Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation East

Wachesaw Plantation East sits along the Waccamaw River in Murrells Inlet, part of South Carolina's Grand Strand golf corridor between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island. Designed by Clyde Johnston and opened in the late 1990s, the course occupies former plantation land where the natural lowcountry landscape—live oaks draped with Spanish moss, tidal marshes, and river views—shapes much of the routing and character. Johnston, a North Carolina-based architect known for his work throughout the Carolinas, incorporated the property's wetlands and elevation changes into a layout that moves between wooded interior holes and more open stretches near the water. The course features several holes that play alongside or toward the Waccamaw River, where tidal marshes come into view and wind can influence club selection. The routing takes advantage of the site's natural contours, with fairways that bend through corridors of mature hardwoods and approach shots that often require careful attention to green complexes protected by bunkers and water hazards. The lowcountry setting provides a distinct aesthetic compared to the more manufactured resort courses common to the Myrtle Beach area. Wachesaw Plantation East operates as part of a residential golf community and serves both members and outside play. The course has been recognized in regional rankings of Grand Strand layouts, appealing to golfers who seek a more traditional Carolina lowcountry experience with natural terrain and river scenery rather than heavily manufactured features.