Author Archive

It’s a Fantastic Time to Buy in Florida

By skauffman • Jan 12th, 2010

America is on sale. And while the “Land of the Free” is certainly far from free, the cost of buying a piece of America today couldn’t be more attractive. Nowhere is that statement arguably truer than Florida.
Of course, nobody needs to be told it’s a fantastic time to buy property in Florida, a highly desirable Sun [...]



The Brave & Bold New World of Golf Course Architecture: Interviewing Jim Engh

By skauffman • Jan 5th, 2010

Several years ago, when Mercer Reynolds wanted to build the first members-only golf course at Reynolds Plantation, a resort-style development between Atlanta & Augusta and site of the 2009 Ideal Home, the developer wondered how he could make his prized property more compelling. Situated on 10,000+ pristine acres and featuring 80 miles of scenic Lake [...]



Golf Course Architect Tim Cate—A Carolina Diamond in the Rough

By skauffman • Feb 4th, 2009

Nationally speaking, the name Tim Cate doesn’t necessarily jump out in the world of golf course architecture. In fact, many people in the country have probably never heard of him. In the Coastal Carolinas, though, Cate needs little introduction, especially along the Grand Strand or in the golf Mecca of Myrtle Beach.
Along this 60-mile coastal [...]



Canada Dreamin’: Canadians Purchase Southern Properties in Record Numbers

By skauffman • Sep 22nd, 2008

An estimated three million people flee freezing regions of North America each winter and escape to warmer places such as Palm Springs, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Florida, and the Carolinas. Many of these so-called “snowbirds” are from Canada.



Myrtle Beach Golf: Maturing with Age

By skauffman • Jul 8th, 2008

For decades, the Myrtle Beach, SC area has described itself as the “Golf Destination of the World.” And with good reason, considering that annually, a million golfers play nearly four million rounds at Myrtle Beach’s 102 golf facilities.



The Greening of Golf

By skauffman • Jun 26th, 2008

In deference to Rodney Dangerfield, the late actor who starred in the iconic golf movie, “Caddyshack,” golf just gets no respect. At least that’s been the longstanding case from an environmental perspective.
To some degree, this lack of respect is understandable, considering golf’s elitist roots and the common misunderstanding that golf courses are nothing more than gluttonous consumers of precious water resources and harmful pesticides.



Golf Course Real Estate Stays On Par

By skauffman • Mar 31st, 2008

Despite the confluence of this perfect economic storm-the real estate slowdown, as well as flat golf participation and rounds-played growth over the last five years-golf’s outlook isn’t gloomy these days. At least, that’s the opinion of numerous real estate developers. Many of them remain bullish on golf’s future, especially as it relates to the lifestyle matrix of certain markets.



Designing Championship Quality Golf with Legendary Course Designer Rees Jones

By skauffman • Dec 31st, 2007

Growing up with a famous golf course architect, Rees Jones was born into the business. It was a natural fit for the son of Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the preeminent architect of the post-war golf era.