By Mike May
If you want an action-packed agenda with limited course-to-course travel for your next golf outing, there’s no finer destination than the nine golf courses on the Georgia Golf Trail along the I-95 corridor in southeast Georgia. Add in the multitude of dining options in Savannah, beach access at Hotel Tybee on Tybee Island, historical sight-seeing opportunities, as well as, accommodation options on Jekyll Island, this part of Georgia can be an annual go-to destination.
There are four golf courses on Jekyll Island, Great Dunes, Indian Mound, Oleander, and Pine Lakes. Three more courses, Seaside, Plantation, and Retreat, on St. Simons Island, the Sapelo Hammock Golf Club in Shellman Bluff, plus The Club at Savannah Harbor, in Savannah.
Each course will provide every golfer with a memorable and enjoyable round of golf. When marketed as a destination within the Georgia Golf Trail, southeast Georgia becomes appealing for golfers 12 months a year.
“Our golf courses along the I-95 corridor are terrific golf destinations, which are very well maintained and affordably priced,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, Georgia Golf Trail. “In Georgia, we are fortunate to have such high caliber golf courses for the general public throughout the year.”
Jekyll Island
The par-3 Great Dunes, designed by Walter Travis and opened in 1926, has been used as a testing center by the USGA for clubs, shafts, and golf balls. Indian Mound, designed by Joe Lee, is the shortest of the three 18-hole courses, but has water hazards on 11 of the 18 holes. Oleander is such a great layout that it has hosted the Georgia Open on four occasions. Pine Lakes is peaceful, quiet, and tranquil as it meanders through ocean forests and natural marshes. While on Jekyll the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel is the perfect place to stay.
Sea Island
On Sea Island, Seaside, Plantation, and Retreat are spectacular and well-crafted gems. Seaside can briefly be described as “a stunning classic.” Plantation was a nine-hole created by Walter Travis creation in 1928, but was redesigned and reconfigured into 18 holes by Mark and Davis Love III. The quality of the layout is matched by the phenomenal views of the Atlantic Ocean. Retreat has also been redesigned by the Love brothers. Dramatic, playable, and interesting best describe Retreat. Seaside and Plantation host the PGA Tour for the RSM Classic each November.
Sapelo Hammock
Sapelo Hammock Golf Club is a pristine course surrounded by tidal marshes, saw palmettos, and live oak trees, dripping with Spanish moss. The course is in terrific shape and the greens are a testament to the superintendent’s commitment to excellence.
Club at Savannah Harbor
While in Coastal Georgia don’t miss The Club at Savannah Harbor. It is built along tidal marshlands and hosted the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf on the Champions Tour, 2003-2013. All 18 holes have are named and each moniker is intentionally chosen. Moonshiner’s Haven, the 5th hole, is in a secluded part of the course that was once the home of illegal activities in the area. Tomo Chi Chi, the 12th hole, is named for the seven-foot-tall former Savannah Indian Chief. The 14th, Alligator Alley, has a narrow passageway, which serves as a natural path for alligators, which cross the golf course, usually at night. There are many accommodation options in Savannah, but we recommend the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa which caters to golfers.
Visit their website for complete details on travel packages to all these destinations and more at: http://georgiagolfandtravel.com/.
Before booking your trip to Georgia’s I-95 corridor, review the websites for Visit Savannah (www.visitsavannah.com), Hotel Tybee (www.hoteltybee.com), and McIntosh County (www.mcintoshcountyga.com).
