STAFF WRITER
The fact that a Charleston native is the golfing guru of MyrtleBeach, S.C., should come as no surprise when one considers thenumbers of West Virginians who flock to the area each summer.
And Tommy Woodrum can tell them just where to tee up. Woodrum,who used to write a golf column for the Gazette, has written hissecond book describing golf courses along the Grand Strand in SouthCarolina.The 332-page publication, 'Golfing the Carolina Grand Strand,' isan expansion of a 1993 Woodrum book that included detailedinformation and pictures of 81 courses in the Myrtle Beach area.His latest book includes more than 100 pages of full-colorphotographs. There are scorecards, layouts and other information on29 additional courses that have been built in the area since 1993along with the courses he previously wrote about.'We're known as the golfing capital of the world,' Woodrum said ina phone interview. 'And it keeps exploding. Nine more courses areunder construction.'The book, published by Pelican, is priced at $39.95. Woodrum willreturn to his hometown for a book-signing session from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday at Waldenbooks in the Charleston Town Center.'I'm looking forward to seeing my friends in Charleston,' said the72-year-old Woodrum. 'I remember writing a golf column, 'On theGreen' for Shorty Hardman at the Gazette.'Woodrum also worked at various radio stations in Charleston anddid play-by-play of sporting events.His family owned Woodrums', a home furnishing store on VirginiaStreet where he was general manager for many years. Woodrum leftCharleston to operate Shoney's restaurants, a career that eventuallyled him to Myrtle Beach.Woodrum owned 14 Shoney's in South Carolina. He has turned themover to two of his sons. He also became involved in raising andracing thoroughbred horses after his move to Myrtle Beach.Woodrum is married to the former Barbara Hancock of Charleston.The Woodrums have five children and 12 grandchildren. They willleave later this month on an African safari, a trip they have madeseveral times.Woodrum hosted a television golf show until last September when hesuffered two minor strokes just 10 days apart.'I got the idea for the book after I started doing the televisionshow,' he said. 'I decided since I was visiting all the courses, Imay as well take notes and put it in a book.'His main passion remains golf.'I've always been an avid golfer,' he said. 'And this is theperfect place for the sport. It's getting to be that nearly as manypeople come to the beach to golf as they do to enjoy the beach.'To contact staff writer Danny Wells, call 348-5122.
