FEATURE STORY

Barefoot Resort and Grande Dunes

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Sure, you visit the Grand Strand once or twice a year, but have you ever thought about living there? Believe it or not, nearly 25,000 residents call the city of Myrtle Beach home, and that doesn't include the thousands of others living in North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach.

So in sum, those stucco homes and golf villas situated around the fairways and greens of your favorite Grand Strand golf course were not put there just to provide your golf ball with some interesting caroms.

In fact, over the past year and a half the Myrtle Beach real estate market has given rise to two of the largest residential golf communities to hit the South Carolina coast: Barefoot Resort and Golf and the Grande Dunes Golf and Country Club.

Both developments are located off of U.S. Highway 17, and each plans to bring in hordes of golf crazed residents by offering a variety of different housing options.

Barefoot Resort

It is one of the most ambitious golf course projects ever to hit the Grand Strand, and now it is positioned to become one of the region's largest real estate endeavors to date.

Barefoot Resort and Golf opened its doors a year and a half ago sporting new Davis Love III, Tom Fazio, Pete Dye and Greg Norman designed golf courses.

QUOTABLE "It's unlike anything ever seen in the Carolinas and it has the potential to raise the bar for all of us who live here," says Tim Johnson, a longtime resident of the area who owns a food service business. "It's going to transform the way the area looks by setting a new standard of living, and it's going to bring more tax revenue into Myrtle Beach and South Carolina. That means more resources for schools, roads, parks and more. Grande Dunes is leading coastal Carolina into a whole new era and I, for one, am very excited about it."

"No one has taken four designers like this and opened the courses simultaneously," says Tom Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Landmark Golf East, which manages the resort. "Usually one course opens after another, and this is almost a miracle that these courses are all successful."

Now, Barefoot is taking the next step in its eminent development with the addition of nine golf-based neighborhoods.

Centex Homes will serve as the primary developer in the 2300-acre golf community, and according to Hampton Pitts, Myrtle Beach Division President of Centex Homes the company will provide a wide range of offerings for primary, retirement or second home living.

Centex Homes' nine distinct neighborhoods at Barefoot Resort & Golf range from patio homes and estate homes to golf and luxury villas overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.

In addition to the four championship golf courses, Barefoot will also offer residents an array of planned amenities including an eight-acre Resident's Club, a fitness center and a Resident's Clubhouse for social gatherings.

Additional plans call for a deepwater marina and dry storage facility; a private Beach Cabana; a premier hotel with a spa, conference facilities, water park, restaurants and Barefoot Village, a town center that will provide residents with retail and entertainment options.

Pitts has been in the residential construction business nearly all his life. The son of a builder, Pitts grew up in the industry and has been a full-time professional builder since 1986. Today, he heads the Myrtle Beach Division of Centex Homes, which is currently largest homebuilder on the Grand Strand.

In addition to the nine neighborhoods at Barefoot, Pitts is also responsible for Grand Strand-area developments at Blackmoor, Sandpiper Bay, Springlake at Carolina Forest and Mulberry Park at Indigo Creek.

One of the most unique aspects of Barefoot's residential development is the number of options that will be provided to potential buyers. The nine neighborhoods range from luxurious, single family homes to affordably priced golf villas and are priced from $80,000 all the way up to half a million dollars.

For more information, call 888-557-6226, or visit www.barefootresort.com.

Grande Dunes

Grande Dunes does nothing if not live up to its name: it's a $20 billion project with a 20-year build out set on 2200 acres of "prime" Intracoastal land. Condominiums will bring nearly $600,000 per unit, and 80 midlevel priced homes will be constructed along the existing golf course as part of one of the first residential phases.

"The whole project is designed to be a major Atlantic coast, upscale resort flavor, something that Myrtle Beach doesn't have," says Buccerone "We have a four star hotel coming on board and with our hotel and the homes, you will have it all here. We want to bring something to Myrtle Beach that it hasn't had."

The development has a Mediterranean theme, as witnessed by the new clubhouse at the Grande Dunes Golf Club. As for the golf, an 18-hole Roger Rulewich designed course awaits, and Buccerone adds that another 18-hole facility is planned for the near future.

Construction of the first Grande Dunes neighborhood, Castillo Del Mar, got underway in July. The homes reflect the Grande Dunes Mediterranean-style theme, and the neighborhood's tree-lined streets are illuminated with specially designed lamps.

If you are looking for a cheap way to make Myrtle Beach home, Castillo Del Mar will not be your best bet. Homes will weigh in around the 3000 square foot range, and will carry a price tag of almost $500,000.

"The introduction of Grande Dunes first neighborhood will give Grand Strand residents and visitors to our area a preview of how the Grande Dunes development will bring a whole new lifestyle to Myrtle Beach,” says Dowdell Brown, Senior Vice President of Grande Dunes Development Company.

For more information, call 877-3GRANDE, or visit www.grandedunes.com.

refoot Resort Centex Neighborhood Capsules

LeatherLeaf

Centex Homes' most luxurious neighborhood at Barefoot Resort & Golf. An exclusive gated community, LeatherLeaf offers estate homes that range in size from 2128 to 3547 square feet. Homesites at LeatherLeaf have views of lakes and naturally wooded areas and some overlook the 12th, 13th or 17th hole on the Love Course.

The home choices in LeatherLeaf are from Centex Homes' Coastal Collection, which offers eight different floor plans. The one- and two-story homes feature three and four bedrooms, 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 bathrooms, libraries, formal dining and living rooms, covered lanais, a host of upscale interior details, and exquisitely landscaped yards. LeatherLeaf homes are available from the $300,000s to the $500,000s.

Cedar Creek

With stunning views of the Love Course and natural vistas, Cedar Creek is destined to become one of Barefoot Resort & Golf's most popular neighborhoods. The three and four-bedroom homes of Cedar Creek are from Centex Homes' Legacy Collection and range in size from 1827 to 2579 square feet. Homeowners can choose between nine different floor plans and have a choice of vinyl, brick or stucco front exteriors.

Homesite locations overlook the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th holes on the Love Course. Several overlook Love's artfully crafted "historic" ruins reminiscent of an old plantation home. Lake view homesites are available throughout the neighborhood as well. Cedar Creek homes are available from the $180,000s to the $300,000s.

Coquina Pointe

Coquina Pointe features five different floor plans from Centex Homes' Carolina Collection. Many of the two- and three-bedroom patio homes will have lake views. Coquina Pointe homes range in size from 1092 to 1907 square feet. This neighborhood is distinguished by lush front yard landscaping and white picket fences. Coquina Pointe homes are available from the $150,000s to the $200,000s.

Bridle Ridge

Bridle Ridge is conveniently located near all that Barefoot Resort & Golf has to offer. The neighborhood features seven unique floor plans from Centex Homes' Heritage Collection, ranging in size from 1332 to 1718 square feet.

The three-bedroom homes offered in Bridle Ridge are available with an optional screened porch and sunroom, formal dining rooms and a variety of front exterior architectural choices, including vinyl, brick or stucco. Bridle Ridge homes are available from the $150,000s to the $200,000s.

Luxury Waterway And Resort Villas

EdgeWater

An exclusive gated community along the Intracoastal Waterway, EdgeWater provides a combination of unmatched beauty and exclusive amenities. With four unique floor plans, the two- to four-bedroom villas range in size from 1403 to 2104 square feet.

The villas are located in elegant stucco buildings with clay tile roofs, elevators and luxurious lobbies and hallways. Lavish tropical landscaping enhances each building's beauty. EdgeWater includes a private Resident's Club with a pool, cabana, clubhouse and fitness center.

Property owners will also enjoy community day docks, valet boat service, gazebos and a boardwalk along the Intracoastal Waterway. A large storage garage and interior storage closet come with each villa. EdgeWater villas are available from the $250,000s to the $500,000s.

Harbour Cove

Harbour Cove offers stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Norman Course. These two- and three-bedroom villas feature 2 to 2 1/2 bathrooms, living and dining rooms and screened porches within lovely brick/stucco buildings with elevators and beautifully appointed interior lobbies.

Harbour Cove villas ranges in size from 1343 to 2150 square feet and feature four unique floor plan designs. Property owners will enjoy a private community day dock on the Intracoastal Waterway, a neighborhood pool, impeccable landscaping, deeded garages and access to the Beach Cabana. Harbour Cove villas are available from the $170,000s to the $260,000s.

Golf Villas

Cypress Bend

Overlooking the 4th and 12th holes of the Norman Course, Cypress Bend offers exceptional golf course views. Cypress Bend villas range in size from 720 to 1298 square feet and are available with one to three bedrooms.

Each villa provides a choice between two interior features packages and optional furnishing packages. The perfect way to own a vacation home, Cypress Bend offers attractive rental income potential from visiting golfers and families. Bend villas range from the $80,000s to the $150,000s.

River Crossing

The two- and three-bedroom villas at River Crossing will overlook lakes and the 3rd and 4th holes on the Norman course. River Crossing will offer three unique floor plans that range in size from 1050 to 1298 square feet. Each villa provides a choice between two interior features packages and optional furnishing packages.

River Crossing will offer attractive rental income potential from visiting golfers and families. River Crossing villas will be available from the $100,000s to the $160,000s.

Wedgewood

Overlooking the 15th hole on the Norman Course, Wedgewood offers exceptional golf course and lake views. The one- to three-bedroom villas range in size from 720 to 1298 square feet.

Each villa provides a choice between two interior features packages and optional furnishing packages. Wedgewood offers attractive rental income potential from visiting golfers and families. Villas range from the $80,000s to the $150,000s.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.