A Real "Southern Charmer"
Briar's Creek blends seamlessly with nature to create a memorable experience – perhaps a place to call home.
By Jim Bannister –Spring 2006 -Located a mere 20 minutes from historic Charleston, South Carolina, and only six miles from the Johns Island Executive Airport, lay a Rees Jones-designed championship golf course and exclusive real estate development worth flying for.
Turning off scenic River Road and driving less than a mile through a canopy of moss-draped live oaks, members and guests arrive at the secluded security gate. As the wooden gates swing open, a deer, fox or other form of low-country wildlife might greet you. From there, it is another short drive past estatesize lots and a sparkling lake to the Welcome Center and nearby Golf Lodge, the temporary golf clubhouse (construction of the permanent clubhouse began late last year). Members and guests immediately feel at home in the warm and functional surroundings of the Golf Lodge, and the friendly staff epitomizes "Southern hospitality." I particularly enjoyed the complimentary assortment of freshly baked cookies and a wonderful luncheon menu.
A true wetland wonder, the Golf Club at Briar's Creek places golf and the environment on par. Eagles and birdies are abundant, along with alligator, bobcat, fox, otter, raccoon and squirrels. The multitude of birds includes bald eagles, duck, hawks, heron, ibis, osprey, wild turkey and wood stork. It is not uncommon to spot a rare painted bunting in one of the many preserved areas or dozens of white heron from a fairway. All the wildlife isn't just happenstance. Briar's Creek is the first golf course in the state of South Carolina (and among only a handful in the country) to be certified in the Audubon Signature Program and receive Silver Certification status.
The Golf Club at Briar's Creek is a special place for special people. With membership strictly limited to 300 and a no-tee time, no guest-without-member policy, this Rees Jones masterpiece is intended for the discriminating golfer seeking nature-surrounded peace and privacy, yet offers enough on-site amenities and nearby attractions to keep family members and non-golfers happy.
The Golf Club at Briar's Creek has earned numerous prestigious awards in its relatively short existence. The layout is currently ranked among "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" by Golf Digest, was voted "Best New Private Course" in 2003 by Golf Digest and is ranked 10th in GOLF magazine's list of the "Top 45 Courses Since 1959." Heady stuff for a new course. This par-72, coastal design beauty offers six sets of tees stretching to 7,117 yards, making it fun for golfers of every ability, yet challenging to even the scratch handicapper.
A spacious yet cozy four-bedroom golf cottage welcomes the occasional member and guest who want a quick fly-in, fly-out golf weekend, and there are approximately 90 estate-size home sites on the 900-acre development for the investor or those who want to build custom homes and live the relaxed, low-country lifestyle in privacy. The golf cottage can be rented in its entirety or in part. There are two 1-bedroom lockouts flanking a two story, 2-bedroom main lodge affording a variety of accommodations for two to eight persons and offering virtually every comfort and amenity. Rental rates currently range from $135 per night for the 1-bedroom lockouts to $600 per night for the entire 4-bedroom cottage.
On the real estate side, most of the first two phases are soldout, and the third phase opened late last year. I walked several of the lots on Nesting Egret Drive and Wild Turkey Way to get a good feel for their size and vistas. Many are on quiet cul-desacs, there are a number of waterfront lots along a pristine lake, still others back up to preserves, wetlands and wildlife sanctuaries, and almost all have thick stands of indigenous live oaks and pines. Lots range in size from two to over seven acres. Conveniently located midway between antebellum Charleston and Kiawah Island, The Golf Club at Briar's Creek is only minutes from world-class beaches, numerous cultural attractions and abundant fine dining. Charleston is regularly listed as one of America's favorite travel destinations, and the 10-mile stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach at adjacent Kiawah Island is a perennial leader in polls conducted by Conde' Nast.
Kiawah Island also offers Briar's Creek members and guests the opportunity to play another five championship courses including the renowned Ocean Course, site of the 1991 Ryder Cup, several World Cups, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and the 2012 PGA Championship.
Jim Bannister has been operating golf and sightseeing tours to Ireland, Scotland, Spain and a number of Caribbean destinations since 1985. For more information, see www.bannister.com.
