FROM THE NEWSROOM

Marsh Harbour
update, Sea Trail
in holding pattern

By Shane Sharp, Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 4, 2003) -- Rumors, rantings and other things admissible as news from around the Grand Strand .

The turf war between one of the Grand Strand's largest property owners and one of its largest golf course ownership groups just won't die. LaDane Williamson, owner of Marsh Harbour Golf Links in Calabash, N.C. said that the course's reopening has been delayed at least another couple of months and may not be open for play until Feb. 2004.

Williamson assumed control of the course when a 23-year-old lease agreement with the Legends Group expired on March 1. Williamson and the Legends Group could not reach an agreement on a lease extension for the scenic Dan Maples designed layout. Legends Group president Larry Young closed the course in December with the onset of the winter shoulder season.

Williamson originally told MyrtleBeachGolf.com that Marsh Harbour would reopen in early March under a new management group. She now contends, however, that the facilities are in too poor condition to resume day-to-day operations. Williamson also claims that the Legends Group was in violation of its lease and should assist with the funding needed to make repairs to the course and the clubhouse.

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"I was appalled at what I saw when I went out there," Williamson said. "I haven't been involved with the course or played it over the years and I guess you just expect that someone is doing like you would do, doing a good job."

Williamson said that ropes on bridges have rotted, the clubhouse roof leaks, sprinkler heads are missing and a slew of other general repairs are needed before the course can open. The Legends Group, however, claims that the course was fully operational and in reasonable condition upon closing.

"It is just an excuse to keep it closed," a spokesperson for the Legends Group told MyrtleBeachGolf.com. "My guess is that she is just not ready to run it. We didn't have any complaints from customers about the condition of the course when we were running it."

The Legends Group ceased maintenance of the course shortly after closing it in December and Williamson has been responsible for upkeep over the past three months. She said she will hire some semblance of a crew to maintain the course at a base level while the necessary repairs are made.

"The thing is that Marsh Harbour could be in the top tier of courses at the beach," Williamson said. "But right now, if we opened, it would not be fair to charge the greens fee that people traditionally associated with this course. So we have a couple options to explore. We could open the course for the fall and make some basic repairs and lower the price. Or we could get everything in place and wait until next year. I am just not sure yet about which way we'll go."

Williamson said she has been in contact with a number of Carolinas-based golf course management companies about operating the course once it opens. She recently spoke with Maples, the course's original designer, about his firm's management services, but said that nothing had been finalized yet.

"All I can say is that Marsh Harbour and Ocean Harbour will always remain golf courses," Williamson said. "What is happening at Marsh Harbour is totally separate from what happens at Ocean Harbour."

Williamson would not give a projected date for the reopening of Ocean Harbour, which inexplicably closed two years ago. However, she did say that she would be open to selling lots at Ocean Harbour to help finance improvements at Marsh Harbour.

"I expect to come to an agreement with them (the Legends Group) and not have to pursue legal action," she said.

Sea Trail closing still in holding pattern

A spokesman for Signature Horizons - the Atlanta-based group slated to purchase Sea Trail Plantation for $45 million - said the closing on the property should take place in or around March 14. The original closing date was set for early January, but has been delayed twice because of the "numerous details involved in solidifying such a large deal" according to Signature Horizon's executive vice president John Mansfield.

Mansfield and Signature Horizon officials maintain that the delay is unrelated to the dismissal of numerous, high-ranking Sea Trail employees between July and December of last year and the potential litigation surrounding their terminations.

The terminations included Sea Trail's general manager, room division manager, director of golf, head professional, head superintendent, executive chef, restaurant manager and a number of middle management positions. At least two other employees resigned, claiming that they could not work under the conditions provided by the existing owners.

Meanwhile, the development's residents have reportedly become incensed over current course, road and physical plant conditions and are become increasingly upset with the current ownership's communication over the sale of the property.

"The golf courses are shameful and so are the roads and food service," said one current Sea Trail resident, speaking under conditions of anonymity. "It is difficult when you invest your money and time into a place to live and play and it comes to this. We can't wait for the new ownership."