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The country club sued Community Services Associates in September, arguing that guests of weddings and other social events held by non-Sea Pines residents at the clubhouse should not have to pay the $5 entry fee.
After six months of legal briefs and motions back and forth -- a file about the thickness of two telephone books -- both sides have come to an agreement.
The country club now will pay a flat rate each year to cover the cost of guests' day passes, said Cary Kelley, executive vice-president of CSA. This year, that fee will total $6,000. It will be adjusted annually to mirror increases to assessments the property owners association charges homeowners, Kelley said.
"We think this will streamline the process," he said.
Country club officials now will fax lists of guests to the guard shack 48 hours in advance to clear up any confusion about who's attending.
An attorney representing the country club could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The country club had alleged that covenants and the 1989 transfer of the club's ownership from Sea Pines to its members allowed free gate access to all its guests regardless of who hosted the function.
The debate headed to the courts in September after a perceived change in the plantation's policy in which guests of events were charged.
In an affidavit, Sea Pines security director George Breed said his officers mistakenly hadn't been charging guests of functions hosted by non-residents for about 17 years.
Written policies were then clarified several times through last May to reflect that those attending events held by non-residents should be charged $5 per vehicle.
Sea Pines residents hosting events have always been allowed to call in free guest passes for their guests.
While one lawsuit has been cleared up, another remains in the Beaufort County Court of Common Pleas.
Hilton Head Island municipal court judge Maureen Coffey filed a suit against CSA and its security force in November, arguing that the plantation harassed her and her family after declaring her adopted brother a suspect in a rash of break-ins.
Coffey is seeking an unspecified amount of money.
Several hearings on the matter before Master-in-Equity Judge Marvin Dukes III have been canceled at the last minute, most recently on April 9.
Now, CSA is waiting for Coffey to amend her initial complaint before the case can move forward, Kelley said.
In the meantime, the town continues to use Beaufort magistrate Ned Tupper to hear cases involving Sea Pines in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
