Bill Clark Homes nearing construction on former Wicked Stick Golf Links

Bill Clark Homes expects to soon break ground on a housing project on the site of the former Wicked Stick Golf Links along U.S. 17 North in the Surfside Beach area. The course closed on Sept. 15.

Jeff Farrell, Myrtle Beach Division President of Bill Clark Homes, said the development is named Belle Mer and will consist of approximately 250 single-family homes ranging in price from $240,000 to $400,000. The houses will have between three and six bedrooms and will be customizable.

The homebuilder is awaiting the issuing of permits and hopes to break ground within a couple weeks. “It will be an exciting project for us,” Farrell said. “It will be very similar to what we did in (the nearby) Surfside Beach Club.”

Farrell said that once permits are procured, Bill Clark officials plan to meet with homeowners in the adjacent Southwood community to share the development plans.

Bill Clark Homes paid $1.85 million for a 53-acre portion of Wicked Stick that it is developing, according to Horry County records. Coldwell Banker Commercial Chicora Real Estate director of commercial sales John Draughn, who is involved in the Wicked Stick sales, said Bill Clark is also contracted to purchase the remaining 60 or so acres of the course that is zoned for residential development.

The course has an additional 35 acres zoned for commercial use. Draughn said that is under contract but a closing could be up to six months away.

Wicked Stick has been owned by a group of local businessmen, including Paul and Jack Himmelsbach.

This story was originally published October 24, 2015 at 10:08 PM with the headline "Bill Clark Homes nearing construction on former Wicked Stick Golf Links."