PGA Championship Hero Offered Preposterous Payday For Hole In One Club

“The fairy tale story…gets better!”  That’s how Jim Nantz described the moment on CBS Sunday when club professional Michael Block slam dunked a hole in one on the 15th hole of The PGA Championship (see video below).  In what was already a magical, crazy week for him, Michael Block’s time as “Cinderella” at the ball got whackier with that moment.  And it continues.  As a result, Michael Block has been offered $50,000 for the 7-iron club that did the trick by the PGA of America for their new headquarters in Frisco, Texas.

His head HAS to be spinning.  The PGA Championship is one of the 4 biggest golf tournaments on the planet.  The only reason Michael Block was able to participate in it was he qualified in a separate tournament held for club professionals (you know, like the guy in your local pro shop?)  That’s who Michael Block is and what he does for a living.  Anyway, the PGA of America (who puts on the PGA Championship) holds 20 spots in the field each year for its “Michael Blocks” of the world.

Over the 4-day tournament last weekend, Block miraculously finished in 15th place-beating some of the biggest and best names in the world of golf.  Now wait, before you scoff at “15th place,” realize he took home a check for more than $288,000.  To put that in perspective, at the rate of $125 per lesson (his rate), Michael Block would have had to give some 2,000+ lessons to make that!

With the offer on the table for his hole-in-one club, you wonder if he’ll take it?  I would, you would, but after making 300K would it not be cooler to have in your home trophy case than in the PGA’s?  Just wondering.

Block must be weighing that thought too as he’s not yet handed over the club.  Living the PGA Tour player’s dream continues for him this week as Michael Block’s fame at the PGA Championship earned him a sponsor’s invitation to the tour stop in Ft. Worth.  Who knows what kind of payday he can pull of this week?  Or will Cinderella’s carriage turn back into a pumpkin?  Either way, he’s got cash in the bank and offers on the table that you and I would kill for.

Best Myrtle Beach Golf Courses For Your Buddies Trip

• Myrtle Beach National-King's North Course

  There are three courses at the Myrtle Beach National facility. The gem, though is this one. Arguably one of the best Arnold Palmer designs anywhere, the highlight is “The Gambler” a fantastic risk/reward par 5 that will always be one of your favorite holes (pictured above).

• Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

  On just about anyone’s list of great Myrtle Beach Courses, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is at or near the top of it.  Designer, Mike Strantz was the genius behind “Tobacco Road” in the Sandhills of North Carolina (which just so happens to be my favorite course on Earth).  This, and its sister course are artistic masterpieces.  Now, these are among the most expensive to play, but for an annual treat, so worth it!

• True Blue Golf Course

  Which leads me to Caledonia’s sister course, True Blue.  Another Strantz gem and again, on the pricier side.  However, it is well worth it with some of the best and most memorable holes in the area.

• Grande Dunes Resort Course

  For many years, this course for me had the title of “Best Bang for Your Golfing Buck at Myrtle Beach.”  It’s got a little bit of everything:  elevation changes, challenging par 3s, tremendous par 4 variety and some of the finest holes along the Intercoastal Waterway anywhere in the area.  Also, its practice facilities are among the best.

• Arcadian Shores Golf Club

  My current “Best Bang…” title holder is this course that many drive by on 17 on the way to N. Myrtle and don’t pay a bit of attention to.  Arcadian Shores was purchased by Hilton 7-10 years ago and over that time, millions of dollars have been poured into the course, facilities, and amenities.  The greens and bunkers are always a good method to judge a course by and the consistency of both at Arcadian Shores take a backseat to no one in town.  Plus, on this list, it is among the most economically friendly.

• Tidewater Golf Club

  I made mention with Grande Dunes of holes along the Intercoastal Waterway.  NO ONE in the Myrtle Beach area can touch the Intercoastal views and holes of Tidewater Golf Club.  Legend has it that designer Ken Tomlinson commissioned a couple of designers to build his course, but none met with his expectations, so he took on the project himself.  And pulled it off.  Tidewater at times feels like Harbor Town in Hilton Head, Pebble Beach, and a fine inland course all rolled into one.  It is beautiful, challenging, a bit pricey, but well worth the experience.

• The Dye Course At Barefoot Resort

  There are four courses at the Barefoot Resort facility, of them there are two that get my recommendation.  The first of which is The Dye Course.  Designer Pete Dye is a sadist.  Normally, I am NOT a fan of his work.  However, there’s real genius here.  The variety of holes is great.  The variety of trouble you can get into is great.  The protection of this golf course is wind.  And when it’s blowing (hard), this course is a tough day at the office.  However, if you want to be challenged and have an afternoon everyone on the trip will be talking about a year from now, The Dye Course is a must-play.

• The Love Course At Barefoot Resort

  Davis Love III is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame as a player.  I feel like he’s well on his way to becoming of similar status as a designer.  His contribution to the Barefoot Resort collection of courses is one of my favorites in the area.  Variety is a good word to use here.  I’ve probably played 10 rounds on that course in the last few years and each time I feel like I get to a hole and go, “Oh yeah, I remember this one.  What a great hole.”  I’m not gonna say playing golf at Barefoot is cheap, but research package deals to get a round at Dye and Love for sure.  Two of the best in the area.

• Pine Lakes Golf Club

  “The Grandaddy” is the one that started it all.  The first resort course in the area and stylistically one of the best.  Just out of respect, you must play Pine Lakes if you never have.  They have just redone their greens and bunkers and both are outstanding.  Now, here are couple of drawbacks.  Fist off, there’s ZERO practice range if you wish to get loose prior to the round.  And two, there is a TREMENDOUS amount of real estate construction going on right now that really takes away from what used to be a really nice visual golfing experience.

• The Surf and Beach Club

  The Surf and Beach Club is located just across the street (basically) from the Atlantic Ocean in North Myrtle Beach.  It was designed by George Cobb, the same designer behind Quail Hollow Club and Rolling Hills Country Club here in the Charlotte Area.  And, it’s unique on this list as it is a private facility.  HOWEVER, there is public play allowed, and I would suggest you book the experience.  If I was going to play one course-day in, day out-at the beach, The Surf and Beach Club would be the one.