Green Reading

GM: Carolina Shores successful

I have heard some rumors and even fielded some questions about the possible closing of Carolinas Shores Golf and Country Club. But the course's general manager, Ricky Lyons, says it is profitable and there are no plans to close it after the new year. ``As long as the course is making money in today's economy why would you close it?'' Lyons asked rhetorically. Lyons said there are already rounds booked next spring and annual memberships through 2009 have been sold. In addition, the course has joined the Tee Time Network and is in the process of rejoining marketing cooperative Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. ``We're looking to doing some marketing things we've gotten away from,'' Lyons said. ``I think we'll do even better next year as people are looking for values. We'll be a great value.'' Carolina Shores has rates between $40 and $65 depending on the season and local rates of $30 to $35, and is also on many discount card programs. The course hired superintendent Robert Dennis, who had been at Angels Trace before it closed, a few months ago and Lyons said the course is in as good a shape as it has been for awhile. Tee boxes and greens at Carolina Shores have been overseeded, but not fairways because operators want a quick bounce-back of strong Bermudagrass in early spring.  ``I think taking a year off and letting it relax is going to do wonders for us,'' Lyons said.
Both Carolina Shores and Palmetto Greens, a redesign of the former Colonial Charters, are owned by Mike Matheny and presided over by Lyons. The Bermuda fairways at Palmetto Greens were not overseeded either because they're new, and Loyns said Palmetto Greens is also in the process of joining Golf Holiday.

Eastport readies for reopening

The long-awaited reopening of Eastport Golf Club should happen by the end of December. Though a date hasn't been officially determined, Frankie Vereen, a partner in the course's new ownership group, said the course could reopen by Saturday, Dec. 20 and is sure to reopen by the end of the year. Fairways were fertilized on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to green the winter ryegrass overseed for play. The course, particularly the greens, will be evaluated after the weekend to see if it's ready to reopen. ``We're not 100 percent there but we're getting there,'' Vereen said.

Course closures continue nationally

No golf courses on the Grand Strand have closed in 2008 after a total of 22 closed between 2005 and 2007 _ mostly in favor of planned redevelopment that in many cases hasn't materialized _ but the trend of course closures continued nationally.
The National Golf Foundation has verified 74 course closures thus far this year and expects total closures to approach 100 for 2008. There were 146 closures in 2006 and 122 in 2007. The NGF says most closures are public, stand-alone nine-hole facilities, executive courses or par-3s with a value pricing.
According to the NGF, the number of U.S. courses is expected to decline, with course closures expected to outpace openings for the third consecutive year. A new NGF report says U.S. course developers are on track to post the lowest number of openings in two decades. Measured in 18-hole equivalents, 65 courses have opened this year and the NGF estimates, based on the number of courses under construction, that another 10 to 20 will open by the end of the year.
NGF officials attributes delays in openings or projects being placed on hold indefinitely to a variety of factors including a decline in the housing market that spurs golf course development, financing issues and delays in permitting.

Pine Lakes readied for return

I learned some more information on the opening of Pine Lakes International Country Club In a recent conversation with Mike Buccerone, senior director of clubs and amenities for both Grande Dunes and Pine Lakes. It appears Burroughs & Chapin Co. intends to place the venerable course that is being refurbished and slightly redesigned by architect Craig Schreiner in Tier 3 (near the top) of a four-tier Grand Strand pricing system. The course is also expected to reopen on or near March 12, the date high spring rate season kicks in.