Myrtle Beach area abandoned mining town getting new life. You’ll be able to mine for gems
Snake River Golf and Gem Mining really did look like an old ghost mining town.
The Myrtle Beach area miniature golf course had been abandoned for about four years, allowing the weeds and trees to overgrow and the giant snake and other themed-props, including the water tower, to lose their luster.
But Mark Whitesell is changing all that with a full renovation of the 18-hole course at 4827 S. Kings Highway with plans to reopen it May 15.
Whitesell, a property manager in Myrtle Beach, had owned miniature golf courses before and decided Snake River was a great opportunity.
“When I first got out of college, my parents got a miniature golf course and I was in charge of running it,” Whitesell said.
Now, Whitesell wants to do the same thing for his son, Ashton, who will be graduating from college May 9 and will operate the golf course. “That’s going to be his thing,” Whitesell said.
Whitesell said the course is nice and the previous owner, who did custom pools, made the snakes and other structures out of concrete, which allowed them to remain sturdy.
Renovations included redoing all the holes, repainting and installing new greens.
“I think I’ve enjoyed rebuilding it as much as my son will enjoy running it,” Whitesell said.
In addition to the golfing, visitors will also be able to do gem mining in the mining town. The water tower has a trough that extends about 40 yards onto the property. The trough will have running water filled with sand and gems, allowing people to use a tray to sift for items, Whitesell said.
“That’s going to be a big part of it,” Whitesell said.
The gem mining will be covered so even if it’s raining and people can’t golf, they will be able to mine gems, he said.
This story was originally published May 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
