Daryl,
The land had been owned by Union Camp and later International Paper for many, many years and was used as a huniting camp for their top brass. It is 18 to 20,000 acres (about 3/4s the size of Hilton Head Island) and is virtually surrounded by the May River and its tidal marshes. A lot of it is going to be kept as a nature preserve (I think at least half of it). Crescent Resources, a division of Duke Power bought it to develop it in a very pristine and environmentally sensitive manner.
At one time it was permitted for at least 5,000 units and 6 golf courses. Crescent Resources (seemingly not concerned about making a profit short term) plans to do 3 courses and develop about 2,500 units -- some in a riverfront village with Charleston style streets and homes (neigborhood style) of which some is already built and is open to the public. The village also contains an Inn (50 rooms and suits, I believe - maybe less) and some small stores. It will be very charming and quaint when they're done.
There are also homesites of 2 to 10 acres for important people who want privacy and pricing is probably higher than most Hilton Head resorts and communities.
The land is probably the most spectacular Lowcountry property in existence because of the river, and the trees were never harvested and reforested. Some of the live oaks are ancient and huge, along with many other types of specimen trees. Much of it has been set aside for preserves. A dock with deepwater access will be built, but I don't think they plan to have a marina for environmental reasons.
The course is difficult to get access to it unless you stay in the inn (everything is pricey, but top drawer). No expense has been spared - everything is the best it can be but it has the low-key Lowcountry feel which is what people come here for. It's not overdone. The staff and food are outstanding.
They are a little unsure of who will get access to the course. Locally it's extremely difficult, but I know the director of golf (Charlie Kent - phone 843-706-6575 -- don't tell him I gave you his number please but you can mention my name) would like the course to get it's due recognition, so he's the one to call. The marketing people are not as receptive. My comment to him was that I feel any outstanding course has some obligation to share it with the world of golf, and he agreed.
Top courses here are starting to paint rather than overseed the greens and it looks very natural. They have paspalum grass which can't be judged until it has another growing season. They're not overseeding anything and I applaud them for that. They're doing things right. My gut feel is that they'll welcome a certain number of course raters and selected golf writers, as well as selected golf VIPS. They'll likely hire Crenshaw & Coore (conflict of interest until Chechessee Creek sells out memberships) or Doak for next course.
Directions: Coming from I-95 on 278. Take a right onto Buckwalter Parkway (there's a traffic light and it's right across
the road from Berkely Hall) about 5 miles until it deadends. Then take a right onto Route 46 and go several miles - there's a decent sized sign that says Palmetto Bluff on the left. It's a long ride back to the course and a security gate.
Cheers, Mark