REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

Course construction updates on Ocean Ridge, Reserve

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 1, 2004) -- Rants, rumors and other items admissible as news from around the Grand Strand golf scene.

A change in ownership at Ocean Ridge Plantation has slowed the progress on the resort's fourth course, Leopard's Chase, according to ORP officials. But the Tim Cate designed layout is still slated to open in spring of '05. The Sunset Beach, N.C. property was purchased from original owner Ed Gore by Coastal Communities on Dec. 31.

• Myrtle Beach Golf Clubs, Courses and Resorts • Myrtle Beach Golf Courses • Myrtle Beach Golf Features • Ocean Ridge Plantation • A glimpse behind the gates of the Reserve Golf Club

Gore began purchasing the 2,000-acre property in 1985 and spent the next 17 years developing ORP into one of Brunswick County's premier golf communities. The property's first course, Lion's Paw, opened in the early 1990s and land sales began in 1995. Panther's Run followed in 1996 and Tiger's Eye -- ORP's marquee course -- opened in 2000.

The North Strand property should be in good hands with Coastal Communities. The Holden Beach based company has been in the golf real estate business for 19 years, and CEO Mark Saunders other developments include Rivers Edge in Shallotte and Seascape in Holden Beach.

As far as Leopards' Chase -- ORP officials say local architect Cate has completed the layout for all 18 holes. The course's classification, once up in the air, has now been set as "resort," meaning Leopard's Chase will be open to the public. As far as the layout, Cate thinks he's one-upped his award-winning design at Tiger's Eye.

"I think Leopard's Chase will have a premium on accuracy," Cate recently told MyrtleBeachGolf.com. "The back nine really goes through a unique piece of land. It is routed over some wetlands and some holes will have a target feel to them. It will take Tiger's Eye to the next level." (See On the Tim Cate Trail: Ocean Ridge Plantation)

Other new course construction updates

Officials at International World Tour Golf Links say the nine-hole expansion to the 27-hole replica facility is still on hold. ... The Jack and Michael Nicklaus designed Reserve Golf Club at St. James Plantation is in the final contouring stages and is due to go to construction in March according to Nicklaus Design. The 7,100-yard private course is tentatively scheduled to open in 2006. ... The Members Club at Grande Dunes remains on track to open in 2005. Mike Buccerone has been tapped to head the private, Nick Price/ Craig Schreiner designed course. Buccerone, who had served as Grande Dunes director of golf since 2001. Robert Harper will assume duties at Grande Dunes.

Hootie to hit Strand again in April for 'Monday After the Masters'

Hootie and the Blowfish were in town last week to promote the second Myrtle Beach edition of their Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament. The popular tourney was moved to Barefoot Resort last year after successful runs in Columbia and Charleston over the past 10 years. The MAM raised a record $365,000 for charity and attracted more than 5,000 spectators -- both tournament records.

This year's edition of the MAM falls on Monday, April 12. Tickets are $10 and go on sale Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. Tournament tickets can be purchased at the House of Blues, any participating Scotchman and Young's Convenience Stores, the Barefoot Resort Pro Shops or by going to hob.com. Tickets for the Hootie & Friends Concert at the House of Blues -- Myrtle Beach, Monday, April 12 at 9 p.m. are available for $39.50, $79 & $89, and can be purchased at the House of Blues at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach.

The celeb playing list hasn't been released yet, but sources close to the MAM say it could include the likes of John Daly, Dan Marino and possibly Samuel L. Jackson. Last year's field included Marino, Daly Jim McMahon, Rich Beem and Dan Patrick of ESPN (among others). The MAM is contested on the Pete Dye Course at Barefoot - easily the resort's most arduous track.

To North Myrtle go the spoils (finally)

It appears that a Myrtle Beach area municipality if finally benefiting from a major golf real estate development. As part its property acquisition of 100 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway at Barefoot Resort, Premier Holdings of South Carolina agreed to contribute $900,000 and several acres of land to the City of North Myrtle Beach for the construction of a fire station at the entrance to Barefoot Resort. Premier also donated another acre of land to be used for the construction of a future water tower.

Premier, along with the Drake Development Company, is heading up construction of Barefoot's 160-slip Yacht Club, 145 Yacht Club Villas, 197-unit Center Tower; the Barefoot Resort Spa, Health and Fitness Center; an indoor pool and restaurant; and the Barefoot Resort Beach Club. Upon completion, Barefoot Resort's core resort area will include 11 buildings housing over 800 condominium units.

That's interesting

The Bald Head Island Club on Bald Head Isle, N.C. announced last week that it is joining Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. The BHIC is situated on the extreme northern end of the Grand Strand (it is much closer to Wilmington than Myrtle Beach) and is accessible only by ferry. BHIC's joining MBGH is interesting in that courses on the far reaches of the beach have a more difficult time realizing the full benefits of MBGH membership.

"It's is a lot of money to pay just to get golfers on their way in or out of Myrtle," said one local head professional, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Maybe they are trying to bolster their package play, too."

Joining MBGH is an expensive and increasingly cost-prohibitive endeavor in a bearish golf market. Fees per 18 holes approach $30K, annually, and properties with multiple courses do not receive discounts on additional holes. Nearby St. James Plantation and its three resort courses are not members of MBGH. The upscale property relies heavily on member play and in-house marketing efforts.