The action in the sporting world along the South Carolina coast this week extends beyond center court at the Credit One Charleston Open.

Over on Kiawah Island, a low-key, high-level get-together that will likely include a casual but potentially competitive tennis showdown or two has returned for at least the third time to the luxury seaside resort.

The corporate global leadership summit, organized by Bruin Capital and the online news outlet Sportico, aims to bring together power brokers from the sports, media, technology and finance industries.

The attendees this year include ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, innovation investor Cathie Woods and team owners from the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball.

Other details were not available. Representatives for Bruin Capital and Sportico, which is owned by Penske Media, did not respond to requests for comment this week.

As in previous years, CNBC was granted access to the mostly off-the-record conference. The cable business news network’s interviews early Wednesday included a rare sitdown with New York Mets owner and hedge fund mogul Steve Cohen.

The billionaire financier was in an appropriate setting to ponder his decision to invest in a startup golf league and join a group of sports-team owners who are looking to pump $3 billion into the PGA Tour. Kiawah’s five 18-hole resort layouts include the storied Ocean Course, which has been the site of three major championships and one of the most memorable Ryder Cup competitions in history, among other big-time events.

“I love golf. I brought my clubs. I’m going to be on the range later today,” Cohen said while also acknowledging the uncooperative weather forecast Wednesday.

He also said his interest in the business side of the game was partly influenced by his belief that productivity gains driven by artificial intelligence will make the four-day workweek more commonplace.

“I just think it’s an eventuality,” Cohen said.

The corresponding shift to a three-day weekend will create “more leisure” time and more golf rounds.

“I guess courses will be crowded,” he said.

Another billionaire attendee was Ted Leonsis, whose Monumental Sports & Entertainment owns the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Wizards and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics

He marveled about the 12.3 million viewers the Iowa-LSU “Elite Eight” matchup pulled in Monday night, a record audience for a women’s college basketball game.

“That’s an amazing fact. I think they overdelivered by like 50 percent,” Leonsis told CNBC.

He’s also bullish about the future of women’s professional sports and their franchise values.

“It’s certainly the growth stock right now,” he said.

It’s a fair bet that other bold-faced movers and shakers are commiserating on Kiawah based on past attendees. Boris Johnson, Britain’s former prime minister, was among the keynote speakers last year. Former President George W. Bush delivered remarks in 2022.

In a profile of Bruin Capital founder George Pyne, The Boston Globe described the South Carolina gathering as a “super-sized” version of an annual luncheon he held for 13 years in New York City.

Another media report from a 2022 invitee said Pyne and Sportico are looking to build at Kiawah a sports industry version of the perennial Sun Valley media and finance conference in Idaho or the Davos Economic Forum in Switzerland.

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A new concern surrounding development being built on Kiawah Island has recently come to light by residents and change is now in the works.

The questions revolve around two boardwalks that were built for “The Cape,” beachfront condominium complexes, to give the people that will be staying there beach access.

The boardwalks stick out too far onto the beach, and it raised a red flag for Jim Gidcumb, who bikes on the beach daily.

“At high tide, all of a sudden there’s this boardwalk that runs right into the ocean,” Gidcumb said. “I could not pass it and neither could pedestrians or emergency vehicles, and so I said something isn’t right here.”

After he and others expressed concerns, staff with DHEC’s Ocean and Coastal Resource Management came on-site to assess if the builds were compliant. They determined that recent beach erosion caused the boardwalks to be on the active beach, and the developer is working to shorten the structures.

“It’s a real safety hazard if you can’t traverse this beach at all hours,” Gidcumb said.

The Town of Kiawah said they are assessing to ensure that the boardwalks are compliant and respond to needs of accessibility for emergency and code enforcement vehicles.

“The next step will be to figure out how far back these boardwalks need to be to be in compliance,” Gidcumb said.

DHEC said as long as the boardwalks are shortened properly, they will meet the requirements of the applicable state regulation.

“It would be better to be proactive than reactive, as we’re kind of in a reactive mode now, but that’s fine,” Gidcumb said. “Catching it before it was completed means it can now be addressed and remediated.”

Gidcumb said at the end of the day he just wants to ride his bike on the beach safely and he appreciates the town and developer’s response on this issue.

For more information about this from the Town of Kiawah, click here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Kiawah Island, SC – For the second consecutive year, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort has earned a Triple Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. The Sanctuary hotel, The Spa at The Sanctuary, and The Ocean Room, the resort’s flagship restaurant, were awarded Five Stars by the international authority on assessing service and facility standards. The Sanctuary becomes one of only fifteen properties worldwide to hold a Triple Five-Star rating.

“Everyone at The Sanctuary and throughout Kiawah Island Golf Resort is deeply honored to once again be recognized by Forbes Travel Guide as one of the world’s premier destinations,” says The Sanctuary General Manager, Bill Lacey. “The Five-Star rating recognizes properties that consistently provide the very highest level of anticipatory service, genuine hospitality, and unsurpassed amenities. To be listed as one of the handful of hotels across the globe that have earned the Triple Five-Star rating is a testament to the unwavering passion and dedication our entire team has for providing incomparable service to our valued guests.”

The Forbes Travel Guide is the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises. To learn more about The Sanctuary Hotel and Spa at Kiawah Island Golf resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com. To view the full Star Ratings for 2023 and learn more about how Forbes Travel Guide determines its Star Ratings, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.

ABOUT KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT Located along 10 miles of pristine beach less than 30 miles south of Charleston, S.C., Kiawah Island Golf Resort consistently ranks as one of the country’s top resorts. It includes The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond 255-room hotel and spa, nearly 500 private villas and luxury homes, and five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 PGA Championship and 2021 PGA Championship. For 13 of the past 15 years, the resort has ranked as the number-one tennis resort in the world by TennisResortsOnline.com, and features acclaimed recreation and nature programs. For more information, visit www.kiawahresort.com.

CONTACT Bryan Hunter, Director of Public Relations | 843-768-2749 | [email protected]

Follow winding, oak-shaded roads 25 miles southwest of downtown Charleston's cobblestone streets and celebrated restaurant scene, and you'll find yourself on Kiawah Island. Carved by the Kiawah River on one side and fronting the Atlantic Ocean on the other, the barrier island is a true escape. Here, nature reigns supreme: 10 miles of beaches roll out along the Atlantic; cicadas form their own sort of soundtrack; and lights-out is often determined by the sea turtles' nesting season. Even so, there's plenty to do for travelers who like their time in nature punctuated with good food, luxurious creature comforts, and a frozen drink in hand. Here are eight things to do in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Stay Like A Local

For access to all of Kiawah's amenities, from bike rentals to pools, you'll have to stay on the island. For an experience that's luxurious but unpretentious, book a room at The Sanctuary, an oceanfront hotel known for its five-star service and elevated onsite dining. For families who want a little room to spread out (or a kitchen), villa and home rentals are a smart choice; reserve through the resort directly, or book through a site like VRBO or Airbnb.

kiawahresort.com; One Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, SC 29455; 888-601-4904

Spend A Day On The Sand

On the west end of the island, Beachwalker Park, Kiawah's only public beach access, feels like a hidden gem thanks to its wide, unspoiled expanses of sand. It offers the best of both worlds: In addition to the ocean frontage, you can also score views of the Kiawah River here.

Hit The Links

Five state-of-the-art golf courses are open to the public. For avid fans of the sport, the Ocean Course alone makes Kiawah worth the trip. Host to two PGA Championships, the 18-hole course is not for the faint of heart. Raised above the dunes to capitalize on the expansive shore views, golfers are also subjected to ocean breezes (which don't make for an easy or predictable trip around the green). Try Cougar Point for marsh views and a slightly less technical experience.

Go For A Cruise

One of the best ways to explore the island is to leave the car in park and take a beach cruiser for a spin (you can reserve them through the resort or bring your own). Between 30 miles of paved trails and 10 miles of hard-packed beach, there's no shortage of routes to explore. Ask for directions to the Marsh View Tower, an observation deck primed for birdwatching and soaking in the marsh and river scenery.

Visit Heron Park Nature Center

The naturalists here will school you in many of the species who call the island home, from bobcats and white-tailed deer to loggerhead sea turtles and American alligators. Sign up for a guided tour, like "Back Island Birding", "Marsh Kayaking," or "Ocean Seining and Beach Combing," or ask for their recommendations for the best nature-spotting places in the area.

Explore Freshfields Village

Built around a lush lawn, Freshfields Village has plenty of restaurants and shops to explore, plus a boutique stay, the Andell Inn. Pick up a beach read at Indigo Books; snag treats for your four-legged friends at Dolittle's; and gear up for island adventures SeaCoast Sports and Outfitters. Start the morning with coffee and a breakfast sandwich from Java Java; settle in for grilled cheese and a milkshake at retro Vincent's Drugstore & Soda Fountain; or cap off the day with a glass of wine at FortyEight Wine Bar and Kitchen. Check their calendar for seasonal events, like summertime's "Music on the Green" concert series and farmer's market.

freshfieldsvillage.com; 165 Village Green Ln, Kiawah Island, SC 29455

Venture To Bohicket Marina & Market

Make the short drive to neighboring Seabrook Island for a taste of the area's salty maritime culture. Snag a umbrella-shaded table on the upper deck at Salty Dog Café for fresh catch, a cold beer, and riverfront views of the boats coming and going from the marina.

Attend An Oyster Roast

If the Palmetto State had to choose a favorite meal, it'd undoubtedly be oysters and barbecue. Experience the time-honored tradition of a proper oyster roast and pig pickin at Kiawah Resort's Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ. The family-friendly event is held on major holidays and on Monday nights throughout the summer. Chow down on fresh oysters roasted over an open fire, a classic Lowcountry boil, and barbecue meats ranging from smoked chicken to ribs.

For years, we have called for the conservation of the fragile, ever-shifting southern tip of Kiawah Island, a slice of land many know as Capt. Sam’s Spit. We reiterate that call for a deal — and encourage leaders in our state government and conservation community to focus anew on it — particularly as the property remains in between controversial efforts to develop homes there.

As The Post and Courier’s Toby Cox reported, the property is tied up in a complicated legal dispute over a 2013 Amended and Restated Development Agreement between the town of Kiawah Island and developer Kiawah Resort Associates that expired last month. At issue is whether the developer met contractual obligations to transfer ownership of some of the property’s highlands to the community association and to protect the remaining highlands with deed restrictions. These actions would protect the spit from development efforts, but the developer says these obligations were contingent on development, which did not occur.

Since 2008, developers have sought state permits to build 50 homes on the land, but the complexity of running a road and utility lines to the property has resulted in years-long court battles and appeals that stopped the plans. But those hoping for the property’s conservation should not count on permitting battles and environmental lawsuits alone; the land has some value, and its owners deserve to be compensated to some degree for a conservation agreement that would preclude development. Of course, there may be a wide disagreement over the dollars involved, given the property’s proximity to the high-valued real estate of Kiawah Island as well as the folly of building on land so subject to erosion and flooding.

Town officials sent the developer a letter this month asking it to fulfill the two obligations, and it’s certainly possible this could lead to yet another legal battle. That turn would be regrettable. It would be much better for both sides to focus on a conservation deal that would settle this matter once and for all.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a precedent-setting ruling in 1992 in a case only five islands north of Kiawah (Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council), saying if government restricts all potential use of a piece of private property, that is considered a "taking" — and the property owner is owed compensation. We agree with what Amy Armstrong, executive director and general counsel at the S.C. Environmental Law Project, told Ms. Cox: "As long as the developer owns the property, there’s a threat."

The property is valuable for conservation not only because it provides habitat for wildlife but also because it adjoins Charleston County's Kiawah Beachwalker Park, which is so popular most summer weekends that there is a waiting list for its limited parking spaces. And that's not surprising: Beachwalker offers access to more than a mile's worth of beach and creekfront, around which bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and seabirds are common visitors. In short, it's one of South Carolina's most pristine sections of beach publicly accessible by car.

Both South Carolina and Charleston County leaders should engage on ways to strike a conservation deal here for many reasons, including the prevention of unwise attempts to harden the land for development and the preservation of wildlife habitat and high-quality public access. The time to strike that deal is now, before more dollars are wasted on legal battles or ill-considered development plans.

Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier.

Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings.