Coastal Carolina University's men's golf program will host the nationally-renowned General Jim Hackler Championship, Sun.-Mon., March 14-15 at the TPC of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, S.C. This is the eighth straight year that TPC of Myrtle Beach has hosted the event.

This year's field is one of the best in the program's history, as 10 of the 12 teams played in last year's NCAA Regionals, with two advancing to the NCAA Championship (Duke and Wake Forest). It also features the last six team champions of the tournament, including Pepperdine (2004), Coastal Carolina (2005), East Tennessee State (2006), Lamar (2007) and Wake Forest (2008 and 2009).

Seven of the 12 teams are currently ranked in the top 50 and all 12 in the top 100, according to GolfStat and Golfweek, with the top being Augusta State, which is ranked ninth in GolfStat and sixth by Golfweek. Among the individuals are 19 players ranked in Golfweek's Top 150 college golfers currently, including Wake Forest's Brendan Gielow at No. 10 and defending medalist and 2009 NCAA individual champion Matt Hill of NC State at No. 55.

The General Hackler Championship is named in honor of the late United States Air Force General James F. Hackler, Jr., a long-time supporter of Chanticleer golf. Coastal Carolina also has previously honored Hackler with the naming of the Coastal men's and women's golf program's Hackler Trophy.

The trophy is awarded annually to the individual chosen on an established record of academic achievement, dedicated to the ideals of citizenship, devotion to preserving the integrity in the playing of the game of golf, and abilities as a golfer with special emphasis on the scholar-athlete’s sportsmanship and attitude toward fulfilling his or her potential in the game.
 
2010 General Jim Hackler Championship Field
(GolfStat /Golfweek Rankings as of Feb. 24)
65/73 Coastal Carolina**
9/6 Augusta State**
34/33 Duke*
33/38 East Tennessee State**
91/95 Kennesaw State
45/36 Kent State**
56/70 Lamar**
61/68 Minnesota**
28/27 NC State**
50/46 Pepperdine**
55/67 UNC Wilmington
36/35 Wake Forest*
* 2009 NCAA Tournament Team
** 2009 NCAA Regional Team
 
Individuals Ranked in GolfWeek's Top 150
10. Brendan Gielow Wake Forest
14. Ben Pisani Minnesota
29. Henrik Norlander Augusta State
31. Rhys Enoch East Tennessee State
55. Matt Hill NC State
57. Patrick Reed Augusta State
60. MacKenzie Hughes Kent State
63. John Hahn Kent State
81. Brett Cairns Kent State
82. Brad Revell NC State
86. PierreAlexis Rolland Lamar
97. Mitchell Krywulycz Augusta State
100. Andrew Putnam Pepperdine
102. Julian Suri Duke
121. Brinson Paolini Duke
124. Jeff Karlsson Kennesaw State
125. Mitchell Sutton NC State
127. Taylor Floyd Augusta State
144. Wes Roach Duke

A drive through Barefoot Resort in the spring of 2010 reveals a golf community in full bloom. Home of the Love, Fazio, Norman and Dye courses, Barefoot is one of the most popular Myrtle Beach golf facilities for many reasons.

Three of the four layouts have been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest.

The resort is home to two of the area’s best clubhouses, including one dedicated exclusively to the Dye Club.
 

The amenities continue far beyond the golf course. The glistening Barefoot Tower, one of the area’s finest accommodations properties, is on the Intracoastal, and a pizza parlor/sports bar are just down the street.

Throw in a private bridge that connects the resort to Barefoot Landing, which includes Greg Norman’s Australian Grille and the House of Blues, among an assortment of restaurants, bars and shops, and a portrait of the area’s most inclusive facility comes into focus.

Today, the magnitude of Barefoot’s opening is almost taken for granted, but as the facility prepares to celebrate its 10th birthday, it’s worth reflecting on what was accomplished at the North Myrtle Beach resort.

When Barefoot opened on April 13, 2000, it was (and remains) the most highly anticipated debut in Myrtle Beach golf history. Barefoot did the previously unthinkable on that spring day, opening four public layouts at the same facility on the same day.

“Being the first time four courses were opened at the same time and being in the Golf Capital of the World, we were the new kid on the block,” said Dave Genevro, who was a co-first assistant on opening day and has grown into his role as Barefoot’s general manager. “They were all anxious to play.”

The golf courses, which immediately rocketed to the top of many favorite course lists, where in impeccable condition from the outside. While the layouts didn’t open until April, they were completed many months before and used the intervening time to fine-tune conditioning. 

Beyond the golf course, little of what is now visible existed in the spring of 2000. The property’s trademark drawbridge wasn’t ready on opening day, requiring players and their bags to be shuttled across the Intracoastal Waterway on a pontoon boat.

(Yes, there were occasionally problems transporting clubs and people across the water. On at least one occasion, a set of clubs plunged to the bottom of the Intracoastal where they, presumably, remain!)

The 8,000-square-foot clubhouse that serves players at the Fazio, Love and Norman courses was no where to be found and neither was the opulent 9,000-square-foot facility that welcomes players to the Dye Club. Cart barns doubled as a pro shop in the opening days, but offered all the essentials.

“There was never any disappointment because once they got off the boat and into the golf cart, the courses were complete,” Genevro said of Barefoot’s opening days. “They were very satisfied, because (the golf courses) were in great shape.”

That initial satisfaction has grown has grown into adoration for many players. The resort clubhouse opened in 2001, followed by the Dye Clubhouse a year later, accelerating Barefoot’s ascension in the Myrtle Beach golf hierarchy.

Barefoot’s rise also garnered national attention. The Love Course was honored by Golf Magazine as one of the nation’s top 10 new public courses when it opened, and since 2007, the Love, Fazio and Dye layouts have been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest.

When Barefoot opened it faced the daunting task of meeting great expectations, but its most harrowing challenge rose from out of the ground last spring. A wildfire that ravaged parts of Horry County and destroyed 70 homes at Barefoot forced the Love Course to close for one month and the Fazio Course to shutter for two month.

Fortunately, neither golf course was damaged (the closures were to allow bridges to be rebuilt and charred trees to be mulched) and there are few reminders of a fire that attracted national attention while it was burning.

This Spring the focus is on a celebration of the property’s past and a look forward to its future.

“It was wonderful to be here from Day 1,” Genevro said. “People who come down can’t believe the (growth) … to be part of this from the beginning was exciting and to still be here 10 years later, I love it.”

Golfers will love some of the plans Barefoot has to celebrate its 10th birthday. In addition to golf package specials that will run throughout the spring, Barefoot is celebrating its birthday March 18-21 with the following promotions:

• Discounted replays
• Daily closest to the pin contest on all courses
• Food and beverage specials
• Special merchandise deals
• Complimentary anniversary cake
• Thursday, March 18 – long drive contest at the driving range
• Friday, March 19 – closest to the pin contest at the driving range
• Saturday, March 20 – closest to the pin contest on a bunker shot contest at the driving range
• Grand prize drawing for a four-round golf trip, including accommodations, golf and breakfast at Barefoot.