In a tough economy with so much uncertainty about the next couple of years, few of us are thinking about adding a vacation home to our roster of possessions.  But there is a price at which even the most parsimonious of golfers start to take a closer look.

        The following are a few new listings whose price tags caught my eye.  I know the surrounding golf communities well and can recommend them as excellent places to live part-time or all the time.  If any of these examples of the many bargain priced golf community homes interest you, please contact me for more information.

 

Pawleys16thapproach

Approach to #16 at Pawleys Plantation.

 

Pawleys Plantation, Pawleys Island, SC

18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course (semi-private)

Gated, 900-acre community of condos & single-family homes

3 BR, 2 BA, 2,100 square foot “patio” home on treed lot

“Green” technology: Utilities controlled from computer

Asking $319,900

 

Ocean Ridge Plantation, Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Five golf courses inside the gates (semi-private)

3,000-acre community with 900 designated as “open”

3 BR, 2 BA, 2,100 square foot “English cottage” style

Terracotta floors, golf views, walk-up attic

Asking $360,000

 

Cobblestone Park, Blythewood, SC

27 holes by P. B. Dye (semi-private)

Former Ginn property 20 minutes from Columbia

3 BR, 4 BA, 3,125 square foot home to be built

Golf views; club initiation waved

Asking $398,000

 

Reems Creek, Weaverville, NC

18 holes by Hawtrey & Sons (semi-private)

British golf architect provides links feel to course

4 BR, 4 BA, 2,672 square foot condo 20 minutes to Asheville

Asking $389,000

 

Kilmarlic Club, Powell’s Point, NC

18 holes by Tom Steele (semi-private)

A few miles from Outer Banks beaches

3 BR, 3 BA, 2,300 square foot (approx.)

Build to suit; choose colors and finishes

Listed at $362,200

 

Bay Creek Resort and Marina, Cape Charles, VA

36 holes by Jack Nicklaus & Arnold Palmer (semi-private)

Located on Delmarva Peninsula 25 minutes to Norfolk

3 BR, 3 BA, 1,880 square foot condo, 2-car garage

Views of golf course, lake and fountain

Asking $349,000.

 

Cedar Creek, Aiken, SC

18 holes by Arthur Hills (semi-private)

3 BR, 3 BA, 2,474 square foot brick home

Nearly 2/3-acre lot, enclosed screen porch

Listed at $355,000.

 

BayCreekNicklaus1fromtee

Bay Creek Nicklaus course from 1st tee.

        Our November newsletter, which focused on the challenges private golf clubs face in the current economy, caught the attention of McRedmond Morelli, the founder of Boxgroove.  Boxgroove cleverly matches golfers with a bit of disposable income and desire to play private courses with private clubs that need to generate extra revenue to keep the lawnmowers gassed up and their staffs paid.  We have written here about Boxgroove a few times (use the term “Boxgroove” in the search box in the right column).

        This month’s provocative topic is just a hint of the issues we address in our free monthly newsletter, Home On The Course.  To subscribe, just click on the box at the top of this column, follow the simple and quick instructions, and you will start receiving the publication automatically in December. (I’ll send you the November issue myself.)  By the way, we protect your privacy and never share your name and email address with anyone. – Larry

 

Here are McRedmond’s comments:

        I enjoyed this month's newsletter and found the razor analogy most appropriate.  You came close to really calling out our industry; just cutting price on initiation won't solve the problem.  Yes, Aron Rolston [hero of the  new movie "127 Hours"] survived, but most would die of the catastrophic wound that was self-inflicted.  Clubs need to reinvent their programming and show members why they need to be there.  Club membership is more than golf, more than Sunday Brunch.  I can learn to play chess at night, learn Chinese cooking from the club's chef or have access to great in-depth and interesting content on the club's web site.  But with today's economic reality, the more value a club can show members, the greater likelihood that they will join (and stay).  We started Boxgroove to give both the private club member a benefit to play at other facilities and the opportunity for his/her club to remain healthy and vibrant with a little extra income from green fees.  Private club members don't like the thought of shouldering the burden of assessments and dues increases, and Boxgroove can help prevent this.