The Shoal - Issue 11 - Spring '23

SHOAL THE

Local Fripp Island Resident and artist Sharon Barclay created some beautiful custom pieces to use as centerpieces for one of our recent events in Beaufort. Barclay owns Sand Bucket Studio, and spends her days responsibly collecting shells from Fripp Island to use in her collections of unique coastal decor.

We loved her pieces so much, we just had to use one of them on the cover of this Issue! If you’re looking for your own custom piece, Barclay can usually be found at the Arts & Craft Shows held by the Resort several times a year, or you can find her work online

They say the only constant in life is change. Springtime, this year especially, brings many shifts and changes with it. In this issue, you’ll find insightful tips for your golf and racquet game, take a look at what it means to be a “Lifer” and meet some new faces. Also in this issue, you’ll find some hints on how to keep deer away from your plants, what to fish for this spring, and the best way to cook lamb. Enjoy the season!

Club Letter from Club Director, Kristi Suddeth

Greetings Club Members:

As I am writing to you today, there is a yellow pollen cloud floating over the Olympic Pool. Although it is making me sneeze and my eyes water, I am glad to see it! This is the sign that Spring will be upon us soon and I am thrilled. Spring has always been the time for rebirth and new beginnings. So here we all are with an amazing new beginning through new ownership. The new ownership has a lot of wonderful plans for our future, and they will be shared soon. Be on the lookout for expanded hours, more events, and upgraded amenities. In the meantime, we hope you can join us for some of the amazing events coming up like Forks and Corks and Mardi Gras Happy Hour.

Come by and see us next time you are on the island, and don’t forget to pick up your 2023 calendar!

Cheers, Kristi

New Member Spotlight

-November-

Carter Clark & Laura Whitmore

Blake & Katie Tinsley

Franz & Elizabeth Pfab

Michael & Roxann Robbins

-December-

Melissa & Gene Branham

Sheena & Christian Maurer

Rachel & Mark Breedlove

Holly & Michael Cook

Edward Meintzer & Shelley Graf

Andrew & Deborah Schulze

James Ashton

Prescott & Sonia Terrell

Carwin & Mary Owens

Peggy Miller

Philip & Jenna MacArthur

Dale & Martha Blythe

Timothy & Sandra Burke

Tom & Laurelee Metz

-January-

Joe & Julie Pacenka

Reid & Bonnie Harkey

Christopher & Sarah Tuttle

Philip & Jenni Bradford

Sue LeBuhn

Jason Hiltabiddle & Kimberly Connors

Richard & Jami Rankin

Sara Crocker & Tyler Breece

Jack & Ellen Stevens

Jesse & Shae Evans

Fripp Lifer

Labor Day weekend, 2004, I got engaged to my hard-working, beautiful wife on Wardle’s Landing. Among other things, I now officiate weddings on Fripp Island, but how did I get here? How did I go from a toddler staying at the La Tai Inn (now the Sunsuites) in 1976 to approaching my 20th anniversary of living on Fripp Island? Allow me to harken you back to the days when the only 4-way stop on the island was the intersection of Dolphin and Marlin roads—to the days when security consisted of two old Nissan trucks and the security gate was 100 yards farther inland by the corporate campus. My understanding is they moved the gate due to the theft of some rocking chairs at Springtide. I’m sure that was just the straw…

My memorable Fripp life continued in 1983 when New Haven was a gleaming new beacon of upscale property with a fountain. My grandparents bought into #603 (EASTCO). We had a view of Fripp Inlet since North Hampton and Ocean Cottages had yet to be built. The courtyard at New Haven was beautiful, but this eight-year-old with a broken arm really wanted to operate that snazzy elevator. You couldn’t pay me to put anything in it now besides luggage. I know for a fact how old it is.

The Fripp Island of my youth was a different world. Firstly, Wardle’s Landing wasn’t there, nor was Ocean Creek. As a teen without a driver’s license, (fewer people and less to hit) I would access that end of the island through a cattle gate at the end of Wahoo. It’s no wonder Hollywood decided to make that end of the island into fictional versions of the jungles of Vietnam for Forrest Gump and India for Jungle Book 2. (I recall the little creatures running all over the island that were apparent stowaways in the elephant feed.) There was a path that basically followed what is now Ocean Creek Drive that ended where the Cabana Club is now—where the hut built for Forrest Gump stood for several years until the Cabana Club was constructed. You could snake around and take the path of what is now the 11th and 13th holes (OC). It felt prehistoric and untouched as befits an island that is literally at the edge of the Earth. (Fripp is the farthest point from mainland on the coast of South Carolina for those that don’t know.)

My desire to write was born on the rocks at the end of Seahorse. You can’t see much of them now, but the ocean was once right there. I realize I’m not the first to use Fripp as a muse, nor the most famous, nor will I likely be the last, but this gem of the Atlantic is at my core—it always was, even in times when I was away from home for years.

From Guest Writer Chris (Sutty) Suddeth

Sometimes I still refer to Ocean Creek as the “new course” even though it opened in 1995. The Ocean Point pool will always be the New Haven pool. Speaking of Ocean Creek, I was on the 11th during spring break from the University of South Carolina playing a round with my parents when news came from the greens’ keeper that a section of the bridge collapsed. (It even made the USA Today.) This explained why we weren’t seeing any people around on an otherwise perfect golf weather day.

My family and I recall the stadium lights that oversaw the filming of Prince of Tides in 1989. This is a prime example of the motion of the ocean in that the beach came right up to Nick Nolte and Blythe Danner’s house in those days. The very nature of a barrier island means it’s always on the move. It’s fascinating, in geological terms, to be able to witness land come and go and go and come again. I digress. I really just wanted to say that if you watch really really closely in the scene where Nick Nolte goes to wake up his little girl after returning from New York, you’ll see my mother and grandmother waaay down the beach. You better be quick, but I feel they should be in the closing credits with Streisand and Nolte.

During this same period of time, Fripp was still secret enough, even on our busiest holiday, to shoot the 4th of July fireworks out over Fripp Inlet. It wasn’t a big deal to find a spot on the bridge and watch the show. God Bless America!

The same thing that attracts the rest of us to Fripp Island exists for Hollywood too. Don’t forget it’s the edge of the Earth and there was blessed isolation from the real world that only exists in part these days and mostly only in the minds of people who have been around as long as I have or longer. However, one can still find an isolated stretch of beach, especially in the dead of our truncated winter.

I recall the fighter jets from MCAS used to break the sound barrier out this way as a matter of course. Whether true or not, I heard the reason why that doesn’t happen much anymore is due to the fact of a general getting his windows blown out on his fishing boat by a soundwave.

It occurs to me that I am now of a similar age as some of the neighbors that occupied the Fripp neighborhood of my childhood. I still see some of the faces, but as you can imagine, that’s becoming fewer and further between.

Both sets of my grandparents used to bring me down from our home in the Upstate of South Carolina. As a child, I took for granted that they would hang together, much less that all four were living. My grandfather on my mother’s side, went to high school with my grandmother on my father’s side.

I even received a third set of grandparents in our next-door neighbors beginning in 1989. The gentleman of the house and my grandmother had spoken on the phone for 30 years due to working at different offices of Duke Power. They never met until they built and moved in next door from the Upstate area. Truly special people for this special place. The older I get, the less I believe in coincidences.

This “blessed isolation” I speak of can be attributed to the timeless nature of Fripp Island. Things can be timeless even in times of change for our enclave. It’s easy to forget we’re all neighbors on the edge of the Earth until beasts like Matthew visit our shore.

A rare polar bear visited our shore January 3, 2018. The meteorologists called it down to the hour. It was striking seeing snow stick to the sandbar between Fripp and Hunting Island. My wife and I stayed with my mother-in-law at North Hampton that day. That day that was my wife’s 45th birthday eve. All she wanted was a final time being snowed in with her ailing mother and she got it. That sub-tropical Fripp provided this when her mountain hometown of Brevard, NC could not is special indeed. Some things are meant to be and I am forever Fripp grateful.

I have to say that the most bizarre time on Fripp was April of 2020, during the initial white-hot heat of the Covid outbreak. One comes to expect the beach to be desolate during a crappy winter’s day, but during a warm spring day, not so much. It was rare to see a strange car, face, or golf cart, for that matter. And it was like that for a month. Snowbirds became legitimate residents, not knowing when they would ever see home. I came to feel grateful for the elbow room Fripp afforded during that frightening period of our planet’s history.

The tide has ebbed on the previous ownership of the island. Times change. Our 6’ to 9’ tides are a constant, vigilant reminder. The changes and stewardship the Wardle family oversaw throughout the decades was vast. Now a sea change is upon our island, with a new family taking the reins of stewardship. I, for one, am excited and grateful at the same time. Grateful to Wardle family for all they did for Fripp and excited at the potential improvements to our unique neighborhood. I am left to wonder; wonder what our daughter will witness over the next generation—iteration of Fripp. Emma Belle (EB) now lives in the room I occupied as a child her current age.

What is your history as a Fripp Lifer, be it long or short? We’d love to hear. Happy spring, y’all.

Golf

Tips & Tricks

PGM Golf Intern Jack Gelhaus has put some tips together to help make the most of spring golfing here on Fripp!

We are getting closer and closer to the summer weather, but we aren’t there yet! Playing golf in the cold isn’t everyone’s ideal condition but here’s a few things to do to elevate your game in the off season.

1. Take more Clubs

During the off season, we generally see colder weather. Many believe this might not affect the golf ball and wonder why they lose distance in their clubs. When the temperature drops, so does the golf ball. Generally speaking, many players can expect to see a 5-10 yard decrease with their wedges and short irons. With the longer irons or hybrids, we can expect to see a 10-15 yard decrease and with the woods and driver, we can see a 10-20 yard drop in total distance. In cold conditions, it’s even more important to swing up on your driver, not down. Swinging harder will not cancel out the loss for distance but will bring in a greater chance for bigger misses and chunked shots. If playing in rain, you can expect to see a 1-3 yard drop in distances, on top of the initial decrease due to the cold weather. So drop that ego and hit the club that’s desired!

2. How to Properly ChangeYour Swing

Many golfers take lessons or see swing tips/drills on the internet and try to incorporate it into their swing but don’t see results fast enough. Going through any swing change will take time and dedication for muscle memory to kick in. A good baseline would be taking at least 30-50 swings a day, making sure you exaggerate the new move. To reassure yourself that it’s right, you could swing in a mirror, or take a video. These 30-50 swings a day don’t require a golf ball to be hit but playing or practicing at least twice a week will help you make the changes needed.

3. Switch Golf Balls

Switching golf balls is as simple as it sounds and may help out your monthly golf budget as well. Depending on how cold the weather is, switching from a soft ball to a firm ball will take spin off the ball and go a 2-5 yards further. Everyone loves the Pro V1 but the cheaper versions are the way to go during the off season. When playing in the morning fog or if you have visibility problems in general, switch to a colored ball so it’s easier to track in the air and find after your tee shot

Hopefully these tips will help your golf game!

Upcoming Events:

March 18th

Sea Rescue Golf Tournament

March 25th - 26th

Water Festival Golf Tournament

April 8th

Masters Moving Day

April 27th - 29th

Men’s Member-Guest Golf Tournament

From the Pro Shops

The Gear You’ve Been Wanting . . .

Footjoy Spiral Line Print Lisle Self Collar Golf Polo

FJ performance golf apparel has experienced remarkable success and acceptance among the game’s best players. FJ performance golf apparel also features contemporary colors and patterns in a variety of styles and performance fabrics.

Racquet Club

The Importance of Ball Toss

From Tennis Pro and Director Troy McMullen

Tennis players’ good days and bad days are often determined by how well they serve. The ball toss in most cases can either be your friend or foe in the quality and consistency of one’s serve. Repeating the same motion time and time again with a well placed toss at the correct height allows for a much more consistent serve. The ball toss should be controlled mostly by your shoulder. Eliminating the elbow, wrist and fingers helps control the ball. The ball should rest in the pads of your fingers as opposed to the palm of your hand as if you were holding an egg. Ideally, the toss is approximately 12 inches higher than your contact point, allowing for the ball to drop to your strike zone. If you have to move your feet to hit the toss you should catch and toss it again.

From the Pro Shop

The warmest gift of the season!

Show your Fripp Island pride in these stilish items. Fripp Longseleve $30, Fripp Shortsleve $25 Fripp Joggers $50

Upcoming Events:

March 3rd-5th

Spring Clay Court Championships

September 22nd - 24th

Fall Clay Court Championships

Marina Spring Fishing Tips

With warmer temperatures come an increase in fish activity and higher catch rates! Fish for these species during spring for the best chance of success.

Amberjack

Amberjack feeds actively in cold waters. So, anglers should aim to target amberjack during the spring and fall months. Amberjack often bite during sunrises and sunsets.

Barracuda

The season to fish for barracuda starts in the late spring and lasts till the fall. Go fishing for barracuda either in the early morning or late evening.

Tarpon

Tarpon bite well during the spring and summer months. Tarpon fishing is the most productive in the early morning and late afternoon.

Wahoo

Wahoo are migratory fish that arrives in South Carolina in the late spring. Anglers often get bites of wahoo at the first morning light.

Black drum

Fishing for black drum in South Carolina is excellent between February and March.

Mackerel

Anglers catch king mackerel and Spanish mackerel during South Carolina fishing adventures. Mackerel fishing season starts in the early spring and lasts until the late fall.

Sheepshead

Fishing for sheepshead is good during the fall, winter, and spring months. Sheepshead fishing is amazing during midday hours.

Speckled trout

Spring is a great time to fish for speckled trout in South Carolina. Speckled trout bites well before and after sunrise.

Activity Center

Meet Ben & Jerry

Ben and Jerry are our Spring creature features! They are native Yellow Rat Snakes and are found throughout the coastal southeast. If you find these guys in your yard, don’t fret! They are a free pest control service: eating all the unwanted critters near your home! You can come see these two love birds at the Activity Center during Feeding Frenzy, every Friday at 12pm!

Upcoming Events:

March

International Women’s Day: #WomenSupportingWomen

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 from 12pm to 3pm

Come together with fellow women on Fripp for an interactive discussion led by Crystal Abitz of Legacy Wellness. Crystal will guide her audience in establishing personal core values and becoming our own role models. In the spirit of #WomenSupportingWomen, local women’s resource center Hopeful Horizons will also join us to share the “why” behind their incredible mission, with all donations going directly to the organization’s essential wish list. You don’t want to miss this special event, more information can be found on the flyer on the next page!

Gator Week

Monday, March 20, 2023 to Friday, March 24, 2023

Don’t miss this fun-filled week of programs spotlighting our favorite Fripp resident—the American Alligator! Activities include gator-themed crafts, interpretive gator walks and talks, Creatures of the Night guided tour, swim-in movies, and more!

April

Easter Weekend

April 7-9, 2023

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Egg Hunt, Brunch, and more! Full schedule coming soon.

National Bat Day

Monday, April 17, 2023

Join us at the Activity Center for a bat-themed craft, along with an evening naturalist-led Bat Walk after dark.

Earth Day

Saturday, April 22, 2023

We’re celebrating all weekend long with special programming sharing our appreciation for this incredible ecosystem we call Earth. Expect to learn from our naturalists with interpretive experiences for all ages, plus join us in sweeping the beaches and marshes of trash, both by kayak and on foot!

WOMEN’S

DAY

MARCH 8th 12:00-3:00pm

Ocean View at the Beach Club

$35 per person

Light appetizers included | Cash Bar Call 843-838-1516 to register!

Members may register online at frippislandclub.com

Join Crystal Abitz of Legacy Wellness in a guided, interactive experience focusing on establishing personal core values and becoming our own role models. Hopeful Horizons, a local women’s resource center will also share the “why” behind their mission.

Hopeful Horizons Giveaway

Bring an item from the Hopeful Horizons wish list (linked below) for a drawing entry. Prizes include work from local female artisans.

Welcome John & Tom

As you are likely now aware, Seascape Hospitality Group has completed the purchase of Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort! We recently conducted a series of focus groups and will have a town hall meeting on February 18, 2023 to discuss the exciting future of Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort and to answer questions from members.

Seascape Hospitality Group is a small privately held company owned by experienced hospitality and business professionals. Founders Joe Guerra and Adam Fuller have extensive experience and are excited to prepare the resort and club for the next generation of membership. John Scappatura has come onboard as Chief Operating Officer along with Tom Frost, General Manager. John and Tom have relocated to the Beaufort Area and will be permanent residents here. We wanted to take a short moment to introduce you to these amazing leaders. Feel free to introduce yourself should you see them out and about on the island!

John Scappatura (right) was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. When he’s not working, he loves to get outside and fish or grab his clubs and hit the green. As the new Chief Operating Officer here at Fripp Island Resort, John is looking forward to getting to know everyone: employees, members, and guests. Preserving history and creating the next new adventure for Fripp is something John is keeping in mind while he thinks about the future. He is very excited to be here and work with the team as he settles into his 38th home.

Tom Frost (left) started out in Clarksville, Tennessee, before he won big on a gameshow, packed his bags, and moved to California. Tom instantly fell in love with the quaintness, beauty, and overall atmosphere of Fripp. He’s looking forward to getting to know everyone, so if you see him out and about, don’t be afraid to approach him. He would love to hear from everyone and hear what they want to see for the future of Fripp Island Resort.

We want to hear from you! Our thanks to everyone who was able to join us for one of our focus groups. If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to send them to us at frippfeedback@ frippislandresort.com. Good, bad, dirty - let us know!

Food & Beverage

Join us Wednesday, February 22 at 6pm for A Taste of Italy!

Did you know you can buy your favorite wines directly form our vendors at this event?

There are many upcoming special events and dinners this upcoming spring season!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Bring the little ones for a special breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 8. There will be special photo opportunities along with a delicious breakfast buffet. Call the Beach Club at 843-838-1510 to make your reservations.

Easter Brunch

Enjoy our traditional Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 9! Call the Beach Club at 843-838-1510 to make your reservations.

Seasonal Recipe

Lamb Chops

From Executive Chef Scott Barham-Morgan

After feeling somewhat shut in during the dreary months of winter, springtime in the south welcomes us with blooming azaleas, warmer weather and bountiful produce. We begin to make plans for outdoor picnics, family gatherings at Easter and making the most of days filled with extended daylight hours. When it comes to the question of what to cook in the months of spring, the options are many and varied. Personally, I find myself craving lamb more often. I think it is because lamb lends itself to bright flavors, which is why I most often choose to marinate it in olive oil, fresh herbs like mint and rosemary, and finish it with the zest of lemon. Depending on which cut you choose, lamb can be prepared in a variety of cooking methods. The rib chops are tender with a meaty eye that is best on the grill and served rare. The loin chops look like little T-bone steaks and work nicely seared in a skillet. The leg and shoulders are the same as any other animal, much more sinewy and tougher due to being muscles that work harder. They require a long slow braise but the end result is a magical transformation that produces fork tender meat with incredible flavor! Despite loving them all, I tend to do more braised meat on colder nights in the winter when I have more time to cook for myself. By Spring, I enjoy lighter meals that are quick to prepare. In either case, one of my favorite cuts is the blade steak. It is not as prime as the rib chop, but it is easy to prepare, has a ton of flavor and is half the price! They can be grilled or seared and are great braised as well. If you love lamb but stay away from using it more often because of the expense, give blade chops a try!

Instead of giving a specific recipe, treat this as more of a guideline that can be adjusted to your own likes and creativity!

• Chop fresh herbs. I prefer a combination of mint, rosemary and basil. Parsley, thyme and oregano work well too.

• Place lamb blade chops in a casserole dish large enough to hold them in a single layer.

• Add enough olive oil to coat the meat.

• Add fresh herbs (but save a little back for garnish!).

• Add lemon zest and minced garlic.

• Turn to coat chops on the other side.

• Place in refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

• When ready to cook, preheat a skillet on Med to Med High heat, depending on how hot your stovetop gets. Take chops out of marinade, leaving fresh herbs clinging to the meat. Season with Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.

• Place chops in skillet and allow to sear for approximately 3 minutes. Turn chops and sear on the other side for 4 minutes or until internal temperature reads 125

degrees on an instant read thermometer. Most blade chops are about ¾” thick, but sizes vary so they may need a longer sear to reach desired temperature. Meat should be medium rare.

• Let the chops rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before serving or slicing (if you prefer the meat off the bone). Garnish with remaining herbs and lemon zest.

Lamb pairs well with many things. Try it with risotto, kale salad, roasted golden beets or couscous. Red wine stands up nicely to the richness of lamb. Open a nice bottle of zinfandel or pinot noir and your meal is complete! Bon appetit!

at home on Fripp

Spring landscaping tips:

• Rake your yard/dethatch. Dethatching your yard is important because doing so allows water and fertilizer to penetrate down to the grassroots.

• Fertilize your yard. Joey prefers 16-4-8 as it is slow release and is good for most turf grasses. This fertilizer works well for most non-blooming green or leafy plants.

• Prune trees, shrubs, and plants. Fripp had a hard freeze this past winter, and pruning removes the dead growth and rejuvenates your vegetation.

• Remove winter weeds.

• Re-mulch or add pine straw.

• Service your mower.

• Service your irrigation system. Consider adding a rain sensor to your irrigation system. It will save you money and water.

• Remember: Less is more! Simpler lawns are easier to maintain.

• Trim trees for more sunlight and house safety.

Fripp’s cutest residents can often be a nuisance to your yard and garden beds. Some standard deer-resistant plants include:

• Vinca (plant around May)

• Lantana

• Society Garlic

• African Iris (“This is a pretty good one!”)

• Muhli Grass (turns purple in the fall)

Insider Tip: What deer eat on one side of the island might be different than what they eat on the other side of the island. Ask your neighbors, or go look at their yard for an idea on what to plant in your yard.

Deer like to sample fresh plants right out of a nursery. Joey has seen deer pull fresh Vinca right out of the ground. When this happens, just replant it. Joey remembers a Landscaping employee trying to plant Vinca on the island one time. The plants were in the back of the Landscaping trailer and the deer were eating them right off the trailer. Needless to say, the plants had to be taken to another side of the island to be planted.

Joey has been with Fripp Island Resort for almost 30 years. If he is not working his magic on the island’s beautiful vegetation, he enjoys spending time with his family, boating and camping.

Landscaping Director Joey Savel, has put together some spring landscaping tips to keep your home looking its best this season!

Island Happenings

Calendar of Events Spring 2023

-February-

1st - Lunar New Year

2nd - Groundhog Day

14th - Valentine’s Day

18th - Seascape Hospitality Town Hall Meeting

20th - CAB Meeting, President’s Day

21st - Mardis Gras

22nd - Ash Wednesday

-March-

3rd-5th - Spring Clay Court Tournament

8th - International Women’s Day

12th- Daylight Savings Begins

17th - St. Patrick’s Day

18th - Sea Rescue Golf Tournament

20th - CAB Meeting, Spring Equinox

23rd- Ramadan Begins

25th-26th - Water Festival Golf Tournament

-April-

1st - April Fools Day

7th - Good Friday

8th - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Masters Moving Day Golf Tournament

9th - Easter Sunday, Egg Hunt, Easter Brunch

27th-29th - Men’s Member-Guest Golf Tournament

-May-

5th - Cinco de Mayo

6th-7th - Ladies’ Member-Guest Golf Tournament

14th - Mother’s Day

15th - CAB Meeting

18th-20th - Beaufort Charities Golf Tournament

25th-27th - Memorial Day Offshore Tournament

28th - Pentecost

29th - Memorial Day, Memorial Day 5K