PGA Week In Charleston-The Number One Destination Showcasing Its Attraction

Kiawah Island Ocean Course

The rains have been descending upon the Lowcountry these early August days like a swarm of mosquitoes descending on a spottail fisherman in the backwaters of Gray Bay. Dodging the raindrops running from one destination to the next and arriving in dry clothing has become a challenge. There seems to be a definite daily pattern taking hold. The day begins sunny, the clouds build as the morning progresses, by afternoon the rains pour down, and in the evening the skies clear out. It's mid-summer in the Lowcountry. High humidity equates into precipitation as the heat of the day builds in an unstable atmosphere and voila(pardon my French), you get rain. How's that for a weather analogy Al Rocker.

The PGA's top golfers have been likewise descending upon the Lowcountry these early August days, by air and by sea. Walking from hole to hole with the least amount of strokes will be their challenge starting on the 9th. The extended forecast is calling for the possibility of rain and wind for the entire tournament. The Ocean Course already has a reputation for being dominated by fickled breezes. The capricious winds will show no favorites and figures to play a significant role in being a spoiler. Arriving at the 501 yard, 18th hole on par with dry clothing will be an added challenge for the golfers. An anticipated 200,000 hearty spectators will swamp the course through the week, but the Sunday crowd will see the final putt of the tournament. Drive for show, putt for dough. Will it be won by a Bubba Watson miracle shot or a Tiger Woods off the green chip in. One thing is for sure, Tiger will be feasting on Charleston's oysters, Casanova's favorite aphrodisiac. Come on, play fair.

Just for fun

You can bet a bucket of oysters all those spectators will be spending some money while they're in town. The PGA and the College of Charleston Office of Tourism Analysis forecasts that the championship will generate a downpour of some $193 million for South Carolina. Charleston will be close to all the action. Its renowned restaurants will be cooking up a storm of their own as they cater to the thousands of expected visitors here for the tournament. Some of the featured restaurants during PGA week are Bowens Island, Melvins, Slightly North of Broad, Fig, Husk, Red Drum, Charleston Grill, Martha Lou's, Red's Ice House, and Hominy Grill. Beautiful accommodations, informative historic tours, and a lively nighttime scene is all a part of the package.

Since it is PGA tournament time in Charleston, the area golf courses will be benefiting from all of the hype it generates. After watching the pros, the amateur golfers in the Lowcountry will be wanting to test out their own skills. At least, that is the way it is for me after watching any sporting event. Historic Charleston is surrounded by courses of exceptional variety from breathtaking coastal terrains to tree-lined forest fairways. As already mentioned earlier in this article, the Kiawah Island Golf Resorts Ocean Course is one of those courses.

View Larger Map The Ocean Course is located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah island and boasts more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere-10 in all. The raised golf course has unobstructed views of Kiawah’s beautiful Atlantic coastline from every hole. It is no stranger to notoriety. It hosted the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and the 2012 PGA Tournament, now underway, is the first of golf's four majors to be played in South Carolina. If you are interested in golf packages, visit Kiawah Island Golf Resort's web page. You can stay at the beautiful Sanctuary Hotel. For a complete list of all the packages the resort offers go to Kiawah Vacation Packages. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort has four additional courses.

Five other courses featured this week are Patriots Point Links, The Plantation Club at Edisto Island, Wild Dunes Resort, Charleston National and Crowfield Country Club. All have PGA specials. Patriot Point Links is in the heart of Mount Pleasant with holes overlooking Charleston Harbor and nestled in the shadows of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. The Plantation Club at Edisto Island is offering a charter bus with express access to The Ocean Course and on-board refreshments each day for its guests. The Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms will have a 19th Hole with extra TVs and streaming video on laptops, so if you want to play and then watch the PGA every day, they have that setup all day long. The Charleston National signed up with the PGA to offer a special, where if you bring your PGA Championship ticket or show it on your phone, you get a 10 percent discount. Crowfield Country Club will offer green fees at $40 before noon, $30 after Monday-Friday, and just $5 more on weekends. Seniors can get a $29 rate all day weekdays.

This week an estimated 500 million people in 200 countries will view the tournament on television. The Lowcountry scenery will leave a lasting impression on those visiting as well as everyone watching from afar. Come and see for yourself. Once you come here, you just might want to stay, I did.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort

A February Day At Charleston National-One of Many Charleston Gems

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to golf Charleston National in Mt. Pleasant with my regular golfing buddies. The weather was perfect, in the high seventies. The wind was somewhat brisk, adding an ingredient of challenge. It was Charleston sunshine throughout the whole day. While the weather was perfect, my game was far less than perfect or to put it aptly, not up to par. I had a good day driving off the tee, but my second and third shots were contributing factors to my downfall.

The course was crowded. Everyone obviously had the same idea. It was a Friday and a game of golf looked more appealing than a day in the office. Alot of out-of-state plates lined the parking lot as well. The picturesque fairways were pleasant and the greens were well groomed. At first glance, the fairways at Charleston National are more forgiving than other golf courses, until you get to the back nine, especially from fifteen to eighteen.

There you cross the weedy marshes over bridges to arrive at the next tee box. An ominous warning sign posted along the edge stated, "Spiders, snakes, and alligators inhabit the marshes, do not enter." I think its real intent was to discourage golfers from retrieving their badly placed balls because if you didn't hit a good tee shot, your ball would be swallowed up by the natural wetlands the course is carved out of. You can look at it two ways, either the course designer wanted to save the worst for last or the best for last. It would depend on your point of view.

Adjacent to the tee box on seventeen, overlooking the waterway, was a beautiful mansion-like home. The owner was out manicuring what appeared to be a man-made beach that ran along the side and back of his beautifully landscaped property. The hole itself was a sharp dog-leg to the left with the marsh in front and bunkers lining the fairway beyond. Too short, you were in the weeds, too long, your were in the sand. The eighteenth hole was a complete surprise. I have never golfed a course that ended with a par three. Overlooking the intra-coastal waters, the eighteenth green was about 140 yards on the otherside of a marshy channel of water with the flag placement close to its front edge.

Sulking somewhat over the muffed three wood shots and failed excecution of some easy putts throughout the afternoon, I was anticipating the end to the misery and cracking open a Yuengling for a final farewell. I pulled out my eight iron and watched my fellow golfers pitch their balls into the grassy waters short of the green. I then decided to switch to the five. I set myself, took a final gaze at the flag, and let it rip. The ball sailed high into the air with a slight draw to the right. It was a thing of beauty to watch as it landed and rolled about 14 feet passed the flag. Finishing the day with a par on a tough hole helped in recovering some of my battered pride. The final analysis proved once again a bad day of golf is better than a good day at work.

 

Charleston National is a Rees Jones designed championship golf course that is open to the public year round. Rated by Golf Digest as the best non-resort course in the Charleston area. Another course close by is Rivertowne Country Club, an Arnold Palmer’s signature design with low country hospitality. It is given high 4.5 Star Rating by Golf Digest’s Places to Play. Still another is Dunes West Golf Club,  an Arthur Hills design located on the site of the historic Lexington Plantation.-Courtesy Vacation Rick Travel

Charleston's Golf Courses Are High On The List For Golf Destinations

Mark Twain once said, "Golf is a good walk spoiled." Now, I don't know if Twain ever golfed, and it appears he had or he wouldn't have said this, he must have set his expectations too high to arrive at this negative conclusion because another quote recalls it this way, "A bad day of golf is better than a good day at work." Twain was a rather cynical man and he knew how to turn a humorous phrase.

Golf can be rather comical. On one hand, you can have a big strappin' guy taking his wacks at that tiny white ball sending it 300 yards in all different directions, and on the other hand, a little old lady methodically hitting the ball a little distance at a time up the fairway. More times than not she will arrive at the green with less strokes and more balls. I'm being somewhat facetious.

Here is another quote you hear me often repeat, "You drive for show, you putt for dough." Finally, this quote is rather Mark Twainish, but not of his making, "Golf is a poor mans simple pleasure and a rich mans aggrevation." You have to think a bit on that one.

Some of the top destinations for golf in North America according to golf.com are right here in the Southeast. Topping off the list are places like Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Ocean City, and Pinehurst. Golf courses in Myrtle Beach are as numerous as the Northeners who visit the Grand Strand. The area is home to more than 100 courses. If you are looking for a challenge the five toughest courses are Barefoot Golf Resort (Dye Course), Rivers Edge Golf Club, Pawleys Plantation, Dunes Golf and Beach Club, and Grande Dunes (Resort Course).

Orlando has been voted "North American Golf Destination of the Year 2010" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. It has over 75 courses to choose from. Ginn Reunion Resort, Florida designed by such legends as Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus is located just minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort and the Orlando International Airport.

Golf Digest readers named Hilton Head Island No. 10 on its list of the world's best golf resorts. If you are looking for a specific category such as most challenging, most scenic, and most player-friendly Hilton Head has it. Other notables near Hilton Head are The Melrose Course at Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa, a championship Jack Nicklaus “signature” layout and Bloody Point Course at Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa’s.

One of the top courses in the country is right here in our own backyard. Readers of Golf World Magazine voted Kiawah Island Golf Resort "#1 Resort in the U.S." where Kiawah Island Resort (Ocean Course) is located. Also was ranked No. 4 in the Top 100 list on golf.com and notibly home of the 2007 Senior PGA. Golf enthusiasts of Charleston are happy to know August, 2012 the 94th PGA Championship will be held at the Ocean Course. Another top Charleston area course is Wild Dunes Links Course consistently ranked by Golf Digest and Golf magazine as one of "America’s Top 100." Patriots Point Links right on Charleston Harbor offers spectacular views of the city and Fort Sumter. Coosaw Creek Country Club accolades include a "Must Play" by Golf Magazine, and a "4 Stars" from Golf Digest. These are just a few of what Charleston offers to the golfer.

So, the only thing a golfer needs is more daylight, and money. In closing, maybe you will appreciate this observation- The difference in golf and government is that in golf you can't improve your lie. A travel note of significance- Southwest Airlines will start serving Charleston on March 13th. Now there are seven new direct flights to CHS. Remember golf bags fly free! Get out and golf.

The Wild Dunes On Isle of Palms Has It All Covered

The Isle of Palms has always been one of my favorite spots in the Charleston area for beachcombing, kayaking, and just hanging out for a day. Its beach was the first I checked out while vacationing here. One spring I stayed at a beach house off of Palm Blvd. It was a memorable time. That was before all the improvements were made around the pier and Ocean Blvd between County Park and 10th St. I still like to stop for a beer on the upper deck of Coconut Joe's around sunset or an ice cream cone at one of its shops after sunning or throwing the football around on the beach. Just up the road on Sullivan's Island is Poe's Tavern, a nostalgic place to eat.

The Isle of Palm is also home to the Wild Dunes, an oceanfront resort nestled on the northern end of the island. Here are some interesting facts for the history buffs before it became a resort. It was a staging point where Lord Cornwallis commanded 2,000 British troops in an attempt to take Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. The Confederate submarine, H.L. Hunley, rammed and sank the Union warship, USS Housatonic around the island's waterways. The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club was established in 1972, a tennis resort on 1,600 acres. In 1980 came the first of its two golf courses. In early 1990, Wild Dunes Resort became part of Destination Hotels & Resorts. The 1998 opening of the Boardwalk Inn provided guests a hotel stay in AAA Four Diamond style. Early 2008 large-scale beach erosion led to the depletion of the beachfront area of Wild Dunes wiping out the 18th hole of the Links Golf Course. Not to worry, it has since been repaired by pumping approximately 900,000 cubic feet of sand from offshore.

The resort now caters to everyone and every occassion. Couples who are looking for romance, families looking for together time, tennis players and golfers, meetings, weddings and celebrations. Specials and packages are available throughout the year for your convenience and affordability. Wild Dunes offers many accommodation styles, including condo rentals and vacation homes. Choose from six different dining spots from the simple to the elegant. The Grand Pavilion Café & Bar serves sandwiches, snacks, drinks and cocktails with a panoramic view of the ocean. For a suggestion of activities ranked among the best family recreation programs in the country check out Island Adventures.

Isle of Palms Near Charleston, SC-Seven Miles of Beach

The first beach I went to when I visited here was on the Isle of Palms or IOP. As you approach the island via the connector you get a impressive view from the bridge of the back waters and the ocean straight ahead. Finding a parking spot on Ocean Blvd by the pier is a challenge on a sunny, warm summer day when everyone has the same idea as you, going to the beach. The park lot fills up fast also.  Suggestion, get there early.

The area by the pier near Coconut Joe's has always been my favorite. When not taking in the rays there are alot of little shops in that section to peruse and a couple of places to get a refreshment or an ice cream cone. If you desire a brew, go to the upper deck of Coconut Joe's. There is generally live music and a beautiful view of the beach and ocean. An even better time is towards the evening when the sun is going down.

IOP was originally named Hunting Island and then Long Island. It was purchased in 1899 by J.S. Lawrence, who renamed it the Isle of Palms. Seewwee Indians originally occuppied the island and the only other occupants were the pirates who buried their treasures for safekeeping in the deserted dunes and woods. It remained without permanent inhabitants until the late 19th century when the island became recognized by locals of the area as a refuge from the summer heat and tempo of Charleston. Breach Inlet, separating IOP and Sullivan's Island, was the point of departure for the CSS Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. Numerous ships have sunk off the shores of its beach and during Hugo the barrier island was under water. The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club was built in 1975 and later renamed The Wild Dunes Beach and Racquet Club in 1984 and today is simply called Wild Dunes.

Vacation home rentals on the beach are plenty and spacious from condos to cottages, to oceanfront mansions. There are five different hotels and resorts on the island to choose from when looking for accommodations for a night or several. If you like water sports, the IOP Marina has everything you need and fishing charters too. We rented kayaks at the marina and paddled around the intercoastal waters of the island. You get a good look at the villas and mansions along the waterways and a enjoyable dose of nature.
 
Wild Dunes, Charleston's Island Resort,  is a 1,600-acre oceanfront paradise that features championship golf, nationally ranked tennis, one of the nation's top-ranked family recreation programs, over two miles of pristine beach, and four outstanding resort restaurants. Whether you are a resident or a non-resident, check out the IOP and its seven miles of beach. Map and location.-Vacation Rick Travel

Amelia Island-Not Just Another Florida Island

One summer while staying on Jacksonville Beach, we decided to take a drive up the coastline along Florida A1A. At one point of our journey, we had to board a ferry called Saint Johns River Ferry to continue our trek. The scenery was beautiful and the beaches great. There was a stretch of beach in Little Talbot Island State Park onto which we drove our four wheel drive vehicle. Driving along the surf was an exilerating experience. From there, we continued northward on Florida A1A and crossed a bridge that took us to Amelia Island. Up till then, I didn't know Amelia Island existed.

Amelia Island is the southernmost of the barrier islands stretching along the coast from South Carolina to Florida called the Sea Islands. It is south of Cumberland Island, Georgia. It is considered the only community in the United States to have experienced life under eight different flags. The island has a long and illustrious history that goes back 4,000 years. Amelia Island has a natural deep harbor on the north end of the island, which provided easy access for smugglers, pirates, and assorted sea captains.

Today, Amelia Island attracts a wide variety of recreational and commercial activity. For the vacationer, it features activities from golf and tennis at world-class resorts to kayaking, sunset sails and horseback riding on the beach. It has river cruises and charters, fishing, a museum, a community theatre, and walking tours of Historic Fernandina Beach. Or maybe you just want to take a quiet walk to enjoy the unique variety of birds and wildlife. To top it off, there are the 13 miles of beautiful, sandy beaches for taking in the warm Florida sun either to lay out on, walk on, or collect seashells.

Amelia Island offers a 1350 acre beach resort called Amelia Island Plantation. The resort offers four Audubon International certified sanctuary golf courses, 23 Har-Tru tennis courts, holistic spa, shopping village, year around youth programs, Nature Center, and Segway tours. Plenty of other resorts and hotels to choose from.

Kiawah Island at its Best-The Sanctuary

The setting is truly extraordinary. The Sanctuary is just 50 yards from the beautiful Kiawah Beach. The natural surroundings are both exclusive and private, in fact you can see the waves of the ocean from almost everywhere in the hotel including the 2 dining rooms, both bars, The Grand Lobby, and even the beautiful pools, which are only steps from the beach. The Sanctuary offers 255 spacious rooms and suites, including the 3000 square foot Presidential Suite. The resorts king rooms are among the largest on the East Coast. If you are looking for a weekend getaway, a luxury spa indulgence or championship golf outing, it’s just a short drive. The Sanctuary was awarded the Mobil Five Star Award #1 U.S. resort hotel by Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report and #1 family resort in U.S. and Canada by Travel+Leisure Family. Kayaking, bicycles, and miles of trails are available to explore. Enjoy Tennis or golf at the Ocean Course, which offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean from all 18 holes. Named "#1 Golf Course in South Carolina" by Golf Digest. Information brought to you by Vacation Rick Travel.
Some area attractions:

• Fort Sumter 35 mi
• Historic Charleston 21 mi
• Middleton Place 25 mi
• North Charleston Coliseum 35mi
• Patriots Point 40 mi
• South Carolina Aquarium 25 mi