Tidewater/Kemper Sports

[Edward Glidewell]

Kemper Sports just purchased Tidewater, which is one of the best public courses in the Myrtle Beach area (I think Tom Doak gave it a 6, but I'm not positive about that) -- they also purchased Streamsong earlier this year -- and they mentioned being on the lookout for other properties in the area.


As far as I know this is the first time any national golf company has gotten involved in the MB market. It's been almost entirely local, with the exception of some Chinese purchases/investments (which I think mainly happened during the 2009 era recession).


I find this interesting both from a Kemper Sports expansion standpoint and from a national investment in Myrtle Beach standpoint -- it makes me wonder if there's going to be a change in the MB market, at least for the higher end courses.

[Peter Sayegh]

https://myrtlebeachgolftalk.com/community/mb-course-talk/tidewater-now-part-of-kemper-golf/

[Wayne_Kozun]

Kemper Sports just purchased Tidewater, which is one of the best public courses in the Myrtle Beach area (I think Tom Doak gave it a 6, but I'm not positive about that)

It gets a 5 from the three rankers that have played it in the CG.  There are a few other courses in Myrtle beach in the guide with higher rankings.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I liked the holes, but the routing is unusual.

[Edward Glidewell]

It gets a 5 from the three rankers that have played it in the CG.  There are a few other courses in Myrtle beach in the guide with higher rankings.

A 5 sounds about right to me. Caledonia and the Dunes are definitely better, and some of the other private clubs are better. I also think it gets a boost from the scenery that most other Myrtle area courses don't offer.


Regardless, my interest was more in Kemper Sports (and national companies in general) moving into the Myrtle Beach market.

[Peter Sayegh]

It gets a 5 from the three rankers that have played it in the CG.  There are a few other courses in Myrtle beach in the guide with higher rankings.

Caledonia and the Dunes are definitely better, and some of the other private clubs are better. I also think it gets a boost from the scenery that most other Myrtle area courses don't offer.


Regardless, my interest was more in Kemper Sports (and national companies in general) moving into the Myrtle Beach market.

Personally, I'd also include True Blue and Grande Dunes over Tidewater.

I agree-and wonder-with you on this acquisition.

I don't believe this is the end of such transactions in the area.

[A.G._Crockett]

I think Tidewater has suffered more from building than almost any course I can think of.  I first played it shortly after it opened, and before much had been built along the margins of the course, and loved it, both for the golf and the beauty. 


If you play it now, it’s FEELS like a subdivision golf course.  I know that we should all be able to separate GCA from scenery, but it isn’t always easy.


That said, I’d still put Tidewater in the upper tier of MB courses.  Not among the best of the best, but probably top ten to 15 on The Strand?