Vacation

[Brian Noser]

Ok here we go. I am taking a trip with my wife to florida. she wants to take the scenic route and take our time getting there. Our route will be St. Louis to Memphis(graceland) from there head to Augusta, GA via atlanta stay over night, and see the obvious(any tips on seeing the course from the outside would be helpful). from there heading to Savannah or Charleston? Then down to Daytona beach. I get one shot to play on the way down, sunday in Augusta or Savannah/ Charleston.  Does any one have any suggestions about what one course one should play while in that general direction.  

[Tom Huckaby]

Brian - sure - I hear there's this neat course on which they hold a tournament every April.  It's supposed to be gorgeous with all sorts of pretty flowers and the greenest grass you'll ever see.  Forget what it's called - I think it's named after the town - but man you should seek it out.

 

TH

ps - ok, come on, SOMEONE had to say it.

[Brian Noser]

Tom,  You did not read close enough, try again. I said we would be seeing the obvious. I figured you all would know why I was going to augusta. I would not go to savannah via augusta with out a reason. I am just happy that when I suggested we try to make it to augusta the wife said are we going to see where they play the masters.

[Tom Huckaby]

Brian - that's the obvious?  Well silly ole me...

In all seriousness though, from all I heard it's impossible to see anything but the front gate sans knowing a member and having him get you inside.

So are you sure you want to go to all that trouble just to see the front gate?

OK, I know, I would too... but just checking.

TH

[Sean Leary]

You can't see anything from the outside driving around the perimeter..

[Tim Pitner]

The Ocean Course isn't too far from Charleston--what is it, about an hour away?  If you make the drive, the course will not disappoint (although it may bruise your ego).  

[Jimmy Muratt]

Brian,

I just spent a long weekend in Charleston about a month ago with a good friend and both of our wives.  It really is a great city and there are some wonderful golf courses.

We played Yeamans Hall, which I highly recommend.  It feels like you have stepped back in time 75 years when you pass through the front gate.  Check out the course profile on this site if you aren't familiar with it.

We also played the Ocean Course at Kiawah which was excellent as well.  It's a little pricey, I think the green fee for not staying at the Sanctuary, was $325.  We also played Briar's Creek.  It's one of the better Rees Jones courses that I've played and is an enjoyable walk as well.  

Definitely try to spend some time in the town of Charleston itself.  It's a great place that your wife will also really enjoy.  There are lots of small inns and excellent restaurants.

Jimmy

[RJ_Daley]

If you are going east from ATL you might consider stopping in the Lake area and look into Cuscowilla.  They had some very attractive stay and play packages there.  I'm not sure what the status of Mike Young's new course at Madison Lakes is at this time.  But, it ought to be open by now.

[Brian Noser]

I thought about the ocean course but not at 325 a pop. RJ I think I will hit atlanta to late to make it worth while. But I will look into the packages definetly. I was thinking about making the trek across the state of florida for Pine Barrens I think you can play 36 in july for like 70 bucks. That sucks that you cant see anythign from outside the gates. i do not know if it is worth it just to see the gate, oh well we may have to cancel that part of the trip.

[Dan Smoot]

Brian - that's the obvious?  Well silly ole me...

In all seriousness though, from all I heard it's impossible to see anything but the front gate sans knowing a member and having him get you inside.

So are you sure you want to go to all that trouble just to see the front gate?

OK, I know, I would too... but just checking.

TH

I am being silly here, but has anyone had dreams about jumping the fence with 3 clubs and a putter and just seeing how far you could get.  I know I do on 17 Mile Drive with two very famous holes just off the road?

[Andy Troeger]

I highly doubt that this will work in the summer, but Harbour Town had a wonderful package deal in the winter that allowed for a reasonable price, it might be worth checking their website, as the course is really great. I think there was a 2 night-2 round minimum though even on the package we did. One way or another, its a great track.

World Woods is nice too, but I'd say if you're going to go that route its much better if you get to play both courses. Pine Barrens is the better of the two, but not that much IMO.

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Try and get a round at Yeamans Hall.  It is the best of the places mentioned.  If your wife can drop you off, even she will be impressed by the entry road.

[Tom_Doak]

Brian:

Your one round should be Yeamans Hall.  Your wife will even like the place ... big live oaks, marsh views, and only about 30 houses on the grounds.  You should be able to arrange a tee time in the summer months by calling the professional, Claude, even on the weekend I think.  Most of the members are somewhere north at this time of year.

[Andy Doyle]

Brian:

If you're stopping in Memphis to go to Graceland, you've got to take the Hwy 78 route through Tupelo & Birmingham to Atlanta.  The little shotgun shack that Elvis grew up in is about 100 yards off 78 on a little side street in Tupelo.

If you overnight in Atlanta, get up early and go to the new Georgia Aquarium:

http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

It is spectacular.  I think they open around 8 am and in the morning you could see everything and still get through it in less than 2 hours.  If you have any interest in aquariums at all, this one is a must-see.

If you're heading towards Charleston on I-20 you'll pass within a few miles of Cuscowilla - it's not too far off the interstate at Lake Oconee and is less than 2 hours from Atlanta.

http://www.cuscowilla.com/main.htm

Charleston and Savannah are great destinations - beautiful cities.

Also as mentioned r.e. Augusta - unless you have connections to get in the gate, you will see all there is to see in a 3-second driveby of the front gate.  You can get off I-20 and drive down Washington Road (a normal, tacky retail and restaurant strip) road a couple of miles and all you will see is the guard shack and a little of Magnolia Lane.  You can't even see the clubhouse.  The perimeter of the course is completely blocked by folliage.

Andy

[Paul Payne]

Brian ,

When you get over into the Augusta area you can check out some very good affordable courses.

1) Palmetto, of course (in Aiken) old Mackenzie layout. Private but not all that difficult to get on. I think the guest fees were around $40 - $50.

2) The Aiken CC (Highland) A great alternative to Palmetto. Not long (6200) but very nice course from 1912 with outstanding greens. Walk for just over $20.

3) Mount Vintage Plantation in North Augusta. A beautiful layout that captures some of the feel of ANGC because of it's similar terrain. It is new semi-private and always extremely well groomed. I walk (but it is very hilly) and do so for about $60.

My real preference are the two old courses but Mount Vintage is big and beautiful, worth a visit. I forget who the architect is but it was nobody I recognized (that doesn't mean much), but it is a very good layout.

Also in between Atlanta and Augusta, if you are looking for an inexpensive round on an entertaining course check out the one at Hard Labor Creek state park. It is a WPA course from the '30's and for $25 is worth a visit.

Happy trails.

[Tim Leahy]

I played a nice course outside of Augusta called Cedar Ridge that seemed to fit the area with lots of trees and creeks etc., also if you have military priviledges, Fort Gordon, in Augusta has a nice RT Jones course.

[Bob_Huntley]

Brian - that's the obvious?  Well silly ole me...

In all seriousness though, from all I heard it's impossible to see anything but the front gate sans knowing a member and having him get you inside.

So are you sure you want to go to all that trouble just to see the front gate?

OK, I know, I would too... but just checking.

TH

I am being silly here, but has anyone had dreams about jumping the fence with 3 clubs and a putter and just seeing how far you could get.  I know I do on 17 Mile Drive with two very famous holes just off the road?

Dan,

These threads appeared recently.

My good friend Pete Galea was with me when I encountered a couple of trespassers who came off the 4th green at the Shore Course at MPCC. They were confused as to where to go. There is a bit of a cows gut as to which direction to take to play the fifth.

Another giveaway was that they were wearing shorts. After a brief interrogation it was obvious that they were sneakers. I pointed out that they were committing a misdemeanor, trespassing. Pete also reminded me that there was a felony involved... "Depriving an inkeeper of his income."

The culprits scooted off with nary a word of dissent.

Bob  
     
 

 Quote from: Wayne Freeman on April 30, 2006, 01:56:51 am
A buddy of mine who played on the European tour for a couple of years in the 70's got married on the 15th green at Cypress Point.  The wedding party just ignored the trespassing signs on the nearby road......  they've been happy ever since!
 
 

It's just as well that Charles de Bretteville didn't happen along, they would have spent the first night of their honeymoon in the Monterey County  pokey.

Bob  


 

[ed_getka]

Brian,
   I would try to see Palmetto if I were you. Sean Tully was there last year and really enjoyed it.

[Steve_Roths]

From Tom Doak:
Brian:

Your one round should be Yeamans Hall.  Your wife will even like the place ... big live oaks, marsh views, and only about 30 houses on the grounds.  You should be able to arrange a tee time in the summer months by calling the professional, Claude, even on the weekend I think.  Most of the members are somewhere north at this time of year.



Is it that easy to arrange a round at Yeamans?  I was under the assumption this was a very private club?  Just curious.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Not one mention of Fernandina Beach Municipal outside of Amelia Island off of I-95 with a Krystal on the drive in and out?!?!?

For shame!!!

Wifey can hole up at The Ritz Carlton Bar while you play 27.

Personally, I like the South/West combo the best!!!

JWK

[Dan Smoot]

Dan,

These threads appeared recently.

My good friend Pete Galea was with me when I encountered a couple of trespassers who came off the 4th green at the Shore Course at MPCC. They were confused as to where to go. There is a bit of a cows gut as to which direction to take to play the fifth.

Another giveaway was that they were wearing shorts. After a brief interrogation it was obvious that they were sneakers. I pointed out that they were committing a misdemeanor, trespassing. Pete also reminded me that there was a felony involved... "Depriving an inkeeper of his income."

The culprits scooted off with nary a word of dissent.

Bob  
     
 

 Quote from: Wayne Freeman on April 30, 2006, 01:56:51 am
A buddy of mine who played on the European tour for a couple of years in the 70's got married on the 15th green at Cypress Point.  The wedding party just ignored the trespassing signs on the nearby road......  they've been happy ever since!
 
 

It's just as well that Charles de Bretteville didn't happen along, they would have spent the first night of their honeymoon in the Monterey County  pokey.

Bob  


 

Yes,

Silly and not sensible from someone who has never done anything more than get caught speeding.  But I still would be tempted to get a glimpse of Cypress 15/16.