The Golf Trip.
Putting together the annual golf trip is only slightly less involved and detailed than the D-Day Invasion.
And it can be just as bloody … if every detail is not perfect.
So, after hours of research and preparation, a planer (or planners) puts together the trip. The most typical spots are:
- Arizona, Orlando, Naples, West Palm Beach or the islands of the Caribbean in the winter.
- Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Biloxi or Alabama in the spring and fall.
- The Atlantic City area, the Pocono Mountains or a number of spots in Maryland during the summer.
But, golfers are always looking for someplace different. They ask about new locations all of the time. However, it takes a lot of guts for the golf trip planner to really think outside the box and come up with something unique. The risk is great.
The rewards?
One recent unique golf destination proved to be a treasure trove of rewards – culturally, spiritually, in the culinary experience … and, most certainly, through the quality of golf courses.
What location could possibly provide such a diverse surprise?
Aiken, South Carolina
Small Town America.
It was a step back in time. And it provided the perfect setting for a most relaxing and satisfying golf trip.
Small Town America was once the driving force behind the development of this country. In some areas it has lost its influence on our culture and values. Maybe even disappeared.
In other parts of the country it still exists, clinging to America’s links to the past.
It is a combination of traditions. Most of the town folk going to the high school football game on Friday night. Or meeting at the church social on Saturday. And, of course, going in unison to Sunday worship.
It is people who were born in the town, went to school in the town, worked in the town and raised their families in the town.
At one time, these towns were epicenters of culture throughout Pennsylvania – Pittston, Coopersburg, Quakertown, Jim Thorpe, Hatfield, Lansdale, Norristown, Bridgeport, Conshohocken, West Chester, Wayne, Ardmore, Ambler, Pottstown, Schwenksville.
Most of them went through a huge economic decline in the 70s and 80s, as factories closed, malls opened and people shunned their identity with the small towns.
Many have made strong comebacks … but not in the same way. Places like Conshohocken are bedroom communities of Philadelphia. Phoenixville has become the home for young, working millennials who cannot afford the high suburban home prices of the surrounding area. West Chester has become a trendy college town.
Others still have not made their way out of the malaise that began almost 50 years ago.
For a reminder of the grand days of America’s small towns, it is necessary to move farther away from the big cities of the East Coast megalopolis … and toward the heartland of the country.
The golf trip to Aiken, South Carolina provided a refreshing look back. Aiken is on the southern border of the state, about 125 miles northwest of Charleston and a few miles across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia.
Aiken was recently voted the Best Small Town in the South by Southern Living magazine.
It is a town steeped in history. Aiken was formed in 1835 at the terminus of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company which connected Charleston to the Savannah River. William Aiken, the railroad’s first president, founded the town.
In the late 19th Century it became famous as a wintering spot for wealthy people from the Northeast. The Aiken Winter Colony was established and 13 large hotels popped up around the city. Most are gone now, but the Willcox Hotel still stands as a tribute to early 20th Century grandeur and lifestyle. Conde Nast magazine listed it as one of the Top 5 Hotels in the United States in 2015.
The equestrian industry soon became Aiken’s second big attraction and still thrives. A portion of the town continues to maintain dirt streets for the comfort of the horse traffic that is often seen in that area. Almost every week there is some type of horse-related event – steeplechases, horse shows, thoroughbred training. The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1977.
More important is the fact that this town still thrives as a social and economic center for 30,000 residents – most of whom grew up in the area.
“Aiken has never lost its hometown feel,” says Mary Ann Keisler, director of marketing for the promotional organization Thoroughbred Country. “People who visit here constantly comment about the charm of the town and the warmth of the people.”
The streets are wide and welcoming. The main street is still filled with privately owned shops, galleries and restaurants. No chains of any kind in downtown Aiken. And, despite a nearby highway that is heavily populated with just about every national fast food restaurant imaginable, the mom-and-pop operations in the downtown area are still busy and vibrant.
People stroll the main street, never appearing to be in a hurry to get anywhere. Every passerby is greeted with a smile and a syrupy “How y’all doin’?” Most businesses, even many restaurants, still close on Sundays.
The entire scene is a stark reminder that there is still an entirely different America existing outside of New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles – the areas inhabited by elites, who too often think the universe revolves around them.
And, to the great satisfaction of the many golfers who visit the Aiken area each year, there is a spectacular assortment of golf courses.
One such group was the players in the Freedom Trail Challenge, a Ryder Cup-style event that has competed in some of the greatest golf locations in the world for 22 years. Talk about a risky group to bring to Small Town America. They have been spoiled everywhere they have gone.
But Aiken did not disappoint.
Mark Freeman of West Palm Beach, formerly from Blue Bell (PA) called the visit to Aiken, “the best Freedom Trail Challenge trip ever.” And he has been on at least 12 of them.
Winning team captain Joe Sosnowski, also a veteran of about 15 trips, called Aiken “a refreshing change of pace from the normal golf trip.”
As mentioned, the golf was spectacular:
- The Aiken Golf Club – founded in 1912, this short and quirky layout was perfect for the first day, two-man scramble competition. For those who think it just appealed to the older players in the group … think again. James Braunsberg, a millennial who has played on the North Carolina Mini Tour circuit the last few years, called it “my favorite course on the trip.”
- The River Club – this Jim Fazio-designed layout was starkly different from the rest of the courses. Situated along the Savannah River – and looking across at Augusta, Georgia – it appeared more like a Florida golf course. There was plenty of water and lush vegetation. The condition of the fairways was great … and the greens were even greater.
- Mount Vintage – This 27-hole layout has recently been reborn, including an impressive re-grassing effort on all of the greens. It has a great amount of elevation change, large and severely undulated greens, very generous tee shot landing areas and a minimum of rough. Sound familiar? Many visitors say the layout is very reminiscent of August National.
- The Reserve Club at Woodside Plantation – This private Nicklaus-designed gem is quite a test, on any given day. But the lightning-fast Tif Eagle greens provided the ultimate challenge. False fronts, wild undulations and the green speeds that approached 13 on the stimpmeter made for a great final day.
This year’s competition came down to the last day, with James Braunsberg defeating Tim Koshollek of the Texas team to ensure the victory for the World Team. However, the match was not without its special moment for Koshollek, as he recorded a hole-in-one on the 130-yard 12th hole.
And then it was back to Malia’s Restaurant in Aiken for the Champions Dinner … celebration … the usual lie-telling … and a final dose of small town hospitality.
