By Graylyn Loomis
When a new world-class course is being built, the golf world typically knows about it—and talks about it—years in advance. But not Congaree, in Ridgeland, S.C., about 30 miles northwest (inland) from Hilton Head. Even the locals didn’t know what was being built on the former rice plantation, while a dive into county records revealed only typically vague construction permits.
Which is exactly what the developers—The Friedkin Group chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin and Houston Texans owner Bob McNair—wanted. Each man already owned a high-end private club, Friedkin with Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk, N.C., McNair with The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek on John’s Island, S.C. But Congaree was always going to be something different: A world-class design, of course, but just as important, a test of a new model of philanthropy.
How different? Start with the membership—there isn’t one. Instead, there is a network of “ambassadors,” successful, influential figures who support the club and its mission of providing help to young people in need. There is no initiation fee; instead, ambassadors are asked to make a donation to the Congaree Foundation. But more than that, ambassadors are expected to get involved
with these young peoples’ lives, acting as mentors and offering guidance.
“We want people who will come in and commit to our vision and who will also help bring others to the table who are passionate about getting involved,” says Friedkin. “This is about more than playing a great golf course and making a contribution to the Congaree Foundation. It’s about being present and serving as a resource to help better the lives of kids who need a boost. That’s why we’re all in this and what makes Congaree so unique.”
The Mission
Congaree is located in Jasper County, one of the poorest counties in the state, with 40 percent of its children living in poverty.
There are plans to help the local community in several areas where there is desperate need, including partnering with programs that provide meals and mentorship to kids and families.
Congaree has also launched what it calls the Global Golf Initiative, which targets high school students in the U.S. and abroad who are passionate about golf and show academic promise but don’t have the means or support to fulfill their potential.
Congaree ambassadors help identify these students who want to attend college and might have the potential to play golf at that level but don’t have access to the right preparatory programs. A schoolhouse has been built for them on club grounds where each summer they come to Congaree for an intensive curriculum to prepare them for the college admissions process and success in life. During the program they work closely with academic advisors, college counselors, life-skills mentors, athletic trainers, and golf instructors. The kids also will connect with the ambassadors, who will offer them advice, support, and encouragement both while at the club and at home.
“When they come to Congaree, many of these kids aren’t aware of what it takes to realize their college ambitions, so it’s an eye-opening experience in many respects,” explains Bruce Davidson, co-director of golf at Congaree. “We balance the academic programming with golf instruction from PGA professionals, fitness training, and general life-skills mentorship. Our hope is that when the kids leave here after a week at Congaree they feel like they’ve received an opportunity they will look back on for the rest of their lives.”
The first group of students went through the immersive inaugural program this summer. Reports Davidson, “It was an amazing experience for the kids. They had a lot of fun and made some lasting friendships, which is a big part of what we want them to get out of this. Our support for them doesn’t end when they leave Congaree and we will continue to follow up with them and keep tabs on their development as they continue their high school education and prepare for college.”
The Course
The foundation and its charitable efforts are only half the story. To attract an elite group of supporters and ambassadors, Friedkin and McNair built a world-class golf club. It’s a Tom Fazio design, but unlike any you’ve seen before, wide open with expanses of sand dividing holes and ancient live oaks dotting the landscape. It looks like the courses of Australia’s Sandbelt, which feature sharp bunker edges and rolling hills. You would be forgiven for thinking it was the work of a modern, “minimalist” architect, but for Friedkin—whose course was designed by Fazio—there was never a question who would do the work.
“Tom wanted to be involved because he believes in the purpose of Congaree,” says Friedkin. “When we started this project, we told him to design a course that embraced the natural surroundings of the property and would always play firm and fast. We wanted this course to be very different, from the exceptional shot values to the attention given to even the smallest details. What Tom created is precisely what we envisioned—a unique test of golf that is unlike anything he has designed before.”
More than 75 live oaks were moved during construction and relocated throughout the property. Thousands of pine trees were removed, and where they used to stand Fazio stripped back the topsoil to expose vast waste areas of sand.
Large, undulating greens with open fronts offer ample opportunity for on-the-ground links-like play; closely mown runoff areas collect wayward approach shots. The grasses were selected to provide a firm surface in the hot climate. In winter, which will be the main playing season, the course won’t be overseeded, which would require additional irrigation and soften the conditions.
There are no tee markers, groups choosing where to begin each hole. At its longest, Congaree stretches to more than 7,500 yards, Fazio wanting to test the game’s best without punishing average golfers. Eliminating tee markers also removes the stigma of “playing the forward tees” and encourages match play.
The Club
Adjacent to the course, former plantation buildings have been restored with many turned into cottages for ambassadors and their guests. Modern fittings complement the original 19th-century exposed beams, fireplaces, and stonework.
The cottages surround the main plantation house, restored with period furnishings and approached through a traditional “avenue of oaks.” Now the place to enjoy a drink, dine, or relax, it is separate from the clubhouse, which is one of the few new buildings on the property and purposefully secondary to the plantation house. The clubhouse holds the locker room, bar, restaurant, and a large back porch that overlooks the 18th green.
Congaree is a bold experiment, an exclusive enclave that puts its philanthropic ambitions center stage. The founders hope that the beneficiaries of the club’s largesse will be as much a part of the club as the course. When the Congaree kids are returning to the property to meet and mingle with their mentors—or, better yet, coming back as ambassadors themselves—the vision will have been truly realized.
What a great concept. I love it. Having worked for a non profit which assisted children with severe behavioral and emotional needs, I find this type of project sorely needed. Not only the golf part, but especially the requirement that funders take an active part in the interaction and involvement of the organization. While I do not have the financial means to contribute to this, I would love to be considered as an employee of such a needed and special organization!
Graylyn, Very cool Article. I hope that you have played it. If so call me and tell me more.
Charles
Truly a unique concept taking a idea like the First Tee Program to a new and broader level.
Is there any way the public can play the course?
Sounds like a great programme the golf course looks challenging Stay on HHI from January to April anyway for the public to play?
Truly unique concept, taking the idea of the First Tee Program to a new & more inclusive level for young people.
Is it possible for the public to play the course?
Lou Patscot
What a concept! More people need to mentor they young folks of this country. I live on Hilton Head Island in the winter and would love to play this gem, is there any way for the public to play this course?
Great concept and great effort for
The kids live in Atlanta but have
Been in golf for 50 years would love
To help and volunteer
Wonderful idea, I hope it works, Their could be a beneficial relationship established with the University of South Carolina Beaufort which is very close and offers four year baccalaureate degrees. They also have competive golf teams. I would be glad to help with establishing a link.
I think this is a wonderful idea and I applaud the visionaries for embarking on such a unique approach to golf and philanthropy.
I would love to offer my services to a project of similar magnitude. This is simply inspiring to me. Kudos to all involved.
What a wonderful concept, a ray of kindness in a dark world right now. Guessing the ‘ contribution’ would be out of my range, but it is nice to know not everyone has greedy intentions. Congrats and good luck.
To Bob Mcnair Wonderful idea. I’m 86 and still playing, not too well, I’m afraid. I’ll be in Florida for the winter and may make it up to SC. All is well and go Texans ! Carl Schwartz
I think that this is a wonderful gift to all the kids that will take the opportunity to use this great facility. If there is a need for volunteering to assist in any way please contact my.
Good Luck!
What about green’s fees??
Hi Devo, Congaree is a private club.