Since its founding, Congaree has been hailed as one of the best new courses in America but it was established to be much more than a world-class golf club. Almost every single one of our Congaree Kids has earned a college scholarship, with many of them playing golf at the collegiate level. In the words of Jim Nantz, Congaree hosts the third event of the South Carolina swing on the PGA Tour in 2021, alongside Aprils RBC Heritage at Harbour Town and the PGA Championship at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in May, with a $7.8 million purse up for grabs for the full 156-player field. Davidson usually has the greens running north of 13 on the stimpmeter and happily shares his team can get them to 15, but he does not expect to reach such speeds at the CJ CUP. The ambassador members of the course are likeminded individuals who are invited to be members of the club. We want these people to come in and commit.. . Before Id even finished the hole, that young girl unknowingly was a step closer to being a Congaree kid and having her life change. She is a member of the United Way Womens Initiative of Greater Houston, served on the Board of Make-A-Wish Foundation Gulf Coast and Louisiana Chapter from 2016-2019, and is an active member of the Bayou City Chapter of the National Charity League. But thats not the story. It currently supports programs with the Boys & Girls Clubs, Sergeant Jasper Golf Club in Ridgeland, SC, youth golf instruction at Ridgeland-Hardeeville High School, and the Lowcountry Food Bank. We'll look at outrights, H2H's, and talk about one and done options for the Palmetto Championship at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, SC. This time around, we'll be much closer to the conditions our ambassadors play and are used to playing, which is hopefully firm and fast, Davidson said. Along with fellow Scot Bruce Davidson, he's involved with Congaree Golf Club, which, according to the main message on its website, is a "world-class golf club with a philanthropic mission. Davidson said club ambassadors are generous with their finances and their time. The golf club sits on a former 18th-century rice plantation on over 2,000 acres of land and was designed by legendary golf course designer Tom Fazio. One of the key figures behind the idea is Friedkin, who quietly might be the most interesting man in golf (with apologies to Miguel Angel Jimenez and the gentleman in the Dos Equis commercials). Congarees clubhouse, known as The Lodge, frames the backdrop of the courses 18th hole. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - PGA TOUR and CJ Group officials today announced that THE CJ CUP will be contested at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina, the week of Oct. 17-23, 2022. Start the New Year right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). There are only ambassadorschosen by old-school methodologyreferrals. An event similar to the renowned pro-member tournament at Seminole Golf Club in Florida is conceivable, especially with the dedicated philanthropic mission of the club, which will soon become even more accessible with the expansion of the local airstrip six miles away. The founders of Congaree - Dan Friedkin and the late Bob McNair - set out to create a new philanthropic model that unites ambassador-members with a shared purpose to positively impact the lives of young people, locally and around the globe, by providing educational and vocational opportunities through the game of golf. The biggest, strongest element will be how the ball is bouncing and where it's rolling to, he said. Despite the limited rough, there are some patches of higher grass that Fazio mentions look more like big puffs or shrubs than rough. It was only his second day at the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, but DJ Belcher seemed to have gotten into the swing of things. It really feels like Congaree expanded my network, but even further than that, its my golf family. With sand being the base, its grass is more unnatural to parts of the property. I never even thought about that.. from the University of Texas in Austin and her M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Using sand-capping, Fazio, Davidson and McNeely further firmed up the course. The course has been praised as one of the top courses in the country since it opened in 2018. Prior to joining Congaree, Ben served as an Assistant Golf Professional at Wade Hampton Golf Club, the founding Executive Director for First Tee Greater Charleston, as Regional Director for First Tee Headquarters, and as Director of Development for Clemson University. McNair was perhaps best known in the business community as the founder of Cogen Technologies, which became the largest privately owned cogeneration company in the world with an aggregate capacity of 1,400 megawatts. And theyre invited in on an annual basis. Davidson, a PGA professional from Scotland who has worked with numerous PGA Tour and Champions Tour players over the years, says that prospective ambassadors have to be willing to spend time with the Congaree kids, talking about the importance of education, sharing life experiences and helping them prepare for college and get jobs. The Congaree Foundation Learn More. For much of the 20th century, Congaree served as a quail hunting preserve, and quail hunting is still available for ambassadors on a portion of the grounds. The quaint, two-room school house was fully restored (complete with a working bell in the steeple) and will remain just that, a future home for kids both local and international. The 15th, another short par four and the start of four straight fours on the closing stretch, is among the most fun to watch the pros attempt to go for with its zig-zagging fairway and green that funnels balls from front to back. The golf club is located in Ridgeland, SC which absolutely no one has heard of. Congaree is less than 15 miles from the border of South Carolina and Georgia. Congaree, built on a 3,200-acre property dotted with longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood forests, is the vehicle and a special one at that to bring together successful, like-minded people passionate about making a difference. The inaugural event was won by South African Garrick Higgo, who had only played in a handful of PGA Tour events at the time of winning. Its been a lot of work. The group of U.S. and international high school students receive the highest level of athletic coaching and academic resource tools, helping guide them through the college admissions process. To find prospective participants, Congaree will turn to PGA pros from the U.S. and Great Britain to Australia and Thailand who have been anointed as club ambassadors. There are more than 200 ambassadors, plus another 100 or so honorary and professional ambassadors, guys like Nick Price, Tom Watson and Mark O'Meara. Its a story of making a difference, both locally and globally, through golf and life lessons both on the course and off. The plan, for now, is to keep it that way and let players pick whichever yardage they feel like playing from that day. Supported by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and The Friedkin Group, proceeds from the event will benefit Congaree Foundation (PalmettoChampionship.com). With the help of PGA TOUR players and Congaree Ambassadors, Sergeant Jasper Golf Club has been transformed over the . Today, members of the [+] club's inaugural Global Golf Initiative program from 2017 are showing how they took advantage of life-changing opportunities. For the two billionaire businessmen, Congaree was never about pumping money into their bank accounts. At Congaree, the intent has always been to create a tight network of support. For four weeks, the Congaree kids will go through an intense college preparatory program: a mix of class work, fitness training, counseling, mentorship, golf lessons and an extensive club fitting thanks to partnerships with Cleveland and Ping. Weve had more than 100 kids from 16 countries participate in the Congaree Global Golf Initiative and the positive impact its had on their lives is profound, said Friedkin, who has a net worth of more than $4 billion, according to the Forbes billionaires list, making him one of the worlds wealthiest individuals. Cummins recently completed her undergraduate degree at Carson Newman in Tennessee, but still remembers the initial letter that had arrived from America notifying her that shed been selected as one of the first Congaree kids.. The Congaree Global Golf Initiative was founded in 2017. Congaree is a private golf course in the eastern United States, located in South Carolina in Jasper County outside of Ridgeland in unincorporated Gillisonville. Through the Global Golf Initiative at Congaree, Friedkin wants to identify 40 high school students each year from around the world who have demonstrated a commitment to education and personal development, and who also might be good enough to play golf in college but dont have the financial wherewithal, parental support or knowledge to locate the right opportunities and navigate the various hurdles. We have a network of ambassadors who will help these kids and give them jobs. ", "A template for the future for private clubs.". The Congaree Foundations main mission is to provide education and resources to children and teens with the mission to helping the kids get to college. The Congaree Golf Club will get its chance to shine this week when it hosts the Palmetto Championships, a relocated PGA Tour event after the planned RBC Canadian Open was called off for a second straight year due to COVID-19. Through the network of all the people we have throughout the world, and we already have quite a few, theyve pledged to be there to help, Davidson says. Keeping in the style of Australian sandbelt courses, the traditional rough is replaced by sand on the course. Copyright 2020 Links Magazine, All rights Reserved. Congaree is a private course, but, unlike many others, it only has one member (co-founder Dan Friedkin) and around 250 ambassadors. General information. [15], Private golf club in Gillisonville, SC, US, "Streamsong Black, Congaree are Golf Digest's Best New Courses for 2018", "New TOUR event will visit Congaree, a club with a mission", "Gov. In 2014, a North Carolina developer under the name Davant Farming and Timber Company bought the property. There is no initiation fee, only dues. The PGA Tour will play the Palmetto Championship at Congaree Golf Club. FROM $237 (USD) HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights' accommodations at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and and up to 4 rounds of golf at Palmetto Dunes Golf Club (Fazio, Hills & Jones Courses) and the Country Club of Hilton Head. Among the Congaree ambassadors who will also be involved is Peter Fluor, a Texas businessman involved in the energy, engineering and construction industries. Staff keeps in touch and checks in on students to make sure they are keeping up on their studies, training and more. The two planned a place where members, some 200 who are referred to as ambassadors . Scottsdale, Arizona. He would go on to earn a golf scholarship at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, graduating with a degree in Business and Economics. The membership process is old-fashioned: by referral only. Every First Tee chapter in the U.S. and every member country of the International Golf Federation nominates a student for Congarees program, and Congaree staffers sift through every application to find the most suitable candidates. The trajectory then continues to go upward because of what our ambassadors can do. The Congaree Foundations premier program is the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, a week-long training camp each summer. Peter Millar apparel is among the clubs other partners. [14], The signature philanthropic program of the Congaree Foundation is the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, a college preparatory program for underserved high school students who aspire to play college golf. I write about businesses, news and destinations in the golf world. The second cottage from the main house might be best described as the clubs version of Augusta Nationals Butler Cabin, with a rustic wood interior and furnishings that reflect the propertys past. Other private clubs have sought to imitate the Congaree approach in some respects. The club established the Congaree Global. Maeve Cummins is among the success stories from the inaugural CGGI program. The approach from the fairway at the 18th hole. Architect Tom Fazio. While also joining one of the best golf courses built in the last 100 years.. Davidson and McNeely were both involved in building the club and its programs with Friedkin and McNair. Since its opening, Congaree has received numerous accolades and debuted at 39th on Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Instead of members, the club has ambassadors who support the charitable mission with dollars and time. Behind the Business of Hole-In-One Insurance, 6 Mostly Undiscovered U.S. The ball goes far, but also moves a lot on the ground. The low country encapsulates the four most southern counties of South Carolina which include Jasper, Hampton, Beaufort, and Colleton. Toms love for golf has driven him to teach young men and women about the game and the opportunities it can create. To play the course is to recognize this is not a sinking sand, but firm, fertile golf course soil. When Fazio first visited, his response was similar: You guys hit the mother lode here.. Its 70 miles from Charleston and 170 miles from Myrtle Beach. There are no tee markers. Club Guest Ambassadors (rather than members) are encouraged not only to make a financial contribution to the Congaree Charitable Foundation, but to take an active role in interacting with and mentoring children who go through the Congaree Global Golf Initiative and winning college scholarships - many of which went on to play golf at the . From 2015 to 2017, the historic house was renovated and other facilities were added[11] to fit in with the style of the existing buildings. On the rural road just off the highway, its impossible to miss the dilapidated trailer homes with broken down cars and yards strewn with junk. Above all, the most common challenge comes back to the sand. To watch in a smaller size, scroll down while your video is playing. If they play the PGA TOUR or LPGA, that's terrific, but we. That can make it strong, especially for this level of play. It appears your browser may be outdated. There are no members at Congaree golf club, the 3,000-acre property about 30 minutes north of Savannah, Ga. It was at the Carolinas PGA Section where Hannah discovered her passion for helping young people through the game of golf. Who Are Members At Congaree? Meet the U.S. and International teams, Tour Confidential: Presidents Cup mismatch, LIV recruiting, Augusta changes, After shocking 72nd-hole plot twist, Max Homa wins Fortinet Championship. But thats not what interested South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster when he came to Congaree for a recent tour. So many kids go to college and come . I write about businesses, news and destinations in the golf world. The local component is still in the development stage, but theres no question the plan entails significantly helping an area in need. What Is Your Favorite Golf Match Format To Play? We were disappointed to experience eight inches of rain on the Sunday and the Monday before the event, Davidson said. He has been the coach of Major champions Mark OMeara, Ian Woosnam and also Keith Fergus. "The cool thing about Congaree," he adds, "is our ambassadors are standing by and ready to help them get employment after graduation. That isnt what Congaree is about. Dermot Desmond was Congarees first international, ambassador. They first saw Congaree in 2013 and liked the look of Congarees sand. [8], It was announced on June 29, 2022, that the PGA TOURs CJ Cup will be hosted at Congaree the week of October 17-23, 2022, after the event was contested in Las Vegas at Shadow Creek Golf Course and The Summit Club the previous two years. 2nd hole (photo courtesy PGA Tour) 4. Introduced to the game by her mom when she was 2, Beggs knew early in her high school years that she wanted to play collegiate golf, but faced her share of obstacles. The person who would prefer to simply write a check for several million dollars? Congaree Golf Club boasts notable ambassador members from many industries, including golf and business. Congaree Golf Club is a private course that opened in 2018 with only two members, Dan Friedkin and Bob McNair. in a few hours. This is not a club for the individual. In replacement of the traditional member system at most golf clubs, Congaree has an extended membership of over 200 Ambassador Members. Friedkins core business is Gulf States Toyota, a $8.4 billion car distributor serving more than 150 dealerships across five southern states. All sandy expanses at Congaree are deemed natural areas, so players are permitted to ground their club anywhere, anytime. The tournament name will be changed to THE CJ CUP in South Carolina. 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