By Mike May Photos By Bob Claxton
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Now Thriving, After Surviving ‘The Comeback Kid’ of Georgia Golf. That may be the best way to describe the Sapelo Hammock Golf Club, which can be found in the coastal community of Shellman Bluff, Georgia. Surrounded by tidal marshes, saw palmettos, and live oak trees, dripping with Spanish moss, this golf course is in terrific shape and its greens are a reflection of this club’s commitment to excellence, according to Alan Cale, Sapelo Hammock’s Director of Golf. It might be fair to say that the story about this golf course’s current condition, design, and beauty may be overshadowed the course’s survival during some turbulent financial times in the last 20 years. In the late 1990s, Sapelo Hammock – a par-72 layout, measuring nearly 6,700 yards from the tips -- opened its doors to the general public. Local golfers from McIntosh County loved playing this golf course and revenues
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exceeded expenses. In 2002, a group of local developers purchased the club and it continued to prosper. Business for Sapelo Hammock (1354 Marshview Drive, NE; Shellman Bluff, Georgia) continued to be strong until the recession of 2008. Financially, times quickly became tough and the club was forced to close its doors in the summer of 2010. It didn’t take long for weeds to dominate the landscape of this scenic 171-acre piece of property. Fortunately, the club received a helping hand, courtesy of a group of local
golf-loving investors – Shellman Bluff Acquisition, LLC – which purchased the course. After months of cutting, fertilization, watering, and repair, the course re-opened for play in July 2011. According to Cale, the quality and playability of the course has continued to improve. Word spread quickly about the condition, quality, appeal and value – less than $50 a round – of Sapelo Hammock. Golf Advisor gave it 4.5 stars. But by 2017, the club needed a better financial formula in order for the golf course to reach its true potential. Admittedly, financial times were tough in American golf as more than 200 U.S. golf courses closed their doors in 2017. But the golfers who played Sapelo Hammock were determined that their course would not be a statistical closing, added Cale. “The local golfers who have volunteered their time to weed eat, trim, and pick up trash represent the commitment to excellence of the golfers at our club,” said Cale. That team spirit by the membership is much appreciated by the superintendent. “Our course is in great shape because of the many volunteer hours by our members in recent years,” said Chris Hankey, superintendent, Sapelo Hammock. “But, we also have a great crew. I’m only as good as my crew. As a super, I’m part-time plumber and part-time electrician.” Hankey and his crew must be doing a great job because he is Golf Central • Volume 20, Issue 2