Big game fishing isn’t the only world-class activity on tap during the 2021 ECBC tournament week. The popular Golf Scramble, sponsored by Hancock Whitney, will be held again on Wednesday, June 23, at The Links Club at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The 18-hole course plays from 4,897 to 6,710 yards with four sets of tees. The resort’s original golf course is designed for players of all skill levels.
The Golf Scramble is limited to 36 four-player teams. The entry fee is $300 and teams must pre-register. Payment will be cash or check only, payable the day of the Scramble. Under the format, all players will hit their first shot off the tee. The second shot will use the best preferred ball and the process is repeated until the ball is holed.
The Links features 12 holes with water, with five along the bay. The greens will again be Bermuda grass by the time of the Scramble. Christian Costrodad, the Assistant Golf Pro for Sandestin, offers this assessment of the course:
“It is a risk/reward proposition, with the shot making the difference,” he says. “You need to be accurate off the tee, accurate with your second shot and use the proper club selection. The winds coming off the Gulf can be a factor.” Costrodad adds that Hole 12 offers the best opportunity for a hole-in-one because of its length and elevation. Hole 18 is the most difficult, he feels, due to frequent wind, the narrow green and demanding tee shot.
The Scramble’s first foursome will tee off at 9 a.m. Once 18 holes have been played, the score cards will be returned to the Pro Staff. In the event of a tie, a playoff will take place starting with the first handicap hole until the winner is determined. Trophies will be awarded, along with bragging rights for another year.
Scott Rossman, the ECBC master of ceremonies as well as the sports director of WJHG Channel 7 in Panama City, is an avid golfer who is very familiar with Sandestin’s highly rated golf amenities. “I’ve played all four courses at Sandestin,” he says. “All are fantastic and The Links is terrific, no doubt about it. It’s challenging for a scratch golfer but still fair for the average player or a double-handicapper. And the Golf Scramble is always one of the highlights of the ECBC tournament week.”
To learn more and register for the 2021 ECBC Golf Scramble, visit fishecbc.com/scramble/
To learn more about The Links course specifics to gain an edge on the competition, visit www.sandestin.com/golf/the-links
