Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Michael Whitaker on May 02, 2017, 07:11:50 AM
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Here is an article from Forbes Magazine about Congaree Golf Club - a VERY private club in the Low Country of SC. I had never heard of this place before seeing the article!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikmatuszewski/2017/04/27/congaree-a-first-look-at-the-golf-club-built-by-billionaires-on-a-model-of-philanthropy/ (https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikmatuszewski/2017/04/27/congaree-a-first-look-at-the-golf-club-built-by-billionaires-on-a-model-of-philanthropy/)
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Interesting read. Thanks Mike.
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My friend and college roommate caddied for a couple of groups here a few weeks ago full of names we all know and (some of us) love. The adjectives he used to describe the place was akin to "scrumtrulescent".
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Wow a course like that gets built and this is the first we've ever heard about it? In the age of the Internet that pretty amazing.
You can find it out on Google Maps, 5 miles west of the exit off I95 - on Davant Plantation Drive.
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My friend and college roommate caddied for a couple of groups here a few weeks ago full of names we all know and (some of us) love. The adjectives he used to describe the place was akin to "scrumtrulescent".
Eric - our friend caddied there during Masters week (and after). That's how I first heard about the place. Totally off the grid!
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Sounds amazing, on all fronts.
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Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous
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Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous
Well, there goes any chance you might get invited to visit! ;D
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Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous
Josh -
Did you even read the article? You know, the one about successful people with a mission to help those not as fortunate (that happens to revolve around golf)?
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I don't think it was that big of a secret. I heard about it almost a year ago. It was supposed to be Fazio last course but it's interesting how he just won't retire. Speaking of Fazio, his attempts at minimalist design to me is a failure and this course looks like that? He's attempted this before and to me should just stick to his Fazio look.
Lastly, any architectural critique by Mark O'Mera would make me run away.
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I looked at the aerial of this course. It's definitely not minimalist, LOL.
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Gary,
I'm not sure of your connection to golf in SC or to Mr Fazio, but I'm on the board of directors for the SC Golf Association and we hardly knew anything about this course or club. Not sure what that says about us?!? I wish you had mentioned something on GCA when you first had the chance so we would have learned something early on. ;)
It's amazing what one can learn from an aerial. Well done!
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Pictures of the course looks great to me and I love the write-up - good width and firm & fast from tee to green. I'd like to play it - but I didn't see a listing on Rounds 4 Research...
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Gary,
I'm not sure of your connection to golf in SC or to Mr Fazio, but I'm on the board of directors for the SC Golf Association and we hardly knew anything about this course or club. Not sure what that says about us?!? I wish you had mentioned something on GCA when you first had the chance so we would have learned something early on. ;)
It's amazing what one can learn from an aerial. Well done!
Mike,
I've known about it and sort of watched it for the last couple of years. I thought it was fairly common knowledge at least around the Beaufort area. But you bring up an interesting point above. I think one of the new "status" things is to not have a rating or an affiliation. ANGC has been that way and it seems to be the cool thing to do. I'm betting they don't rate or slope.
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Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous
I have a Special Needs son and I have seen a bunch of pompous charities over the years. Honestly, this seems very cool and I am genuinely inspired by it.I have been wrong before, but hope I am right here about the intent.
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Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous
Is there an unlike button?
Live and let live.
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Had the opportunity to play it this past weekend. There's a great golf course at Congaree. A number of big, brawny holes reminiscent of Hudson National with even bigger bunkering, making the player seem small like at Bethpage Black. A number of tighter dog legs in wooded areas that reminded be a bit of the feel of the Pines course at Seaview in NJ but more modern with perfect playing conditions. One of the guys I was playing with said a few times that a hole reminded him of Pine Valley, I've never had that dream come true but he sounded certain.
The green complexes are heavily bunkered and the greens are undulating and sectioned. Varied playing angles throughout and there aren't many holes that aren't turning. Definitely a better player type of course.
The service, facilities, amenities and architecture of the buildings, the setting...it's well on its way to being a special club for those lucky enough to be involved.
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Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous
I have a Special Needs son and I have seen a bunch of pompous charities over the years. Honestly, this seems very cool and I am genuinely inspired by it.I have been wrong before, but hope I am right here about the intent.
As a special education teacher myself, I wish I lived closer as this is something I would totally want to be involved with!
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Mike, I can tell you that with the two gentlemen from Houston that are involved, that it will not be pompus and will live up to all expectations. Those two are first class in every sense of the word!
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I spoke with someone who played it recently. This is a person who has played the top 100 world and US courses.
He was expecting it to be a typical Fazio course and came away thinking it's unlike any Fazio course he has seen. He feels it Fazio's best course.
Apparently they plan to keep the greens stimping around 13!
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Played it today. It might be the best new design I've played in many years.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/tomwilliamsen/Congaree%202018-04-18%20at%207.18.56%20PM_zps4evevzyo.png) (http://s136.photobucket.com/user/tomwilliamsen/media/Congaree%202018-04-18%20at%207.18.56%20PM_zps4evevzyo.png.html)
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I didn't see this thread before. What a fantastic entryway through those trees.
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Interesting - the club seems to be modeled after Whispering Pines here in Texas (who I know both of the founders know very well) although quite a bit more exclusive. The course and grounds look amazing.
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Played it today. It might be the best new design I've played in many years.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/tomwilliamsen/Congaree%202018-04-18%20at%207.18.56%20PM_zps4evevzyo.png) (http://s136.photobucket.com/user/tomwilliamsen/media/Congaree%202018-04-18%20at%207.18.56%20PM_zps4evevzyo.png.html)
What other new courses have you played over past several years? What makes it so good?
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There was also an interesting article in Links Magazine about Congaree a year ago. Here is the Link:
https://www.linksmagazine.com/congaree-a-south-carolina-golf-club-with-a-mission/ (https://www.linksmagazine.com/congaree-a-south-carolina-golf-club-with-a-mission/)
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Played it today. It might be the best new design I've played in many years.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q186/tomwilliamsen/Congaree%202018-04-18%20at%207.18.56%20PM_zps4evevzyo.png) (http://s136.photobucket.com/user/tomwilliamsen/media/Congaree%202018-04-18%20at%207.18.56%20PM_zps4evevzyo.png.html)
What other new courses have you played over past several years? What makes it so good?
Let me say it another way. It is the best new course I've played since Streamsong Red and Blue. Will get Black later this spring. When I looked at the brand new courses I've played in the last few years only a few come to mind. Mossy Oak is another good one.
Congaree is wide off the tee but it puts a premium on placement. There were times I had to hit a low cut or a high draw into a green because of where I was. The course allows a run-up shot most of the time. It is firm and fast fast fast. The greens were pretty large but had a lot of slope and movement in them. Be on the wrong side of the pin and three putts are hard to avoid. The shots around the green are treacherous. It is the tightest mown Bermuda I've ever played. I bet the fairways ran at 9. No joke. From the photo it is easy to see the bunkering. All of it is waste area, although the sand around the greens are raked. If you did not know who the architect was, you'd never guess Fazio. C&C or TD might be your guess. The routing I thought was excellent. I never quite new where I was, to be honest. I only knew that the wind, which was considerable, was always coming from a different direction. The only complaint I might have is that the par fives, except for number two, lacked the quality I'd have hoped. I think par fives have to be the most difficult holes to design.
Jim a player of your caliber will do well there. You going down?
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If you did not know who the architect was, you'd never guess Fazio. C&C or TD might be your guess.
Tommy,
No disrespect intended here but I have played it and I would have guessed Fazio. IMHO not even close to the same type of shaping as TD or CC etc...and for the record I'm not one of the butt boys either...my favorite is me... It is a nice place and an interesting concept...will be interesting to see what deal McNeely does next time...
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If you did not know who the architect was, you'd never guess Fazio. C&C or TD might be your guess.
Tommy,
my favorite is me...
Honesty won’t get you anywhere on this site! 😅
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Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous
I have a Special Needs son and I have seen a bunch of pompous charities over the years. Honestly, this seems very cool and I am genuinely inspired by it.I have been wrong before, but hope I am right here about the intent.
I just learned about it today and read the few articles that I could find. The course is intriguing but the overall concept is much more to me. I'd love to learn more about their work and efforts.
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TW -
I am trying to get down there before season ends. I am hoping for a return call.
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Finally got my opportunity to play Congaree and loved it. While I have not played Royal Melbourne, the crisply cut bunker edges going right up to the greens made think of RM at first. Firm, fast, and fun was the theme of the day. Everything was first class. I have played over 70 Fazio courses and this did not remind me of any of them. Lots of shot variety. Very tight so if you're not confident in your chipping, good luck.
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It is interesting to read that one of the positives of the course is that it doesn't remind one of Fazio.
I recently made a similar observation re Trinity Forest in that it isn't obviously a Coore/Crenshaw.
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It is interesting to read that one of the positives of the course is that it doesn't remind one of Fazio.
I recently made a similar observation re Trinity Forest in that it isn't obviously a Coore/Crenshaw.
Trinity is closer to C&C's work than Congaree to Fazio. Loved them both. And Trinity is so much better in person than it showed on TV.
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I was blown away by Trinity Forest. In my opinion, it is really awesome.
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Interesting mission for a golf course, to have philanthropy at it's core.
Any reports on the good works for kids coming out of this?
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RIP to Bob McNair one of the two founders. Love this model and it really sounds like this is something the founders can leave behind that will manifest into good for those that need it for decades to come.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25357571/bob-mcnair-owner-houston-texans-dead-81
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I played Congaree recently and thought it was fantastic. Sweeping dunes and expansive bunkers, along with full grown oak trees, creating lots of decisions on each shot. Very firm and fast, which made it a lot of fun. With the wind, it's even more fun, all the while very challenging. The routing, the lines to the green; the surroundings, I was impressed by it all.
The bunkers reminded me of Royal Melbourne and I may be alone on this, but the greens reminded a little of Sweeten's. The only other place I've seen putts roll off the green and into bunkers or water. Lots of undulations and quick, figuring out how to get your ball close to the pin was a lot more than simply hitting it close. Very tough to lose a ball as well (although I managed to find several ways!).
[size=78%] [/size]
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It appears this video detailing the course's mission has not yet been posted: https://youtu.be/JWI58AF7zTM.
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Congaree just was awarded Golf Digest's Best New Private, also.
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Congaree just was awarded Golf Digest's Best New Private, also.
Well deserved. Trinity came in second. Also well deserved.
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Played it day after T-giving in 2017. Simply fabulous and very un-Fazio. I also thought Gozzer is very un-Fazio...and loved that as well (you can figure out my thoughts on Fazio from those statements). Yes very high end...but these guys are to be congratulated for what they are trying to accomplish with this.
Firm and fast is an understatement...and the overall condition is amazing. I tell people you can eat off the fairways without a napkin or tablecloth! And there are whole bunch of brilliant holes. Wide fairways that absolutely require proper angles into greens.
Only question in my mind is which is better...Congaree or Ohoopee (which I played 2 weeks ago)