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Michael Whitaker

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Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« on: May 02, 2017, 07:11:50 AM »
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/
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Ben Kodadek

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2017, 03:44:15 PM »
Interesting read.   Thanks Mike.   

Eric Smith

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2017, 04:13:29 PM »
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".
« Last Edit: May 02, 2017, 04:16:10 PM by Eric Smith »

John Foley

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2017, 10:06:09 PM »
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.
Integrity in the moment of choice

Michael Whitaker

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2017, 02:24:46 AM »
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!
« Last Edit: May 03, 2017, 10:52:34 AM by Michael Whitaker »
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Mark Kiely

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2017, 02:45:12 AM »
Sounds amazing, on all fronts.
My golf course photo albums on Flickr: https://goo.gl/dWPF9z

Josh Stevens

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2017, 08:54:53 AM »
Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous

Michael Whitaker

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2017, 10:55:10 AM »
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
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Mike Wagner

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2017, 11:04:27 AM »
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)? 








Gary Sato

Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2017, 07:55:44 PM »
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.

Gary Sato

Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2017, 12:00:23 AM »
I looked at the aerial of this course. It's definitely not minimalist, LOL.

Michael Whitaker

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2017, 10:58:05 AM »
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!
« Last Edit: May 05, 2017, 11:01:47 AM by Michael Whitaker »
"Solving the paradox of proportionality is the heart of golf architecture."  - Tom Doak (11/20/05)

Matt MacIver

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2017, 09:24:00 PM »
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...

Mike_Young

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2017, 09:55:11 PM »
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.
"just standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona"

Mike Sweeney

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #14 on: May 05, 2017, 10:42:07 PM »
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.
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

jeffwarne

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #15 on: May 05, 2017, 11:02:06 PM »
Only in America would this be considered anything other than a bit pompous


Is there an unlike button?

Live and let live.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2017, 07:08:43 AM by jeffwarne »
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Bill Raffo

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #16 on: May 08, 2017, 12:57:07 PM »
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. 

Richard Hetzel

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #17 on: May 08, 2017, 04:54:49 PM »
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!
Best Played So Far This Season:
Crystal Downs CC (MI), The Bridge (NY), Canterbury GC (OH), Lakota Links (CO), Montauk Downs (NY), Sedge Valley (WI)

David Wuthrich

Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2017, 10:25:58 PM »
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!

Joel_Stewart

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #19 on: May 10, 2017, 08:49:45 PM »
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!

Tommy Williamsen

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #20 on: April 18, 2018, 07:25:06 PM »
Played it today. It might be the best new design I've played in many years.




Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Peter Flory

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #21 on: April 18, 2018, 10:31:14 PM »
I didn't see this thread before.  What a fantastic entryway through those trees. 

Doug Lionberger

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #22 on: April 19, 2018, 07:43:22 AM »
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.

Jim Franklin

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #23 on: April 19, 2018, 09:44:22 AM »
Played it today. It might be the best new design I've played in many years.




What other new courses have you played over past several years? What makes it so good?
Mr Hurricane

Bill Crane

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Re: Congaree Golf Club - Is this golf's best kept secret?
« Reply #24 on: April 19, 2018, 01:30:13 PM »
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/

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