What happened to bay tree golf course?
All at once, Bay Tree's 54 holes - the Green, Silver and Golf Courses - shuttered, ostensibly to clear the way for housing in its advantageous North Myrtle Beach location. But the Great Recession happened, and the property sat untouched until 2017, when homes began to be built there in earnest.
Where is Baytree national golf course?
Baytree National is conveniently located just off I-95 in Melbourne near Cocoa Beach and only 45-minutes from Orlando. Florida golf doesn't get any better than Baytree ~ Come Out and Play!
What is the Baytree experience?
In addition to championship golf, Baytree offers tour-quality practice facilities and PGA Professional instruction. A fully-stocked Golf Shop, great food and drinks in our Bar & Grille, and outstanding service complete the Baytree experience.
Where is Winyah Bay golf course?
Situated way down south of quaint and quiet Georgetown, Winyah Bay had the distinction of being the southernmost golf course that was considered part of the Grand Strand until it was closed and cleared away for housing.
Bay Tree Golf Plantation (1972 to 2006)
All at once, Bay Tree's 54 holes - the Green, Silver and Golf Courses - shuttered, ostensibly to clear the way for housing in its advantageous North Myrtle Beach location. But the Great Recession happened, and the property sat untouched until 2017, when homes began to be built there in earnest.
Gator Hole Golf Course (1980 to 1999)
This relatively short-lived course, laid out by Rees Jones, was owned by the Tilghman family, namely North Myrtle Beach mayor Phil Tilghman, who served the city from 1988 to 2001. His daughter, Kelly, was a longtime Golf Channel correspondent.
Heather Glen Golf Links (1988 to 2017)
Considered one of the Myrtle Beach area's premium courses, with peak-season rates topping $100, it was a surprise when this 27-hole Clyde Johnston layout near the North Carolina/South Carolina border shuttered. As its name suggested, the design was meant to be a nod to British heathland golf.
Indian Wells Golf Club (1984 to 2019)
Anyone driving up the southern part of the Grand Strand would have passed by Indian Wells repeatedly, with its large sign advertising always-reasonable morning and afternoon rates. Even though the course boasted water in play on 16 of 18 holes, it was surprisingly playable and not overly long.
Marsh Harbour Golf Club (1980 to 2005)
This Dan Maples design had one of the best natural settings of any Myrtle Beach-area golf course: a large, unspoiled tract with hundreds of yards of marsh frontage, straddling the border between the Carolinas.
Possum Trot Golf Course (1968 to 2019)
One of the original 20 or so courses developed in the Myrtle Beach area, Possum Trot closed up after 51 years, over which time it built a reputation as one of the region's more playable and friendly golf courses.
Waterway Hills Golf Club (1975 to 2015)
This 27-hole Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, originally called Skyway Golf Club, delighted golfers for decades with a not-too-onerous challenge and some scenic holes along the Intracoastal Waterway. Its main claim to fame, however, was its unique method of conveyance from the parking lot, across the Waterway to the clubhouse: a suspended gondola.
What happened to golf courses during the housing mania?
They leveled the courses and turned them into more housing tracts. That worked until the housing bubble also burst and real estate prices plummeted.
Is Bay Tree a dystopia?
Bay Tree had become a dystopia. Two days later, we found its antithesis, Deer Track, as tame as Bay Tree was wild, where someone, presumably the owner, had cut back the vegetation nearly to its pre-abandonment height. The place still looked like a golf course, only more serene, as it lacked golfers.
When did Bay Tree Golf Plantation close?
The 54-hole Bay Tree Golf Plantation was one unlucky course caught trying to redevelop when the bubble burst. The course in Little River closed in 2006 and was sold to Centex Homes for redevelopment. Although Centex drew up plans for new housing, the company never broke ground and the property was sold once again to ...
When did Gator Hole Golf close?
For example, Gator Hole Golf in North Myrtle Beach closed in 1999 and became the site of Gator Hole Plaza, a shopping center anchored by Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Most of the closed courses had plans to redevelop as housing complexes. "Somebody would just come knocking on their door and want to buy that land," Golden said.
What happened to golf courses in 2000?
Golf courses caught in crossfire after real estate goes bust. The mid-2000 real estate market crash caught homeowners and businesses in the crossfire. Golf courses were no exception. About four years after a rash of course closings along the Grand Strand, vacant golf ranges continue to leave a sprawling mark on the landscape and can devalue ...
When did North Myrtle Beach close?
The North Myrtle Beach course closed in 2003 and there were plans to break ground on an extensive new development in 2009 that would have included stores and housing, said Russell Burgess Jr., a partner in the development.
When did Austin Gormley come to Grand Strand?
Austin Gormley came to the Grand Strand in 1984 to sell condos as part of the original Bay Tree development, which opened in 1972. The Ireland native continues to rent properties to vacationers under the name Bay Tree Realty & Rentals. "It's killed my business, the golf course closing," he said.
When did Gator Hole Golf in North Myrtle Beach close?
For example, Gator Hole Golf in North Myrtle Beach closed in 1999 and became the site of Gator Hole Plaza, a shopping center anchored by Wal-Mart ...
Is the Grand Strand saturated with golf courses?
The problem began with too many golf courses, according to one analyst. By the late '90s, the Grand Strand had become saturated with golf courses, Maeser said. "It's hard to make money on a golf course. You need to have a heck of a lot of rounds," Maeser said.
