During the under-the-radar construction process at Congaree, rumors floated around the community: a posh resort was coming to the old plantation or it was a private club that cost $1 million to join. The exclusively private club built on a former 18th century rice plantation was founded by two of the 200 richest people in the U.S.: Dan Friedkin, chairman of The Friedkin Group, a privately held consortium of businesses in the automotive, luxury hospitality, golf and entertainment industries; and Robert C. Bob McNair, owner of the NFLs Houston Texans and chairman of The McNair Group. Kharynton Beggs, a member of the 2018 CGGI cohort, is finishing her third year studying at Oglethorpe University near Atlanta where she also plays on the Stormy Petrels golf team. Were a winter club.. ", "A template for the future for private clubs.". Our ambassadors come in here and have a great time, play a world-class golf course. The course features a numerous amount of oak trees which are prominently featured throughout the course. This is not a club for the individual. The two Texas businessmen own other successful golf clubs Friedkin the Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk, North Carolina, and McNair the Golf Club at Briars Creek in Johns Island, South Carolina but they sought something different, a new club model with a sustaining purpose shared among its ambassadors. The club established the Congaree Global. I never even thought about that.. One of the first things that sticks out about Congaree is the sand. The person who would prefer to simply write a check for several million dollars? From June 10th-13th, 2021 Congaree Golf Club will get more exposure than any time in its history. Prior to joining Congaree, Tom was the 1st Assistant Professional at Diamond Creek Golf Club, Assistant Professional at Miromar Lakes Golf Club and an Assistant Professional at Rock Creek Cattle Company. The Golf Channel has called these efforts to help young people succeed academically while promoting the game of golf to the next generation "A new level of philanthropy on a humanitarian level. [13], The founders of Congaree - Dan Friedkin and the late Bob McNair - set out to create a new philanthropic model that unites ambassador-members with a shared purpose to positively impact the lives of young people, locally and around the globe, by providing educational and vocational opportunities through the game of golf. Ambassadors is a word we chose because the spreading of the word and what we do with our philanthropy here, our ambassadors really truly are ambassadors, Davidson says. The mile-long entrance road curls around a pond to a plantation homestead that dates back to the American Revolution; the main house was rebuilt after being burned down during Union General William T. Shermans Civil War march across the South. [7] The winner was Garrick Higgo and it marked his first career PGA Tour win. Congaree is a private golf course in the eastern United States, located in South Carolina in Jasper County outside of Ridgeland in unincorporated Gillisonville. They will get bags and bags of food. When they saw it for the first time, the two men looked at each other and said, Pine Valley, immediately seeing the similarities to the New Jersey site home to one of the worlds best courses, not to mention the Pinehurst area thats considered the cradle of American golf. The development became Congaree. When you see the bunkering, the dramatic fall off from the green, if you were to step back and not look where you were going, you might fall five feet down because there's nothing between the edge of the green and the bunker wall.. Before driving from Congaree to Hilton Head, Glover had dinner with Congaree's managing director, John McNeely, and club ambassador Mac Barnhardt, who suggested Glover visit Sergeant Jasper . players have to navigate at the long par-4 8th hole. He owns one of the largest collections of vintage military war planes and not only flies high performance aircraft, but performs in air shows across North America and Europe with the U.S. Air Force and the Horsemen P-51 Mustang Flight Team. They werent prepared for the reaction they got: tears of joy. Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. We have the opportunity to touch so many more lives and empower the next generation of leaders through a shared passion for the game of golf. If you look at the Farmers Almanac, the average temperature during that third week in October, highs in the low 80s, and you get a kind of 58-to-48-degree low. The ball goes far, but also moves a lot on the ground. They are only here a week, but they are a Congaree kid, and if you are a Congaree kid and abide by your charter, which is to work hard, be nice to people and get to college, then well support you forever, Davidson says. Is Hosting the Presidents Cup in the Future. It was only his second day at the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, but DJ Belcher seemed to have gotten into the swing of things. He was awarded Master Professional status by the PGA of Great Britain at a ceremony held at St. Andrews during the 2015 Open Championship. In June, Congaree made its PGA TOUR debut with Garrick Higgo winning by one stroke. A graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, Tom is a PGA Class A Professional. When Fazio first visited, his response was similar: You guys hit the mother lode here.. That isnt what Congaree is about. Our ambassadors go down there and give out food, sometimes $15 -20,000 a day." All of this happens out of a golf club that sits tucked behind a white gate that has no signage and no intention of being found by anyone not intending to go there. The bunkering is especially fearsome on the par-4 8th hole, which is 540 yards from the back tee. The courses three par-5 holes present good scoring opportunities, although the sloped green at the sixth hole will make a player really work for a birdie. For much of the 20th century, Congaree served as a quail hunting preserve, and quail hunting is still available for ambassadors on a portion of the grounds. With the help of PGA TOUR players and Congaree Ambassadors, Sergeant Jasper Golf Club has been transformed over the . The club wants golf to be a vehicle for the kids in the foundations program to use as a tool to get into college. During her career, Hannah has worked in the golf industry at clubs in Alaska, North Carolina and Arizona, and most recently completed a fellowship at the Carolinas PGA Section in Greensboro, N.C. Fazio expects the CJ CUP to produce a similar winning score to the Palmetto Championship, although it may take a different route. Becoming an ambassador means being involved and supporting a mission that transcends golf.. The tee shot on the uphill par-5 second hole. Everyone else is an "ambassador," asked to join by invitation or referral. The second of two vast sandy waste areas that. With a long carry off the tee, including a bite-off-what-you-dare line over a massive waste area, and then a raised green fronted by another vast expanse of sand, some visiting pros have already suggested the 8th hole at Congaree is the hardest par-4 in the world. Congaree is a stunning golf course, one of the best in South Carolina, and this week it gets its first ever PGA Tour event, the Palmetto Championship. [14], The signature philanthropic program of the Congaree Foundation is the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, a college preparatory program for underserved high school students who aspire to play college golf. Rather than members, Congaree has roughly 250 ambassadors, prominent individuals who promote the club while lending time and money to a greater cause. Friedkin and McNairs aspirations were for Fazio to build a course unlike many of the overly lush designs favored throughout the U.S. today. Golf is one of his passions he carries a 6.9 handicap with club memberships from Florida to California and he saw the games popularity and reach as another opportunity to give back. Frenkie De Jong Has Turned FC Barcelona Career Around And Is Now Untouchable Under Xavi, Napoli Defeat Highlights Every Flaw Of Max Allegris Juventus, Defending Champ Rafael Nadal Ousted In Australian Open Second Round By American Mackie McDonald, ROH Star Jay Briscoe Shockingly Dies At 38 In Car Accident, IndyCar Champion Will Power Withdraws From Rolex 24 At Daytona Because Of His Wifes Health Issues, NBA's Extension Rules Could Force Spurs' Hand With Jakob Poeltl At The Trade Deadline, Diadora Releases Finale, New On-Court Tennis Shoe, Travis Pastrana Ready To Check NASCARs Daytona 500 Off His Bucket List. A participant in the Congaree Global Golf Initiative putts out during a summer trip to the club in [+] rural South Carolina. Nobody had experienced something like that before, she added. Ben has been awarded the Carolinas PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year and selected as one of Charlestons Forty Under 40 business professionals. Widely considered the signature hole, the brutish 540-yard 8th requires optimal distance and accuracy around huge sand washes and intimidates regular players even as a par five; it was diabolically used as a par four during the 2021 Palmetto Championship. The Presidents Cup is a golf event similar to the Ryder Cup where a team of golfers from the United States faces off against a team from around the world excluding Europe. However, it has quickly gained the reputation of being the #1 private golf course in South Carolina. Prior to the development of Congaree into a golf course, it had long been an estate known by other names. On the rural road just off the highway, its impossible to miss the dilapidated trailer homes with broken down cars and yards strewn with junk. The program, now in its fifth year of existence, utilizes Congaree Ambassadors to identify promising young high schoolers and hosts them at the golf club for one week in hopes of improving their . Not only for the club, but for golf itself. There were six players tied for second in the event with a score of -10. When OMeara saw the first green at Congaree, he was struck by how much it looked like Royal Melbourne in Australia. At Congaree, the intent has always been to create a tight network of support. There are, however, ambassadors, prominent figures in their respective fields and well-connected industry types who join via invite only. I personally believe you're going to have to be a very good bunker player, Davidson said. The house Roberts slept in while filming has been renamed Roberts Cottage.. It's firm and fast. Congaree really helped me with that too, said Beggs, who got the opportunity to study abroad at Oxford for a semester last year. So, where is Congaree Golf Club? I write about businesses, news and destinations in the golf world. Congaree Golf Club boasts notable ambassador members from many industries, including golf and business. After a tee shot over a road on the 1st, the 2nd (a straightaway par five with a forced carry off the tee) and 3rd (a drivable par four bending left) immediately stick out among the most memorable. The second cottage from the main house might be best described as the clubs version of Augusta Nationals Butler Cabin, with a rustic wood interior and furnishings that reflect the propertys past. [8], It was announced on June 29, 2022, that the PGA TOURs CJ Cup will be hosted at Congaree the week of October 17-23, 2022, after the event was contested in Las Vegas at Shadow Creek Golf Course and The Summit Club the previous two years. But stick around because well talk about what type of club Congaree is, who founded it, some famous ambassadors and what the future holds for this prestigious golf club. He took a call from one of the clubs ambassadors in Scotland, who told him about a teenage girl from Ireland who has excelled in the classroom and might have the ability to play at a U.S. college, but her parents dont have the financial means to get her there. They first saw Congaree in 2013 and liked the look of Congarees sand. As a decorated scholastic player, Bruce first came to the United States in 1978 as part of a Scottish boys team. Davidson and McNeely scouted six to eight locations, but the inland property that would become Congaree stood out from its sandy soil perfect for building a golf course to its peaceful hunting grounds and historic feel. Upon entering, a serene drive under arching live oaks leads you to a village of historic white buildings, some which have existed on the former rice plantation since the 1800s; this includes the Roberts Cottage, where actress Julia Roberts stayed while starring in the 1995 movie Something to Talk About, which was filmed at the Congaree estate. The ambassador members of the course are likeminded individuals who are invited to be members of the club. The club established the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, which Davidson describes as a "junior boot camp" for those hoping to play or study the game in college. In addition to her involvement with Congaree Foundation, Lesley is employed by The Friedkin Group, supporting the Family Office Legal Team and working on special projects. The economy and markets are "under surveillance". The overarching feelthe Australian Sandbelt meets the hunting backwoods of the southeastern U.S. Cummins recently completed her undergraduate degree at Carson Newman in Tennessee, but still remembers the initial letter that had arrived from America notifying her that shed been selected as one of the first Congaree kids.. Congaree Golf Club boasts notable ambassador members from many industries, including golf and business. Its been a lot of work. It was August in Baltimore, high humidity, 98 degrees, you had three inches of rain the week of the tournament, so it played soft, Fazio said of the 2021 BMW. Bruce Davidson, Director of Golf at The Friedkin Group, is a native Scotsman and long-time golf instructor. McNair owned Palmetto Partners, Ltd. and RCM Financial Services, L.P., private investment entities that managed the McNairs private and public equity investments. The 15th, another short par four and the start of four straight fours on the closing stretch, is among the most fun to watch the pros attempt to go for with its zig-zagging fairway and green that funnels balls from front to back. It's designed that way. The PGA Tour will play the Palmetto Championship at Congaree Golf Club. The remarkable golf course at Congaree is ultimately the mechanism for this new philanthropic model. Who Are Members At Congaree? Meet the U.S. and International teams, Tour Confidential: Presidents Cup mismatch, LIV recruiting, Augusta changes, After shocking 72nd-hole plot twist, Max Homa wins Fortinet Championship. It's just remarkable.. 1 again, 'Brooksy' struggles in first post-PGA round and Congaree draws rave reviews By Christopher Powers June 10, 2021 The PGA TOUR is returning to Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina for the second time in two years, but with a twist. The name of the tournament has been changed to THE CJ CUP in South Carolina.[9]. The two planned a place where members, some 200 who are referred to as ambassadors, spent significant time on philanthropy and growing the game. Congaree does foster those relationships outside of just professional coaching. World Golf Hall of Famer Mark OMeara, a two-time major champion, and other former touring pros are among them. The Minnesota native graduated with a journalism degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato. It has a natural look, lends itself to the ground game and plays firm and fast think Royal Aberdeen in a drought, Davidson says. The Congaree Golf Club will get its chance to shine this week when it hosts the Palmetto Championships, a relocated PGA Tour event after the planned RBC Canadian Open was called off for a second straight year due to COVID-19. Thats assuming your ball hasnt rolled into one of the expansive sand waste areas that border many of the holesrazor-sharp edges from fairways and greens into bunkers make this a commonality with even slightly wayward shots. The plan, for now, is to keep it that way and let players pick whichever yardage they feel like playing from that day. The Congaree Golf Club will get its chance to shine this week when it hosts the Palmetto Championships, a relocated PGA Tour event after the planned RBC Canadian Open was called off for a second . The Palmetto Championship was staged during South Carolinas wetter season. It is situated on a historic 18th-century estate, surrounding 2,000 acres of fishing lakes and longleaf pine forests. There are no "members" at Congaree golf club, the 3,000-acre property about 30 minutes north of Savannah, Ga. The club established the Congaree Global Golf . Most of our ambassadors have had that hand on their shoulder pointing them in the right direction, said Davidson, a PGA professional from Scotland who has worked with numerous PGA Tour and Champions Tour players over the years. Dont miss anything from the PGA TOUR & its partners, Connect to get special offers and updates, Sign up for the Monthly Minute newsletter, Get the latest happenings on PGA TOUR with WiretoWire, Get the latest happenings on TOUR with WiretoWire. Situated on an historic 18th century estate, and surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of fishing lakes and Longleaf Pine Forests in South Carolina's scenic Lowcountry, Congaree is a world-class golf club with a philanthropic mission at its core. Were five years into CGGI, and to me, weve only scratched the surface, said Friedkin, chairman of The Friedkin Group, a privately held consortium of businesses in the automotive, luxury hospitality, golf and entertainment industries. Slated to completely open in 2025, Shell Bay will feature a boutique hotel and bespoke residences anchored by a world-class private members' club, featuring a private yacht club, an 18,000-square . Rather than having members, the club has over 200 ambassadors who promote, volunteer, and fundraise for Congaree's initiatives. Keeping in the style of Australian sandbelt courses, the traditional rough is replaced by sand on the course. There are no tee markers. The Ambassador Members volunteer time and money to the Congaree Foundation, which is the foundation that the club was built around. Nick Price, Tom Watson and Mark. Limited rough on the course provides a limited amount of bailout between the fairways, greens and bunkers. In replacement of the traditional member system at most golf clubs, Congaree has an extended membership of over 200 Ambassador Members. Originally, Congaree was co-founded with two Members, owners Dan Friedkin, chairman of The Friedkin Group and owner of Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk, N.C., and the late Bob McNair, former owner of the NFLs Houston Texans, chairman of The McNair Group, and owner of the Golf Club at Briars Creek in Johns Island, S.C. Since opening in 2017, Congaree Golf Club has been one of those courses that holds a certain lore in the golf worldmany have heard, but few have seen. first at Shadow Creek Golf Course in 2020 and The Summit Club last year. I mean, in June, were closed! Davidson said with a laugh. He and his wife Janice have been residents of Houston since 1960. Congaree is natural sandy because of the geographic landscape of southern South Carolina. Also, 95% of age-eligible individuals have attended college. Glover is one of Congaree's Professional Ambassadors who support the club's mission to positively impact the lives of young people locally and around the globe by providing educational and vocational opportunities through the game of golf. Bob McNair was born in Tampa, Fla. An errant tee shot can run quickly through the side of the fairway and get caught in the bunker like a gutter ball in bowling. Davidson usually has the greens running north of 13 on the stimpmeter and happily shares his team can get them to 15, but he does not expect to reach such speeds at the CJ CUP. You may opt-out by. We want people to be here for the right reasons, Davidson says. The initial trip, everybodys mind was just blown. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images). 8 will probably emerge to be the signature, great holes abound at Congaree, a par-71 layout that can stretch to 7,685 yards. Its flattering and, more importantly, it helps more underprivileged youth. Dwayne McLemore/[email protected]. 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