and pro-shop are non-smoking, but those golfers who like a cigar are welcome to light up on the course itself. Even though we are all local players, the Hackers could not help but think what a nice set up Sea Trail has for business meetings – a great conference center, rental condos and reasonably priced golf packages. 
While the bags were being put on the carts, the starter informed us, the Jones course was the most difficult of the three. He could have added it may also be the best looking, as this is an impressive looking course. Number one is a great starting hole in my mind, a straight-away par four without any real problems other then the 405 yards. We got in with two pars and two bogeys so our confidence was high going into the next hole.
Hole number two is the number 17 handicap. The Hackers suggest throwing away the handicap, because this is a 178 yard par three. Yeah lots of guys can reach the green off the tee, but I’ll, personally, take bets there are more who will not.  Three and Four are very picturesque and serene. They are the type of hole that says: no matter what kind of day you are having, stop, and look- around and enjoy just being there.
The Jones course was amazingly plush. The fairway grass was actually dense with zero bare spots. This is really surprising for this time of year and in the middle of a dry time. They were so plush that when you did hit the fairway, it was not unusual to leave a ball mark. Not wet just plain plush. The roughs, unfortunately, my oft used spots, were fluffy and as dense as the fairways, so I lost a few yards every time I hit from them. The roughs will grab your club and slow your swing. A quirk of this course is unusual way getting from one hole to another. The directions to the next hole are clearly marked, but you need to pay attention to the signs. Re-hashing the last hole with your buddies and you will drive the wrong way, and double back more than once. The front nine finishes up with two par fives. You need to get the ball in the air and well placed to avoid the rough and traps. The traps at the Sea Trial Jones course have a heav y fine grain, dense sand. The traps are not numerous, but well placed so your sand game needs to be on to score well.
After a brief stop at the very convenient snack shop at the turn the Hackers were hoping for two good shots on number 10, to the left, to avoid water on the right. This is another picturesque hole. The 13th is a reach-able 127 yard par three. Yes, a par three that gives all a chance to reach the green. You need something to lift your spirits after being beaten down by this course. Remember we are hackers. If we break 90, it’s a great day; 95 a good day and at or over100 we survive to try again. Number 15 has the neatest grasses right next to the green. This did not come into play, but we noted how unusual it is to have grasses at the green edge. Numbers 17 & 18 are the type of holes that bring you back to try again. A par 3 of 144 yards, it is over water and a par 5 of 490 yards with a dog leg to the right. Get the ball around the bend and you are home free. It was July Hot in Sunset Beach today so our photography and notes on the course slowed down in the back six holes… But if you want to play a truly beautiful course in fantastic condition try Sea Trail- Jones. Golf rounds provided by Myrtle Beach Golf Directors. You will be pleased when you check out their summer tee-time specials by clicking here.
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