Brown Golf is a golf course management company on the rise and from what I can see, they do things right. I’ve encountered several companies that take over respectable, well maintained facilities, syphon off all the cash, allow the golf course to lapse into disrepair and leave them as barren as a caterpillar on a milkweed plant. One such company in Orlando, FL, recently closed their doors out of the blue, leaving several high-profile golf and country clubs in the lurch.
Brown Golf manages six facilities in the Hilton Head area: Island West, Pinecrest, Crescent Pointe, Eagle’s Point, Dolphin Head and Palmetto Hall Plantation. They also manage two facilities in Pinehurst, The Country Club of Whispering Pines and Foxfire Golf Club, both of which are 36-hole facilities.
I recently visited Brown-managed facilities in North and South Carolina. I was amazed at their playability and affordability, plus the overall condition was excellent, considering what the area had been through in the past 12 months.
The Palmetto Hall Plantation property, a 36-hole facility with courses designed by Robert Cupp and Arthur hills, was acquired in 2016, a week before Hurricane Matthew hit. Not what you want to go through with the newest addition to your company’s portfolio.
The courses lost more than 1,000 trees during the storm, nevertheless, the grounds crew had both courses cleaned up and playable within 60 days. Grant Backus, Superintendent at Dolphin Head Country Club – a once private, now public facility – moved over to Palmetto Hall Plantation and began restoring the courses to their former glory. The remnants of Matthew are still evident, but do not infringe on play.
Speaking of Dolphin Head, this once member-only facility is now flourishing. It’s the only Gary Player-designed course in the area and he attempted to leave as much of the existing terrain intact as possible. Since it opened, Clyde Johnson has redone the tees, fairways and greens, installing the much quicker Mini-Verde Bermuda grass. Dolphin Head is really two courses in one – the front 9 plays through trees and forests, while the back nine brings marshes and wetlands into play. Both nines are rife with Player’s signature bunkering, creating a course that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is fun to play.
Eagle’s Pointe is a Davis Love III design and has been lauded as one of the most environment friendly courses in the area. The course winds its way through strands of moss-draped live oaks and pine trees, freshwater lagoons, and makes use of the natural beauty and existing terrain.
Native coastal wetlands come into play on several holes. In addition to adding a challenge to your game, they also provide some wonderful scenery. The greens are large, moderately fast and roll true.
Crescent Pointe is an Arnold Palmer design and like most Palmer tracks, offers generous fairways and challenging approaches to elevated, undulating greens. Water is present but not necessarily in play on all but the par 4 18th. In addition to the water that dots the landscape, you’ll find plenty of sand; in fact, in areas where grass was hard to grow, they simply replaced it with sand. You’ll find several massive waste bunkers and beach bunkers, which butt up against the water. While they create great aesthetics, they can wreak havoc on your scorecard.
Pinecrest Golf Club in Bluffton, SC was designed by Rocky Roquemore, best known for his designs at Cannongate Golf Club in Georgia and several of the Disney courses in Orlando, Florida. The course is stunning and this scenic layout winds through tall pines and several beautiful lakes.
Although water comes into play on 15 holes, most players will find the sand more of a threat, especially off the tee. The greens are also well protected, with many of them being elevated.
Another PGA stalwart has also left his mark on the Hilton Head golf. Fuzzy Zoeller’s Island West course features rolling and undulating fairways. Zoeller created a beautiful course, by routing it through naturally preserved marshlands and strands of live oak trees. Water comes in to play in one form or another on ten holes, creating several risk-reward opportunities. Bunkers have been strategically placed along the edges of the fairways, as well as, around the greens. This is a course that makes you think and requires accuracy to score well, especially on the narrow, tree-lined holes. New golfers won’t be overwhelmed, but skilled players will be challenged.
Brown Golf Membership extends to all Facilities.
A single low monthly fee, allows membership with unlimited access to all local courses, as well as, their out-of-state properties. Membership includes unlimited use of the driving range and range balls, plus the tennis and basketball courts at Pinecrest Country Club. The pool and fitness center are included, as well.
If you live in near Bluffton, South Carolina, the Hilton Head area, or visit frequently, membership is definitely something to consider. For more information, go to www.browngolfmanagement.com.
