Dunes Golf and Beach Club on its alligator community: ‘Give them their space’

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – Golfers and spectators won’t be the only ones on the course during the Myrtle Beach Classic. The course’s alligator community will also be out there.

The world-famous 13th hole, the par 5 Waterloo is where golfers and fans will see a gator basking in the sun or wading in the waters.

“It’s the home of all our alligators,” said Dennis Nicholl, the head golf professional at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. “We have signs over here ‘Beware of Alligators,’ those are not fake, it’s a real warning. Make sure you pay attention. Snakes and alligators are in the southeast, that’s what we deal with, so you have to be aware when you play golf.”

The reason the alligators like Waterloo is because a dam that was built in the 1950s separated Singleton Swash from a pond on the course. It created a fresh water area that’s loved by the cold-blooded creatures.

Nicholl said if anyone on the course sees an alligator, it’s best just to let them be.

“As long as we give them their space, and they give us ours, then everything works out well,” Nicholl explained. “Most of the alligators here, if you get a little too close, they’ll just slide off into the water and they just don’t want to be bothered.”

He added that there are some tell-tale signs from the gators if they’re just relaxing or if they’re getting agitated.

“If the alligators are laying on the bank relaxed with their arms down, they don’t see you as a threat, so they probably won’t move. But if they move their arms up, they’re ready to move one way or the other, they’re giving a warning that you’re probably too close, you’ll want to back down a bit.

Nicholl said he recommends to spectators and golfers to not do anything stupid when it comes to interacting with the alligators because it’s not worth the risk.

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