Ben Hunt Looks to
Return Carolina Shores to its Former Glory

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

CALABASH, N.C. – What do Carolina Shores General Manager Ben Hunt and Philadelphia 76ers head coach Larry Brown have in common? They both relish taking on rebuilding projects and ultimately delivering the goods.

As Brown looked to bring his team back from a historically insurmountable 3-1 deficit against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, Hunt takes on a less formidable, yet challenging task: Restoring the 27-year-old Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club back to its original splendor.

Hunt bid the Meadowlands Golf Course farewell at the end of March to become the General Manager and Director of Golf at this venerable Tom Jackson designed layout. His three years at the Meadowlands were marked by an exponential rise in rounds played, and a number of high impact golf course improvements.

Hunt says he will miss the people and players at his old job, but that it was time to move onto to the next rebuilding project.

“Obviously, I wanted the club to be successful over there,” Hunt says. “But it was time for a new challenge and to move on. That is what I have been doing throughout my career, turning properties around and then moving on. (Owners) American Golf felt like they needed to position themselves better in the Myrtle Beach market. They needed someone that had some experience turning golf courses around. So yeah, I guess I kind of am a Larry Brown.”

Hunt’s overall goal at Carolina Shores is to improve the aesthetics of the golf course, and make the course competitive with other midlevel priced facilities in the North Strand.

“We are putting a lot of emphasis on the condition of the golf course,” Hunt says. “We want to bring it up to speed with the majority of golf courses around here. Once again, like at Meadowlands, we are going to provide a quality product at a reasonable price.”

This summer, that reasonable price is $32 for a morning round of golf, lunch and a sleeve of balls. As for the improvements players can expect in the near future, Hunt says to keep an eye on the course’s aging Bermuda greens. Hunt has worked closely with golf superintendents throughout his career, and has an excellent working knowledge of what it takes to produce quality putting surfaces.

“Our emphasis this year is our greens,” Hunt says. “We are getting the putting surfaces back where they need to be. We need to continue to improve the quality of our putting surfaces.”

Hunt will also emphasize junior golf, an area of the game he has almost single-handedly bolstered throughout the Grand Strand with his Wally Wormburner program. All junior golf activities will now be administered from Carolina Shores, Hunt says, but the overall mission of the program will not change.

Hunt says he will also focus on improving the experience of the course’s 271 members.

“Let's face it, I am seeing more and more people moving to the area and they are looking for other alternatives than just playing golf at a bunch of courses,” he says. “They are looking for a home course and someplace to play in tournaments.”

Home, for Carolina Shores members is a traditional, tree-lined golf course that Hunt says places an emphasis on precision, not power.

“There are mature pine trees throughout the property,” he says. “During the spring, with all the Azaleas it reminds me of Augusta National. It is a shotmakers course with a lot of strategy involved. Tom (Jackson) strategically placed bunkers so that the emphasis is on course management.”

Hunt brings over 20 years of professional golf experience with him to Carolina Shores, and a resume that includes a number of course renovation and startup projects. Hunt’s career began down in Georgetown at Wedgefield Plantation, and his first head professional post was at the Cape Golf and Racquet Club in Wilmington, N.C. back in 1984. In 1987, Hunt was hired to oversee the launch of Brick Landing Golf Course in Ocean Isle, but his stint was cut short by the savings and loan debacle of the late 1980’s. After seven years of running an instructional program on his own, the Williamsburg, V.A. native landed at the Meadowlands in 1997.

Hunt espouses a hands-on management philosophy that has made him a respected commodity around Myrtle Beach. Unlike many GM’s, Hunt plays golf once or twice a week to get a feel for what his patrons are seeing and feeling on the course.

“The difference between someone who plays golf and just manages it is that I know what golfers want to see,” Hunt says. “I am a golf professional. That is how I started in the business and that is what I enjoy doing. To me that is what this job is all about, creating an environment where people want to come out and enjoy your product.”

Want to Play?

Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club
1-800-579-8292
Course Rating: 72.6, Slope Rating: 128

Where to Stay

For cozy resort style lodging, bed down at the Winds Inn on Ocean Isle Beach (910-579-6275), or for one of the beach's best bed and breakfasts, try the Goose Creek B and B (800-275-6540.) As is the Grand Strand tradition, both offer golf packages and great hospitality.

Where to Eat

Cruise N.C. 179 through Calabash at stop at any seafood restaurant. Sick of fish? Order up a steak or ribs at Bronco's Steakhouse and Salon (910-579-8993) just over the Ocean Isle Causeway on the right-hand side.

If you like Carolina Shores, you'll also like . . .

Brick Landing Plantation, Brierwood Golf Club, Ocean Isle Beach Golf Club and Lockwood Folly Country Club, Meadowlands Golf Club and Calabash Golf Links.