Public can take swing at course
Nestled in thick woods adjacent to Patriots Park in Grovetown, Bartram Trail Golf Course was the place to be for golf enthusiasts on Aug. 13.
Matt Haak of Evans practices on the driving range at Bartram Trail Golf Course on opening day.
Photo by Quandra Collins
The opening of the much-anticipated public golf course, at 5393 Columbia Road, was for members only, but Saturday the public will get the chance to play the course's greens as well.
"It has an unusual layout of fairways and golf holes that makes it attractive as well as challenging," said Clarence Stirewalt, of Evans, an avid golfer for 25 years.
The course's 18-hole design includes five par-3s, five par-5s, rolling hills and steep slopes.
Robby Watson, Bartram's general manager and golf professional, said one of the qualities that makes the course unique is that the holes don't run parallel to one another.
"It makes those who are playing golf feel like they're the only ones on the course," he said.
About 220 members attended the course's opening. Watson said many have looked forward to playing the course, in part, because of its convenient location.
"It's seven miles away from my home in Martinez," said Abe Dial, a 30-year-old golfer, who added that he usually played golf at Fort Gordon and in Aiken before Bartram's course was completed.
Currently, Watson said, Bartram's golf course has a total of 270 members, with only 300 memberships available. Those interested in playing on the course are asked to call ahead. After it opens to the public on Saturday, the course will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer. For information, call 210-4681.