It's not surprising that Augusta National Golf Club is the top-ranked club in a new magazine's ranking of "America's 50 Greatest Golf Retreats."
The club that would become the home of the Masters Tournament opened in January 1933 as a place for its then-small but exclusive national membership to relax and unwind for a couple of days.
Today, the club can house more than 100 golfers in its cabins and clubhouse rooms, including the top-floor Crow's Nest.
What is a shocker in the debut issue of Index is the No. 6-ranked club: Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville.
Sage Valley has only been open since 2001, but it's already ahead of such famous courses as Oakmont (No. 9) and Muirfield Village Golf Club (No. 15) in the ranking.
It's unlikely that two courses in such close proximity to each other - Sage Valley is located less than 15 miles from the gates of Augusta National - are in the rankings, much less the top six.
To be eligible for the golf retreat ranking, a club's course had to be in Golf Digest's list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses ranking (Augusta National is No. 2 and Sage Valley No. 78), or among the best in state or be a finalist in Best New Courses surveys (clubs in major cities were not eligible). A club also must be able to accommodate at least two groups of members for overnight stays.
Index, a Golf Digest publication, then had its group of course rating panelists (it has more than 800 available) rank the retreat courses on five main categories: accommodations, meals, wines & spirts, caddies and service.
Augusta National ranked first in every category with the exception of accommodations, where it was edged out by The Alotian Club in Roland, Ark.
Sage Valley was third in both accommodations and service, fourth in meals, fifth in wines & spirits and eighth in caddies.
One panelist called Sage Valley "the most complete experience," noting its hunting lodge, trap and dove shooting, horseback riding, full-service spa, food and cottages.
Indeed, in the comments section of the magazine's listing of the course, it says Sage Valley "is known as much for food as for golf. If a guest requests Dover Sole for dinner, Sage Valley will fly it in."
The course is also known for another amenity: Some golfers have found their cars have been washed after the completion of their round.
Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.
HOLES-IN-ONE
Cedar Creek GC
- Ed Griffin, No. 5, 7-iron. Witnesses: George Ferko, Joel Peecook and Bill Marks. It was the 78-year-old's fourth ace on the hole and fifth of his career.
- Ray Goelz, No. 18, 8-iron. Witnesses: Jim Bowes, Mickey Finn and Joe Nicewarner.
- Chris Mock, No. 16, 9-iron. Witnesses: Alvin Boone and Bill Smith.
- Kurt Breitinger, No. 8. Witnesses: Tom Felak and Tom Ho.
- Steve Price, No. 5. Witnesses: Mike Parcell, Jay Nuchols and Jeff Allen.
- Patty Sullivan, No. 8, 6-iron, Witnesses: John Eden and Mickey Finn.
Midland Valley CC
- Jim Hughes, No. 6, 164 yards, 4-iron. Witnesses: Tommy Carpenter, Olin Logan and Paul King.
- Al McKay, No. 8, 172 yards, 5-wood. Witnesses: Duane Richardson, Michael O'Connell and John Socha.
- Art Beauregard, No. 13, 171 yards, 7-iron. Witnesses: Art Simons and Jack Hart.
- Ervin Windham, No. 17, 170 yards, 9-iron. Witness: Robby Gullage.
- Jim Carpenter, No. 8, 122 yards, 9-iron. Witnesses: Charlie Geraci and Garry Guest.
- Doug Padgett, No. 13, 171 yards, 4-iron. Witnesses: Tom Boyd and Tommy Padgett.
- Mo Wazir, No. 17, 6-iron. Witnesses: Ken Smith, Darrell Collingsworth and Zasar Wazir.
Savannah Lakes Resort
- Cathy Osterman, Monticello course, No. 12, 80 yards. Witnesses: Kris Adden, Fran Slapak and Linda Wakefield.
- Don Rice, Tara course, No. 15, 206 yards, 3-wood. Witnesses: Don Francavilla, Bob Morris and Al Gaer.
- Betty Raezer, Monticello, No. 4, 120 yards, 9-wood. Witnesses: Karen Sides, Tim Sides and David Raezer.
- Marian Maurer, Monticello, No. 16, 158 yards, 3-wood. Witnesses: Nancy Vereb, Sandy Longshore and Carol Kluff.
- J.B. Montgomery, Monticello, No. 8, 174 yards, 7-wood. Witness: Don Longshore.
- Eugene Goode, 83 years old, Monticello, No. 4, 123 yards, 8-iron. Witnesses: Bill McLawhon and David Martin.
Reserve Club at Woodside
- Stuart Erdrich, No. 3, 193, 4 hybrid.
- Pete McAteer, No. 3, 193 yards, 4-iron.
- Corby Smith, No. 3, 193 yards, 4-iron.
- Diane Stanton, No. 15, 92 yards, 9-iron.
- Nancy Fish, No. 15, 98 yards, 9-iron.
- Mary Ann Manton, No. 3, 151 yards, 7-wood.
- Judy Sanders, No. 15, 90 yards, pitching wedge.
- Tom Briatico, No. 3, 193 yards, 7-wood.
Mount Vintage Plantation
- Ken Wingeier, No. 7, 160 yards, No. 7
- Larry Kowal, No. 11, 148 yards, 6-iron.
- Debbie Fryer, No. 11, 101 yards. Witness: Don Fryer.
Palmetto GC
- Karen Sides, No. 11, in the CSRA Women's Golf Association 54-Hole Championship.
- Dick Griffis, No. 11, 7-iron. Witnesses: Charlie Sykes, Jerry Guerin and Ken Goad.
- Ben New, No. 7. Witnesses: Andy Griffin, Jack Hunter and Loithton McLendon.
Pointe South GC
- Gary Gorham, No. 4, 108 yards, pitching wedge. Witnesses: Mike Megeski, Gordon Hart and Roy McAlexander.
- Paul Crick, No. 18, 179 yards, 5-wood. Witnesses: Art Touchtone, Ray Amato and Doug King Jr.
- J.J. Hart, No. 18, 179 yards, 7-wood. Witnesses: Henry Oglesby, Gary Allen and Matt Gullette.
North Augusta CC
- Richard Brinkley, No. 2, 135 yards, pitching wedge. Witnesses: Ollie Thompson, Al Boyer, Will Harper and P.J. Testino.
- Keith Burroughs, No. 15, 190 yards. Witnesses: Bob Burnett, Mike Lilly and Frank Givens.
Houndslake CC
- Jim Childress, No. 8, Azalea, 4-wood.
- Tom Schumacker, No. 8, Laurel, 5-iron.
Pine Ridge CC
- Kenneth Kaltz, age 9, No. 7, 163 yard. Witness: Reed Covar.
- Rosalee Baynham, No. 7, 157 yards. Witness: Vonnie Jackson.
West Lake CC
- Dick Collins, No. 4, 160 yards, 4-iron. Witness: Scott Collins.
Persimmon Hill GC
- Ted Martin, No. 7. Witnesses: Jake Arant, Don Ackerman and Francis Miller.
Santee National Golf Club
(Santee, S.C.)
- Aiken's Hampton Jones, No. 11, 145 yards.
Heather Glen
(Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
- Harlem's Jay Blackburn, No. 2, 133 yards, wedge. Witnesses: Butch Jernigan and Michael Perron.
DOUBLE EAGLES
Midland Valley CC
- Ken Thomason, No. 16, driver, 8-iron. Witnesses: Tom Piser, Ed Smith and Brandon Regan.
Forest Hills GC
- Andy Blogg, No. 9. Witnesses: Todd Jones, Marcus Howard and Talley Kitchens.
EAGLES ON PAR-4S
Forest Hills GC
- Bruce Ellen, No. 3. Witnesses: Dick Hatney and Larry Nichols.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
