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South Carolina
For generations, many South Carolinians have lived in the "upstate" region and owned vacation homes at the beach, a trip of no more than 3 1/2 hours from even the farthest regions of the state. In fact, Pawleys Island, just south of Myrtle Beach, claims to be America's first beach resort. Whether it is or isn't, Pawleys is just one of many golf happy areas of South Carolina, led by its neighbor immediately to the north, Myrtle Beach, which even after some pruning in the golf course ranks, can still boast about 100 layouts in the area. Farther down the coast, in the Low Country, Kiawah Island (10 golf courses within 12 miles or so) can boast of arguable the best in the state, the fabled Ocean Course by Pete Dye. But don't ignore upstate, where Greenville, a sophisticated burgh can lay claim to top 5 Chanticleer, one of Greenville Country Club's two outstanding tracks. We could go on about South Carolina golf (and reference Bluffton, Beaufort, Aiken, Columbia and other areas); we encourage you to go see for yourself.
On the Waterfront...for less than $200K
A new customer filled out one of our questionnaires yesterday, and my silent first reaction to her criteria was “No way!” She was looking for a golf community waterfront home on a lake for less than...
A Kinder, Gentler Cliffs Golf Membership
In the years that preceded the recession of 2008, ownership of a home in The Cliffs Communities, whose properties extend from the Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC, areas to Lake Keowee, was beyond...
Chinese firms now own 1/3 of Myrtle Beach golf courses
The Founders Group International, whose roots and parent company are located in China, has become the largest owner of golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area after an announcement yesterday that the...
Even with free membership, Savannah Lakes real estate might be best bargain of all
Golf community real estate prices tend to follow the old saw about location, location, location. Those communities that set out to distinguish themselves in terms of amenities, such as The Cliffs...
Another Reason Chinese millionaires interested in Myrtle Beach
We recently predicted that Chinese businesspeople would soon add as many as 20 golf courses to their portfolio of 13 clubs already purchased in the Myrtle Beach, SC, area. We speculated that a U.S....
Are Chinese investors closing in on more Myrtle Beach golf courses?
We don't rely on rumors, but some are too strong to ignore. This morning on the golf course at Pawleys Plantation in Pawleys Island, SC, my playing partner stated decisively that Chinese investors had made...
Flagging Enthusiasm at Pawleys Plantation
The 6th green at Jack Nicklaus' Pawleys Plantation golf course is among the most difficult to hit, which is saying a lot on the tough layout. The green is about 30 yards front to back, pinched in at...
Pawleys Island Food Fight
A week ago, a fifth supermarket opened in the Pawleys Island, SC, area. The sprawling Publix joins Food Lion, Lowes, Fresh Market and Bi-Lo within a five-mile stretch of Highway 17. From the gate at...
Flat courses make walking a good option
In the last week, I have played two golf courses in the Low Country between Myrtle Beach and Charleston that will appeal to those spry retirees and younger golfers looking for a club that...
Family Style: Chinese investing heavily in Myrtle Beach golf
I've been in the Myrtle Beach area for the last week, and everywhere I go, both on the Strand's golf courses and off, I hear essentially the same thing: "What do the Chinese plan to do with the...
Low Country's Dataw Island Only Feels Secluded
If you were to draw a picture in your mind's eye of the ideal location for a golf community, you would likely conjure one that felt totally isolated from the rest of the world and yet, in reality,...
Fair and Fowl Valentine's Day at Pawleys Plantation
Just before my wife Connie and I were about to get ready for a special Valentine's evening event at Pawleys Plantation in Pawleys Island, SC, she took a bag of garbage to the disposal area about 30...