Feb 16

Tips for bringing a golf group to Kiawah

Posted by Mike Vegis on February 16, 2012. No Comments

While Kiawah Island offers Five Star accommodations and service, unparalleled natural beauty, and some of America’s most revered Lowcountry cuisine, our rich golf history and collection of five distinct championship courses provides golfers incentive enough to visit the resort. Before planning the specifics of a golf trip to Kiawah Island there are several different factors that one should consider to help make the Kiawah experience best fit the needs of the group. We’ve listed a few things to consider below to help you start planning your trip to the site of the 2012 PGA Championship:

Accommodations: Is your group interested in the most luxurious option available, or is budget the driving factor in your accommodation selection? You can choose from the Five Star Sanctuary Hotel, our award winning ocean front property, or our collection of villas and homes that offer up to eight bedrooms and allow guests to experience the resort in the most economical way possible.

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Feb 6

Post and Courier interview with Ocean Course Superintendant on PGA Championship

Posted by Mike Vegis on February 6, 2012. One Comment

From the Charleston Post and Courier newspaper: 

Two-Minute Drill with Ocean Course superintendant Jeff Stone

Sunday, February 5, 2012

You are six months out from the PGA Championship. What are your thoughts?

“I really like the winter we’re having. I hope it stays warm and the warming trend continues. It’s just going to expedite the (grass) growing process and filling in of areas we need to have filled in. The warmer it is, the better off we are.”

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Jan 17

Drill #1 from Lead Instructor, Abby Welch

Posted by Mike Vegis on January 17, 2012. No Comments

This is the first of a series of drills prepared by Lead instructor, Abby Welch (one of Golf Digest’s “Top 40 instructors under the age of 40″) that will help get your game in shape for the coming golf season.

a. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and arms down to your side.  Now just turn your hips toward you target like you would finish your golf swing.  Your hips, chest, and back foot shoelaces should be pointing at your target.  This will show you how to finish your golf swing

b. Put your arms across your chest in an X form with your hands on your shoulders.  Take a small swing back with your shoulders and then come all the way through your swing like the previous drill.  This shows you how you use your hips and shoulders to swing the golf club not your arms and hands

c. Now extend your arms like you would hold a golf club with your palms touching.  Swing back half way and make sure your thumbs point up, then swing forward and check your finish – again: chest, hips, back foot shoelaces, and fingertips should point at the target and also the thumbs point up.

This helps you get through the ball and into proper balance throughout the swing.

Jan 10

“Golf or Gourmet Escape” packages perfect for January and February

Posted by Mike Vegis on January 10, 2012. No Comments

 

 

Normally, we won’t blog about packages on this site.  However, this one is too good to be silent about. 

The weather so far this year has been outstanding on Kiawah Island, reaching into the mid-70 on some days.  A lot of folks are taking advantage of these balmy temperatures by taking advantage of the incredible savings on the special “Golf or Gourmet Escape” packages from January 2 to February 26, 2012.  These packages include accommodations in either its Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond oceanfront hotel, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, or the resort’s villa accommodations and two rounds of golf or two dinners for non-golfers (or a round of golf and a dinner) for savings up to 45%.  A one-night stay in the Sanctuary plus a round of golf on The Ocean Course or dinner at The Ocean Room or The Atlantic Room is just $200!  Villa accommodations and a round on The Ocean Course is just $150.  For non-golfers, the package includes accommodations and dinner in one of the resort’s award-winning restaurants at the same astonishing low price.

With The Ocean Course hosting the 2012 PGA Championship, this is a great opportunity for golfers to come out and experience this magnificent course before the top PGA Tour players in the world take it on.  In addition, they will be able to spend the night at one of the world’s premier resorts for up to 45% less than our published rates.  For non-golfers, guests can experience these world class accommodations as well as some of the finest cuisine in the Southeast for a similar savings.

The resort is offering four options, two with golf on The Ocean Course or dining in The Ocean Room or Atlantic Room and two with golf on one of the resort’s other championship courses or dining options. 

CHAMPION’S CHOICE

  • The Sanctuary accommodations and one round on The Ocean Course or one dinner at The Ocean Room in The Sanctuary or The Atlantic Room in The Ocean Course clubhouse – $200*/person/night
  • Villa accommodations and one round on The Ocean Course or one dinner at The Ocean Room in The Sanctuary or The Atlantic Room in The Ocean Course clubhouse – $150*/person/night

PLAYER’S CHOICE

  • The Sanctuary accommodations and one round on either Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point or Oak Point or one dinner at Jasmine Porch or Tomasso – $150*/person/night
  • Villa accommodations and one round on Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point or Oak Point or one dinner at either Jasmine Porch or Tomasso – $100*/person/night

* These rates are valid for stays from January 2, 2012 to February 26, 2012 and are based on availability and double occupancy in Garden View Sanctuary rooms or Scenic View one-bedroom villas.  Taxes and gratuities are additional as well as resort fee for villa stays. Not valid for groups or existing reservations, and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. There are no minimum stays.  The Sanctuary is closed January 8-11 for yearly maintenance.

Dec 7

Original Wanamaker Trophy at Sanctuary Front Desk

Posted by Mike Vegis on December 7, 2011. 2 Comments

History is sitting behind the front desk of The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.  The original Wanamaker trophy, the trophy that is giving to the winner of the PGA Championship (www.pga2012.com), is sitting behind the front desk of The Sanctuary.  Come on out and see a piece of history!  Keegan Bradley won it in 2011.  Who do you think will take it home next year playing America’s Toughest Golf Course?

Dec 7

The World’s Best Golfers take on America’s Toughest Course

Posted by Mike Vegis on December 7, 2011. No Comments

In roughly 250 days the world’s best golfers will descend upon America’s Toughest Golf Course, The Ocean Course, for the 2012 PGA Championship.  The January 2012 issue of Golf Digest Magazine recently crowned the Kiawah Island Golf Resort course with the prestigious title for the second time.

The PGA Championship’s tradition of attracting the world’s most talented field of any major championship, combined with The Ocean Course’s title of America’s Toughest Golf Course, will leave spectators guessing who will take home the Wanamaker trophy in August. 

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Oct 19

Golf brings people together

Posted by Mike Vegis on October 19, 2011. No Comments

“Eighteen holes of match or medal play will teach you more about your foe than will 18 years of dealing with him across a desk,” wrote sportswriter Grantland Rice.

Studies suggest that the best way to really get to know someone is through a round of golf. After 18 holes together (and 4+ hours if you’re playing The Ocean Course), a personal connection over the sport is formed. The golf course can test a person’s temperament, thought-process, humor and intelligence. Just think about it – how do you react when you miss an easy shot? Do you know someone who has cheated their score? All signs of a person’s character…

Have you ever used the golf course to get to know someone better? A tactic your father-in-law used on you, perhaps?

Businesses, too, use golf as a quick and easy way to get to know someone.  For years companies have brought clients or potential employees to the golf course. Making deals, networking and scouting in a more relaxed setting are reasons why golf is a popular sport to mix business with pleasure.

Golf brings people together. Want to really get to know someone? Spend a day with them on the golf course, better yet – spend the day with them watching golf at the PGA Championship. Have a client you want to impress? How about a one-day hospitality suite? Spend the entire day talking business and golf in a relaxed and comfortable setting.

Who do you want to get to know better? Who would you invite?

Oct 14

Looking for Junior Volunteers for 2012 PGA Championship

Posted by Mike Vegis on October 14, 2011. One Comment

Know a 16 to 21-year-old with dreams of being linked with South Carolina’s first major, the 2012 PGA Championship?

The 2012 PGA Championship is now accepting applications for juniors, ages 16-21, to participate in the fun by joining the official PGA Championship Volunteer Team. 

Juniors, ages 16-21, will be placed on one of four committees: leader boards, thru boards, monster board or standard bearers.  All committee assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Juniors must commit to a minimum of 12 volunteer hours during the week of the PGA Championship.

Each junior volunteer will receive a PGA Championship golf shirt and an event branded baseball cap, as well as complimentary meal and water vouchers.  A copy of the official PGA Championship program, preferred parking and shuttle service to and from the Championship site, will also be included. 

To apply, visit: http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2012/event/upload/Junior-Volunteer-Applications.pdf.  In an effort to encourage junior participation, a volunteer fee is not required.

Oct 11

Blake Cathey’s Tips on Gripping the Golf Club

Posted by Mike Vegis on October 11, 2011. No Comments

Blake Cathey is the lead instructor at Kiawah Island’s Golf Learning Center.  

One of the first things I look at with any student is how their hands are gripping the golf club. Often I find they are not positioned correctly. Think about it this way, your hands are the only link between you and your golf club. If your hands are not properly placed on the club, the likelihood of hitting a good shot isn’t good.

The Characteristics of a good grip:

1.      Fingers first- Most of the time people grab the club with the palm of their hands when they should be grabbing it with their fingers. Make sure you place the club in your fingers and then gently clasp your hands around the grip.

2.      Start with a neutral grip-

             a. Both “V’s” point to the right collarbone for a right-handed golfer. The thumb being pressed against the pointer finger, which happens on both hands, forms the “V”.

            b. For a right-handed golfer, you should see two knuckles on your left hand when addressing the ball.

3.      Your palms should always face one another. When your palms don’t face one another they tend to fight against one another because they’re in different planes.

4.      A light grip pressure- Take a moment and look at your grips. Think of your grips as car tires, you want them to wear equally all the time.

The important thing to remember is that it is not how hard you grip the club, but how your hands are placed on the golf club.

Please feel free to stop by the Learning Center and I will take a look at your grip free of charge.

Oct 4

Disc Golf: Yes, it’s a sport!

Posted by Mike Vegis on October 4, 2011. One Comment

When most people think of a Frisbee, they think of a frustrating round disc that dogs are born to catch.  Most adults haven’t thrown one since they were a kid.  Now, Frisbees can bring on a whole new level of joy and frustration when it’s combined with one of America’s favorite pastimes, – golf.  Welcome to Disc Golf.

It all started in the late 1960s, with people creating courses made up of golf holes that included anything from trees to fire hydrants. The game has changed but the objective has always remained the same, achieve the lowest score possible.

Today’s equipment has evolved from what we would typically consider a Frisbee; the discs are heavier, smaller and more aerodynamic. Taking on the same concept as golf, there is a tee box, a fairway (sometimes), hazards and a basket that acts as the golf hole. The basket is unique, usually containing of chains clinging to a central pole with a metal basket underneath.

Even in the Charleston area, disc golf courses are starting to pop up, with Kiawah’s being the most recent. Since 2000, more than 2,500 new courses have sprung into open fields, wooded forests and state parks nationwide. The Night Heron Park Disc Golf Course on Kiawah boasts some challenging par 3s with plenty of live oak trees standing in the way between you and the hole.

So if you want to show your dog how it’s really done, come try it out on the Night Heron Park Disc Golf course.