Sea Trail Investments announces new partner, acquisition of Sea Trail golf courses

East Coast Golf to manage courses

SUNSET BEACH, N.C. — Sea Trail Investments, LLC, whose partners include Robert Hill and Donald Bean, co-owners of Riptide Builders, and Parker Smith, owner of Golf Trek, have completed their acquisition of all remaining golf and commercial property in Sea Trail. Additionally, the owners of Sea Trail Investments have joined forces with Sandesh Sharda to form Sea Trail Golf Resort, LLC. Sharda recently purchased Rivers Edge Golf Course in Shallotte and is in the final phases of acquiring The International Club of Myrtle Beach.

“My family and the partners at Riptide Builders live in Sunset Beach, and we’re committed to improving our community,” said Robert Hill, co-owner of Riptide Builders. “When we acquired the remaining undeveloped land in Sea Trail in July 2020, we outlined a vision to rejuvenate Sea Trail and ensure that it remains both a great place to live and a great place to vacation. The convention center is set to officially re-open in early December, and bringing the golf courses under local ownership is the next phase in making Sea Trail Golf Resort a juggernaut in the Carolinas.”

The Convention Center at Sea Trail has already undergone significant updates, boasting state-of-the-art facilities that will be open for reservations for corporate events, weddings, and other events in December, just in time for the holidays. The adjacent 15-acre tract of land, which will feature several key resort components, will be anchored by Sea Trail Golf Resort’s future approved hotel site directly adjacent to the Convention Center.

Below is the updated Convention Center lobby:

The Sunset Beach Town Council unanimously approved the conditional zoning application on July 10, 2023, allowing for revitalization of the Sea Trail community through development of new commercial, residential and recreational uses.

“We appreciate the time and effort that went into this conditional zoning application,” said Hill. “The collaboration with the town staff, planning board, and the town council allowed for the revitalization plan to come out better in the end than how it was originally submitted. We remain grateful for their dedication to this process. The approval of this conditional zoning request by the Town of Sunset Beach, which was completed in record time given the scope of the property, is evidence of the thoroughness of the application and the collaborative efforts of all parties to work through concerns and arrive at solutions that all agreed upon and felt confident approving.”

“We’re excited to announce that we’ve hired East Coast Golf Management to manage all aspects of golf course operations, including food and beverage, and they will play a key role in managing the convention center,” Hill added. “With East Coast managing the golf courses and related amenities, golfers can expect an elevated experience thanks to high-level maintenance, improved course conditions and enhanced customer service.”

East Coast Golf Management is a professional leading golf management company with a strong track record of operating and enhancing golf courses along the East Coast. According to Hill, the new ownership group has given East Coast Golf Management the budget they need to hire additional key personnel and purchase new maintenance and operational equipment to provide golfers with an upgraded experience. Additionally, the new owners are making a multi-million-dollar investment in updating and improving the courses and facilities and fully renovating the Jones Byrd Clubhouse.

“We are putting all hands on deck to have this amazing renovation complete for the upcoming golf season,” said Donald Bean, who co-owns Riptide Builders along with Robert Hill. Riptide plans to complete the clubhouse renovations by early March 2024. Additionally, 27 new townhomes loaded with amenities and features will be available for golf packages and resort rentals starting January 1, 2024.

“We are confident that the new owners will make Sea Trail one of the premier golf destinations in our area, and we’re excited to be part of the team,” said Rob Mosser, co-owner of East Coast Golf Management. “At East Coast Golf, we have a deep commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, and we’re committed to providing golfers who play Sea Trail an exceptional experience playing a top-notch course with supporting operations that are worthy of ‘resort’ status.”

About Sea Trail Investments, LLC

Sea Trail Investments, LLC closed on the purchase of the Sea Trail Convention Center, located at 73 Clubhouse Drive in Sunset Beach, in March 2023. Sea Trail Investments also purchased the Village Activity Center, a private, fee-based clubhouse and amenity center available to the general public for memberships, and a 15-acre tract of land adjacent to the convention center. Plans for the 15-acre tract include a 150-room resort-style hotel, state-of-the-art driving range featuring top tracer technology for the avid golfer, and a brand-new practice and entertainment facility.

Sea Trail Investments, LLC is co-owned by Robert Hill and Donald Bean, who are co-owners of Riptide Builders, and Parker Smith, owner of Golf Trek. Riptide Builders, a residential and commercial builder and developer based in Sunset Beach, purchased the remaining undeveloped land in Sea Trail on July 31, 2020, giving the community declarants and owners who personally live and operate their businesses in Sunset Beach.

The owners of Sea Trail Investments, LLC announced in November 2023 that they have partnered with entrepreneur Sandesh Sharda to form Sea Trail Resort, LLC. This partnership encompasses the golf operations, convention center, future hotel and resort amenity site adjacent to the convention center as well as the soon-to-be renovated and repurposed Village Activity Center. The group will also be encompassing the resort rental program and local brokerage sales under the ownership umbrella to provide the best possible experience with the best resources to the resort. Riptide Builders will continue to spearhead the residential and commercial development of the remainder of its parcels but will collaborate and partner with Sea Trail Golf Resort on future commercial and resort rental facilities to maintain the ownership continuity that will allow management a staff to deliver an exceptional level of service and experience to the community and resort guests alike.

About Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center

Nestled in the charming coastal town of Sunset Beach, N.C., Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center offers a scenic getaway with three exceptional golf courses, a newly updated Convention Center and a wide range of amenities for golf enthusiasts and event planners. The resort provides a unique blend of natural beauty, southern hospitality, and recreational excellence, making it a preferred destination for those seeking a relaxing escape or planning a memorable event. The Convention Center is approximately 40,00 square feet boasting a 1,580 event seating capacity. To learn more, visit https://www.seatrail.com/.

About the Owners

Robert Hill: Prior to co-founding Riptide Builders, Robert Hill worked in real estate and owned and managed a Century 21 office. His experience in real estate provided a keen understanding of what buyers want and strengthened his ability to work with developers and builders. He sold the agency prior to the great recession in 2007 and pursued his unlimited building contractors’ license. These early experiences set the foundation for Hill and ultimately Riptide Builders to become one of the most highly ranked, sought-after, and award-winning builders in the Coastal Carolinas. Hill is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who saw action in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He lives in Sunset Beach with his wife, Jessica, a former second-grade teacher at Virginia Williamson Elementary in Bolivia, who is now a stay-at-home mom with their two children.

Donald Bean: Prior to co-founding Riptide Builders, Donald Bean held licenses as a Master Plumber and Heating Contractor as well as a Hoisting and Engineering license. Bean lives in Sunset Beach with his wife, Leah, who is in senior management with Butterfly Effects, a company that specializes in the treatment of autism. Donald and Leah have two children.

Parker Smith, founder and CEO of Golf Trek, an industry veteran with a long-standing reputation as a premier golf travel and package provider brings this expertise to his role as co-owner of Sea Trail Investments. With his extensive knowledge of the golf and hospitality sectors and his proven track record and deep-rooted connections within the industry, Smith will play a pivotal role in the continued success and growth of Sea Trail Golf Resort further solidifying Sea Trail Golf Resort’s reputation as a golf and convention destination of choice.

Sandesh Sharda is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Miracle Systems, a global technology and consulting firm. He built Miracle Systems from the ground up to a company of 500 employees, establishing it as a leader in delivering cutting-edge IT solutions to businesses worldwide. Under his leadership, Miracle Systems further diversified into various sectors, including cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics, which led to contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and other governmental agencies. Sharda has successfully invested in and co-founded other ventures, ranging from fintech startups to sustainable energy initiatives, all of which reflect his commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and sustainability. He is also the driving force behind The Sharda Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged communities through education, healthcare, and social development initiatives.

Press Contact: Misty Ruffing

910-371-3408, extension 106

misty@pioneerstrategies.com