Beachside Vacation Lifestyle 2019-20

www.beachsidevacations.com | 23 alf a century ago, people who traveled to Wild Dunes from around the country and across the globe were enthralled by its natural beauty, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the simplicity of life on the northern tip of Isle of Palms. Most people who spent a night or two or even longer slept in trailers or tents at what used to be the Sand Dollar Campground. Wild Dunes’ natural beau- ty remains, but today, it’s the Palmetto State’s premier oceanfront resort, home to two world-class golf courses, a na- tionally recognized tennis com- plex, top-of-the-line hotels, beach houses, condominiums and multi-million-dollar primary homes, vacation homes and rental units. The transformation from campground to top-of-the-line coastal resort began in 1972, when Henry Finch spent just under $1 million to buy the north end of Isle of Palms from the Beach Company. Later in the year, the Sea Pines Company of Hilton Head and Charles Fraser ac- quired a $4-million option on the land, supposedly with a plan to offer it to city, state and federal entities so it could be turned into a park. There were no takers from the public sector, and a shaky economy doomed Fraser’s plans to develop the property. He eventually sold it back to Finch and his partners. The tennis courts and the first homes were built in 1977, followed by the Wild Dunes Links Course, designed by Tom Fazio, in 1980. A year later, the Harbor Course, also a product of Fazio’s imagina- tion, opened. Both courses have been highly rated by na- tional publications. In fact, they were so successful that Finch borrowed from their name, christening his property the Wild Dunes Beach and Racquet Club. After selling its interest in Wild Dunes in the 1980s, the Finch family developed the Wild Dunes Yacht Harbor, which it later sold to the city and which is now the Isle of Palms Marina. Though Wild Dunes has changed ownership a few times since the 1980s, it has continued to grow and has continued to attract homeowners and visitors from across the country and around the world. And it still collects accolades from Conde Nast Traveler and other national publications and organizations. WD For vacation homes on this unique Lowcountry resort, log on to www.beachsidevacations.com H