Posted on Mon, Feb. 05, 2007

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Residents angry about tax break for former golf course

Associated Press

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - One state lawmaker says letting the owners of a former golf course escape thousands of dollars in property taxes with a special agriculture assessment is an abuse of the law.

"It's shameful and it needs to stop," said state Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach. "The law was never intended for this kind of thing."

The owners of the former Robbers Roost Golf Course, including former North Myrtle Beach Mayor Phil Tilghman, say they did nothing wrong last year when they planted several thousand trees on the former course and applied for a special agricultural tax assessment.

The golf course was closed in 2003 and used to pay a tax bill of $32,550. After the less expensive designation was granted starting in 2005, the tax bill for the 172-acre tract dropped to $172.

"What we did was legitimate, aboveboard and within the law," Tilghman said.

But many residents who live along the closed, overgrown golf course that lies within the city limits, say the move may be legal, but it's not fair.

"Someone should step in and do something," said Peggy Carter, who lives in the Shadow Moss townhouse development next to Robbers Roost. "They're paying next to nothing and my tax bill is $500."

Carter said the abandoned golf course property has deteriorated and is hurting nearby property values.

And, some city and county officials say the special designation for the golf course means other property owners are paying higher taxes.

"The people of this county are being ripped off because people are taking advantage of these lower assessments," Horry County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland said.

The city of North Myrtle Beach used to get almost $4,500 in taxes from the property. That has dropped to less than $25.

"I don't understand how you can get an agricultural use when we don't have any kind of agricultural zoning in the city," said Mayor Marilyn Hatley.

In a memo to North Myrtle Beach officials last fall, city zoning administrator Paul Blust said a tree farm "would not be a permitted use" where Robbers Roost is located.