supplement of hilton head monthly
Golfer’s Guide November 2012 www.golfersguide.com/hilton-head-island
National Focus on pure golf makes Hilton Head National a local favorite | p 100
Hilton Head Lakes | p 102
What’s Hot, What’s Not | p 106
News and Notes | p 107
H i lt o n H e a d N at i o n a l
blessing
‘A
in disguise’
Expansion of US 278, loss of nine holes may have helped Hilton Head National by Lance Hanlin
W
ith 58 courses, Hilton Head Island and the surrounding area is considered one of the top golfing destinations in the United States. Many local courses are nationally recognized. One is Pure golf. globally recognized. “There are no homes, condos, villas or anything Some are overrated, some are underrated. Some are for around it,” said John Ferrebee, general manager and low handicappers, others are for high handicappers. Some director of golf at Hilton Head National. “We’re a are overpriced, others may be underpriced based on quality. golf course. We sell golf. We don’t sell anything else. For local golfers, one is just right. People come to play here, not for any other reason.” Many claim to be the locals’ favorite but only Hilton No out-of-bounds, no memberships, no maintenance Head National Golf Club can back up that claim. workers, no bicycle bells, no exhaust pipes. Just golf. The three most popular media outlets in Beaufort “The common noise of Hilton Head, you don’t have County – the Island Packet newspaper, Hilton Head out here,” said Bill Palmer, president of Scratch Golf Monthly magazine and the Bluffton Today newspaper Company. “It’s just golf and the noise of nature. This is – all gave “Best Golf Course” honors to Hilton Head the first golf course we built as a company and we took National in their most recent readers’ choice awards. great pride in building it. We also take great pride in How did a course, located in Bluffton, about a mile the condition we keep it in all the time. Certainly, we’re from the bridge to Hilton Head Island, become such a very proud of it.” hit with the locals? The property’s future was in question two years ago
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DETAILS when the eastward expansion of Bluffton Parkway plowed through, using eminent domain to seize the sixth and seventh holes of the Player Nine. The club was forced to downsize from 27 holes to 18. Nine holes may have been closed but they have not been abandoned. The No. 9 hole and the first fairway of the No. 1 hole from the old Player Nine are still being maintained. The old No. 8 hole sits proudly along U.S. 278 in immaculate condition. “That will still be a landmark hole even though it can’t be played,” Ferrebee said. “It represents Hilton Head National and lets people know that even though we lost nine holes, our mission statement hasn’t changed.” In hindsight, downsizing to 18 holes in this troubled economic time may have been a good thing. Golf rounds have dropped remarkably nationwide and Hilton Head National, even though still seeing steady play, hasn’t been immune. “It may have been a blessing in disguise,” Ferrebee said. “Continuing to maintain 27 holes probably would have put a real stress on our bottom line.” Today’s course features nine holes designed by hall of famer Gary Player and nine holes constructed by acclaimed architect Bobby Weed. The current Player Nine was designed to give golfers an opportunity to have a good time. There is not a lot of trouble in
front of the greens. While there are bunker complexes in strategic locations, in most cases, you can run the ball onto the green. There are many rolling fairways but they are somewhat generous. “It’s not going to put a lot of stress on the mid- to high-handicapper,” Ferrebee said. “It isn’t as taxing as some of these golf courses that were built in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when golf designers were trying to put together these monsters that had all the bells and whistles, water and God only knows what.” The Weed Nine is a little different. The bunker complexes are more severe and the greens have more undulation than the rolling Player greens. The fairways also have more elevation changes but are still amply generous as far as driving the ball is concerned. “It’s always nice working for a client that has not only high expectations but they deliver a good, consistent product,” Weed said. “We’ve developed a very good working relationship with (Scratch Golf) over the years.” While it is a player friendly course, Hilton Head National can also test low handicappers. The course recently hosted a Hilton Head Island Junior Golf Association event and the winning score was 1 over par. The outstanding condition of the course can be credited to superintendent Blake Carlisle, known as a guru of agronomics in local circles. Other key staff members are head professional Sterling Mitchell and director of sales Thomas Schultz.
Course: Hilton Head National Golf Club Location: 60 Hilton Head National Drive, Bluffton Architects: Gary Player, Bobby Weed Year built: 1989 Rating/slope (White): 67.3/118 Yardage (White): 5,628 Local Rate: $40-$60 Amenities: Full-service golf shop, driving range, instruction, Players Pub serves lunch daily Contact: Call 843-842-5900 or go online to www.golfhiltonheadnational.com
“I think our hospitality and service is beyond reproach,” Ferrebee said. “Even though we are strictly a private, public-access golf course, we want our guests to feel they are a member for the day. That’s sort of our philosophy. Great golf, great conditions with a bit of southern hospitality.” It’s also a great value. Instead of paying $140 per round in season at a Hilton Head Island course, you can drive 10 to 15 minutes to Hilton Head National, pay $30 or $40 less and get a course in as good or better condition. Residents of Beaufort, Jasper, Chatham and Effingham counties receive a steep discount on already competitive greens fees by showing proper identification. “I think our pricing is very reasonable for the product we put out,” Ferrebee said. “I think that is one of the reasons people continue to come back over and over again.” G
LOWCOUNTRY FAVORITE: Hilton Head National wasn't built to help sell real estate. You won't find any homes or hotels, just 18 holes of pure golf.
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H i lt o n H e a d L a k e s
You can't keep a good course
Down
The Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes Sees bright future under new developer by Lance Hanlin
The 18-hole championship course survived the failed Tradition Hilton Head development, two brief closures and a court-appointed receiver as new ownership shifted to the current developer. Today, the public course remains open for business, conditions are better than ever and rounds are up. Director of golf David Wilding has been there from the beginning and is excited about the future of the maturing course and the entire Hilton Head Lakes development. “The people of the Lowcountry have wrapped their arms around the golf course,” Wilding said. “When the team from Hilton Head Lakes came in, they truly saw this land as a valued asset. From the golf course, the lakes, and the expansive system they’re working on across on the south side of the property, they’re putting money back into the development. I think it makes Hil102
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ton Head Lakes a development unlike any other.” When the golf course opened in 2007, it was supposed to be an integral part of a vibrant 5,500-acre community featuring 9,500 homes, similar to the popular master-planned Tradition Port St. Lucie. Unfortunately, what worked in Florida didn’t work here. The global financial crisis hit soon after the course opened, leaving most of Tradition Hilton Head undeveloped. That put the golf course in the awkward position of being relatively close to everything but next to nothing. “If you consider Hilton Head Island the focal point, we are off the beaten path,” Wilding said. “To make up for that, we focus on guest services and course conditions. When people remember you, it will be by the service they received and the condition of the golf course.” While it is a 20 to 30 minute drive for most of the
Photos Courtesy of HILTON HEAD LAKES
A
fter five years of fighting a down economy, a soft real estate market and a flat golf industry, things are looking up for The Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes.
island, it is also a short drive for several Georgia markets, such as Savannah and Pooler. Its proximity to Interstate 95 makes Hilton Head Lakes the first golf course many Hilton Head-bound travelers encounter. The International Junior Golf Tour and the eGolf Professional Tour have both hosted tournaments there. Pfeiffer University will host an intercollegiate there in March. “We have a local rate, as every public golf course in our area does,” Wilding said. “We offer it to all of Savannah and the surrounding areas, all of Beaufort, and the coast of Hilton Head. Truly, one of the best things about us … we are 20 minutes from everywhere, the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah, 20 minutes from Hilton Head Island and 20 minutes from Beaufort. We’re right in the middle of it all.” Tommy Fazio, not to be confused with his uncle, Tom, designed the course to take advantage of the property’s lakes and natural wetlands. The front nine meanders through developments and home sites. The back nine features some of the most scenic holes on the course. The young Fazio takes pride in building each courses himself, resulting in around one project per year. He has worked extensively with Donald Trump and many of his trademarks are evident at Hilton Head Lakes, such as classic rolling hills,
limited hidden obstacles and subtle cart paths. Everything is laid out in front of you. The round starts with four challenging holes and ends with three challenging holes. Wilding calls them the Hilton Head Lakes bookends. “If you can get through the first four holes, the golf course then softens up a bit and you can miss some shots and not be super-penalized,” Wilding said. “As your round comes to an end, you have to pay attention and finish.” With five sets of tees, Hilton Head Lakes can be enjoyed by golfers on both ends of the talent spectrum. For beginners, there are expansive fairways and wide open greens, which can be attacked from many different angles. If you miss a green, your imagination can run wild with the green complexes. The 12th hole was recently honored in Golf Course Home’s fifth annual Dream 18 collection of great residential golf holes. The publication called Hilton Head Lakes, “a Hardeeville haven.” Another thing that makes Hilton Head Lakes unique is its 36-acre practice facility which offers target greens, bunkers and multiple practice greens. There is also a six-hole par 3 short course ranging from 70 to 180 yards. For $15, you can have unlimited use of the short course, playing as many holes as you like.
“Our practice facility is a phenomenal asset to our golf club,” Wilding said. “Our par 3 short course is great for highly skilled scratch golfers to fine tune their short game and for beginners who are just starting to learn the game. The short course is maintained and very indicative of the big course and conditions are always the same.” Hilton Head Lakes offers several membership plans and rounds packages. There is also a practice facility membership, where $300 gives you six months of unlimited access to the short course and the entire practice facility. The local rate for Hilton Head Lakes is currently $35 in the morning and $25 in the afternoon. Winter rates will be announced soon. The club also provides golfers with a course loyalty card. If you purchase five rounds, your sixth round is free. This month, Hilton Head Lakes is unveiling a 20,000 square foot activity center with a fully equipped fitness center, meeting rooms, game room and an infinity edge pool. Plans for a new clubhouse for the golf course are also on the horizon. Other future plans include a return of exhibitions and free clinics. “It’s a great way for us as professionals to help people out and to also showcase what we have to offer,” Wilding said. “We have great golf at a great value.” G
DETAILS Course: The Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes Location: 2005 Wiregrass Way, Hardeeville Architect: Tommy Fazio Year built: 2007 Par: 72 Rating/slope (White): 70.4/122 Yardage (White): 6,200 Local Rate: $35 morning, $25 afternoon Amenities: Full-service golf shop, 36-acre practice facility, six-hole par 3 course, instruction, café serves lunch daily A Hardeeville Haven: Hilton Head Lakes was designed to take full advantage of the property's lakes and natural wetlands.
Contact: Call 843-208, 5353 or go online to www.hiltonheadlakesgolf.com
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Golf Tip
The impact-driven golf swing Golfer’s Guide Instruction by Andrew Rice There are many ways to swing a golf club, but only one way to hit a golf ball correctly. The whole idea behind my philosophy is the above statement. When looking at the top players of all time, there are no two golfers that swing the club the same way, however they all manage to impact and strike the ball in a similar fashion. How is it possible that Lee Trevino, Ray Floyd and Nancy Lopez can make the ball get to the target the same way that Ben Hogan, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods do? The only answer can be impact. A position where the weight is well on the front foot, the handle leads the clubhead into the ball while the head remains over or slightly behind the ball. For this issue, I will identify a few key factors that facilitate a sound impact position. Swing the club any way you want, but obey these few simple points, because the vast majority of the greatest golfers follow them. Grip Almost every champion golfer has a grip that favors the strong end of the spectrum versus the weaker side. I can only find one legendary golfer that utilized a weak grip and that would be Ben Hogan. All the others were strong, with a few being neutral. A strong grip encourages the hands to lead the clubhead into impact — an integral part of a proper strike on the ball. Set up At address it is important for the head to be centered between the feet. This will leave the spine in a relatively vertical position and the shoulders fairly level. Stance width should favor narrow over wide and the ball should never be too far forward. Keep in mind this set up is in place to allow the golfer to get into a proper impact position as simply as possible.
Pivot There are two important points to note in the pivot motion — the plane upon which the shoulders pivot and whether or not the body stays within the 84 degree line. The plus here is that the better the shoulder pivot, the less likely the body is to move laterally and get across the 84 degree line. In the shoulder pivot, the lead shoulder must move down and then across versus simply turning across and behind the ball. Notice how my right forearm is above the left halfway back. This is due to the fact that my shoulders have pivoted on the correct, steeper plane. As the body winds to the top and just before transition begins, the back side of the body should be flush up against the 84 degree line. This loads the energy in the swing efficiently and prepares the body to glide effortlessly into a sound impact position. If you do happen to break the line with your hips or upper body here, you will be challenged to get to the proper impact position. Notice how all of the above factors are in place to facilitate the body being able to get to impact in an efficient manner. This is the secret to all of golf’s greatest players’ swings. They all had different swings, but everything they did allowed them to get into the proper position to deliver the club onto the ball correctly. You would do well to incorporate a few of these elements into your swing.
Andrew Rice is the director of instruction at Berkeley Hall in Bluffton. He can be contacted at andrew@andrewricegolf.com. For more from Andrew visit his website at www.andrewricegolf.com. 104
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What’s
HOT What’s
NOT The good, the bad and the ugly of Golf
| HOT |
| NOT | Giving unsolicited swing advice (No thanks!)
Giving Thanks
Black Friday
Friday (by Rebecca Black)
The iPhone 5
Playing with “The Phone Guy” Red Dawn (2012) Red Dawn (1984)
Big Break Greenbrier 106
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Breakdancing
News & Notes Arnold Palmer to introduce renovated Old Tabby Links Golf icon Arnold Palmer is coming to Spring Island on Nov. 1 to unveil the renovated Old Tabby Links golf course. The Arnold Palmer Design Company first introduced the course in 1993 and has finished its restoration project. Palmer will be on site to tour the finished product and field questions from those in attendance. The project included a new irrigation system, regrassing of the greens and enhancements to restore the natural character of the course, which has been closed since March 12.
Moss Creek reopens South Course Moss Creek Golf Club unveiled its renovated South Course Sept. 29. All greens were cored out and rebuilt to United States Golf Association specifications and grassed with Champion. All fairways were killed and regrassed with Celebration Bermuda. The No. 3 green was shifted 15 feet to the right to avoid the shade of an oak tree. A new bunker was placed on No. 7 where an oak tree once stood. The green on No. 16 was reshaped to preserve another oak tree. Some of the slopes were softened to allow for the faster speed Champion offers. The course closed May 7 for renovations.
Bear Creek names new head pro There is a new head professional at Bear Creek Golf Club inside of Hilton Head Plantation. Brett Heisler took over Oct. 1 at the private course designed by Rees Jones. Heisler had worked at Col-
leton River Plantation since 2007. Before coming to the area, the University of Wisconsin graduate worked at courses in Wisconsin and California.
Heritage Classic Foundation elects new members, seeks volunteers The Heritage Classic Foundation has elected two new members to its board, which oversees the operations and charitable giving of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage. The new members are Ray Angell of Hilton Head Island and Cary Kelly of Beaufort. The 45th RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing will be played April 15-21, 2013, at Harbour Town Golf Links inside of Sea Pines Resort. The tournament is currently looking for volunteers. For more information, contact Bonnie Hunt at 843-671-2448 or email bonnie@heritageclassicfoundation.com.
GOLF magazine honors Harbour Town The famed 18th hole of Harbour Town Golf Links was showcased in GOLF magazine’s recent “Best 18 Holes” feature, a collection of famous golf holes posted online at Golf.com. The iconic Pete Dye design is honored along with other famous holes, such as the dramatic cliff-to-cliff par-3 16th hole of Cypress Point, No. 17 of the Old Course at St. Andrews and the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links along Carmel Bay. Harbour Town, home to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage, has been given numerous honors by numerous publications and was recently ranked No. 2 in a poll of PGA Tour players on the favorite courses they play.
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