FEATURE STORY

Local course owners feel rumors scaring away clientele

(Jan. 12, 2005) - With the Grand Strand losing courses to development at a rate that is alarming some, at least one course is concerned that rumors of a pending sale is hurting business.

"I need just a little help," said Bay Tree Golf Plantation General Manager Tracy Conner. "Rumor and speculation has hurt business a little bit, not anything drastic. But especially here locally, we've been beat up a bit in the local papers. There are rumors and speculation and people are perceiving we have stopped spending money and we may not be treating people very well. That's just not the case."

• Space wars overshadow beachfront accommodations on the Grand Strand • By land or air, getting around Myrtle Beach becoming simpler • The English (and Germans and French) are coming! Myrtle Beach's foreign influx

Bay Tree is negotiating with developers Centex Homes and CaroStrand Corporation, but Conner said the course will continue to operate as usual.

"We continue to negotiate the possible sale, but regardless of that outcome, we will remain open throughout 2005 and into 2006," he said.

Conner said they will continue to spend money on the course and staff as negotiations continue.

"Our philosophy on upkeep and maintenance is, you never know the outcome, so we have not changed our maintenance habits or outlook on our business in any way," he said. "We will continue to maintain and operate the golf course just as if we would be in business for 30 years to come. If I was to cut back on my maintenance budget or my staff inside or outside, that would be the downfall, and you can't afford to take that chance."

Bay Tree opened 54 holes in 1972 with its gold, silver and green courses. The George Fazio designed layout in North Myrtle Beach has been the site of PGA Qualifying Schools and has hosted LPGA events.

The sale hit a recent roadblock in December when the developers withdrew an effort to get the land rezoned for a planned, 1,975-unit residential community because of concerns from neighbors and Horry County planners.

However, the developers have re-submitted a similar rezoning proposal that is scheduled to be heard Feb. 3 by the Horry County Planning Commission, an effort that will most likely meet resistance.

Residents who formed The Committee to Save Bay are concerned about increased traffic and ongoing construction noise. The property is currently zoned for dense commercial and a mobile home park.

"I can tell you this: we've been very fortunate. We've been successful for more than 30 years, but our land has become more successful than our golf business," Conner said.

That's been the case with other Grand Strand courses as well as golf meccas across the country. Rounds played are down just about everywhere, according to various golf research companies. In markets that are considered oversaturated with golf courses, many courses are struggling, especially those at the lower end of the greens-fee scale.

Several area courses have already been or may be razed for potential development, among them Raccoon Run, located off Highway 707.

The 50-year-old Winyah Bay Golf Club in Georgetown closed in January and will likely see some type of development.

Gator Hole Golf Club closed in 1999 and became the Gator Hole shopping plaza. Marsh Harbor and Ocean Harbor in Calabash N.C. have been closed for two years.

Robbers Roost in North Myrtle Beach is closed and not likely to reopen, and nine holes of the Burning Ridge West course were closed because of developers' plans.

The Reese Jones-designed Belle Terre executive course was forced to close due to the expansion of Highway 31, and both the Island Green Golf Club and Green Acres Golf Club in Aynor are for sale.

Grand strand courses now number 116, down from a high of 120, and courses open to the public have dropped from 117 to 112.