Myrtle Beach Golf Courses Face New Competition
Evans Putman
Fall is here and the Myrtle Beach golf industry is booming. Heat and humidity are falling as fast as the summer crowds are leaving. With its average temperatures hovering around seventy five degrees, the Grand Strand area is perfect for a golf vacation.
Even with rising golf rates and threats of hurricanes, golfers will flood the fairways and fill rooms left behind by families on summer vacation. With this impending rush of golfers to the Myrtle Beach area, you would think all is well in the local golf industry.
Think again.
The over saturation of golf courses in the Grand Strand is and has been a cause for worry with course owners. Golf courses are not seeing the same high numbers of golfers or profits they have in the past. However, it seems the growing competition amongst Myrtle Beach golf courses is not the main problem behind golf industry woes. It is only a contributing factor.
What is the new competition facing the golf industry in Myrtle Beach?
It is the real estate boom. With sagging sales of tee times, some golf course owners are finding it hard to ignore the real estate developers knocking at their front doors. Developers salivate over many golf course properties but not only because of the Myrtle Beach and nationwide housing boom. They also find the zoning of many courses a perfect fit for development plans.
For example, Belle Terre Golf Course is one of the latest to announce its imminent closure. According to Alan Boldin of the Myrtle Beach Sun News, “The property is zoned RC/HC, which is Highway Commercial and Resort Commercial, which allows resort-related commercial uses, several residential uses including multi-family condos and single-family homes, and low-scale businesses such as offices, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., that might comprise a town center.”
Not only does this zoning allow for multiple uses, it also means that a potential real estate developer possibly does not have to apply to the county for zoning changes.
Think this isn’t a trend?
At least two layouts at Bay Tree are closing. Raccoon Run just closed its doors along with Ocean Isle Beach Golf Club and Calabash Golf Links. Over all the number of Myrtle Beach golf courses has dropped from 117 public golf courses down to 110. There are rumors that up to a dozen more are considering selling to developers.
It is hard to say when this trend will end. But it seems that the Myrtle Beach golf industry has run into formidable opponent. Golfers shouldn’t get too worried. We are sure Myrtle Beach will continue to be the “Golf Mecca” for many years to come.
Copyright 2005 Evans Putman http://www. PerfectGolfVacations.com - All Rights Reserved. Reprints allowed with no changes, omissions, or additions. All links must be left live and in tact.
About the author: Article courtesy of Evans Putman, owner of http://www. PerfectGolfVacations.com Visit http://www.Pe rfectGolfVacations.blogspot.com
The latest information and news on Golf:
A golf outing is scheduled later this month to benefit central Lake County residents with special needs. Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County Superintendent Carolyn Chambers said about $10,000 was raised during the golf outing last year.
GOLF
Newton Public Golf Course Friday Men 1. Loren Tedder Jr., Steve Brewer, Dave Schmidt, Ed Salsbery. 2. Shawn Hege, Jeremy Young, Greg Wagner, Tracy Cash.
GOLF ROUNDUP: Bulldogs cut through wind, L-P
STREATOR? The Streator golf team took the "D"off of "wind" in its Tuesday match with La Salle-Peru. At Streator Country Club, the Bulldog linksmen topped visiting La Salle-Peru 160-173 to improve to 2-1 in Northern Illinois Big 12 competition
Golf course turning the corner
The Mesquite Municipal Golf Course has seen an increased commitment to customer satisfaction since the city took over management of the course, according to parks and recreation department officials.
Golf Digest's Green Star Award
This might be the role model for every golf facility that thinks it can't afford to go green. Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minn., is Golf Digest's lone recipient of our Green Star environmental award for 2010. Our panel of judges, which includes representatives from many facets of the golf industry and leading environmental organizations, believes that only Madden's meets the standards set ...
Golf Course Etiquette: Can it be saved?
I would like to see the major golf magazines do an article about golf course etiquette. I have played over 90 rounds the last 2 years (mostly as a walk on single) and am still amazed by the total lack of golfer respect exhibited on a golf course.
Golf course renovations postponed
Planned renovations for Chase Oaks Golf Club have been held off until next year, city officials say.
Golf greens not up to par after hot summer
Many golf courses around the Triangle aren't looking so green these days. Excessive heat and humidity during the summer months has taken its toll on the greens.
Golf tournament to benefit family of woman killed in Greeley Mall this summer
The 20th annual Amy Anderson Golf Tournament and Poker Run will benefit the family of Kimberly Fletcher, who was 32 when she was killed when a truck ran into the Greeley Mall VisionWorks this summer.
Golf team keeps building on young foundation
Armada head varsity golf coach John King will continue the building process he began last season with a young, raw group of golfers. His girl's team will look to improve on a 1-1 start to the season with another set of up-and-comers and two solid captains.