Why more people are moving to Beaufort, South Carolina

It’Comments from attendees of the South Carolina Golf Association Junior Championship
Dataw Island hosted a field of 150 of South Carolina’s best Junior golfers last month as part of the 60th Annual South Carolina Golf Association Junior Championship. In typical Dataw Island fashion, the red carpet was rolled out for our guests, which included many parents and grandparents of these 18-and-under players.

Larry Beidelman is a Dataw Island Resident Member who serves on the Board of the South Carolina Golf Association and was integrally involved in the recent SCGA Junior Championship. Acknowledging that members often question whether or not outside events hosted by Dataw are really worth holding, he noted that one must look beyond just the immediate financial impact and also consider the importance of name recognition and the possibility that attendees’ experience was such that they may someday become your neighbor.

Marketing Director Laura McCarthy added that the public relations impact must also be considered. “Dataw Island is a fabulous community, and part of its allure is being away from the hustle and bustle. However, communities on the 278 corridor benefit from the exposure of the 2.5 million visitors to Hilton Head Island each year that we don’t see being a bit off the beaten path. At Dataw, we have to work a little harder to be seen and heard from. These events are an excellent opportunity to get our name out there through the in-person experience as well as through the media.”

And for major events like this, the media does respond. In evaluating the PR reach of some of our major events last year, we estimate that the SC Open put the Dataw name in front of no less than a million readers. (Numbers have not yet been tallied for the SCGA Junior Championship.)

The SCGA has as a stated objective this year to “significantly upgrade the playing ‘experience’ in their major events,” and Dataw definitely delivered. Below are some comments from attendees and coordinators, who gushed about our courses, our professional staff, our members, and our community as a whole.

Several SCGA Board members attended the event, a couple of whom had boys playing in the event. The following is a sampling of comments (as recalled by Beidelman) made during and after the event:

“You guys did a great job with the event and significantly upgraded the Junior Championship.”
~Ron Swinson, President of the SCGA

“You guys really have it going on here at Dataw. What a great course and beautiful piece of property. I think Brian (Hollingsworth) is one of the best in the business. I am truly impressed with everything.”
~Jeff Connell, Treasurer of the Association, past President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association and father of two boys in the event

“Dataw should be considered as the permanent site for this event (a feeling expressed by many parents in emails to the SCJGA). It’s a great facility, great community and the people are wonderful.”
~Randy Adams, Board member and chair of the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea and one of the organizers of the 2019 US Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston, who also had a player in the event

“This event is the standard by which all other Junior Championships will be judged. If future facilities cannot meet the standards Dataw set, they should not be allowed to host. This is our premier event. We wanted to upgrade the event and Dataw has done that.”
~Charlie Roundtree, Jr., past President of the SCGA, Board member of the Heritage Classic Foundation (the presenting sponsor) and for whom the Championship trophy is named

“This is a very special place and a great golf course. Thanks for hosting.”
~Steve Wilmot, President of the Heritage Classic Foundation, Board member of the SCJGA and driving force behind the annual RBC Heritage Classic

“Many parents and grandparents commented on the great conditions of the course and the beauty of Dataw and the people they met,” said Beidelman. “We sometimes take for granted what we have here on this Island and how special it really is.”

In just three weeks Dataw is hosting the SCGA’s premier event of the season, the Amateur Championship. 144 players of all ages from all over the state of South Carolina, along with their families and friends, will be here, and we hope to be able to duplicate the results of the Junior Championship.

Thanks to everyone for sharing this beautiful Island!