Visiting Augusta in September

[Mark Pearce]

Please tell me this thread is a joke.

Classy response.

[Brian_Ewen]

I always remember the story told by Ronan Raffertys caddy in the TV series 'Ronan Rafferty's great Golf Journeys' .

With persistence, he managed to get someone from the clubhouse to come down and speak with him at the gate. When he told them that he had flown all the way over from England, they allowed him a brief look around the property, and the course was closed at the time.

[Phil_the_Author]

Do NOT send it to "William - Billy - Payne" as has been suggested. Send it to Mr. William Payne, Chairman. It shows a great deal more respect; IMO the other one sounds a bit cheeky. Let him see that this is a serious and respectful request.

[Gareth Williams]

Where will you be staying on the coast?  Maybe you will not be able to visit ANGC, but there are a number of excellent courses that you can actually PLAY along the coast of Georgia and South Carolina.

Thanks Wade.

We are going from Augusta (day stop over from Smokey Mountains) to Savannah. Then Savannah to Hilton Head, HH to Charleston, Charleston to Beaufort, Beaufort to Mrytle Beach.

All over a period of 5 days or so.

Would welcome some suggestions 

[Gareth Williams]

Please tell me this thread is a joke.

Classy response.

My thoughts exactly Mark 

[Chris Shaida]

Not sure whether you are asking for course suggestions just around Augusta or anywhere along your itinerary?  If the latter, Chechessee (near Beaufort) is a fantastic course--golf only, walking only, C&C.  It's private but imagine that a letter gets you an invite.

[Mac Plumart]

If you are asking for golf suggestions in that part of the country you are in luck BIG TIME!!!

In Augusta itself, Augusta CC is amazing and I've heard great things about Palmetto and Aiken as well.

On the coast of SC and GA, you've got Kiawah, Harbour Town, Secession, Yeamans, I could go on and on. 

FYI...if you do write the letter to ANGC, don't post about it, but send me and IM with their response.  I'd love to see you get in and walk/play the course.

[JR Potts]

Sorry, going forward I will welcome with open arms all posts on this board that end with this:

"P.S. Any ANGC members here would be most welcome to reply and offer to host me! With a return invite of course!!"

To me - that seems like a joke.  If it's not - well them I'm at a total loss for words.

[kurt bowman]

Gareth,

I can't help you at Augusta, but if you would like to play the May River Club at Palmetto Bluff while in the Hilton Head/Savannah area let me know. Here is a link that tells a bit more about it. http://www.palmetto-bluff.com/life_here_recreation_golf.asp?is

Email me at kbowman@tsgwater if you have an interest. Enjoy your trip.

Kurt Bowman

[Brent Hutto]

Where will you be staying on the coast?  Maybe you will not be able to visit ANGC, but there are a number of excellent courses that you can actually PLAY along the coast of Georgia and South Carolina.

Thanks Wade.

We are going from Augusta (day stop over from Smokey Mountains) to Savannah. Then Savannah to Hilton Head, HH to Charleston, Charleston to Beaufort, Beaufort to Mrytle Beach.

All over a period of 5 days or so.

Would welcome some suggestions 

On the scale of your entire trip it's no big thing but Charleston is between Beaufort and Myrtle Beach. Not that I can imagine why anyone traveling to South Carolina from a distant country would visit Myrtle Beach in the first place.

If your route from North Carolina to Augusta is down I-26 (or I-77) you'll skirt by the edges of Columbia, SC which is where I-26 and I-20 intersect near the beginning point of I-77. Hosting you for a round at Columbia CC would be my pleasure if by chance you find yourself with a half-day to spare hereabouts.

P.S. By way of explanation, in the past I believe someone has posted queries about visiting Augusta National entirely in jest. No doubt some people thought you were, how do you say, "winding them up" or "having them on". They are famously private down there in every month save April.

[PThomas]

write the letter, whaddya have to lose??

good luck

[Gareth Williams]

Sorry, going forward I will welcome with open arms all posts on this board that end with this:

"P.S. Any ANGC members here would be most welcome to reply and offer to host me! With a return invite of course!!"

To me - that seems like a joke.  If it's not - well them I'm at a total loss for words.

Ryan,

That "p.s" was a joke and meant to be taken with a light hearted approach....so not not really requiring some of the rather classless and more withering replies that I got in this thread.

However the intention and desire to visit ANGC is genuine and is something I will pursue with some vigour. If you don't ask, you don't get....I know that myself as I have now managed to play/visit a number of private (read "impossible to play clubs) around the world.

Gareth

[Gareth Williams]

Where will you be staying on the coast?  Maybe you will not be able to visit ANGC, but there are a number of excellent courses that you can actually PLAY along the coast of Georgia and South Carolina.

Thanks Wade.

We are going from Augusta (day stop over from Smokey Mountains) to Savannah. Then Savannah to Hilton Head, HH to Charleston, Charleston to Beaufort, Beaufort to Mrytle Beach.

All over a period of 5 days or so.

Would welcome some suggestions 

On the scale of your entire trip it's no big thing but Charleston is between Beaufort and Myrtle Beach. Not that I can imagine why anyone traveling to South Carolina from a distant country would visit Myrtle Beach in the first place.

If your route from North Carolina to Augusta is down I-26 (or I-77) you'll skirt by the edges of Columbia, SC which is where I-26 and I-20 intersect near the beginning point of I-77. Hosting you for a round at Columbia CC would be my pleasure if by chance you find yourself with a half-day to spare hereabouts.

P.S. By way of explanation, in the past I believe someone has posted queries about visiting Augusta National entirely in jest. No doubt some people thought you were, how do you say, "winding them up" or "having them on". They are famously private down there in every month save April.

Hi Brent,

Thanks for the feedback.

As ever the planned route is a little fluid and I think the reason we are heading back towards Mrytle Beach is to deposit the hire car - hence why the route might look a little out of kilter here.

Thank you for kind offer to play with you at Columbia CC - will certainly get back to you on that if the overall plan allows for it. Please PM me your email address just in case - thanks.

Appreciate the explanation too - it was to be expected to a point but I didn't realise that what was a serious question (with a joke "ps") would be taken quite that way!

The letter is written to Mr. Payne and at worst I expect a polite "no sir"...I have also asked my club to write a letter of introduction too in case that adds a little weight to the request.

[Gareth Williams]

Gareth,

I can't help you at Augusta, but if you would like to play the May River Club at Palmetto Bluff while in the Hilton Head/Savannah area let me know. Here is a link that tells a bit more about it. http://www.palmetto-bluff.com/life_here_recreation_golf.asp?is

Email me at kbowman@tsgwater if you have an interest. Enjoy your trip.

Kurt Bowman

Thank you Kurt.

Palmetto Bluff looks a delightful Nicklaus Signature course so I'll be in touch if our time allows me to hook up with you there. Much appreciated.

[JR Potts]

So then it was a joke.  So what did I write that was out of line?

Good luck on your quest....I think 99.9% of all golfers on this planet are on the same quest.  I am interested to hear of the results of your letter.

[Gareth Williams]

Not sure whether you are asking for course suggestions just around Augusta or anywhere along your itinerary?  If the latter, Chechessee (near Beaufort) is a fantastic course--golf only, walking only, C&C.  It's private but imagine that a letter gets you an invite.

Thanks Chris.

The thinking is that my wife and I would like to visit ANGC on the way to the coast and then possibly actually play one or two of the highly regarded courses in that coastal area afterwards.

Hilton Head was the first that came to mind but would love to hear any other comparable/superior courses that are a "must play"

Thanks.

[Gareth Williams]

If you are asking for golf suggestions in that part of the country you are in luck BIG TIME!!!

In Augusta itself, Augusta CC is amazing and I've heard great things about Palmetto and Aiken as well.

On the coast of SC and GA, you've got Kiawah, Harbour Town, Secession, Yeamans, I could go on and on. 

FYI...if you do write the letter to ANGC, don't post about it, but send me and IM with their response.  I'd love to see you get in and walk/play the course.

Thank you Mac.

I forgot about Kiawah, that might be worth a look for sure. Don't know Secession or Yeamans so need to look those up I think. Also Augusta CC is a course that has been recommended to me beforehand-as was Palmetto.

IF we do get a reply and invitation from Mr. Payne (or do I call him "Billy" - JOKE!!!) then I will be sorely tempted to post about it and take the wave of hatred and envy from GCA 

[Gareth Williams]

So then it was a joke.  So what did I write that was out of line?

Good luck on your quest....I think 99.9% of all golfers on this planet are on the same quest.  I am interested to hear of the results of your letter.

You suggested the entire thread was "a joke", not just the final line/"p.s" of my original post. That comes over as being a little dismissive and condescending if I am honest Ryan - or could just be the vagaries of electronic communication and how one interprets a response?

As I said earlier I also don't expect much more than a polite reply saying "no thank you" but it is worth a shot and I will try whatever I can to at least do that. I fully intend to visit the Masters tournament next year, or 2012, anyway so my visit may have to wait until then if my little project doesn't come off this year.

[JR Potts]

It's the latter.

The time I have to put into posts on this site is clearly shown.

Sorry for any offense....none intended.

[Gareth Williams]

It's the latter.

The time I have to put into posts on this site is clearly shown.

Sorry for any offense....none intended.

Understood and thanks for the reply Ryan.

Have a good day 

[Brian Joines]

Thank you Kurt.

Palmetto Bluff looks a delightful Nicklaus Signature course so I'll be in touch if our time allows me to hook up with you there. Much appreciated.
[/quote]

I would definitely take Kurt up on his offer if your schedules work out. I had really enjoyed my rounds at May River and wouldn't hesitate to go back. May River is the best I've played in the Hilton Head area. (disclaimer: I have not played some of the top privates, Long Cove, CCC..)

[Paul Nash]

Good luck in the quest Gareth - I think the responses highlight the difference in access over the pond. I wish you luck in your quest -somewhere I would love to see one day

[Gareth Williams]

Good luck in the quest Gareth - I think the responses highlight the difference in access over the pond. I wish you luck in your quest -somewhere I would love to see one day

Thanks Paul.

As you know we both have a mutual friend at Bearwood Lakes who has played ANGC twice now 

[Martin Toal]

Good luck in the quest Gareth - I think the responses highlight the difference in access over the pond. I wish you luck in your quest -somewhere I would love to see one day

Thanks Paul.

As you know we both have a mutual friend at Bearwood Lakes who has played ANGC twice now 

Who dat? (A PM reply will be fine)

I think Gareth realises that ANGC is unlikely to wave him to the first tee and have a caddy waiting with Tiger Woods spare set of clubs, but as an entrepreneur he is used to sticking his neck out and sometimes getting lucky. I am sure he can compose a letter with the right mix of charm and respect to at least get a reply.

[PCCraig]

I mean this in no offense to Gareth and his "quest" but I wonder if AGNC has a stock letter that they send back when they get requests such as this as I can only imagine they get a lot of them.

You walk on eggshells when you're there with a member...can't imagine what it would be like without one!?