This is Masters Week here in Augusta, GA.
One of the local traditions is jacking prices up to fleece the Yankees, unfortunately we locals get caught in the crossfire. Most golf courses in the area raise prices 2-3 times their regular rates. Plus, you have to reserve a tee time weeks in advance.
So, I usually make a road trip the Sunday before The Masters. This time I decided to visit a course that was featured on The Golf Channel: Kountryside Golf, in Cope SC.
I called them at 1030 Sunday morning and was told to come on over, so after a brief excursion on Mapquest, I was on my way. An hour and a half and 75 miles later, I missed the sign leading to Kountryside golf.
I got it on my 2nd try, and pulled into the parking lot, that was moderately full. A small, new, and immaculately clean clubhouse was the first thing I saw.
AS I came inside, a nice lady greeted me with "You must be the fellow who drove over from Augusta." (I would have made a great spy, huh?) "Welcome to Kountryside, Julian".
That nice lady was Lynn Kilgus. She and her husband Bobby own and run Kountryside Golf. They also do all of the work. All of the work. Two nicer people you will never meet.
I usually walk when I play golf, if the course will let me. Lynn and Bobby looked at me kind of funny, as I guess most people ride here, but sid I was welcome to walk as much as I wanted.
$15 to walk 18 holes. $20 for riding, usuing a gas-powered Club Car cart. No GPS, though.
There is no warm up range. There is a putting green, though the grass was patchy with a mix of winter rye and dormant Bermuda. Bobby apologized that the heavy rain we had had for the last week had prevented him from cutting the greens for several days.
So I loaded up my Speed Cart and walked to the 1st tee.
(continued)
One of the local traditions is jacking prices up to fleece the Yankees, unfortunately we locals get caught in the crossfire. Most golf courses in the area raise prices 2-3 times their regular rates. Plus, you have to reserve a tee time weeks in advance.
So, I usually make a road trip the Sunday before The Masters. This time I decided to visit a course that was featured on The Golf Channel: Kountryside Golf, in Cope SC.
I called them at 1030 Sunday morning and was told to come on over, so after a brief excursion on Mapquest, I was on my way. An hour and a half and 75 miles later, I missed the sign leading to Kountryside golf.
I got it on my 2nd try, and pulled into the parking lot, that was moderately full. A small, new, and immaculately clean clubhouse was the first thing I saw.
AS I came inside, a nice lady greeted me with "You must be the fellow who drove over from Augusta." (I would have made a great spy, huh?) "Welcome to Kountryside, Julian".
That nice lady was Lynn Kilgus. She and her husband Bobby own and run Kountryside Golf. They also do all of the work. All of the work. Two nicer people you will never meet.
I usually walk when I play golf, if the course will let me. Lynn and Bobby looked at me kind of funny, as I guess most people ride here, but sid I was welcome to walk as much as I wanted.
$15 to walk 18 holes. $20 for riding, usuing a gas-powered Club Car cart. No GPS, though.
There is no warm up range. There is a putting green, though the grass was patchy with a mix of winter rye and dormant Bermuda. Bobby apologized that the heavy rain we had had for the last week had prevented him from cutting the greens for several days.
So I loaded up my Speed Cart and walked to the 1st tee.
(continued)