| Fall is here and the Myrtle Beach golf industry is | | | | housing boom. They also find the zoning of many |
| booming. Heat and humidity are falling as fast as | | | | courses a perfect fit for development plans. |
| the summer crowds are leaving. With its average | | | | For example, Belle Terre Golf Course is one of |
| temperatures hovering around seventy five | | | | the latest to announce its imminent closure. |
| degrees, the Grand Strand area is perfect for a | | | | According to Alan Boldin of the Myrtle Beach Sun |
| golf vacation. | | | | News, "The property is zoned RC/HC, which is |
| Even with rising golf rates and threats of | | | | Highway Commercial and Resort Commercial, |
| hurricanes, golfers will flood the fairways and fill | | | | which allows resort-related commercial uses, |
| rooms left behind by families on summer vacation. | | | | several residential uses including multi-family |
| With this impending rush of golfers to the Myrtle | | | | condos and single-family homes, and low-scale |
| Beach area, you would think all is well in the local | | | | businesses such as offices, restaurants, grocery |
| golf industry. | | | | stores, etc., that might comprise a town center." |
| Think again. | | | | Not only does this zoning allow for multiple uses, it |
| The over saturation of golf courses in the Grand | | | | also means that a potential real estate developer |
| Strand is and has been a cause for worry with | | | | possibly does not have to apply to the county for |
| course owners. Golf courses are not seeing the | | | | zoning changes. |
| same high numbers of golfers or profits they | | | | Think this isn't a trend? |
| have in the past. However, it seems the growing | | | | At least two layouts at Bay Tree are closing. |
| competition amongst Myrtle Beach golf courses is | | | | Raccoon Run just closed its doors along with |
| not the main problem behind golf industry woes. It | | | | Ocean Isle Beach Golf Club and Calabash Golf |
| is only a contributing factor. | | | | Links. Over all the number of Myrtle Beach golf |
| What is the new competition facing the golf | | | | courses has dropped from 117 public golf courses |
| industry in Myrtle Beach? | | | | down to 110. There are rumors that up to a |
| It is the real estate boom. With sagging sales of | | | | dozen more are considering selling to developers. |
| tee times, some golf course owners are finding it | | | | It is hard to say when this trend will end. But it |
| hard to ignore the real estate developers | | | | seems that the Myrtle Beach golf industry has run |
| knocking at their front doors. Developers salivate | | | | into formidable opponent. Golfers shouldn't get too |
| over many golf course properties but not only | | | | worried. We are sure Myrtle Beach will continue to |
| because of the Myrtle Beach and nationwide | | | | be the "Golf Mecca" for many years to come. |