The community of Eagle’s Pointe is located off Hwy 278, eight miles past the bridge from Hilton Head Island. In golf terms, that would be a Big Bertha from Rose Hill or a solid chip shot from Berkeley Hall; both shots would be traveling west. At least the residents of this golfing community might say it that way.
Eagle’s Pointe offers its residents everything from rest and relaxation to a full day of recreation, including a Davis Love III-designed golf course. First Assistant Golf Pro Chris Thompson said, “The course here is player-friendly. The seniors and the ladies like it because there aren’t that many forced carries.” (Those who play will understand the golf lingo.) The course was designed to be a true test of golf for all skill levels. Eagle’s Pointe also has a 6,000-square-foot clubhouse that includes a pro shop, restaurant, and a “Residents’ Room,” a 640-square-foot social and meeting room.
Pam and Leo Kinsella, who have lived in the community for three years, head up an informal league at Eagle’s Pointe Golf Club. Their efforts have kept members (about 44 players or 22 teams) coming out each Wednesday for nine holes of golf. The program runs for sixteen weeks in the spring and eight weeks in the fall. As expected, the golfers, who are both neighbors and friends, socialize with potluck meals at the pavilion afterwards. “It’s a nice neighborhood,” Pam Kinsella said. “We’re very pleased to be here.” The Kinsellas also coordinate golf-oriented events with their sister community, Crescent Pointe.
When asked why they picked Eagle’s Pointe, Pam said, “We played a lot of courses. The golf course impressed us, and then we found the perfect lot.” That was all it took to encourage this couple to complete their plans to retire to the Lowcountry from their home state of Michigan. But what they also like about Eagle’s Pointe is the diversity among the residents – not all are retired.
Bill and Meg Hendy, one of the first six couples who moved in when the community was brand new back in January of 1998, describe their neighborhood as a sidewalk community. “I’ll walk or jog a couple of miles each morning with friends,” Meg said. “Then there’s Girls’ Night Out – a bunch of us go out for dinner at restaurants in or around Bluffton. The guys have a Poker Night. Your neighbors are your friends.”
Residents can also enjoy one another’s company at the pool, which has covered picnic area with a fireplace and cabana. Some enjoy meeting at one of two hard-court USTA-regulation tennis courts. And many like walking along trails that link directly to the residential area as well as the 7.5-acre man-made lake in the heart of the community.
Island realtor Kathy Gravelle, who sold property for Centex Homes and lived at Eagle’s Pointe for three years, started the social committee, which remains active today. “There are four big parties a year, including a Hawaiian luau,” Gravelle said. “Residents also enjoy working together for charities such as Toys for Tots. Because everyone moves here from somewhere else, odds are residents will become good friends with their neighbors at Eagle’s Pointe.”
With the help of some friends, Joe Pallo, another Eagle’s Pointe resident, organized a regular day trip by bus to Brunswick, Georgia, which is growing in popularity. About 40 people leave the Wal-Mart in Hardeeville at 8:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month to enjoy a day of casino gambling on the Emerald Princess. Word has spread all the way to Sun City.
The social aspect of living in Eagle’s Pointe is not the only benefit. Many residents said they find the amenities to be similar to that of a plantation on the island, but less costly. “Original prices were $160,000, a fabulous package deal for a home on a lot in a private community in Bluffton,” Gravelle stated.
Although all 249 homesites have been sold, a dozen or so homes are currently listed for resale. And although Centex Homes is no longer responsible for the development at Eagle’s Pointe, the Hendys have found the company to be very responsible when it comes to maintaining home warranties. “It is no wonder Centex Homes is the number two builder in the nation,” Meg Hendy said. “They’ve taken care of everything.”
At Eagle’s Pointe, expressions are not always golf related. Some are just plain friendly.
