The Caledonia Golf and Fish Club is a favorite among golfers who visit the Myrtle Beach area and consistently ranks at the top of my group’s list. Built on land that once was a Southern rice plantation, the course retains an authentic Old South atmosphere. A tree-lined driveway of live oaks draped in Spanish moss welcomes visitors, and well-placed plantings throughout the property enhance the course’s charm and character.
Local investors purchased the land in 1971 under the company Ponderosa, Inc., originally using it for hunting and fishing. By the 1990s, during the golf boom, the owners transitioned the property into a golf course. The par-70 layout, designed by the late architect Mike Strantz, opened in 1994, fulfilling his vision of a classic plantation-style course complemented by modern bunkering and greens.
For our round we assembled two foursomes largely drawn from the Philadelphia area, with one New Yorker to mix things up. Four of us grew up in Drexel Hill, Pa., hometown of Caledonia’s director of golf, Bob Seganti. I played with Jimmy Sprat from New York City and Drexel Hill natives Bobby Hancock and John Ecklund. The second group included Gerry Patrick and Mike Donahue from Philadelphia, plus two travelers from the Main Line, Neil Curran and John Kennedy.
Hole 2 | 571 yards, par 5
Caledonia eases you into the round with a modest first hole, but Hole 2 quickly separates the skilled from the casual. At 571 yards it’s the course’s longest hole, a sweeping, gentle dogleg to the right that demands three near-perfect shots to reach the green. Bunkers come into play on nearly every shot, though Strantz provided ample landing areas for well-placed shots. Even so, some balls find trouble under the trees left of the fairway. After a rough first hole, I managed a composed par, finishing the long hole in five with some satisfaction.
Hole 8 | 528 yards, par 5
Hole 8 is a strategic test that rewards both boldness and prudence. From the tee you can attempt to carry three bunkers on the right and try to reach the green in two, or play conservatively and lay up left to treat it as a traditional par 5. Our group split strategies—Bob and Jimmy fired away and cleared the hazards, while John and I chose the safer route. The approach is memorable: a pond guards the front of a two-tiered green, demanding a precise shot to avoid a tricky downhill putt or a run-off into sand or water.
Hole 9 | 118 yards, par 3
Though short, Hole 9 is deceptively difficult and among the most picturesque holes on the front nine. Live oaks frame the back of the green, a scene that inspired the course logo. The green’s slopes funnel many shots into bunkers or surrounding plantings, and a delicate touch is essential. Several of us found the green unforgiving; it’s a small target with penalties close at hand, making this little par 3 a real equalizer.
One of the highlights after the front nine is a visit to meet John Rush, who prepares Caledonia’s signature fish stew. Served warm and spicy, the recipe is said to be a guarded tradition handed down from the course’s original steward. The stew adds a welcoming, Southern touch and is a pleasant way to recharge before tackling the back nine.
Hole 11 © Francis X. Gallagher
Hole 11 | 167 yards, par 3
Hole 11 is a beautiful but testing par 3. A creek cuts diagonally across the hole from the tee box toward the front-left of the green and expands into a pond, forcing precise club selection. Azaleas and seasonal flowers frame the hole, offering a stunning backdrop that belies the challenge. Balls often find the creek, a bunker, or an awkward lie around the green; as the yardage book recommends, taking an extra club is often wise.
Hole 16 | 417 yards, par 4
Considered the most demanding hole on the course, Hole 16 features a slight dogleg to the right and a left-side bunker that tempts drives farther down the fairway. The green is guarded by a pond on the right, and getting home in regulation requires a well-placed tee shot and a precise approach. Several in our group found the hole unforgiving, and it’s easy to trade golf for fishing if your ball finds water.
Hole 18 | 383 yards, par 4
The finishing hole demands a strong, accurate drive left of a pond that cuts across the right side of the fairway. The approach pivots toward the clubhouse, with a green wrapped on three sides by water and a fair crowd of onlookers. Those greenside ponds create thrilling moments—Bobby Hancock hit a great approach here while others, including myself, found tougher lies short or left of the green. After our round we waited a short while for the second group—affectionately called the “turtles”—to join us on the clubhouse deck for drinks and post-round talk.
Caledonia Golf and Fish Club
369 Caledonia Drive
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
tel 843 237 3675
fishclub.com