BY HOWARD WARD

Golf Writer

If you'd like to combine a trip to the ocean, a visit to one of the outstanding golf courses in South Carolina and a day of viewing the newest things in golf equipment, plus a clinic by the world famous Dennis Walters, you might want to check out the first Carolinas PGA Play Golf America Day of the year being staged by the Resort Club at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features free instruction from PGA professionals, a ceremony of recognition and an amazing trick shot show by Walters.

While always a great place to receive free instruction from Carolinas PGA professionals, win prizes and demo equipment from the likes of Titleist and TaylorMade-Adidas, among others, this year's event will be highlighted by the Dennis Walters Golf Show, a special Patriot Golf Day recognition ceremony by Ryan Munson, of the Folds of Honor Foundation, and the opportunity for attendees to donate to the families of our injured and fallen military heroes through Products for Good.

The event kicks off with free lessons from Carolinas PGA professionals. There will be more than enough experts in the game and business of golf to go around, and everyone is encouraged to get ready for the golf season with 10-minute tune-ups

Alongside the PGA professionals, many of the golf industry's leading equipment manufacturers, including Titleist, Cobra, Nike, Mizuno USA, Callaway Golf, Aldila, Adams Golf and more, will be providing hands-on testing of the hottest products on the market. Attendees will be able to test drivers on the range, wedges at the chipping area and putters on the practice green. >Representatives from each participating manufacturer will also be on hand to provide club fitting and product insight.

At noon, Munson will recognize Tom Ducey, director of golf at Old North State Club in New London, Carolinas PGA board of directors president Kelly Childs of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, the Burroughs & Chapin family of golf courses along the Grand Strand, and the thousands of PGA professionals who have contributed more than $400,000 to Patriot Golf Day since 2008. >

Ducey, Childs and the B&C courses have combined to donate more than $64,000 this year alone - more than a third of total donations section wide. More than 400 facilities throughout North and South Carolina participated this year, raising more than $180,000 for the families of injured and fallen military heroes.

Following the ceremony, Walters and his dog, Bucky, will wow the audience with their golf show, an hour-long trick shot performance that features incredible feats in ball-striking, alongside an inspirational message. >Injured and paralyzed from the waist down in 1974, Walters has been performing his show and telling his story from the side of a golf cart since 1977. >

The Resort Club at Grande Dunes is located at 8700 Golf Village Lane, Myrtle Beach. For more information, log onto playgolfamerica.com, or call the club at (843) 315-0333. Pre-registration is available at playgolf americaday.com.