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Seabrook ISland

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S e a b ro o k Is l a n d Amenities A collection of articles from

Ne i g hb o r s Mag a z i n e w w w. D i s c ov e r S e a b r o o k . c o m

Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s Beaches

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Golf

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Te nni s

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The Beach Club

S e a b ro o k B e a c h e s S e a b r o o k Is l a n d , S o u t h C a r o l i n a

No r t h B e a c h

First Line Of Defense Natural walls of sand and Sea Oats stand as visible protective barriers against erosion that can occur from the rising tides of the Atlantic Ocean.

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BEACHES of

SEABROOK Seabrook Island lays claim to one of the widest, longest and most dynamic expanses of shore line in the coastal Carolinas. With over three miles of pristine beaches to explore, you may need a little help finding your way around. Read on to learn more about the three beautiful, peaceful and sandy locales that make up the beaches of Seabrook...

and why they aren’t going anywhere.

by Shea Tighe photos Adina Preston & Red Zeppelin

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North Beach

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s the sun rises over Seabrook Island, the first place morning light touches is the seemingly endless expanse of sand known as North Beach.

Located on the eastern shore of Seabrook, North Beach claims one of the widest ocean fronts in the coastal Carolinas.

Beginning with an overture of rolling dunes held in place by Sea Oats and Wax Myrtle, the beach extends hundreds of yards to the gently lapping waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach begins at the brand new Seabrook Beach Club and continues to Cap’n Sam’s Inlet, the channel that ultimately separates Seabrook and Kiawah Islands.

The sheer size of North Beach makes it very a dynamic part of the Island. This fact gives way to a wide variety of things to do, see and experience. The sands of North Beach are soft yet compact, providing the perfect surface for bike rides and long walks. Activities range from sun bathing to beach volleyball and bocce ball. The Atlantic Ocean and the inlet at the end of North Beach are good spots for fishing where Red Drum, Seatrout and Bonnetheads are caught regularly. The beach closest to the inlet provides an off-leash area for pets and their owners, like Cathy and Andy Coleman and their Jack Russell Keefer, to enjoy the beach leash free. North Beach is also great for shelling due to the dramatic high and low tides.

Wildlife is abundant on this beach, especially towards the lagoon and Cap’n Sam’s Inlet. Deer can be spotted on a daily basis patrolling the dunes, particularly at dawn or dusk.

A wide variety of bird life nest and feed all over the area. At

certain times of the year Cap’n Sam’s Inlet becomes one of the only places in the world where dolphins display a feeding technique called “strand feeding.” The dolphins work in teams to corral small fish into tight groups and then push them onto the banks of the inlet, “stranding” them. The dolphins will then throw their bodies onto the shore to snag as many fish as they can. This learned behavior is amazing to witness and is one of many things that make North Beach a truly unique location on the island.

North Beach provides a virtual playground for both residents and visitors of Seabrook Island, but the area is also known for its peaceful seclusion. As one makes their way towards Captain Sam’s Inlet, they will find themselves immersed in tranquility. The growing separation of the beach houses in the distance makes one feel as if they are alone on a deserted beach, hearing nothing but the waves of the ocean.

Two areas, the Inlet at Captain Sam’s and little known North Beach Lagoon, are both breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful areas that beg to be explored. The lagoon is nestled between tidal creeks and the dunes of North Beach. If you follow a sandy path through the dunes it will take directly to the unspoiled lagoon’s edge. The terminus of North Beach, Captain Sam’s Inlet, is a great place to spot Dolphins as they “strand feed.” The dolphins circle the bait into they are as tight as possible, and then use a powerful wave action to push the bait onto the banks of the inlet. The Dolphins then proceed to throw their bodies almost completely out of the water to devour as many fish as they can. Dolphins are only known to strand feed daily in certain coastal areas in Georgia to South Carolina.

One of these areas where this remarkable behavior occurs is Seabrook Island’s own North Beach.

A Lonely, Lovely Place Top Left: The width of North Beach can be hundreds of yards in some places, making it one of the widest beaches in South Carolina

From Top Right: The dunes on North Beach stabilize the beaches and protect against erosion; Part time residents Cathy and Andy Coleman enjoy time with their Jack Russell Terrier Keefer in the off-leash area; The salt water Lagoon located near Cap’n Sam’s Inlet

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The Beach Club

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t the all new Seabrook Island Beach Club, one has everything they need to have fun in the sun. Completed in 2009 as part of Seabrook Island’s Horizon Plan, a $31 million-dollar island amenity improvement initiative, the club has yet to disappoint. The Beach Club is closed during the colder months, but come spring and summer the area buzzes with activity. The Seabrook Island Beach Club is easily one of the most popular and social areas on the island.

While residents and guests enjoy two ocean front pools and a full service restaurant and bar, the primary reason people flock to the Beach Club is the view.

The club, built above the shores of North Beach on a point, provides spectacular panoramic vistas of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean with Botany Island in the near distance.

A great place to enjoy the view and the sun is the fully functional simulated beach area. Complete with lounge chairs and umbrellas, residents and guests can take in all the comforts of the beach without the salt water. And, with a full service ocean front restaurant and bar, they won’t have to go far for a bite to eat or refreshments. Of course, if they wanted to go down to the actual beach below, there are stairs nearby to do so.

Fun In The Sun Clockwise From Top: An aerial view of the recently completed Beach Club of Seabrook Island; The deck at the Pelican’s Nest Restaurant provides dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean; a view of the rip-rap that protects the Beach Club from the constant ocean waves; a side aerial view of the Beach Club; gorgeous sunsets witnessed every night by Seabrookers;

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The Beach Club caters to both adults and children alike. While parents enjoy some passive recreation in the sun, kids are invited to the arcade where a full array of video games waits for them. Outside, children can make a splash at the kids interactive pool while their parents can supervise close by.

The Pelican’s Nest Restaurant and Lounge provides a fantastic venue for those looking to get out of the sun and enjoy some casual dining. The open-air restaurant was designed to capture the prevailing breezes coming off the Atlantic Ocean to cool residents and guests while they enjoy good food and a great view.

After a long day in the sun at the Seabrook Island Beach Club, residents and their guests can order a drink at the bar and enjoy each other’s company while the sun slowly goes down over the horizon. The new Beach Club of Seabrook has proven to be a huge success since its completion and will continue to be a defining characteristic of the private oceanfront community.

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Nature Uninterrupted Top Left: A view of the Edisto River with Edisto Island in the distance

Bottom Left: The inlet of Privateer Creek at the end of Pelican beach where a single bench offers respite fot those willing to make the long trek

Right: A time sequence of the typical sunset one will be treated to at Pelican Beach on the Edisto River

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Pelican Beach

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elican Beach, aptly named after the Pelican Watch Villa development nestled amongst its dunes, continues from the Beach Club and stretches down to the inlet of Privateer Creek, the western most point of Seabrook Island. Also known as Sunset Beach, this area on Seabrook Island is famous for its spectacular sunsets. Narrower compared to the open expanses of North Beach, Pelican Beach falls on the north bank of the Edisto River with Edisto Island located on the south bank.

This inlet is where Seabrook Island was first spotted and eventually claimed for England’s King Charles in the 17th Century by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Sanford.

A very peaceful place, Pelican Beach is different from the other beaches of Seabrook. With no waves and a weak current, this part of the island is a great choice for residents and guests who are not strong swimmers or have children. The beach, smaller and intimate, is home to more passive forms of recreation. The activity of Pelican Beach seems to mimic the slow, methodical flow of the river. Resting on the banks of a major channel, Pelican Beach is also great for boat watching. Shrimp boats, charter vessels and sail boats can be spotted throughout the day making their way up and down the Edisto River.

Camp St. Christopher, a camp run by the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, can be found on the banks towards Privateer Creek. This camp and conference center provides retreat services, a fully functioning summer camp and runs the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program for over 8,000 students a year. It is also home to 300 acres of preserved maritime forest which come right up to the banks of the Edisto River. This area of Pelican Beach is more isolated and untamed than other areas. The protected wilderness blocks views to any sign of civilization and creates a very natural, detached ambience. The only sounds usually heard on this part of the island are the winds rustling through the palms and the waves from the Edisto River caressing the shore.

The west end of Pelican Beach, terminating at the mouth of Privateer Creek, provides only one sign of human life in the entire area. Overlooking the inlet and the surrounding marsh land exists a single, solitary bench. If you make it down to the end of Pelican Beach do yourself a favor. Take a seat and enjoy the view. It is breathtaking.

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The Bigger The Better

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he effort that Seabrook Island has made to maintain and preserve its shore line has resulted in our beaches not only maintaining their size, but has increased them substantially. There are two reasons for this: the relocation of Cap’n Sam’s Inlet between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands and an ongoing sand relocation project overseen by the Seabrook Island Property Owner’s Association.

Cap’n Sam’s Inlet has a southwesterly migration pattern. With each year, the inlet moves farther into the sands of Seabrook’s North Beach. To prevent this action and add to the already massive breadth of the area, Cap’n Sam’s Inlet goes through a relocation process roughly every 10 years.

The last time this feat of engineering occurred was in April of 1996. The final plans called for the inlet to be moved north, cutting into Beachwalker Park of Kiawah Island. After the project was completed Seabrook had reclaimed over 2,000 ft. of beach. This process will be completed again within the next year or two, adding more sand to the beaches of North Beach.

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North Beach isn’t the only beach growing on Seabrook. While the banks on the Edisto River of Pelican Beach have been enjoying a gradual accumulation of sand over the years, the beach on the southern end of North Beach near the Beach Club has been expanding due to a continuing sand relocation project. This initiative by the Seabrook Island P.O.A. has resulted in an extremely visible growth of dry beach in the area.

Because of all of these factors, both natural and artificial, the beaches of Seabrook are one of the only beaches in the Carolinas that are not falling victim to erosion and actually increasing in width. The people of Seabrook Island will no doubt in time have to up their efforts in preserving the beaches. There will be more to protect every year.

Constant Change Left: Aerial view of Cap’n Sam’s Inlet which separates Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. The inlet is relocated every 10 years to regulate the channel’s southwestern migration into North Beach

Right: Barnacles engulf the remnants of an ancient tree stump on Pelican Beach, a sign of an ever-changing ecosystem that is at the mercy of the constant winds and tides of the Atlantic Ocean

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S e a b ro o k G o l f S e a b r o o k Is l a n d C l u b

Ocean Winds C o u rs e

Aged oak boughs frame a golfer on Seabrook Island

The green of the 12th hole on Ocean Winds

Players enjoying a beautiful day of golf on Crooked Oaks

Aerial view of the driving range

Mul tiple P E R S O N A L I T I E S

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eabrook Island has been home to some of the best golf in the Lowountry since 1973. Ocean Winds and Crooked Oaks, Seabrook’s two championship courses, have earned their accolades for years by providing golfers with natural beauty and challenging play alike.

Winding effortlessly through the maritime forest before bursting onto expanses of marshland and ocean views, the courses are as memorable and exciting as they come. The characteristics of these links have attracted more visitors and future community members to Seabrook Island every day to play a few rounds.

What they are discovering is that each course—although routed from the same Club House and situated on the same island— has a personality all its own. Brian Thelan, head golf professional at Seabrook Island, helps us take a closer look at two distinct golf courses and how the Seabrook Community enjoys and preserves them.

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golfers with perfectly framed views of the Atlantic Ocean. The 15th hole, a 177-yard par 3, is Thelan’s favorite. “The challenge of the hole and the sheer beauty of the marshland it plays through are unforgettable,” he says.

Crooked Oaks provides stark contrast to the slender seaside Ocean Winds course. The final product of legend Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Crooked Oaks was completed in 1981. The course winds its way -through the heart of Seabrook Island. Totally immersed in a lush maritime sanctuary; each and every hole is lined by beautiful centuries-old Live Oaks and inland marsh lagoons. Harsh elements such as prevailing winds found on the Ocean Winds course will not be a problem here, but other challenges await golfers Ocean Winds, opened for play in 1973, was designed by American Society of Golf Course Architects Fellow Willard Byrd. Other notable courses of his include Atlanta Country Club in Atlanta, Georgia and the The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Using the unique regional landscape as a design tool, Byrd routed the front nine of the par 72 6,765-yard course through the maritime forest of Seabrook.

The shaded woodland holes create a fitting prelude to the dramatic back nine of the Ocean Winds course. The course unfurls into the final nine holes, all of which play along the shoreline of the Island. The prevailing winds, rolling dunes and other natural elements make the final holes of Ocean Winds quite a challenge. “Every hole of Ocean Winds proves to be a rewarding experience,” Says Head Golf Professional Brian Thelan. “The narrow fairways and landings combined with well-bunkered greens test golfers of all abilities.” What players appreciate as much as the demanding course is the unrivaled scenery and natural beauty. The 13th and 14th holes of Ocean Winds provide

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“ What makes this island so compelling to members and potential members is that you have two outstanding courses, very different from one another, playing out of the same club house a hundred yards from the ocean. ” -

Brian Thelan, Head Golf Professional

who play the course. “The Crooked Oaks course enjoys wider fairways and landing areas, but challenging green complexes with steep bunker faces can wreak havoc on a player’s ball if they are not careful” explains Thelan. The par 72, 6,800 yard course provides many long, straight fairways which make tee and approach shots vital to a successful on Crooked Oaks.

The community of Seabrook Island continues to take great pride in their two Championship courses.

Events such as the 1998 SC Open, 2003 SCGA Senior 4-Ball and the 2009 Ladies State AM are a testament to the course’s playability. At the junior level, Seabrook Island has been host to the SC All Stars Championship for the past three years. Is Seabrook open to hosting a PGA event in the future?

“Probably not” says Thelan. “Being a smaller private club, Seabrook would lack the space and resources necessary for a major event”. This does not deter the community in the least, however. “The goal of Seabrook Island is to provide championship level golf and a quality experience on a daily basis for members and that is how we would like to keep it” Thelan told us.

Seabrook Island has always been a tight knit community, and the two courses only strengthen this bond.

Members appreciate the variety and challenge that each course provides in its own distinct way. “What makes this Island so compelling to members and potential members is that you have two outstanding courses, very different from one another, coming out of the same Club House 50 yards from the ocean” says Thelan. Seabrook enjoys a very active golf community. The two courses play host to several men’s, women’s, and couples tournaments a month.

These events encourage social interaction and friendship among the island residents.

The landscape and natural habitats surrounding Ocean Winds and

Crooked Oaks are certainly not an afterthought.

The golf courses of Seabrook Island were the first in the state of South Carolina to become certified members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf. Brian explained that they do everything in their power, from limiting chemicals during maintenance to honoring preservation zones, to protect and enhance the surrounding environment of Seabrook Island. A golfer can see this through the abundant wildlife that they will no doubt

encounter on the links. Wildlife regularly spotted on the courses includes bobcats, foxes, alligators, and a wide variety of bird life.

Seabrook Island is fortunate to harbor two of the finest golf courses in the Lowcountry.

Ocean Winds & Crooked Oaks are open to the public and welcome everyone to come to the island and experience them for themselves. After playing a round on both courses, golfers can decide which personality is most compelling to them; the honesty and beauty of Crooked Oaks or the risk and reward of Ocean Winds.

A mature maritime forest surrounds the 8th hole of Crooked Oaks

One of the many spectacular views of the Ocean Winds course

Golfer playing a round on Ocean Winds

The brand new Island Club at Seabrook Island

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S e a b ro o k Te n n i s S e a b r o o k Is l a n d C l u b

T h e R a cq u e t C l u b

The Seabrook ISland racqueT club IS Seen by many aS one of The fIneST TennIS facIlITIeS In The land.

advantage:

SEA BROOK

WITh a brand neW $1 mIllIon dollar club houSe, The acclaImed TennIS cenTer haS an all neW look.

aS far aS IT’S STellar repuTaTIon? Well...

SOME THIN by: SHEA TIGHE photography: ADINA PRESTON RED ZEPPELIN ASSOCIATED PRESS

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I

t’s easy to see why the Seabrook Island Racquet Club has won fans the world over—even prior to the complete renovation in May 2010. The Racquet Club, part of a vibrant residential community nestled among mature Live Oaks and a lush maritime forest, has built a reputation of combining state-of-the-art facilities with premiere USPTA-certified training and competition programs. The serene, natural setting and superb facilities provide an unmatched backdrop for all levels of tennis enthusiasts.

The Seabrook Island Racquet Club has drawn admirers from nationally and internationally recognized tennis publications and websites, including Tennis Magazine. They listed the Racquet Club among their top50 U.S. resorts.

Aerial view of the completely refurbished Seabrook Island Racquet Club and surrounding Courtside Villas

NGS NEVER CHANGE. Tennis Resorts Online ranked the Seabrook Island Racquet Club among the top 25 clubs worldwide. The reconstruction of the Seabrook Island Racquet Club has elevated tennis club standards and is sure to elicit more accolades and top rankings.

The modernization and rebuilding of the Racquet Club was a crucial phase in the Seabrook Island Horizon Plan, a three-year $31 million-dollar master plan to refurbish and update all amenities on the Island. The elegant yet understated architectural style of the new Clubhouse and Pro Shop provides a welcoming, warmly sophisticated atmosphere for members and guests. The 3,000 sq. ft. structure, designed by Charleston-based architects Glick/Boehm Associates, Inc., is sure to impress. The retail area has been expanded considerably to allow for a larger selection of tennis clothing, equipment

and accessories—something the flourishing tennis community on the island will definitely appreciate.

Integrated into the Club House are a furnished member and guest lounge with flat-screen TVs and a fully functioning kitchen area. An elevated wraparound deck provides an exceptional view of the updated tennis courts. The deck also boasts a beadboard-accented ceiling and ceiling fans that offer a respite from the Lowcountry summer heat.

The 15 professionally maintained clay courts are set in bays of 2 to provide a more personal and private tennis experience. Each bay has a shaded canopy with refrigerated water coolers and bespoke benches for players during changeover. facility.

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An additional courtside pavilion with ceiling fans provides a space for social events, like those that take place during interleague competitions. For larger gatherings and tournaments, a front lawn was designed and created to allow space for tents, vendors and special events. A brand new event and spectator deck overlooking the Club’s center court caps off the grand refurbishment of the tennis facility.

Although it didn’t take long for the Seabrook Island Racquet Club to gain a substantial following of devoted fans within the tennis community, the attention given to the transformation of the facility speaks volumes about its significance to Seabrookers and nonSeabrookers alike. That the Seabrook Island Racquet Club has established itself as one of the best tennis facilities far and wide is no mystery when you consider the rich history of membership and commitment to the Club. It is this community spirit that inspires Racquet Club members to donate their time to USTA programs in Charleston and the surrounding areas and to host tennis socials and events.

The staff and members of the Club strive to use the sport of tennis to promote awareness and fundraising efforts for various causes. Arguably the best example of this is the Alan Fleming Senior Open Clay Court State Championship, an annual tournament that takes place at the Seabrook Island Racquet Club. Established in 1981

by Seabrook Island resident and accomplished tennis player Alan Fleming, the tournament has grown to be one of the foremost tennis competitions in the nation.

Originally named the Seabrook Island Senior Tennis Tournament, the event has run continuously for 26 years— with the exception of a 2-year hiatus after Hurricane Hugo tore through the area in 1989. When Fleming died in 1997, the annual tournament was renamed in his honor. Alan Fleming and his son Peter Fleming had both been nationally ranked tennis players, with Peter winning more

1

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2 than 50 doubles titles with his partner, the infamous John McEnroe. Every year the event lures more than 250 of some of the nation’s top senior players to Seabrook Island to test their skills against excellent company.

In 2007 the tournament was designated a South Carolina Level 1 State Championship. That same year the tournament was officially converted into a Southern Section 200 Point Tournament, a prestigious honor bestowed upon few events by the USTA. One successful year after another prompted members to use the tournament as a fundraising opportunity to benefit the Hospice of Charleston Foundation. Since 2001 the tournament has raised over $183,000 for the foundation. The 2009 tournament alone raised $36,000.

This October, the Seabrook Island Racquet Club will showcase its renovations as it hosts the 27th Annual Alan Fleming Championship. The tournament will run from October 6-10 and will play host to over 250 competitors from all over the nation. The Alan Fleming Championship will also be hosting two evenings of social events complete with cocktails and dinner, raffles and both a silent and live auction. All social events are to be held at the brand new Island House of Seabrook Island. For more information on this year’s tournament or how to donate to the Hospice of Charleston Foundation, please go to www.discoverseabrook.com.

1. Head Tennis Pro Mike Kiser giving instruction to a student 2. The interior of the new Club House and Pro Shop 3. Center Court at the new Club House 4. Kids Clinics 5.

Practice makes perfect

6. Facility Supervisor Robert Terry re-stringing a player’s racquet

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7. Alan Fleming’s son Peter Fleming with John McEnroe at Wimbledon

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8. This year’s Alan Fleming Championship Co-Chairs Guy & Judy Gimson alongside Head Tennis Pro Mike Kiser

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CONTACT seabrook island racquet club:

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843.768.7543

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alan fleming championship: www.discoverseabrook.com

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A Neighbors Magazine Collection

Miles of pristine beaches. Minutes from Charleston. Endless amenities and activities.

And the inexplicable feeling of knowing you’re exactly where you should be.

Seabrook Island ~ Make It Uniquely Yours SM

D i s c over S e abro ok. c om | 800-358-6556

1.800.358.6556 w w w. d i s c o v e r s e a b r o o k . c o m