For the third year in a row, the Mel Sole Golf School at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club has received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. The award honors hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor.  “To qualify,” remarks owner and director of instruction Mel Sole,  “We had to maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. We’ve received unanimous 5-star ratings, signifying that we have consistently earned outstanding feedback from TripAdvisor travelers.”

Mel Sole has been actively improving golfers’ games on the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand for nearly 26 years. After a playing career on the South African PGA Tour, Mel turned his focus to teaching under the tutelage of Phil Ritson back in the 70′s. Phil had been coach to Mel and several other Pros, including the renown Gary Player, who were playing the SA PGA Tour. Mel found the teaching side of golf to be hugely rewarding, and his coaching of Junior Golf Teams in South Africa produced 2 National Champions and several Junior Champions.

One of Mel’s current students, Ricky McDonald, recently qualified for the PGA Tour Canada
at one of three qualifying tournaments, shooting a 74-74-70-74–292 in difficult weather and course conditions at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., to tie for sixth and earn one of 18 fully exempt spots from the site.  “It kind of solidifies and validates everything I’ve been doing and all the hard work I’ve been putting in with my coach,” said McDonald, who works with area instructor Mel Sole.

Mel’s diversified roster includes stars in professional sports, CEO’s of major corporations, and many novice golfers of all ages.  Recent students include 2009 US Amateur qualifier Chris Marsh, US Futures Tour player Lorraine Ballerano, and Champions Tour player, the late Harold Henning.  Other notable students of Mel’s over the years include the late Wayne Calloway, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, John Reed, former CEO of CitiCorp, Olympic Gold Medalist Arndt Schmidt of Germany (fencing) World Champion Billiard player & Hall of Famer Ewa Mataya Laurance, the late famed basketball Coach & ESPN Television commentator Jim Valvano and John Saunders, current ESPN Commentator.

For more information about Mel Sole Golf School visit online at www.MelSoleGolfSchool.com or call 800-624-4653.