Diana Wildman checks out some upmarket American destinations with impressive golfing pedigrees

OFF the South Carolina coast between Savannah and Charleston, Hilton Head Island is a smart, 46 square mile leisure destination that boasts 23 golf courses. A large number of rich American ‘snow birds’ spend several winter months each year there and require full sporting facilities as well as a wide range of shops, restaurants, health care as well as hotels and, increasingly, second homes.

The ongoing sub-prime mortgage debacle is the main cause of the dollar’s value against sterling and one result is that canny UK second-home buyers disillusioned with the established European destinations, are investing in smart leisure schemes in the USA.

Tristan O’Grady, of Hilton Head Island’s Carolina Reality Group, said: “Even though our smart golf and marina estates are nothing whatsoever to do with the disastrous lending policies at the cheaper end of the American housing market, sales have slumped some 30 per cent and there are now some fantastic bargains to be had.

“With sterling strong against the dollar a smart one-bedroom marina apartment set within Hilton Head’s Sea Pines Resort, a 5,000-acre gated community at the island’s southern tip, now costs just £160,000 and a spacious two-bedroom first-floor home overlooking the marina at Harbour Town is £350,000. As this is such a popular winter destination, rental income is good and averages some £11,000 per year for 26 weeks occupancy.

“We have some three-bedroom duplexes available adjacent to the ninth green on the Ocean course. We also sell a wide variety of detached houses situated alongside the golf courses costing from around £650,000.”

Sea Pines has three 18-hole golf courses, including the famous Harbour Town Golf Links course, venue for the annual Verizon Heritage Classic PGA tournament. Even today, this tournament remains one of only four PGA Tour invitational events on the annual schedule.

Measuring 6,973 yards from the Heritage tees, most of the fairways meander through the wooded terrain. Then, teeing off at the 18th alongside the Atlantic Ocean there is the view of the famous red and white striped lighthouse.

The Pete Dye-Jack Nicklaus collaboration  was completed in 1969 and has been named as one of the nation’s finest golf courses.

The Ocean course was designed by George Cobb in 1962 and was redesigned in 1995 by 10-time PGA Tour winner Mark McCumber, and is designated as a wildlife sanctuary.

Hilton Head Island’s first sporting event was held on the Ocean course, where Bruce Devlin and Jack Nicklaus competed in an exhibition match in 1966.

The decision to build the par-72 Sea Marsh course, now known as Heron Point, also a certified sanctuary, came in 1964 when the game’s burgeoning popularity created demand for a second golf course.

There is a variety of membership and playing packages offered to property owners at Sea Pines. A daily green fee at one of the three courses averages US$150, depending on the course and the time of year. All property owners are entitled to a Sea Pines membership, entitling the member the right to play on all three courses as well as becoming a country club member. This costs US$35,000 plus the mandatory annual dues.  Non property owners can pay a daily green fee but cannot obtain membership.

Those requiring total tranquillity and the freedom to pay and play at the wide variety of courses on Hilton Head may prefer The Paddocks, a new waterfront estate being created on the island’s North shore where a smart detached villa can cost a mere £175,000. There are no direct flights from Europe but now it is possible to fly to either Charlotte, North Carolina, or Atlanta, Georgia, both of which now have direct flights to Hilton Head Island.

For more information contact Carolina Realty Group: 001 843 341 5660 or 001 843 301 3333. www.tristanogrady.com

CLASS TELLS AT LAKE NONA AND ISLEWORTH

IT is Orlando’s supreme advantage to have an efficient and relatively friendly international aiport and it is this facility that continues to attract the bulk of UK second home buyers to Florida. But in these days of international sporting events many golfers also choose Orlando because of the fine selection of secure gated developments within a short drive of the airport that also boasts a private airfield, ideal for these golfing superstars.

So the likes of Tiger Woods, David Leadbetter, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter have all set up home at one of the Tavistock Group’s two superb rural estates, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and the Isleworth estate, both a 15-minute drive from the airport.

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is a 600-acre gated community surrounded by three vast lakes that boast freshwater fishing and serious boating to its property owners.

The 18-hole golf course has 300 members and there is a wide selection of other sporting and leisure facilities including tennis, gym, spa and restaurants as well as a small hotel.

Nicholas Brennan, of the UK sales agents, Knight Frank, said: “Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is paradise for golf enthusiasts. The course was designed by Tom Fazio in 1986 and has been named as one of the top 15 golf communities in America.

“Lake Nona combines the relaxed atmosphere of secluded Florida life with the buzz and conveniences of Orlando city life. The current economic situation and the strength of the pound against the dollar means that now is a good time to invest in superior US properties. The key as always is to buy sensibly and avoid over developed areas.”

Knight Frank is handling the sale of a variety of properties varying in style and size, and ranging in price from $1 million to $8 million. The facilities are plentiful and impressive, and cater for every golfer’s need with an 18-hole golf course; driving range and a vast but elegant clubhouse at the heart of the community.

Lake Nona offers a challenging golf game and combines the most exciting elements of international course design whilst preserving the natural terrain and character of the land. In 2004, the course, stretching from 7,215 yards from the championship tees, with a rating of 73.5 and a slope of 138, hosted the inaugural Tavistock Cup, which matched the touring professional members of Lake Nona against rivals at Isleworth. After two years at Isleworth (hardly surprising as Isleworth is home to Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Mark O’Meara to name but a few of the touring pros) in 2007 the cup returned to Lake Nona whose team included Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson.

There are three membership categories at Lake Nona. A local golf membership costs US$65,000 for permanent membership plus current annual dues of US$11,500. This is a family membership to include the spouse and children up to 21 years old. This is applicable to anyone owning a primary or secondary residence within a 100-mile radius of the club.

Non-local family membership costs US$35,000 and US$7,000 per year and applies to anyone not owning a home within the designated 100-mile radius.

Corporate membership costs the same as a local one and allows up to four named business associates full individual club privileges.

Nearby Isleworth Golf & Country Club is a completely private community with no pay and play facilities and far stricter joining criteria than its sister resort Lake Nona. This is the reason for owners including Tiger Woods choosing this estate. Similar in style and layout to Lake Nona, there is a marvellous deep water lake, a racquets centre and an extraordinary collection of Henry Moore sculptures dotted around the greens and fairways.

The houses are classically spacious, built in traditional style, complete with family room, bathrooms to each bedroom, patio gardens complete with pools and range in price from US$1million like Lake Nona.

Full golf membership for owners and their families cost US$95,000 with annual dues of US$20,000. This includes access to all the sports facilities at Isleworth.

There are a limited number of non-resident memberships for sale at US$50,000 with annual dues of US$10,000 available to those who maintain a primary or secondary residence more than 75 miles from the estate.

For more information contact Knight Frank: +44 (0)20 7861 5119. www.knightfrank.com. Tavistock Group: +1 407 909 9925. www.tavistock.com

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