The more the merrier is how many retirees searching for a golf community feel about the number of golf courses inside the gates. They have plenty of choices out there that will satisfy their itch. But the more the merrier can also mean more expensive golf fees and homes. I’ve looked around at some of the best multi-course communities in the Carolinas, and I’ve identified three homes for sale with golf memberships that provide a big bang for the buck. They are listed at GolfHomes.com where you can peruse thousands of golf home listings across the U.S.
Apple Valley golf course at Rumbling Bald on Lake LureRumbling Bald, Lake Lure, NC
Rumbling Bald, named for a mountain that looks over the resort community, is a resort and, as such, residents expect to share their amenities with a transient crowd. On an August vacation there, I noted that the tourists were almost indistinguishable from the permanent residents (it was summer, so plenty of kids). Although they are shared with visitors, Rumbling Bald offers more amenities than you will find in many non-resort golf communities. The lake is at the core of everything, with a popular 300-yard beach and lots of “quiet” boating (town ordinance says no motorboats). Two fine golf courses – one inside the gates and one just a mile down the road – are of two entirely different designs. Bald Mountain is narrow with smallish greens while Apple Valley, the one down the road, is broad and sweeping and better tuned to the grip-it-and-rip-it crowd. An interesting side note: The movie Dirty Dancing was filmed on site; one of the golf courses and the lake had cameo roles. Plenty of homes with mountain and/or lake views, like this one: Click here.
One of the 27 holes at Callawassie Golf and Country ClubCallawassie, Okatie, SC
Okay, so it’s only 27 holes, but that extra nine relieves a lot of stress on play and gives the maintenance crews time and space to work their magic on one set of nine holes while the other 18 are in use. Callawassie is dripping with southern charm, as well as Spanish moss from the community’s majestic live oak trees. They form the canopy and “alleyway” you drive through on your way into the community, giving Callawassie the feeling of being remote without the disadvantages of actually being remote (plenty of shopping and other services a mile or two outside Callawassie’s entrance). This is a mature community with residents who love quiet pursuits like bicycling, strolling and, of course, golf on Tom Fazio’s classic design. With the charming southern town of Beaufort less than 20 minutes away (excellent restaurants and shopping), and Hilton Head Island about a half hour, a full roster of entertainments and services are a short drive away. Homes are mostly of the single-family variety but our listing is for a “villa,” a smaller home with golf and lagoon views, suitable for year-round, part-time or rental situations. Click here.
The Reserve, Pawleys Island, SC
I admit, including an 18-hole golf course in a group of multi-course communities is a bit deceptive. But when you become a member of The Reserve Golf course, you are essentially becoming a member with privileges at 14 other other top private courses in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia. That is because The Reserve Club, whose course was designed by Greg Norman layout, is owned by the McConnell Group. Membership in one of their clubs confers member privileges at the others. And those other golf courses are among the best in the region, including layouts by Donald Ross, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and other titans of golf architecture. The Reserve is within a few hours of virtually all of them. The Reserve’s real estate is on the higher end of the Pawleys Island market, but the community offers more than most in the way of amenities and lifestyle. The Waccamaw River runs through it, and an active on-site marina is a gathering place for boaters and non-boaters alike attracted by the gentle Waccamaw River. For ocean lovers, The Reserve maintains a clubhouse at the Atlantic beach just a mile away. Shopping too is within five to 10 minutes of the front gate. Click here for a current home for sale in The Reserve.