Bay Tree Will Maintain Great Conditions and Offer Free Golf to Kids Under 18 Playing With Paying Adult
October 31, 2005, Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Bay Tree Golf Plantation, one of Myrtle Beach’s oldest and most celebrated golf courses, will close its doors on May 15, 2006, after 34 years of helping set the standard for Grand Strand golf. A favorite among golfers since opening in 1972, Bay Tree is well-known for its three popular courses (Green, Gold and Silver) and the golf ball water tower that greets visitors as they enter North Myrtle Beach.
"The three Bay Tree courses will continue rigorous course maintenance through May 15th," said General Jim Hackler, Bay Tree president and chairman of the board. "Bay Tree will offer free golf to juniors, 18 years old and under, when accompanied by a paying adult."
When Bay Tree opened, the course was considered isolated across the Intracoastal Waterway off Highway 9 in North Myrtle Beach but now occupies some of the most valuable land in Horry County. The growth explosion in the Grand Strand area has become a magnet for local and national developers. After turning down many bids over the years, Bay Tree accepted an offer in the spring from Centex Homes, who plans to convert the 54-hole complex into a residential development.
"We’ve been approached in the past but have turned down all other offers," said General Hackler. "We continue to be a profitable golf business but realized that our land has become much more valuable than our golf business."
"The club’s maintenance plans, budget and agronomy will not change through the last day of play," said Bay Tree general manager Tracy Conner. "We have completed course overseeding and invested, as normal, to maintain the courses in top condition until May 15th. We want to give our loyal fans the opportunity to play their final rounds at Bay Tree."
One of the oldest golf courses along the Grand Strand, Bay Tree was designed by George Fazio and his associate, Russell Breedon. Together with nephews Tom and Jim Fazio, the Fazio team worked on site to develop and open the three courses in one year. The feat was later named by the National Golf Foundation as the first time that a United States golf club had opened three golf courses simultaneously.
"When we decided to build a golf complex in North Myrtle Beach, I visited The Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Florida, to study their courses, clubhouse and overall layout," recalled General Hackler. "I took the best features that The Doral offered and made a few modifications for our Bay Tree layout. At the time, people thought we were crazy for opening multiple courses simultaneously but Bay Tree’s foresight helped pave the way for modern, multi-course facilities that are so popular now.
"The decision to sell was very difficult, considering the club members and the popularity of the courses," said General Hackler. "The club has enjoyed a colorful history that includes hosting PGA, LPGA and USGA tournaments and some of the finest golfers in the world through the years."
Designed by George Fazio, one Golf Digest’s top-ranked American golf course architects, Bay Tree Golf Plantation is the only George Fazio course along the Grand Strand with three courses carved from scenic low-country forests with greens that comply to the latest USGA specifications. All three courses have Bermuda fairways with the Silver and Green courses featuring TifDwarf Bermudagrass greens. The Gold Course was converted to Champions UltraDwarf Bermudagrass greens in 2000.
Bay Tree founded the Palmetto High School Golf Championship that has grown to be the largest high school golf tournament in the country. Site of the 1977 LPGA Championship, the Gold Course is one of only four courses in the Myrtle Beach area that has hosted a major professional golf championship. The PGA has twice used the Green Course as the site of the Tour’s qualifying school. The Silver Course was recognized by Golf for Women as one of the top female friendly golf complexes in the United States.
For more information on Bay Tree Golf Plantation, please call 1-800-845-6191 or visit www.baytreegolfplantation.com.
Contact:
Cheryl Harden or Erin Barrett
Brandon Advertising
(843) 916-2000
