Tree Servicein Wild Dunes, SC

An Isle of Palms vacation getaway is undertaking a multimillion-dollar renovation of its two 18-hole golf layouts, adding to a recent string of investments in the seaside property.

Wild Dunes Resort announced this week it will spend $8 million on the upgrades starting in March.

Only the 37-year-old Harbor Course will need to be closed during the project, which will mark the first major tee-to-green renovation for the 18-hole property. It’s expected to reopen in October 2024.

Jeff Minton, director of golf at Wild Dunes, said players can expect to see a revamped Harbor Course next fall, with newly designed putting surfaces, upgraded cart paths and bridges and new bunkers.

Also, he said, the existing irrigation system will be replaced to improve turf conditions and water-use efficiency.

Both of the courses, which are open to the public, were designed by noted architect Tom Fazio, whose staff was tapped to help with the latest project.

The Harbor layout will largely remain the same, with the exception of adding some features.

The work on the Links Course, which was opened in 1979 and was renovated in 2015, will focus on the exposed oceanfront 18th hole, which has been affected by erosion and washout.

Minton said the closing stretch is “at the mercy of Mother Nature” so designers are looking how it can be reconstructed.

Wild Dunes has been owned for years by Lowe, a Los Angeles real estate investment firm. Dallas-based Dart Interests, a family-owned company, bought a stake in the 1,600-acre property in 2018.

Together, their joint venture has invested more than $150 million into the golf and tennis getaway over the past few years, including the completion of the 153-room Sweetgrass Inn and conference center. Earlier this year, Wild Dunes added five pickleball courts in response to the sport’s fast-growing popularity.

SC resorts and hotels are picking up pickleball as new business priority resorts and hotels are picking up pickleball as new business priority. “After years of continued improvements to the property with our guests and members in mind, enhancing our overall golf product was the natural next step,” said Tom Nolan, managing director.

The game is a major economic driver for the tourism industry, especially along the coast from the Grand Strand to Hilton Head Island. Its financial impact based on spending both on and off the fairways was estimated at $3.3 billion in a 2021 economic analysis.

The state continues to invest heavily to promote South Carolina as a premier golf destination.

Minton said the rise of Topgolf and other simulator venues has helped boost demand by introducing the swing basics to more potential participants.

“We’ve seen more new players who are sticking with the game, and that’s a great thing for the sport long term,” he said. “The regulars are always going to come back and play, but it’s great to see more people seeing that golf is something anyone at any skill level can enjoy.”

(https://www.postandcourier.com/business/wild-dunes-resort-golf-south-carolina-isle-of-palms-tourism/article_124c58de-74d3-11ee-9605-5b9b87dd4727.html)

“I’m usually the faculty member who has my students out in the community, doing projects that are meaningful to citizens in this area,” Interior Architecture (IARc) professor Travis Hicks admitted. “This group of students is taking me on a journey that I would not normally take.”

The journey was a 3-day trip to Charleston to meet with executives at Wild Dunes Resort. The class would present ideas for redesign of a sports pub at one of the resort’s golf courses; complete site visits for another Wild Dunes restaurant they would redesign this semester; and tour a construction site for a hotel in Charleston’s historic district.

The IARc students were preparing for a 5-hour drive to the beach, but this journey would have far greater impact than a typical getaway.

Business or Pleasure?

The class of 16 designers left winter in Greensboro and arrived in Isle of Palms to breezy, unseasonably warm, salt air. It felt like a vacation. A valet parked the students’ cars as each group walked through the lobby to check in.

Opposite of the check-in area was the Oystercatcher restaurant, which overlooked a massive pool surrounded by comfortable seating groups and anchored by a poolside bar. Palmetto trees were artfully planted along brick pathways.

How could any part of this resort need redesigning? It was upscale yet comfortable, just like members of the Wild Dunes management team had described the brand in virtual meetings the class attended since the semester began.

The students took in their surroundings and eyes began to twinkle as they considered their own designs in the spaces of this beautiful hotel. A realization settled among the group: this was a business trip. Expenses were being paid by the client, Wild Dunes Resort, in exchange for the class’ professional design services.

“When we learned that the project was at Wild Dunes, we went crazy. We were all excited to go to Charleston together and stay at a resort on the beach,” senior IARc major Madeline Gilliam explained. “And then learning more about the deliverables of the project, we got even more excited because we’re designers. When we hear about the opportunities we’re going to have, our brains start thinking and our creative juices get flowing.”

Assignment 1: Huey’s on the Links

The first event on the itinerary was a shuttle ride to one of the resort’s golf courses to see Huey’s, the sports pub and restaurant for which the class had been developing designs over the past month.

“They did a walk-thru video for us, but being here is different,” Gilliam stated. “Huey’s bank of windows has amazing views of the golf course outside, which I hadn’t pictured before. It felt more real, and I could visualize what I designed in the space.”

The students looked around the dated dining room and commented on the impact of seeing it in person. It was evident that each student was confident in the designs they would present the next day. UNC Greensboro’s (UNCG) IARc program had prepared them for this experience, and they were ready to test their skills!

After a stroll back to the hotel veranda where s’more kits were waiting for them around a firepit, the students disappeared for free time and agreed to meet back the next morning for the short drive into Charleston.

Under Construction

When Hicks contacted UNCG IARc alumna Anna Will Maginn, ‘11, ‘13 for guidance on hospitality design projects for this class, he wasn’t surprised that her position with Wild Dunes’ marketing department would yield some interesting interior design assignments. On day two of the trip, the class learned that Maginn’s connections in Charleston extended beyond the resort.

“UNCG’s interior architecture department does a great job of giving students the tools they need to figure out their own path,” Maginn explained as she reflected on her college experience. “IARc gave us exposure in a ton of areas, so we could walk away with the skills to do a lot of different things in the world of careers.”

Considering those students whose professional interests leaned more toward the architecture and commercial building side of the major, Anna reached out to Lowe, the real estate investment and development firm that built Wild Dunes Resort.

“Lowe is a perfect example of a development group that works on a host of different projects all over the country. If one of these students wanted to go that path, I was excited to give them that insight.”

At Lowe’s regional office in Charleston, the class learned how resorts like Wild Dunes are built, funded and managed. Dan Battista, Executive Vice President, and Sam Parris, Assistant Vice President, then shared plans for their current construction project, the Cooper Hotel.

The Cooper Hotel is a 200+ room, waterfront hotel under construction in Charleston’s historic district. Framing was complete, leaving the six-story building in the perfect state for a hard hat tour. The students spent the morning exploring the skeleton of the hotel and its guest suites, ballrooms, restaurant spaces, and pool deck. It was easy to imagine the fine finishes that would one day frame the Cooper Hotel’s sweeping views of the river and city.

Renee Nubel was inspired by the tour: “I’ve never been on an active construction site, especially for a big commercial project like that. It was really cool to see the process from the concept and design plans they showed us, to the actual building being built.”

Presenting to the Client

After the hard hat tour in Charleston, the group returned to Wild Dunes in time for their presentations of the Huey’s redesign assignment. Resort executives were gathered in the Indigo Room, a vast, top floor ballroom, to hear 16 student presentations.

“We walked into this big banquet room with the directors of all these different departments. Not what I was expecting!” Gilliam laughed. “But it was great to finally participate in an in-person presentation. Everything else has been virtual.”

The student designs and the young designers’ ability to sell their ideas impressed all in attendance.

“Our leadership was blown away!” Maginn exclaimed. “Some managers canceled meetings to stay for the entire presentation, because they were so compelling. We are really excited to take the next step and share the students’ designs with our ownership group.”

Hicks was also proud of his class’ work. “It is possible to take any one of the students’ designs and implement them with the right team of people at Wild Dunes.”

As the second day of the trip came to a close, the group basked in the glow of complimentary feedback on their designs. Their first “business trip” was already a great success. The presentations energized them for their next Wild Dunes assignment and the careers that awaited them after graduation.

ASSIGNMENT 2: OYSTERCATCHER RESTAURANT

Before departing the resort, the class met back in the lobby of the resort for a briefing on their final project, redesign of the Oystercatcher restaurant. Although the tapas restaurant was beautiful, its chef’s talents are in high demand, so the space must change to accommodate more customers and an expanded menu.

“We’re in a design evaluation mode,” Maginn explained. “The Oystercatcher project is a perfect example. We designed the concept years ago and today, it must change to suit what our audience is looking for.”

The class was learning that businesses didn’t request fresh designs simply because the current ones were old and outdated. Sales and customer demand would always influence their work.

They took notes and began to ponder how to reconfigure tables and rearrange the space without dismantling the current design elements that were effectively attracting customers. It was a challenge that would keep them busy for the next month as the class prepared to present their ideas via Zoom in April.

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

As the students prepared to return to UNCG, the impact of the trip and the career-building experience they acquired wasn’t lost on anyone.

“I have never stayed at a resort like this before. This was really cool,” Nubel said. “If I could do this for my entire career – just come to different upscale resorts and redesign their restaurants and hotel lobbies and rooms – I absolutely would, because this is amazing.”

This particular journey had come to a close for the 16 students in Travis Hicks’ studio class. Soon they would graduate and begin their own job searches. Maybe one of them will follow in Anna Maginn’s footsteps.

“I hope they won’t be off and running into the world and forget about us,” Maginn hopes. “If these designs take shape, I would definitely invite the students to be part of the process. If that had happened to me when I was in school, I would be honored beyond words to know that I had a real stamp in a commercial space of this magnitude.

Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.Video by Grant Evan Gilliard, University Communications.

turn your passion for design into a career.

State legislators and a beach advocacy group are proposing a permanent beach renourishment fund that would rake in $10 million each year and be controlled by the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Maintaining South Carolina’s shoreline, advocates and legislators say, is vital to the economic health of the state’s tourism industry. It also provides resilience during hurricanes, reducing flooding and other damage.

Carving out a “predictable source of income” would enhance long-term planning for battling coastal erosion, Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, said. The plan is included in a bill to permanently fund renourishment.

“The only difference here is instead of every year having to go in and argue for a beach renourishment appropriation, that’d it be almost on automatic pilot,” Davis said.

Since Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989, more than 40 beach renourishment projects have been launched in the state, costing federal and state taxpayers over $300 million, according to The State Media Co. reporting.

Currently, beach preservation funds reside under the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Coastal Resource Management. But for many years, the efforts have not been fully funded, said Nicole Elko, executive director of South Carolina Beach Advocates, the group pushing for the bill.

PRT received non-reoccurring funds for beach management between 2016 and 2018, which were used to fund projects through 2020, said Justin Hancock, the department’s recreation, grants and policy director.

If passed, the bill would set aside 25% of revenue from the already-existing state admissions tax for a state beach renourishment trust fund. The 5% tax is assessed on most places of amusement that charge for admission. Currently, 26% of the tax goes to the S.C. Film Commission and the remainder goes into the state’s general fund, Hancock said.

Setting aside a quarter of the revenue would raise roughly $10 million annually, Elko said. The DHEC fund would be transferred to the PRT, which would be charged with doling out the money.

“When the tourists are coming to the beaches, they’re spending admission taxes, they’re going golfing, they’re going to ride the SkyWheel at Myrtle Beach,” Elko said.

Simply put, the admissions tax is a type of user fee.

Vying for renourishment, local governments would have to submit a grant request to the PRT for renourishment funds. Requests would be ranked, taking into account aspects such as the beach’s erosion rate and how many people use it, Davis said. If granted, local governments would need to make a dollar-to-dollar match with the state funds.

As the bill is written now, the preservation funds could not be used for beaches with private access, Hancock said.

While South Carolina beaches are technically state-owned, a handful of beaches do not have public access to the seashore. That means unless people could reach the beach via a watercraft, they would need to make it through a set of gates or through private property.

Historically, federal renourishment funds cannot be applied when there is no public access. Communities such as Harbor Island in Beaufort County and Debordieu in Georgetown County have suffered drastic shoreline erosion but have not been able to use public renourishment funding. Debordieu property owners have spent millions of dollars on private renourishment, including one project last year.

While the legislation’s language is not entirely fleshed out, Elko said the intent is to use the money for the state’s publicly accessible beaches. Davis agreed with Elko about the purpose of the renourishment fund.

Hancock said private-access beaches would not qualify for the fund — only beaches that provide full and complete public access fit the bill. If it’s behind a gate, it’s not eligible.

For example, the Isle of Palms’ county park, which includes a beach, would qualify. But the Wild Dunes area, an oceanfront resort in the city, wouldn’t qualify, because its lack of full and complete access.

“There’s lots of boxes to check,” Hancock said about the fund.

Part of the requirements would include the project being permitted by OCRM and the local government having the funds to meet the dollar-to-dollar match, he said.

Davis said he does not believe the bill allows for funds to be used to remove hazardous structures on the state’s shorelines. In December, The Island Packet reported on the legal wrangling over three abandoned Harbor Island homes that sit near the ocean at high tide.

Elko said because dilapidated structures can a pose risk to the public access beaches, amending the bill to pay for removing structures is “certainly on the table.”

On Wednesday, the bill for the proposed beach preservation fund passed out in the Senate Fish, Game & Forestry Committee.

This story was originally published February 16, 2023, 5:00 AM.

Operation Gratitude joins Volunteers from the greater Charleston area to thank our nation's veterans and build and deliver Battalion Buddy bears for children of deployed military service members. The organization and its local Volunteers will stuff 250 Battalion Buddies and assemble 200 Veteran Care Packages on December 9^th, 2023 at Wild Dunes Resort, Tides Ballroom – Isle of Palms, SC from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm ET. A letter writing station will be set up for Volunteers to jot a note of appreciation to be included in the organization’s Care Packages. The Care Packages and Battalion Buddies will be delivered in time for Christmas to local Veterans and Military Children with a Deployed Parent. Operation Gratitude thanks Wild Dunes Resort for hosting this event.

Operation Gratitude Battalion Buddy bears are lovingly hand-stuffed by Volunteers nationwide and provided to deploying service members to gift to their children. The cuddly Battalion Buddies wear tags that say “I’m your Battalion Buddy and I’m here to keep you company while your mom or dad is away. I’m so excited to join your family!” These special bears are a reminder to our country’s tiniest heroes that a grateful nation stands with them as they experience the challenges of having a parent deployed or absent for an extended period.

Millions of Americans are Veterans of the Armed Forces. Making up just 7% of our country’s population, these brave men and women know what it is to sacrifice the comforts of home and years of their lives in service to our nation. Sadly, many rarely, or sometimes never hear thank you. An Operation Gratitude Care Package is an opportunity to thank these individuals for their service and remind them that a grateful nation remembers and appreciates them.

Operation Gratitude Care Packages contain snacks, personal care and hygiene products, and handmade items, but the most cherished item in the organization’s Care Package are the handwritten letters from grateful Americans nationwide. It's part of Operation Gratitude's overarching mission to express deep appreciation for those who have stepped forward to serve and sacrificed on our behalf.

How to get involved. The shift is December 9^th, 2023 1:00pm-4:00pm ET. The assembly will kick off with the national anthem and then the work begins!

Date: December 9^th,2023

Volunteer Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm ET

Location: Wild Dunes Resort, Tides Ballroom – Isle of Palms, SC

About Operation Gratitude

Operation Gratitude is a nationwide nonprofit whose mission is to lift spirits, say Thank You to our Military and First Responder communities, and honor their service by creating opportunities for all Americans to express their gratitude through hands-on volunteerism. In March 2003, Operation Gratitude sent its first four care packages to deployed service members in Iraq. Since its inception, the organization has delivered nearly 4 million Care Packages to Deployed Troops, Recruit Graduates, Veterans, Military Families, and First Responders. The Volunteers of Operation Gratitude are a generous and spirited grassroots network of Americans joined in common cause to say “Thank You” to all who serve our great nation. For more information, visit OperationGratitude.com or follow us on social media.

When it comes to resorts, South Carolina does it right. Whether you're looking to relax at a luxurious spa, stroll a sandy beachfront, or enjoy memorable meals, there's a resort in the Palmetto State with your name on it. Browse the amenities at these properties, and find what speaks to you. (There's plenty to choose from at each one.) The next step is booking a stay, packing your gear, and—finally—setting out on an adventure to a resort that feels like an oasis, whether a home away from home or just a break from the day-to-day. Rent bikes and pedal the sands. Order room service and enjoy the view from your windows. Find the poolside bar and relax. Memories, and a whole lot of fun, await. Want to continue traveling? Check out some of the best places to stay in every Southern state.

The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina

This waterfront retreat is a consistently celebrated stay near Charleston. Palmetto trees welcome you to the property, where you'll find wraparound porches, the serenity-inducing Estuary Spa, and a water taxi for ferrying you to downtown adventures. The abundance of patios and porches means you'll get your fill of harbor breezes (and handcrafted cocktails to enjoy while relaxing outdoors).

20 Patriots Point Rd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, charlestonharborresort.com

02

The Inn & Club at Harbour Town

Book a stay at The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, part of The Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, for a warm welcome and rooms with a view. The boutique luxury hotel has 60 guest rooms and offers opportunities for rounds of golf, swings on the tennis courts, and relaxation at the pool. You can also book private fishing charters, cruises, and boat tours at the nearby full-service marina.

7 Lighthouse Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, seapines.com

03

Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes

Find pools galore at this Myrtle Beach resort. Sun, sand, and plenty of bright blue umbrellas and loungers await when you book a beachfront stay at this inviting spot. There are indoor and outdoor pools, beach access, and opportunities for pampering at Hibiscus Spa. Open your windows to the beach air, enjoy a meal at the resort's restaurants, or stroll outside to the pool deck—there is fun all around here.

8400 Costa Verde Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, marriott.com

04

Montage Palmetto Bluff

This Lowcountry property is situated along the May River in Bluffton, which means it has instant appeal—and a marina on the waterfront. Located between Hilton Head and the Georgia border, this resort is equal parts relaxation and adventure. It has fantastic restaurants, a nature preserve, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

477 Mt Pelia Rd., Bluffton, SC 29910, montagehotels.com

05

The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Book a stay at The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, and enjoy the sea breezes. This resort has something for everyone, including dining, swimming, golfing, and lounging on the sands. In addition to the resort's amenities, you can book packages (like the Family Fun Package with bike and kite rentals) to complement your stay.

23 Ocean Ln., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, omnihotels.com

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The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Find a barrier island getaway at Kiawah Island Golf Resort—an oasis of sandy beachfront and championship golf courses near Charleston. There's also decadent dining at the resort's many stellar restaurants, including Jasmine Porch and The Ocean Room. With so much to enjoy, you don't want to miss the opportunity to stay at this luxury property.

1 Sanctuary Beach Dr., Kiawah Island, SC 29455, kiawahresort.com

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Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort

Head to Isle of Palms for a stay at Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort, a 1,600-acre property near Charleston that's a destination for golfing (the Links Course has Atlantic views) and enjoying the coastline. With plenty of pools, bike rentals, and opportunities to relax (check out the Spa at Sweetgrass, where you can contact the spa concierge to customize your stay), you'll never want your vacation to end.

5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC 29451, destinationhotels.com

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The Willcox

While not necessarily classified as a resort, you can find the epitome of South Carolina hospitality at this historic hotel, nestled in the resort town of Aiken. In addition to gracious accommodations, it has fantastic dining offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a relaxing spa, and easy access to the town's shopping, antiquing, arts, equestrian, and cycling opportunities.

100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken, SC 29801, thewillcox.com