GOLF Magazine

The Ocean Ridge Big Cats golf courses, Leopard’s Chase and Tiger’s Eye, are ranked #7 and #8 with Leopard’s Chase being the highest ranked course in Brunswick County. Our Arnold Palmer Signature Course at Rivers Edge  is once again ranked among the Top Golf Courses in North Carolina at #11. The complete list will appear in the September Issue of GOLF Magazine.

Congratulations to everyone at Ocean Ridge Plantation and Rivers Edge Golf Club & Plantation whose hard work and dedication made this possible!

“Thank you, Brunswick County, for all you do for Brunswick Community College.” president Stephen Greiner said at Friday’s event.

Susan Lawing, development officer for Brunswick Community College, said that, despite a tough economy, she is overwhelmed Brunswick County residents continue to generously give in a time when money is tight and scholarships are desperately needed. “One of the things that’s continuing to happen because of the economy is more people are coming back to school, and people are needing assistance,”

“I was blown away by the talent,” Clarice Holden said of the performances. “Brunswick County’s coming up in the world. It just kept getting better and better. I was just totally amazed and so thrilled to know that our county has got on board with this.”

“Dancing With the Brunswick County Stars” has raised more than $800,000 in the past three years for Brunswick Community College, and Holden said although she sounds like a broken record praising the residents of Brunswick County for their generosity, they never cease to amaze her.

May 17, 2010 Strunk home

A second home by Mark Saunders Luxury Homes is also under construction for the DeMuro family on Emerald Valley Drive, between the 2nd and 3rd fairways. The Strunk and DeMuro homes are both examples of Signature Home Designs by Mark Saunders Luxury Homes for Rivers Edge. Signature Home Designs, featuring open floor plans, gracious outdoor living areas, luxurious appointments, and timeless architecture, are an exceptional value for anyone interested in building a custom home soon.

May 7, 2010 DeMuro Home

Mercer Mill Creek

Also, Rhonda Richardson Interiors has been retained to furnish the interior of the Seawatch Kayak and Canoe Clubhouse. With the benefit of valuable input received from Seawatch owners, beautiful design plans are underway, including furnishings, art and accessories.  These finishing touches will be ordered when the design is completed, and installation is projected for Fall 2010.

Property owners Steve & Diane Sowder are planning to move into their beautiful new home in June, making them the first residents of our community!  We are looking forward to many residents joining the Sowders.

Sowder Home

In addition to welcoming the first family to Ocean Isle Palms, we are making way for many others by paving streets and building community infrastructure.  Sections of roadways are currently being built along Adelaide Beach Avenue, the intersection of Barbuda Blvd. and Martinique Street, Maraval Way, and Isla Cabritos Road.

May 10, 2010 curb installation

Leopard’s Chase was the only coastal course ranked for the state and, after two years of being ranked 4^th, is still listed in the top five courses in North Carolina.  The 72-par modern course, with classic touches, is one of the award-winning four Big Cats courses open at Ocean Ridge.  It reflects the true craftsmanship of designer Tim Cates’ natural style, with one of its distinguishing features being the significant number of holes which require a short carry over water and tidal marshes.  Leopard’s Chase, bountiful with native grasses and plantings, provides a very visual experience for golfers, including hints at each tee box about what to expect next.

In conjunction with the other Big Cats courses, Lion’s Paw, Panther’s Run and Tiger’s Eye, Ocean Ridge offers a total of 72 holes for golfers.

The Par 4 18th Hole at Leopard's Chase Golf Club

Most economists agree that a full-fledged recovery should begin this year, and based on last year’s performance, it is clear that some markets are prepared to grow more quickly than others in 2010.   According to Builder magazine and their “Builder Market Health Index”, compiled by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, seven of the top 20 markets will be in the Carolinas, including the popular Brunswick County coastal corridor between Wilmington, North Carolina, at number 17 and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at number 15.

Brunswick County Coastal Corridor

Wilmington – Strong employment and population growth, along with its location – minutes from the Atlantic Ocean – should prompt a turnaround in new home construction this year.  A large historic district encompassing 300 city blocks, a new convention center debuting in 2010, and expansion at the Port of Wilmington combine for an excellent outlook for this coastal town in the coming year.

Myrtle Beach is another market that has benefitted from its fantastic location, adding new people to its population with one of the highest household formation rates in the country – 2.5% in 2009, with that rate expected to continue in 2010.  Total building permit activity rose strongly, 47%, in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the same period a year earlier.

The coastal corridor between these two cities is known as Brunswick County, which remains one of the 100 fastest growing counties in the U.S. at number 68.  Boasting four family-oriented beaches – Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach – and some of the best golf courses in the nation, Brunswick County is poised to share in the success of its neighboring coastal towns.

On The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

This 267-slip safe-harbor marina will be the largest of its kind in North Carolina south of New Bern. The acquisition of a select CAMA Permit for a 10+ acre Upland Basin Marina is a significant milestone for the Seawatch^® community. The Marina at Seawatch^sm will offer residents an easily accessible, protected launching point for cruising the Intracoastal Waterway and fun-filled excursions on the Atlantic Ocean.

What’s planned for The Marina at Seawatch at Sunset Harbor^sm:

• Located close to channel marker 24 on the ICW at the Lockwood Folly River
• 10+ acre upland basin marina, offering excellent protection to sailboats and power vessels
• 267 wet slips, including guest boat slips
• Depth of 8’ at mean low tide
• State-of-the-art floating dock system
• Easy, quick access to the Atlantic Ocean at the Lockwood Folly Inlet on the ICW
• 2 private boat ramps
• Resident parking
• A 3/4 mile, 6’ wide pedestrian boardwalk around The Marina
• Crabbing and fishing piers with gazebos
• A pedestrian and passenger cart bridge extending from the Marina to the Waterway Village of Brisa de Mar

A timetable for construction of the Marina is in development. Our first priority, of course, is continuing with Seawatch’s infrastructure and roadway construction progress and the first phase of Sunset Park.