Dispute over Carolina Shores Golf Course expands to contamination concerns

CAROLINA SHORES, NC (WWAY)– On Monday, there will be a hearing on the highly contested Carolina Shores Golf Course, where the is a new twist.

It’s nothing but old weeds and grass, that is the status of the Carolin Shores Golf Course located at the Town of Carolina Shores, but for nearby residents, the condition of the former course is more than an eyesore — it is raising concerns about potential environmental hazards.

Residents like Jack Brinson say they are increasingly worried about reports linking former golf courses to lingering toxic chemicals.

“I have seen a number of articles, and they’re prevalent on the internet, about the toxic chemicals that have been found in old, former golf courses,” Brinson said.

The concerns mark the latest development in an ongoing dispute between residents and the course’s owner, Philippe Bureau. Last month, Bureau filed a lawsuit against the town after officials and residents rejected his proposal to rezone the property for residential development.

Now, attention has shifted to what may lie beneath the surface.

“If the soil is deemed to be toxic, then the question becomes, what chemicals have been found?” Brinson said. “How far would they go? Would they go into the water? How much into the air? We simply don’t know.”

Environmental advocates note that golf courses have historically relied on a range of chemicals to maintain turf, including herbicides and pesticides such as bromide, glyphosate and diquat. Some of these substances can persist in the environment, raising questions about long-term impacts.

“The problem with diquat is that it doesn’t break down,” said environmentalist Mike Knepper, who has studied chemical use on golf courses.

Brinson said he is particularly concerned about possible health effects, including a potential link between environmental exposures and Parkinson’s disease. He cited research from Parkinson’s Foundation, suggesting proximity to certain chemicals may increase risk of Parkinson’s Disease.

Ray Dorsey, a neurologist and co-author of “The Parkinson’s Plan,” has argued that environmental factors play a significant role in the disease. He has said only a small percentage of cases are tied directly to genetics.

“The pesticides used on the golf courses could have been contaminating the water supply for the individuals who lived near the golf course. I get especially concerned about pesticides that we inhale, because for most people with Parkinson’s disease, the pathology begins in our smell center,” said Dorsey.

That uncertainty is what Brinson is wants to get to teh bottom of before it’s too late, saying the develop has not done enough soil samples to see what is in the golf course.

Bureau said in a statement that environmental assessments have already been conducted.

“We hired environmental experts to conduct a Phase 1 study,” he said. “Having completed the Phase 1 study, the results did not show any evidence that we needed to go to a Phase 2 study.”

He did not provide the study results when requested.

Town Administrator Chad Hicks said the developer was not required by the town to conduct the initial study.

“The developer did a Phase 1 study, and it came back fine,” Hicks said. “It is my understanding that a Phase 2 is required only if a Phase 1 shows possible contamination.”

Brinson also claims that he has reached out to the Brunswick County Health Department to see the soil samples, WWAY has reached out as well, but have not heard back as of this publication.