Anybody spending more than 5 minutes in the Charleston area quickly learns who the Long’s & Darby’s are – especially if they’re interested in anything having to do with real estate.

What many people don’t realize, is that when the Kiawah Development Partners bought Kiawah Island from the Kuwaitiis back in 1988, it was planting the seed for the 1991 Ryder Cup a mere 3 years later – an extraordinary feat to accomplish – only to be topped by the U.S. actually bringing the Ryder Cup home that year!

Fast forward 20 years and several development projects later, including the Doonbeg Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland, and we arrive at the newest golf course for the KDP: the $2B Christophe Harbour, St. Kitts in the West Indies.

“We are not going to let economic conditions deter our enthusiasm for this project,” – Darby at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Fazio.

The resort community sits on approximately 2,500 acres with 6 beaches. When opened in 2010, the resort will feature 5-star hotels including a Mandarin Oriental and Auberge Resort, a Tom Fazio signature golf course, a mega-yacht marina, yacht club, myriad shops, restaurants and activities, plus a private club and residences.

Speaking of golf, if you’re into HD computer games, check out World Golf Tour where you can tee off from Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course!

With a mishap sure to recall horror stories of drunken ship captains around the world, the 77′ scallop boat Nanami ran aground on it’s latest voyage.

Heading south from New Jersey to Cherry Point, NC, the Nanami first became disabled off Cape Hatteras and was towed to port by two Coast Guard cutters.

Then, rough seas off SC broke it free of it’s anchor chain and it ran aground on Kiawah Island.

With 400 gallons of diesel fuel onboard, the Coast Guard is working hard to refloat it.

With luck like that, it may be time to call it a trip!

Updates
* Tuesday 11/18: Charleston Marine Services has successfully removed approximately 900 gallons of fuel, with approximately 250 gallons of fuel and oils remaining.

* Wednesday 11/19: $100,000 may not be enough for a full recovery – who’s gonna pay for it?

* Saturday 11/22: On the way down from N.J., the Coast Guard ordered the Namami to dock at Lewes, Del. and cleanup some environmental concerns they noticed. After crashing through a piling and leaving town, the Namani has refused to pay for the piling or the dock fees, a bad karma move obviously still haunting them.

* Wednesday 11/26: Coast Guard oversees successful removal of vessel on Kiawah Island.

_{Photos courtesy of USCG and The Post & Courier.}