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By
Tim Baines
It's
hard to believe such a big treasure could
be found within such a small piece of
land in South Carolina.
But
Santee has proven that size doesn't really
matter, becoming a golf destination for
thousands and thousands each year. Especially
if price factors into your decision on
where to take your next golf vacation,
Santee is your place. It's really hard
to argue with the stay-and-play golf rates.
For example, there's a December package
of four rounds (with cart), four nights
and four breakfasts at the Quality Inn
or Clark's Inn of $212 (plus tax). You
will play Santee National, Foxboro, Wyboo
and The Players Course. Incredible, just
a bit more than $50 a round, with a room
and breakfast!
Santee
is home to three exceptional golf courses,
world-class fishing on Lake Marion, outlet
and gift shopping, and antiquing at nearby
historic Elloree. Santee is the place
for outdoor recreation, history and good
southern fun. There's a small-town feel
to Santee (population would be around
800), but the area is big on service and
smiles. There's nothing like that good
ole southern hospitality which usually
comes out in the form of a warm "hello"
and "How y'all doin' this mornin'."
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Front
and centre in the development of Santee
is the Clark family.
William
Clark, known as Bubba to many, set
the groundwork for his sons Bill and
Cholly. Bill and Cholly are co-owners
of the Quality Inn, while Bill and
wife Patricia own Clark's Inn. The
brothers also developed Santee National
Golf Course, which Cholly now runs.
It began primarily as a residential
development, but Cholly decided to
do some golf packaging through the
hotel. It was a match made in heaven.
And Golf Santee was born.
"When
I was a kid, Santee was very rural,"
says Bill. "It was just a crossroads,
with four stores and four or five
motels. There was nothing else. There
were cornfields in behind. Then, when
I was in college in the early 1960s,
people started retiring (in Santee).
It was mainly because they'd ridden
through and were impressed. The climate
was good and it wasn't busy like Hilton
Head or Myrtle Beach."
Many
of the tourists come from Ohio and
Canada, obviously attracted by the
year-round golf and much warmer climate.
Bill
says the business from Canadians is
much appreciated. "Canadians
will sometimes play in weather we
consider inclement," he says
with a laugh. "You will see them
out by the swimming pool in their
bathing suits and we may still have
our overcoats on. Canadians like it
here. They're always pleasant and
seem to have a good time. They stay
longer, too. I think sometimes five
or six guys get into a van and drive
down here."
In
the heart of Santee, the historic
Clark's Inn & Restaurant hasn't
lost any of its charm since opening
in 1946. Clark's is the oldest continuously
operating business in Santee. Clark's
offers an exceptional dining experience
with three beautifully furnished dining
rooms each featuring a working fireplace
and a cozy atmosphere. Clark's Inn
was opened thanks to some foresight
by Bubba Clark, who had grown up in
a farming family in Cope, S.C. He
and his father Winfield had bought
commercial property in Santee prior
to World War 2. At that time, before
I-95, Hwy 301 was the most travelled
route from New York to Florida. Thinking
that families would travel more, they
believed highway property was a sound
investment. In 1946, the old bus station
became Clark's Restaurant. Then in
1971, with the opening of I-95, the
restaurant was constructed in its
new location.
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Santee
National
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Santee
Cooper Country Club
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Clark's
Inn
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Quality
Inn
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The
Quality Inn is another outstanding option
for accommodations. There are 153 rooms,
banquet room, an outdoor pool, hot tub and
Ziggy's Bar and Grill. A hot breakfast is
included as well.
There are three golf courses with a three-minute
drive of Clark's and the Quality Inn: Santee
National, Lake Marion Golf Club and Santee
Cooper Country Club. There are 10 other
courses within a half-hour drive.
"If
you stay in town, the three golf courses
are right there," says Clark. "People
speak highly of those courses. And there
are great restaurants. Across the lake,
there are a number of other courses within
easy driving distance."
If
you're more the hook, line and sinker type,
the fishing is excellent. Lake Marion has
plenty of large and smallmouth bass and
crappie. And a 58-lb. catfish, a world record,
was once hauled in.
So
what is it that brings golfers back to Santee?
"Well,
it's the price, the service, the convenience,
the lack of crowds and the lack of traffic,"
says Clark. But
there's plenty more. It's one of those things
that you really have to experience.
For
more information, check out clarksinnandrestaurant.com.
12/09
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