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HEMINGWAY, S.C. - Just outside the town of Hemingway, around a curving drive through stately pines, lies a manicured golf course owned by Randy and Lynn Meekins. The Millstone Golf Course features a 9-hole, par 61 executive style course which is playable in two to three hours. The course is equipped with a full practice facility, a clubhouse and green space for events. Offering private golf lessons, catered dinners, event planning and golf tournaments, the Meekins makes sure all guests feel welcomed and cared for.
Having retired four years ago from Florence County School District Five, Randy Meekins hadn’t planned to reopen the former Hideaway Course, but both the Wellman and Wedgefield courses had closed, and golf lovers were calling.
Randy Meekins enlisted the help of golf course superintendent, Nelson Cato of Little River, who taught them how to remodel and manage the course.
“I didn’t even know how to grow grass,” Randy Meekins said. “We’ve been open just 11 months since then and the course stays busy with regular players of all ages.”
When choosing a new name for the course, they pulled from the rich history of the family land. Surrounded by a farming community, the land was home for the local grits mill where corn was ground for cornmeal in the early 1900s. Millstone seemed the right name for the remodeled course and several of the original millstones from the farm are visible on the course.
The location is also an event venue where families, businesses and church groups have gathered for birthdays, family reunions, corporate events and more. There are indoor and outdoor options available.
The course also offers what is called Friday Night under the Lights on the lighted driving range. Youth groups go and get a bucket of balls, hot dog and a drink for one price.
Carvers Bay High School and Johnsonville High School golf teams play at Millstone and have held tournaments there. Randy Meekins said he is excited to see how golf helps ready young people for life.
“Whether it’s a high school team or Junior Golf Camp, students learn etiquette, proper dress, personal management, and life skills that will carry them into adulthood,” Randy Meekins said. “When they learn how to handle days when they’re not hitting well, they also learn how to handle life situations that don’t go their way and gain maturity and improved self-esteem. We love watching these children develop.”
Lynn Meekins said Saturdays and Sundays when the course is full, she loves hearing the laughter echoing across the greens.
This is about more than golf,” Lynn Meekins said. “We want this to be a place the community uses that is comfortable and a place they are proud of.”
According to Randy Meekins, when the couple started, they did not ask God to make the business a success. They asked for guidance.
“Golf parallels to real life. Players dress appropriately, behave with respect, and learn how to win and how to lose. Golf builds self-esteem,” he said. “People feel welcome and that’s the success of Millstone.”
The husband-wife team is planning to expand the course to a par 72 which will be a PGA Certified Course. Junior Golf Camp for ages 5-18 is held June through August and the Pro Shop is open from sunrise to sunset. For more information, visit www.millstonegc.com.
The Millstone Golf Course is located at 10804 Old Pee Dee Rd. Hemingway, S.C. 29554.
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