Join this video’s hosts for a luxury getaway to Pawleys Island, where they play each of our award-winning Mike Strantz designs and dine at the elegant and delicious Costa Coastal Kitchen and Bar and Chive Blossom Cafe. They also profile an enjoyable stay at Inlet Sports Lodge!
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We’ve got a weekend getaway for your golf game and your palette.
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And this one is in Pawleys Island in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina with a premier lodge and unforgettably great food.
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Two memorable but very different courses along with some surfing.
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Well, first, hit Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. The views are amazing at this former rice plantation.
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Driving in gives you a Southern feel with a touch of Augusta. Like Augusta, the course requires shot-making.
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It’s as beautiful as it is tight. If you want to score, be accurate and play to the distances.
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The greens are quick and tricky. Sure it’s tough, but you’ll love the challenge.
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Now, we played with two new friends from Connecticut, Bill and Michelle who rate Caledonia at the top of their list.
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Yes, three times.
Bill:
Yeah, we played three times. The course is challenging. It’s probably one of the prettiest courses I’ve ever played in my life.
Michelle:
Every hole is a postcard. It’s absolutely beautiful.
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You also get a lasting memory of some Carolina Clam Chowder when you make the turn and head to the 10th Hole.
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Now the 18th hole is a great finisher. Not long, but you better put your drive in the fairway.
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That’s right. Water runs down the right side of the fairway all the way to the front of the green, making for a challenging second shot.
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Late afternoon play gives you an attentive and happy bar crowd on the clubhouse balcony as Michelle and you found out with good approach shots and the tricky birdie putts.
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Because you and I both had approach shots on number 18, what was it like?
Michelle:
Well, at first it’s very intimidating but it’s good to hear the roar of the crowd. I think I could get used to it!
Bill:
And just make believe the water’s not there!
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And the balcony and the bar restaurant are worth it before and after the round.
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Try the Caledonia Lobster Bisque loaded with tiny shrimp, wishing you had gotten a bowl, not a cup.
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And then try Teedie’s French dip roast beef with grilled onions and oozing Brie cheese.
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Martha’s Shrimp Plate is a Southern favorite with fresh shrimp that are hand-breaded and not too heavy.
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Now, next day we took our game and our palettes to nearby True Blue Golf Club.
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This is another beautiful, eye-catching track, but that’s where the similarities to Caledonia end.
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That’s right. True Blue is a grip-it-and-rip-it golf course. The fairways are wide open and they are long.
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You have plenty of room for your drives, but there are some par fives that are 600 yards long.
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Yeah, and there are also plenty of water and waste areas, but no sand traps. That means you can ground your club in the sand anytime.
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True Blue greens are massive, so work on your long lag putts, too. Take a look at this par-three 3rd Hole.
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That’s right. This is one of the many picturesque holes. And this one’s not too long, but with a big green.
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And you and your wife, Terry, hit the green but barely missed your birdie putts. The highlight of True Blue was your surfing.
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That’s right. I rode the Golfboard for 18 holes. Now this is a ton of fun. You definitely play quicker because you can go to parts of the course that golf carts can’t. The only places you can’t go is on the greens or the tee boxes.
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Now, is it difficult to maneuver?
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You know, not really. I mean, I had no wrecks. And here’s the other thing, it is a great core and balance workout. I highly recommend it.
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So after golf, head to True Blue Grill where you can watch other golfers coming in.
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The Reuben is a must with corned beef, Swiss cheese on harvest Rye bread.
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Get a salad with mango, pineapple and vinaigrette dressing.
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The True Blue Wrap is so good. It is a Cobb salad in a wrap.
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And the place to stay is the Inlet Sports Lodge, in Murrells Inlet. You get a hotel room that resembles a boutique efficiency apartment.
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That’s right. It also has a widow’s walk so you can head to the roof to see sunrise and sunsets.
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But the Inlet Sports Lodge also has Costa. This is a hidden farm-to-table gem.
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That’s right. Take your time and indulge here. We started with these incredible stuffed mushrooms, stuffed with crab, a white wine sauce and fresh lemon juice. One of the best appetizers we have ever had.
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We tried two of their signature drinks. The Dark and Stormy is a mule with dark rum and the New Old Fashioned is perfect with ginger, bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters orange and muddled cherry finished with soda.
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Now, brace yourself for these entrees.
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The first is scallops with balsamic reduction. Tender and juicy, these might be the best scallops ever.
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And we paired it perfectly with the Rombauer Chardonnay, only adding to the perfection.
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Then next OMG is the Filet Oscar, a tender filet topped with jumbo lump crab meat and hollandaise sauce. Cooked medium rare to perfection.
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We paired it with the Dreaming Tree Crush, a red blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, Sirah and Petite Sirah. Surprisingly creamy with berry flavors and perfect.
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The next night we found another palette adventure, The Chive Blossom Cafe in Pawleys Island.
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Now, this is another farm-to-table restaurant that stays true even in its specialty cocktails. We sipped the Winter Peach, which has the Twelve 33 Carolina Peach vodka distilled in nearby Myrtle Beach that we have showed you here before on the show.
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And this was superb. It had fresh lemon and lime juice, preserved ginger, club soda and a Grand Marnier float.
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Now we also tried the Singapore Sling, which had gin, cherry brandy, fresh lemon and lime juice, housemaid Grenadine, pineapple juice, bitters, and club soda.
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For appetizers we had the Shrimp Stuffed Medjool Dates. These had apple-smoked bacon, toasted pecans, smoked Gouda, and a balsamic drizzle, a combo that will be a first for your taste buds.
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Now next we had Crab Slaw, it looks like a salad, but it has avocado, artichokes, jumbo lump crab, spinach, chiffonade, tomatoes, capers, olive oil, and fresh herbs. Wow.
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That is some salad. Now for dinner, we tried the Southern Bouillabaisse. This was superb with flounder, clams, shrimp, scallops, corn, butter beans, tomatoes and okra, all in a white wine saffron broth.
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And the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes are loaded with crab while sitting a top lobster and corn mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and Dill Creek.
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The Grilled Tuna was seared to perfection with wasabi slaw, crispy noodles and a mustard soy vinaigrette.
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In the mood for a little Asian? Try these Asian Noodles with chicken, spicy peanut sauce and veggies, both light and tasty. Now you can definitely get your fill of great food.
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Along with great golf in Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Just south of Myrtle Beach!