@callbox1 Chanti South to reopen in February some time under new Management. People who own Lucca's (shalotte), Marie's (OIB) and some others
for me Farmstead as I live across the street from it. Already has about 50 to 75 houses built on it of the 700+
''It's just golf, let's have fun''
A hat tip for the mentions of Ocean Isle Beach. I only played it a couple of times, but I always enjoyed the laid-back vibes and unpretentious nature of that little municipal course. It was certainly not a great layout and conditioning was probably marginal at times, but it was a great warmup course or one that could be used to give golfers a break from the more demanding courses.
I recall that OIB closed at about the peak of course development along the Strand, when I'm sure everybody was figuring Myrtle Beach would eventually have 150 courses. Of course, instead, MB started retracting from around 125 courses to the number it has today. I suspect that the decision to close was based on the belief that with an increasing number of courses, the land used by the course could be put to better use. That same decision might not be made today with the reduction in the number.
My house is at OIB so whenever I'm down I drive past where the course was almost daily.
It closed because they sold the land to a developer who planned a big relatively high end housing project there. They built a fancy entrance etc. but it all fell through and I don't think any houses were actually built.
The land has just sat vacant for 15+ years, but now that development is booming in Brunswick County, they're finally moving forward with building homes there (presumably under different ownership than the original developer, but not sure about that). The new development is a Toll Brothers community.
Waterway Hills was always a course I wanted to play but just never got around to it. I played the World Am for 25 years and never drew it in my rotations. Always wanted to experience riding the gondola over the Intra-coastal. Heard a lot of horror stories about golfers trying to get back to their cars whenever play was cancelled due to storms. To those of you that played it, did I miss out on anything special by not getting around to playing Waterway...??
I played Waterway Hills a few times even when it was named Arcadian Skyway. The gondola ride across was special unless you were afraid of heights lol. Course was a Robert Trent Jones design so I do remember his finger style traps and it was very tight. I am of the belief that every course is memorable and thus hate losing any golf course. Every course always has at least one good hole .
@louiephipps I'd say that the gondola ride was the most memorable part of a Waterway Hills round. Although RTJ was a great architect, no one would argue that Waterway was a course that could have held a tour event, and by the time of its closure, the course was just a mid-tier layout. If it had remained open, it would have probably needed a complete redesign and an upgrade of the physical facilities to keep up with the competition. Just like Gator Hole, Robbers Roost, the Bay Tree courses, and many others, its location was just too central to avoid purchase and development for other purposes.
Our group played waterway one time in the early 90’s. I remember it a one of the coldest days we ever played at the beach. I had on a shirt, vest, stocking cap, rain jacket, pants and rain pants with two gloves. One of our guys wore a trench coat it was so cold. We usually played 36 in those days, but made an exception that day!
we probably jumped in our 2 conversion vans and went to Mary Jules for dinner.
we had a very memorable week that week as it was 1 guys 50th birthday and we treated him to Thee Doll House treats and several other benefits.
@louiephipps I'd say that the gondola ride was the most memorable part of a Waterway Hills round. Although RTJ was a great architect, no one would argue that Waterway was a course that could have held a tour event, and by the time of its closure, the course was just a mid-tier layout. If it had remained open, it would have probably needed a complete redesign and an upgrade of the physical facilities to keep up with the competition. Just like Gator Hole, Robbers Roost, the Bay Tree courses, and many others, its location was just too central to avoid purchase and development for other purposes.
I totally agree. The locations of all of those were $$$$$$$s.
@louiephipps
Waterway Hills closed in 2015. I played it 3 times.
I never had a storm problem, but the gondola did slow arrival + departure.
It had no houses and you could see the waterway from I think 2 holes of the 27.
It wasn't recommended in MBGT any more than courses like
Burning Ridge, Eagle Nest, Crown Park, etc.
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Waterway Hills closed after 40 years of operation in 2015 (June). The iconic aerial gondola ride over the Intracoastal Waterway was a unique feature.
Some months later, Wicked Stick closed (September). Of the two, i think Wicked Stick was a better course. It was a links-style layout with expansive dunes, waste areas, pot bunkers, and water hazards—perfect for big hitters embracing John Daly's famous "grip it and rip it" philosophy.
''It's just golf, let's have fun''
Waterway Hills closed after 40 years of operation in 2015 (June). The iconic aerial gondola ride over the Intracoastal Waterway was a unique feature.
Some months later, Wicked Stick closed (September). Of the two, i think Wicked Stick was a better course. It was a links-style layout with expansive dunes, waste areas, pot bunkers, and water hazards—perfect for big hitters embracing John Daly's famous "grip it and rip it" philosophy.
I remember playing Wicked Stick numerous times. One year, we had 9am start but it was pouring down rain. We finally went out at 11:45. By the time we had played 9 holes, they told us we could ride on the course. Never seen a course dry up that quick. It had 1 hole I did not like but overall, thought it was a fun course.
The year of the rain delay, I hung out in the pro shop and had lots of discussion with the assistant pro. The next year, I was playing a pre WA round at Prestwick as a single. He was about to tee off with the Prestwick assistant pro. I said hi and told him about the rain delay the previous year. He remembered me and asked me if I wanted to join them. Had a great time.
I cannot remember the name of the course now, only played it 1 time also, but it was right there close to the interchange at 501 and 31 on the North West side. It too was in great shape the 1 time I played it.
I think you mean Belle Terre, but that was South East of that intersection.
Yes Belle Terre. South East or South West? I thought it was on the same side of 501 as Legends. I'm old, who knows. 😀
I cannot remember the name of the course now, only played it 1 time also, but it was right there close to the interchange at 501 and 31 on the North West side. It too was in great shape the 1 time I played it.
I think you mean Belle Terre, but that was South East of that intersection.Yes Belle Terre. South East or South West? I thought it was on the same side of 501 as Legends. I'm old, who knows. 😀
Thinking about Belle Terre more, it was South of 501 and West of Rt 31.
Heading South on Rt 31, you could see it on the left of Rt 31, after passing over 501.
I played Belle Terre with S***H on the last day it was open in 2005.
I did not know about that until we got there.
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