Golf-South.net, your link to the Traveling Golfer.

By Claudio DeMarchi

On most days, visiting golfers outnumber the 1,000 people who live in this sleepy southern town where golf is the main industry.

Thousands upon thousands of duffers descend on Santee annually because, quite frankly, it's the best bargain in golf – anywhere. With the economy as it is that is music to the ears of many! Need to be convinced? Okay, name me the place in the world where you can stay and play for as little as $55 a day, including breakfast and power cart.

It is good and it is true! And no, you don't have to attend a time sharing presentation.

It doesn't take golfers long to be converted, especially when they see what awaits them at courses like Marion Lake, the Santee Cooper Country Club and Santee National. All of these courses are world-class layouts that test a player's skill and imagination – and you'd better have a vivid imagination. Besides being a challenge, these particular courses are some of the most cared for in South Carolina, offering manicured fairways and greens that are always being improved.
"In recent years all three championship courses have had major improvements – from tee to green," reports Todd Miller, former Head Professional and now General Manager of the Santee Cooper Resorts.

The facelifts have made the courses even more beautiful than before. Lake Marion and Santee Cooper Country Club have new turf that allows for horizontal growth while over at Santee National each of the greens is new and significantly larger. When I was there this past Fall, each course was in great shape.

With two of the courses sitting on shoreline of Lake Marion – the lake is the largest in South Carolina – you would be hard pressed to find more beautiful courses that offer up the same value as you get in Santee.

Condos have become a much welcomed addition for golfers, and this has helped make Santee a preferred destination. There are now hundreds of condo accommodations in Santee, and some, like the ones surrounding the awesome Lake Marion course, suit traveling golf foursomes to a tee.


#1 at Lake Marion Golf Club	#17 at Santee National Golf Club

Besides the three courses previously mentioned, Santee has another tier of courses on the north shore of Lake Marion that are every bit as good. Topping that list are the Wyboo Golf Club and The Player's Club at Wyboo.

"All our quality courses (there are 13 in the area and three in town) are why Santee is the most sought after golf destination in South Carolina," says Miller. Even in peak season – March through April – the cost of playing golf in Santee is very affordable with stay-and-play packages starting at the $80 a day range.

Santee has become a favorite with Canadian golfers. While each of the courses in Santee average around 50,000 rounds a year, Canadians make up at least half of that number. "With the Canadian dollar getting stronger that market keeps growing each year, we are seeing an increased traffic from Quebec and the always-steady flow from golf-rich Ontario," added Todd. "Our prices remain stable from one year to the next, and that is why Santee is always a favorite destination with northern golfers. There are no gimmicks and no extra charges," he explains.

Santee offers a fairly vibrant nightlife considering its size, and a lot of dining options along with eight top quality hotels and inns. One aspect that really appeals to golfers is that most of the restaurants and bars are in easy walking distance of their accommodations.

"That means they don't have to drive, so they can stay out a little later and enjoy the nightlife," says Todd, who claims the social aspect of golf is just as important as the game.

We'll drink to that!

The town of Summerville is about a 40-minute drive from Santee, and for golfers who don't mind the drive on one or two of their days in the south, it is a great opportunity to combine a round of golf with a nice dinner in one of the many dining establishments in the Charleston area - which is also only 20 minutes from Summerville. (Trust me you will not be disappointed with either!)

Both Charleston and Summerville offer up plenty of extras, be it from a historical (civil war) perspective, shopping, dining, or just strolling the streets and soaking up the atmosphere.

But leaving Santee for anywhere else, even for a day, will be tough for golfers to do.

For more information on Santee Golf visit www.santeetourism.com or call for
1-800-250-3080 a Free Golf Guide.

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