March Madness:
GolfCarolina.com Notebook

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 28, 2002) – Barefoot Resort is just a few months away from being fully operational. The clubhouse for the Fazio, Love and Norman Courses opened back in November, and now the private Dye Course will get its due.

Barefoot Resort and Golf has announced that the clubhouse at the semi-private Dye Course will open in late spring. The 25,000 square foot clubhouse will feature a lowcountry design with a wrap-around porch and will be the only membership-required clubhouse located at the Resort.

The new digs include antique furnishings, a four-star dining facility with seating for more than 110 people, private lounge areas, men’s and ladies’ locker facilities and golf shop. The clubhouse will feature details such as wall-to-wall mahogany wood floors, oriental rugs, and custom chandeliers throughout. Private areas will also be designated throughout the clubhouse for informal meetings.

“We are very excited about the construction and, soon to be, completion of the clubhouse on The Dye Course,” said Shep Guyton, vice president of Silver Carolina Development. “We have contemplated every detail of this facility from the four-star cuisine to the rich interior décor. With all of these amenities, we will offer the finest service for our members and set a new standard for club membership along the Grand Strand.”

Dunes Golf And Beach Club
Taps Stephen Hamilton As Golf Course Superintendent

The Dunes Golf and Beach Club has named Stephen Hamilton as golf course superintendent. Hamilton’s responsibilities include maintaining superior golf course conditions, supervising greens maintenance staff and serving as a club liaison to the Dunes Golf and Beach Club’s Greens committee.

Hamilton joins the Dunes Club from The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, N.C., where he was golf course superintendent. There, he developed and implemented the maintenance budget for the club’s two championship courses, supervised a maintenance team which included an internship program and oversaw the natural resource management of the course.

He also supervised the recent reconstruction of the club’s Dogwood course, a project that encompassed 18 greens complexes, tees and fairway bunkers. Hamilton received a bachelor of science double major from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va. in crop and soil environmental sciences with emphasis on turf management and horticulture.

Myrtle Beach National Company Voted “Best Of The Beach

Three of Myrtle Beach National Company’s courses were named “Best of Myrtle Beach Golf” in the January issue of Myrtle Beach Golf Magazine. South Creek was named “Best Golf Course Residential Community,” River Club’s hole #15 was named “Best Par 4” and King’s North (at right) was the top finalist for “Best Hole.” Two of the company’s head golf professionals were also recognized. Christa Bodensteiner at Waterway Hills was named “Best Instructor” and Jim Felner at Long Bay was the top finalist for “Best Local Golf Pro.”

During the months of August and September 2001, Myrtle Beach Golf Magazine asked readers to nominate the best golf courses, golf professionals and related businesses and in the Myrtle Beach area. More than 500 readers participated in this survey and more than 3,500 votes were cast.

ShipGolf.Com Signs Retail Partnership With Nike Golf

ShipGolf.com announced today that they have signed a retail partnership with Nike Golf. The partnership authorizes ShipGolf.com to rent the brand new line of Nike Golf clubs at their retail locations in Jacksonville, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Through the partnership agreement, ShipGolf.com is an authorized dealer of Nike Golf clubs and will offer the brand along with their already established pro line selection. ShipGolf.com expects to have a selection of Nike drivers by mid-March and the irons and wedges by mid-April.

Caledonia Golf And Fish Club Names Marc Guertin Assistant Golf Professional

Marc Guertin recently joined Caledonia Golf and Fish Club (at right) as Assistant Golf Professional. Guertin’s responsibilities include establishing sales goals, checking in golfers and assisting in the general operation of the pro shop.

Guertin joined Caledonia from Litchfield Golf and Beach Resort where he spent seven years as the resort’s golf director. There his responsibilities included booking tee times and educating guests about area golf courses. A native of Middlebury, Vt., Guertin received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Management from Bryant College in Rhode Island.

Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
at The Reserve At Lake Keowee on Schedule to Open this Fall

The Jack Nicklaus signature course at The Reserve at Lake Keowee is currently under construction and is on schedule to open this fall. Jack Nicklaus will attend a grand opening event at the private community on October 15.

Construction began on the Nicklaus signature course in early 2001. Since then, he has made several site visits to the course and worked with Troy Vincent, design associate and David Heatwole, senior design associate at Nicklaus Design, on the project. Heatwole will supervise the final implementation of the construction plan.

And from the Queen City…

After three years of going it alone, the Senior Amateur Golf Tour enters its fourth season with a title sponsor well known throughout the Carolinas.

Harris Teeter Inc., based in Matthews, has agreed to become sponsor of the Harris Teeter Senior Golf Tour for 2002. Tour president Dennis McCormac welcomes Harris Teeter and the effect it will have on his tour, which allows amateur golfers that are 50 and older to compete in an organized series of golf tournaments in their area.

“It gives the tour a signature with a great brand name,” said McCormac. “This will help us increase awareness and increase the amount of gift certificates we pay out as prizes.”

Shane Sharp is a Contributing Writer with TravelGolf.com. Contact him at sharp@travelgolf.com