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Alan Blondin

The Sun News' golf beat writer

Alan Blondin

Alan Blondin has worked at The Sun News more than 10 years and has predominantly covered golf since 2000. He previously covered high school sports, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Coastal Carolina University athletics for the newspaper. Ask him about such things as course facts, tournaments, players, and local golf events.

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Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 1 - 15 of 619 (Page 1 of 32)

Submitted by Dennis N from Tewksbury, Ma

Q: Alan, haven't talk to you in a while. I read an article a few weeks ago online about what the weather is doing to the courses there. What is your take on this and do you think the area course can bring them back for the spring season? Being from the Northeast, we are use to this during the winter and the snow cover can help the greens as long as the ice doesn't build up before the first snow cover. Not sure where all the course supers come from down there but do you think they are communicating with some of the course supers up in the northeast for advise? stay warm, Dennis

Answered 02/04/10 00:57:33 by Alan Blondin

A: It's definitely been colder for a longer period of time than usual down here, but when the golfers come down to play from late Feb. through April for golf season they are still playing on winter overseed grasses that aren't affected by the cold weather. It's possible the dormant Bermuda was affected but that won't be known until sometime in May or into June when the overseeds die off, and Bermuda is aggressive so I would assume the supers will be able to fill in any affected areas fairly early in the summer.

Submitted by Sally Gomez from Myrtle Beach

Q: Who is Tom Gillis and why is his name in bold type in the paper as is Dustin Johnson's. Is he from here or from CCU?

Answered 02/04/10 00:54:17 by Alan Blondin

A: He attended CCU for one year in I think 1994. I've written a couple comprehensive stories on him, one from the U.S. Open several years ago and the other last year at the Nationwide Tour Championship when he was on the verge of earning his PGA Tour card back. Another guy on tour worth keeping up with is Kris Blanks, who lived here for several years from the late 90s to the early 2000s. He worked at Wild Wing Plantation and is still being instructed here by Hugh Royer III at Long Bay Club. Both Kris and Tom have persevered to get where they are and could have quit several times.

Submitted by Hollis Wineland from Blackwood, N.J.

Q: Hi Alan Just a quick question? Is Gary Schaal and Mike Schroder still in the area and what are they doing? Thanks Hollis

Answered 01/11/10 19:53:08 by Alan Blondin

A: They are both still in the area. Mike Schroder has been working at the Steve Dresser Golf Academy at True Blue Plantation in Pawleys Island and I believe he's still there. Gary Schaal is still a partner in a few area courses and lives in Murrells Inlet, though he spends time in Virginia where he has a couple courses with partner Deane Beman.

Submitted by Hollis Wineland from Blackwood, N.J.

Q: Hi Al Did you have a nice Christmas? My question. Do you still do the area golf course reviews,or stop during the winter months? If so what days? I will be down that way end of Jan. and Feb.If you need someone to go out with you let me know. HOLLIS

Answered 01/11/10 19:22:28 by Alan Blondin

A: My Christmas was very nice. Thanks for asking. Hope your Christmas was good as well. I still do the course reviews once a month, usually late in the month, and they run the first Sunday of every month in the sports section. drop me an email a few days before you arrive and I'll see if I have space in the review

Submitted by Kurt Usner from North Myrtle Beach

Q: Alan, Do you have a list of courses open on Christmas Day? Thanks, Kurt

Answered 12/23/09 14:16:14 by Alan Blondin

A: There are several courses open on Christmas, though The Sun News may not compile a comprehensive list this year. I've included a few on my blog and invited other courses to post comments if they're open with details. Here's what I know as of now: Myrtlewood Golf Club is free and open to golfers who are willing to walk and carry their own clubs. River Oaks Golf Club and Indigo Creek Golf Club are open. Tee times at both courses are from 8-10 a.m. for a charge of $20 including a cart. The pro shop and snack bar will be staffed until the final group makes the turn at both courses. Players can booked advance tee times at River Oaks at 843-236-2222 or Indigo Creek at 843-650-1809.

Submitted by Rick Brosseau from Cornwall ON Canada

Q: We love coming to Myrtle Beach every February and walking the Azalea Sands golf course. As of this fall, Azalea Sands will no longer allow walking. Are there any other courses that allow you to walk. We play golf for the exercise. Thank you for your time.

Answered 12/23/09 14:11:41 by Alan Blondin

A: All of Myrtle Beach National's courses allow walking, including the three at MB National on U.S. 501, Willbrook, Litchfield CC, etc., and Possum Trot in North Myrtle Beach has been a local's favorite as a walking course also. There are several others that allow walking as well, though you have to pay the cart fee whether you take the cart of not.

Submitted by Patrick from Rochester NY

Q: Al we sno-birds are freezing and waiting to come to MB this January. In the mean time can"t you feed us some info/gossip or rumors about the local courses,anything to get us thru these frigid times,lie to us if you have to,just give us something to keep us going.

Answered 12/11/09 19:22:40 by Alan Blondin

A: It's pretty cold down here today as well, with temps peaking in the 40s. That should alleviate some of the longing you have for Strand golf. Well, Myrtle Beach National took over management of Wild Wing, Signature Golf took over management of River Oaks, the private Reserve Club filed for bankruptcy but still hopes to sell to McConnell Golf, which operates five other private courses, and there has been no sign of Tiger Woods here in Myrtle Beach. Hopefully that will hold you over.

Submitted by leroy from lisbon ohio

Q: I would like to know the specs, brand, of shafts the the smaller LPGA players use in there drivers

Answered 11/09/09 16:20:05 by Alan Blondin

A: I would have to assume they are all using different clubs and shafts based on personal preferences like any other touring professional.

Submitted by PATRICK from rOCHESTER NY

Q: Al,don"t laugh,but have you ever golfed Cherry Hills CC in Andrews SC. We couldn"t come south the winter of "09 but are coming this Jan. and wonder if the course is still open.

Answered 11/09/09 16:17:45 by Alan Blondin

A: It was when I called to get information for a weekly course spotlight we ran in late April so I assume it's still open. They were charging $14 per nine holes. The number I have for them is 843-264-5422. Wedgefield Country Club in Georgetown is not far from there and that has reopened with a few alterations.

Submitted by John Ares from Pawleys Island, SC

Q: The Sun-News edition earler this week indicated that Dustin Johnson would be playing at the Las Vegas tournament this week. Any word on what happen to Dustin?

Answered 10/20/09 00:17:04 by Alan Blondin

A: I think that was probably in the weekly capsules we do to keep up with our local touring pros. It was probably listed two weeks ago when we didn't know if he'd be in the field or not. Turns out he wasn't and he's not in the field this week at the Frys.com Open either. He's taking a break after playing five of six weeks with the four FedExCup playoff events and the Turning Stone Resort Championship, where he was the defending champion. He indicated he was going to be taking some time off and said he may go on a vacation trip somewhere, which he might have done.

Submitted by charlie alsup from nashville, tn

Q: I have heard reports that the weather has been very hard on several courses with bent grass greens... Any information on this?

Answered 10/12/09 21:35:28 by Alan Blondin

A: I've played at least a couple courses with bentgrass greens in the area in the past month and haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary, or heard about anything out of the ordinary. The end of the summer is always a tough time for bent, but the weather wasn't overly hot or wet late this summer to put the grass in peril. Maybe what you've heard is isolated to a few courses.

Submitted by Kathy Parodi from Myrtle Beach, sc

Q: How do I report recreational club golf results - the e-mail address I have is recreation@thesunnews.com, but there is no way to report the results at that site.

Answered 10/12/09 21:33:12 by Alan Blondin

A: That is definitely the site to send club golf results to. We've had some scores bounce back to people on occassion but it doesn't happen often. Please send to that site. If you have further issues getting results included in the Thursday recreation page contact sports editor Shane Bowen at sbowen@thesunnews.com

Submitted by HOLLIS WINELAND from BLACKWOOD

Q: Hi Alan what is the latest on Jaguar's Lair opening? Thanks Hollis

Answered 10/12/09 21:26:09 by Alan Blondin

A: It's on hold for now with the sluggish economy. They have essentiall built nine holes but holding off on the other nine. I'll be checking on the progress in the near future for an update.

Submitted by PATRICK from Rochester NY

Q: Hi Al,i don"t remember all the details but i heard or read about a group or someone breaking away from Martins Golf and starting thier own golf store,can you clear this up for me?

Answered 10/07/09 00:58:00 by Alan Blondin

A: Haven't heard of a breakoff group from the Martin's PGA Tour Superstore but will make a point of looking into it.

Submitted by Joe Proderick from Kingston ont. Canada

Q: Comming down over Christmas. Would like to invite you to play with my son and myself. Is that possible? Our treat. Thank YOU

Answered 10/07/09 00:56:18 by Alan Blondin

A: You can email me at ablondin@thesunnews.com in advance of coming to town and if I'm available it would be my pleasure.

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