ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club

 
CONTINUE READING
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
WINTER 2018

    ALONG THE EDISTO

    Member Feature:                                The Homes of
    Cathy Hughes                                  Championships
    The Times and Democrat                   Learn how golf associations
    Publisher takes on a new role.                     select host sites.

    Trivia Night                        A Seat For A Soulmate
    Do you have what it takes?       An instant connection leads to love.

1                                                            winter 2018 edition
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
In This Issue:
03 Greetings from the Events and Marketing Director
04 Employee Spotlight:
      On and Off the Court with Hardeep Judge

06    Member Feature:
      Cathy Hughes Extends Her Sphere of Influence    06
11 Spring Lawn Tips
12 The Homes of Championships:
      How Golf Associations Select Host Sites

15 Food and Beverage Experiences Designed for You
17 The Tour Of Homes Wraps Up at the Club
18    Santa Visits the Club
                                                      15
20 Orangeburg County Business Hall of Fame
22 SI Group Hold Quarter Century Celebration at
      Orangeburg Country Club

23    Oyster Roast

24 Trivia Night
26 A Seat for A Soulmate
                                                      20

 26                                                   23

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine         2
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
Greetings From
       the events and marketing director
    Dear Current and Future Members,

    Welcome to the third quarterly edition of the Club’s publication, Along the
    Edisto. Please enjoy this review of the most popular events members have
    enjoyed in the past few months. Your participation in the entertaining additions
                                                                                       Lauren and Josh Gray
    made to our social and dining offerings is certainly appreciated. By taking part            Photo courtesy of
                                                                                         Rooted Oak Photography
    you confirm for your Orangeburg Country Club (OCC) family that you are
    using your membership for good times and memory making.

    As many of you know, I’ve been on maternity leave making some very special
    memories of my own. I can happily report that my adjustment to motherhood
    is going well. Connor is thriving, so in early January I returned to work as
    the Director of Events and Marketing. This position allows me to direct and
    synchronize marketing activities for both OCC and its sister property, Buck
    Ridge Plantation.

    My job is to convey each property’s unique features and suitability as a venue
    for distinctive events. My team and I also use proven marketing strategies to
    entice new members to join the Club. Please help us by inviting your friends and
    family to experience OCC’s hospitable atmosphere and luxurious amenities. It’s
    always a pleasure to welcome a guest as a member!

    Thank you again for choosing the Club for your special events. If you have any          Connor Lee Gray
    questions about booking an event, Private Event Coordinator Brandy Torrence
    will be happy to help. For information about activities or membership questions,
    speak with Hospitality Marketing Manager Erynn Molettieri or Member Services
    Representative Kelli Anderson, respectively. A complete staff listing and phone
    numbers are on the inside back cover of this publication. It is our pleasure to
    serve you.

    Sincerely,

    Lauren Gray
    Events and Marketing Director
    Orangeburg Country Club and Buck Ridge Plantation

                                                                                             The Gray Family

3                                                                                        winter 2018 edition
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
ardeep is a
       in st ru c ti on with H te!
Tennis orts Camp favori
Junior Sp

                                                                                    r t wit                     h
                                                                                  u
                                     '                                    the c o

                         p J u d g e         On and o
                                                                  ff

              Ha r d e e
           By: Meredith E. Baker

           Everyone on the Orangeburg Country Club (OCC) staff offers something unique to the member experience
           blend. In the last two issues of Along the Edisto, our readers learned more about two of our most beloved
           associates, Hank Watson and Henritta Frederick. This month the magazine is pleased to feature yet another
           praiseworthy colleague, Hardeep Judge. Our United States Tennis Association (USTA) Director of Tennis is a
           familiar fixture at OCC and an esteemed member of the Orangeburg community.

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                      4
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
employee spotlight
    Hardeep and Idellia, his wife of 27 years, have three wonderful
    children. The Judges’ eldest daughter, Katrina, was just a few
    months old when Hardeep began working at the Club. She is
    now a senior at the College of Charleston. Natalia, daughter
    number two, is 13 and plays tennis for Orangeburg Preparatory
    School. The couple’s youngest child, son Naylin, is an 11-year-
    old soccer prodigy. Hardeep has raised his family here, but his
    journey to South Carolina actually started in Europe.

    Hardeep was born in England and lived there for three years.
    When he was just a toddler, Hardeep showed an interest
    in tennis. “Our house in England had a grass court in the                                                                                  e tree!
                                                                                                                         't fa ll fa r from thr years.
    backyard. Nobody in my family played tennis, but as soon as                                                    doesn                 ounge
                                                                                                      The apple son, Naylin, in his y
    I could walk, I would go out there and throw things over the                                      Hard e e p's
    net,” recalled Hardeep.

    When he was three-years-old, the family moved to Canada.
    While growing up Hardeep took an interest in the country’s                   Hardeep found more than sanctuary in the game. Competitive
    national winter sport, hockey. Hardeep remembered, “Hockey                   play taught him lessons that he could use in life. “Playing sports
    is a very physical sport. By the age of 11, I had been hit too               gave me the opportunity to learn about more than just winning
    many times. I decided to turn all of my focus back to tennis.”               and losing. Sports also taught me about commitment and
    Hardeep continued, “My fondest childhood memory is going                     character,” declared Hardeep. “For true athletes, commitment is
    out in the middle of winter and hitting tennis balls against a               not just on the outside. It resides deep within them. Success also
    brick wall for hours. I could never beat that wall, but that wall            requires character. I tell the tennis teams I coach that character
    was a place where I found refuge.”                                           is not what you do when everyone is watching; it is what you
                                                                                 do when no one is looking.” One of Hardeep’s fondest tennis
                                                                                 memories is coaching 24 championship teams at South Carolina
                                                                                 State University where he serves as Head Tennis Coach. “Having
                                                                                 a part in players developing into not only great tennis players,
                                                                                 but, more importantly, into respectable individuals has been
                                                                                 rewarding,” said Hardeep.

                                                                                 Hardeep attributes his personal athletic achievements to hard
                                                                                 work and diligence. However, he believes his success as a coach
                                                                                 must be shared with his mentor, Mr. Frank Tourville. Hardeep
                                                                                 related, “Mr. Tourville is the best coach that I have ever had.
                                                                                 He exemplifies not only the character that I talk about with my
                                                                                 players, but also effectively facing and overcoming adversity.”
                                                                                 Hardeep continued, “Everyone faces difficulties. Successful
                                                                                 athletes and individuals have a plan for overcoming it.”

                                                                                 Orangeburg Country Club congratulates Hardeep on his
                                                              e 2018             success as a husband, father, athlete, and coach. If you would
                                        a n d H ardeep at ath   .
                              Ide ll ia            rmy D e  n c                  like to benefit from Hardeep’s talents and skills, call him to set
                                    Salvation A
                                                                                 up a private lesson or to join one of his ongoing tennis clinics.
                                                                                 You’ll learn more than just how to deliver a powerful serve or
                                      Photo courtesy of Rooted Oak Photography   execute a perfect backhand from this gifted coach.

5                                                                                                                                  winter 2018 edition
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
Member Spotlight                                            WINTER 2018

                                 CATHY HUGHES
                                       Extends Her Sphere Of Influence
                                                                                     By Meredith E. Baker

                                                         Orangeburg Country Club (OCC) counts among
                                                         its membership a number of local leaders who
                                                         are dedicated to making our community the
                                                         best it can be. In the most recent issues of Along
                                                         the Edisto, our readers learned more about two
                                                         such individuals, Dr. Mona Ellis and Ms. Brenda
                                                         Williams. In this edition we are featuring
                                                         another notable OCC member, Mrs. Cathy
                                                         Hughes. For many of us Cathy and our local
                                                         newspaper, The Times and Democrat (The T &
                                                         D), are synonymous.

                                                         Cathy is a lifelong resident of Orangeburg
                                                         County. Born and raised in North, she still
                                                         makes her home there. Cathy and her husband
                                                         of 46 years, Randy, have two daughters. The girls
                                                         are grown now and have families of their own.
                                                         Daughters Kelley Boetsch and Holley Van Horn
                                                         live in Aiken and Columbia, respectively. Cathy
                                                         appreciates the fact that her girls are nearby. “I
                                                         am fortunate that my children are so close. It’s
                                                         a real treat to get to see their families, especially
                                                         our four grandchildren: Hannah, Isabel, Ava,
                                                         and Joseph,” said Cathy with a smile.
   Cathy is joined by her grandchildren in her
   office to receive the Order of the Silver Crescent.   In 1971 Cathy graduated summa cum laude
                                                         from the University of South Carolina with
                                                         a B. A. in Journalism. Interestingly, Cathy’s
                                                         newspaper career actually began before
                       Host your next event at           graduation with an internship at The Times
                                                         and Democrat. Cathy recalled, “I first worked
                                                         at the paper during the summer between my
                                                         sophomore and junior years at Carolina. I
                                                         spent most of that time in the newsroom with
                              Great for:                 Joyce Milkie, Frank Myers, John Faust, and
                        •   Business Meetings            Jimmy Gressette.” Cathy continued, “The first
                        •   Fundraisers                  story I ever covered was about part of the
                        •   Corporate Events             ceiling falling in at the county courthouse. I
                                                         remember being so disappointed when my
                      Call us today at 803-534-5988!     entire lead was rewritten!”
ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                      6
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
Member Spotlight: Cathy Hughes                                                                                WINTER 2018

    December 1971 was a time of considerable change in
    Cathy’s life. Along with landing her dream job, Cathy
    graduated from college and married her sweetheart.
    These three major personal milestones preceded many
    momentous newsworthy events Cathy would chronicle
    for the readers of The Times and Democrat. Two of these
    occurred early in her career, and many of our readers might
    recall them. “I started full-time at the paper in January 1972.
    The newspaper building burned in October that year, and
    the area was blanketed by a record-breaking snowstorm in
    February of 1973. The Times and Democrat never missed an

    [
    edition through either of those events or for any reason since,”
    related Cathy proudly.

           “I’ve been fortunate to work in news,
          production, finance, and advertising. They’ve
                                                          [              Cathy addresses the attendees of the
                                                                         Times and Democrat 2017 Page Turner
          never let me actually run the press though!”                   Book and Author Luncheon.

    Being employed at a newspaper The T & D’s size gave Cathy the      is my husband Randy who always supported me even while
    opportunity to learn about many different departments. Cathy       maintaining his own career. He went on so many of the girls’
    said, “I’ve been fortunate to work in news, production, finance,   school field trips over the years! Being blessed with good kids
    and advertising. They’ve never let me actually run the press       who were easy and fun to raise helped, too.” Cathy went on
    though!” Among the leadership positions Cathy has held over        to say, “Obviously I owe Dean Livingston, the publisher who
    the years are Business Manager, Advertising Director, General      hired me, a great deal. I worked with Dean for 27 years and
    Manager, and Publisher. Cathy’s success is in no small part due    learned so much from him before he retired in 1999. My co-
    to her commitment and hard work, but she generously credits        workers at The Times and Democrat have also been critical to
    others with providing crucial support.                             my success. I could not have taken on added responsibilities
                                                                       with Lee Enterprises if not for the conscientious, dependable,
    Cathy acknowledged, “The list of people who have helped            and knowledgeable employees at the Orangeburg newspaper.”
    and inspired me over the years is long. At the top of the list                                                Continued on next page

7                                                                                                                   winter 2018 edition
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
Member Spotlight: Cathy Hughes                                                                             WINTER 2018

Over her 46-year career, Cathy has seen quite a few              Democrat, is well acquainted with her capabilities. At the
changes in the newspaper business overall and in her             end of last year, the company asked her to take on the
responsibilities specifically. When asked about the most         newly created position of Tier Three Group Publisher.
dramatic change she has seen, Cathy named the impact of          In her new capacity, Cathy will continue to serve as

                                   [
technology. “Technology has affected everything. I now
pay my country club bill online. In the newspaper industry,
technology has allowed us to
provide news more quickly and
in more forms. The T & D no
longer revolves solely around
‘press time.’ We can post
                                         “I thank the loyal readers and advertisers
                                        who have been our partners on many
                                                                                   [
                                                                 Publisher of The Times and Democrat. She will also oversee
                                                                 operations at seven other locations: Flagstaff, AR; Carlisle,
                                                                                              PA; Maysville, KY; Longview,
                                                                                              WA; Napa, CA; Hanford, CA;
                                                                                              and Santa Maria, CA. “This is
                                                                                              an exciting opportunity for
                                                                                              me to help other publishers
                                        endeavors over the years. ”
news as soon as it happens on                                                                 of papers that, because of our
TheTandD.com. In addition, we                                                                 comparable size, face similar
are not limited to the printed word and still photographs.       challenges,” revealed Cathy. All the newspapers in her
Videos and live streaming of events as they happen would         extended sphere of influence will certainly benefit from
not have been possible or even dreamed of for a newspaper        Cathy’s wisdom and leadership.
person when I began my career,” Cathy explained.
                                                                 An OCC member since 1999, Cathy sees great value in
On November 6, 2017, Cathy added yet another title to            her membership. “Professionally, it (OCC) is a premier
her already long list of positions. Lee Enterprises, the         meeting place. I use the Club to entertain customers and
Davenport, Iowa based parent company of The Times and            corporate visitors. It is also a wonderful site for holding

    Cathy presents the 2017 Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame
    Lifetime Achievement Award.
ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                               8
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
Member Spotlight: Cathy Hughes                                                                            WINTER 2018

  employee meetings and business events,” said Cathy.
  One of the largest happenings with which Cathy and
  the newspaper are involved is The Times and Democrat’s
  Page Turner luncheon.

  Cathy explained, “Each spring we sponsor this fundraiser
  that supports Newspapers in Education (NIE). Because of
  the popularity and community support of this event, we can
  electronically deliver our local newspaper to teachers and
  classrooms in the tri-county area (Orangeburg, Bamberg,
  and Calhoun) free of charge.” Cathy continued, “The regional
  authors invited to speak are impressed with the Club. OCC’s
  outstanding personnel has made producing this event easy
  and fun! We have chosen OCC for the last three luncheons,
  and each one we’ve hosted at the Club has drawn a full
  house! Our 10th annual Page Turner, the fourth held at OCC,
  will take place on March 6, 2018. We are looking forward to
  another spectacular and successful event.”

  Personally, Cathy considers Orangeburg Country Club the
  perfect place for a special evening out. She is also fond of
  galas and other themed events. “The Club is a beautiful venue!
  I particularly enjoy seeing how the staff makes each event
  unique and how they completely transform the Club based on
  a theme,” said Cathy.

  As our conversation came to a close, Cathy spoke of her
  appreciation of the local community that has been supportive
  of The Times and Democrat. “I thank our loyal readers and
  advertisers who have been our partners on many endeavors
  over the years. I hope our community recognizes the value in
  having institutions like the Orangeburg Country Club and The                    Just the facts
  Times and Democrat in its midst. Numerous communities the
  size of ours do not have either, and sometimes we don’t realize
  how much this area has going for it.”                               1969   Interned at the T&D
                                                                      1971   Graduated from the
  Orangeburg and the surrounding region have much to                         University of South Carolina
  offer. Among our greatest assets are devoted citizens like
  Cathy Hughes. OCC congratulates Cathy on her numerous                      Married Randy
  accomplishments and wishes her continued success in                        landed her dream job
  her latest endeavor as Tier Three Group Publisher for Lee           1972   Started working full-time at the T&D
  Enterprises. As Cathy attested, Orangeburg Country Club
  is a wonderful place to entertain customers and corporate           1999   Became a member of OCC
  visitors, as well as an easy place to hold fundraisers, meetings,   2017   named Tier Three Group Publisher
  and business events. Find out more about our event services         2018   The best is yet to come!
  or membership options with a call to Private Event Planner
  Brandy Torrence or Member Services Representative Kelli
9 Anderson. You can reach them at 803-534-5988.                                                              winter 2018 edition
ALONG THE EDISTO WINTER 2018 - Orangeburg Country Club
Summer Fun at the
                                                     Blue Frog Lagoon
                                             The OCC pool season runs from May 26 to September 3, 2018.
                                                        That’s 100 days of beating the heat!

                                   The Blue Frog Lagoon Amenities                Invitations to Club Events
                                     • Certified lifeguards                        •   Memorial Day Cookout
                                     • Complimentary towels                       •   Junior Sports Camps
                                     • Family-friendly activities                 •   Swimming Lessons
                                     • Resort-grade chaise lounges                •   Screen on the Green
                                     • Poolside food and beverage service         •   Father’s Day Fish Fry
                                       at the Lily Pad                            •   July 4th Barbeque
                                     • Access to the Blackwater Grille and Bar    •   Labor Day Luau
                                                                                  •   And many more!

                                                     Call us to find out more or to schedule a tour!

                                                                 2745 Griffith Drive
                                                                Orangeburg, SC 29118
                                                                    803-534-5988

        Fun
            , sun
                 , an
                     d sp
                         ray!                                              y!
                              Reso                                    aw a
                                  rt-like                        rive
                                          amenities are a short d

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                            10
Golf in the know

     By Alex Tolbert
     Greens Superintendent
 Spring is just around the corner. This seasonal
 change brings warmer temperatures, more
 hours of daylight, and we all hope that the
 groundhog does not see his shadow! (By
 the way, this year he did.) This spring,
 I’d like to share some maintenance
 tips with our Along the Edisto readers.
 Laying a solid foundation will ensure
 a beautiful summer lawn.

 I hope these tips help you grow a
 lush, green lawn. If you ever have
 any questions concerning grass,
 please feel free to contact me.

11                                                 winter 2018 edition
Since their inception in the early 1900s,
                                                                         state and regional golf associations have
                                                                           had two priorities: computing scores for
                                                                            region handicapping and conducting
                                                                              golf tournaments. Advances over the
                                                                               years in technology and automation
                                                                               have simplified the first task. However,
                                                                                associations still grapple with the
                                                                                complexities of managing tournaments
                                                                                and ensuring a satisfying experience
                                                                                for participating players. For these
                                                                               associations, the planning process begins
                                                                              with selecting a host club.

                                                                            The Carolinas are home to hundreds of golf
                                                                          events each year that target a wide range
                                                                        of skill levels. With over 1,000 golf courses,
                                                                      how do associations pick the best venue for each
                                                                    tournament? Over its many years of operation,
                                                                    Orangeburg Country Club has been fortunate
                                                                    to host 31 championships for the regional golf
                                                                    associations, which places it near the top of the list in
                                                                    championships hosted. What makes OCC a good fit?
                                                                    To learn more, I visited with Jack Nance, Executive
                                                                    Director of the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)
                                                                    and Biff Lathrop, Executive Director of the South
                                                                    Carolina Golf Association (SCGA).

                                                                    The CGA has been serving amateur golf in both North
                                                                    and South Carolina since 1909. Founded in 1929, the
                                                                    SCGA is the governing body for amateur golf in
                                                                    South Carolina. Combined these organizations serve
                                                                    almost 150,000 individual members and manage over
                                                                    400 events annually. The non-profit CGA and SCGA
                     Scott Harvey winning the 2012 Carolinas        organizations conduct numerous tournaments for
                     Mid-Amateur at OCC.
                                                                    men, women, juniors, and seniors, from upper-tier
                                                                    championships to one-day events for high-handicap
                                                                    golfers. Both groups also manage several USGA
                                                                    qualifiers, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open,
                                                                    U.S. Amateur, and U.S. Junior Amateur.

                                                                    Based on my conversations, the top five criteria
                                                                    CGA and SCGA use when considering host golf
                   Photos courtesy of Carolinas Golf Association.   courses include:

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                          12
1
                                                                                                                    Golf in the know

 1. Type of Club Activity

 How many active members does a prospective golf club
 have in the tournament category? For example, does the
 tournament include seniors, women, low handicap players,
 girls or boys? Some golf clubs will have more active players          David Thore winning
 in certain categories than others. These clubs would be good          the 1974 Carolinas
 candidates for hosting related events.                                Amateur at OCC.

                                                                       Thore later became a
 "We know the Carolina golf clubs really well and the type of          PGA professional.
 active members each has," said Jack Nance. "So, we don't have
 to do a huge inspection or evaluation. We assess the courses
 based on the type of golfer competing in the event. Also, with

          23
 the great bounty of courses in the Carolinas, we try to ‘spread
 the love’ and rotate venues as much as possible.”

 2. Playability of the Course                                          3. Condition of the Course

 The number one goal of any tournament is to enhance the               Before a tournament, a golf club will prep the course to ensure
 player experience and give every golfer a shot at being               the best playing conditions. For the PGA and LPGA tours that
 competitive. So, associations must carefully match a golf             are seen on television, a club may go so far as, or be required
 course to the players’ gender, age group, and ability. Holding        to, rebuild putting greens, add course drainage, replace
 a kids' tournament at a course with a lot of forced carries over      bunker sand, and trim trees. “At OCC, we do minimal prep
 lakes and other hazards might drastically increase play time          work to ready the course for tournament play,” said David
 and ruin a player’s experience. A course can't be too much to         Lackey, OCC’s PGA Director of Golf. “That’s because we have
 handle. Likewise, a course must be challenging enough for             a high daily standard and a commitment to consistency. We
 the upper-level players.                                              want every golfer to feel like they’re experiencing our best
                                                                       possible product every time they play.”
 “Our golf club selection process revolves entirely around
 the needs of the group playing,” said Biff Lathrop. “We focus         Because of the different grasses used, a critical step in the
 on how competitive and enjoyable the course will be for               selection process involves evaluating the greens to ensure
 our players. Orangeburg Country Club can do just about                they’re in good shape. "Bentgrass is best for cool season
 anything. It’s the most versatile course in the Midlands area         and mountain play," said Jack. "Bermuda excels in hotter
 – fun to play, yet challenging.”                                      temperatures. So, for an August tournament, we would avoid
                                                                       a course with bentgrass greens.
 “OCC is a great place to play for a lot of different levels,” added
 Jack. “It’s a traditional course with great playability. They         “Also, aerification maintenance can affect tournament
 developed a course that works with the land and didn’t require        play,” continued Jack. “After plugging holes into the turf to
 a lot of fixing up. It’s got rolling topography and friendly golf     oxygenate the grass, the course needs time to heal. We’ll shy
 holes. And because players can get through a hole, OCC is             away from clubs that have plugged their courses within two
 enjoyable to play and creates an overall good experience.”            weeks of tournament play.”

                                                                       “We can always count on OCC to be in great condition,” said
                                                                       Biff. “Superintendent Alex Tolbert and the other OCC team
                                                                       members do a fantastic job maintaining the course.”

13                                                                                                                  winter 2018 edition
OCC is an Ellis Maples designed golf course and was
renovated by award-winning architect Richard Mandell in
2009. BoardRoom magazine, a publication designed to educate
private boards and management teams regarding golf course
operational issues, named Mr. Mandell “2017 Golf Course
Architect of the Year.” Also, OCC ranked among the top 50

       45
golf courses in the state, according to the South Carolina Golf
Course Ratings Panel’s bi-annual rankings.

4. Facilities and Amenities

Associations want a host golf club that offers a total            5. Staff Attitude and Experience
package. An exceptional, conveniently located facility is a
must. But, the quality of the food and beverage offerings,        Hosting a golf tournament requires a professional, capable
golf shop, clubhouse, and locker facilities are important         staff that’s able to withstand the pressures of planning a golf
considerations too.                                               event. They must display a sincere willingness to host the
                                                                  tournament.
Associations also consider how the golf club minimizes the
impact to its membership during tournament preparation,           “For every tournament, Orangeburg Country Club welcomes
execution, and post-event clean-up. The associations will         us with open arms,” said Biff. “We get the distinct feeling they
start the tournament in a manner that will least affect the       genuinely like working with us and hosting our tournaments.”
club’s members. For example, if a double tee start (starting
groups simultaneously on #1 and #10 tees) will open the           According to David Lackey, “We like having the association
course for member play more quickly than a shotgun start,         staff here. Jack, Biff, and their teams are a pleasure to work
then that method will be implemented.                             with. They know our club so well and are true professionals
                                                                  in every sense of the word. We just turn our course and
“Our members are our first priority,” said David Lackey.          facilities over to them and tell them to let us know what we
“And both associations are very much in tune with that.           can do to assist. During their competitions, the OCC staff
When planning the tournaments months in advance, not              transitions from our typical lead role of managing the course
only do they tell us the tee times that they need, they also      to a support role.
make it a point to communicate when the course will be
available for member play, and they make every effort to          "We've also got a lot of experience under our belt," continued
open it as early as possible.”                                    David. "Over the years, OCC has hosted numerous
                                                                  tournaments and events, including the Carolinas Golf
                                                                  Association Mid-Amateur Championship, the South Carolina
                                                                  Golf Association Mid-Amateur Four-Ball Championship,
                                                                  the Big I Junior Tournament, and monthly LGA luncheons.
                                                                  Upcoming Tournaments at OCC include the 36th Annual
                                                                  SCGA Trescott Championship on April 23, 2018, and the GSA
                                                                  Orangeburg Junior Open on June 16, 2018.”

                                                                  Want to learn more about OCC membership? Give us a call
                                                                  at (803) 534-5988. We’d be happy to answer any questions
                                                                  or set up a round of golf. You can also visit our website for
                                                                  a course tour and interactive course map. Clicking on each
                                                                  hole provides a detailed view, short description, and playing
                                                                  strategy tips from the Club's PGA Professional.

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                               14
In The Kitchen

             Food and Beverage Experiences

 Designed For You                             By Steven Kriekard
     At most country clubs the food service operation is considered
     a primary department. One reason is that all members patronize
     the dining room or bar to some extent. In many cases, relaxing
     or celebrating at the Club over food and drink is at the center
     of members’ experience. It’s almost impossible to imagine an
     important holiday or social gathering without the special food
     and drink that pulls everyone together. Breaking bread with
     friends and family is universal. As a member and part of the
     Orangeburg Country Club (OCC) family, know that your Food
     and Beverage team strives to bring that down-home feeling to
     every meal we serve while offering the very best in food quality.

     Generally clubs’ food service differs from specialty restaurants,
     hotel dining rooms, or other eating establishments in several
     ways. Unlike public places that have more focused products
     and are profit-motivated, country clubs exist to cater to the       Members enjoy buffet selections.
     specific requests of their members. Therefore, clubs must
     provide a wide array of dining experiences. Being flexible and
     able to deliver home-style cooking to gourmet fare, fast food
     to elegant formal dining service, and ethnic cuisine, as well
     as the latest food trends, is essential. To celebrate holidays
     throughout the year, a club must offer appropriate, festive
     foods, along with handling large, traditional holiday events.
     Being “all things” to the membership is a tall order, but it is a
     common thread found in many clubs. Country club chefs must
     accommodate a tremendous taste-in-food diversity among
     their patrons. This prerequisite represents several unique
     challenges for a chef. Not only must the product coming out
     of the kitchen be consistent, but menu offerings must also be
     versatile and appeal to a wide variety of palates.

     At OCC we have a special recipe for accomplishing the mission
     of meeting members’ diverse tastes. Through a variety of time
     honored practices and proven techniques, the culinary team
     provides high quality, consistently delicious food and a variety
     of new and innovative cuisine. One of the biggest factors to
     meeting the challenge is the choice of ingredients. The key
                                                                         Chefs create made-to-order dishes.
     word is fresh. In the quest to bring you the freshest foodstuffs,

15                                                                                                          winter 2018 edition
Left to right:
                                                                                           American burger,
                                                                                           Blue Marlin Fillet,
                                                                                           Chicken Saltimbocca

                                                       seafood is delivered regularly, produce is locally sourced and
                                                       delivered fresh, and meat comes from only the best providers.
                                                       To ensure products meet exceptional quality standards, all
                                                       ingredients are closely inspected and handled with care.

                                                       After securing the freshest components, the next order of
                                                       business is to offer menu items that our membership will
                                                       enjoy. Designing a menu takes a great deal of time, thought,
                                                       and planning. Early in my career I asked a mentor how to stay
                                                       on the cutting edge. His advice was sound and applies today.
                                                       My advisor said, “Eat out a lot, take pictures, and tour kitchens
                                                       as much as possible. Never get stagnant. Constantly explore
                                                       ways that you and your team can make food better. Listen
                                                       to your members; you will make them much happier if you
                                                       listen to them.” Using that advice as a foundation, your OCC
                                                       Food and Beverage Department strives to bring you our best.
                                                       By combining decades of experience, continuing to educate
                                                       ourselves through professional organizations, speaking
                                                       with fellow colleagues across the country, and sampling the
                                                       finest restaurants South Carolina has to offer, we learn. Most
                                                       importantly, we listen to you, and make decisions based on
                                                       our clientele. Through a combination of all these approaches,
                                                       OCC is building our culinary foundation and raising the food
                                                       and beverage bar at the Club.

                                                       With the New Year comes a new variety of offerings to our club.
                        Prime rib carving station      Dining is poised to be the best yet! Inspiring enhancements
                                                       and stimulating on-trend experiences will continue to be
                                                       the standard. Watch OCC’s social media posts for exciting
                                                       weekly additions on each Blackwater Grille menu. Look for
                                                       special events and themed dinners on lobby signs and in the
                                                       Currents newsletter. Our staff looks forward to serving you
                                                       and your invited guests often in 2018.

                    A display of individual servings

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                      16
Special events

                             The Tour of Homes
                                     Wraps Up at the Club
 By Meredith E. Baker

 The Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce Tour of Homes has              foot poinsettia tree greeted guests along with a selection of
 been a merrily anticipated season staple for decades. An array    charmingly decorated gingerbread houses. Guests gathered
 of holiday decorations and décor have captivated and inspired     in the front room around a roaring fire and admired the
 tour goers over the years. Century 21 The Moore Group once        exquisitely garlanded mantle. Beyond the feast for the eyes,
 again sponsored the event. On Thursday, December 7, 2017,         the Club served a banquet of delightful goodies accompanied
 ticket holders had the opportunity to visit seven beautifully     by hot and cold drinks.
 bedecked properties. Three homes, three businesses, and a final
 stop at the Orangeburg Country Club (OCC) comprised the list      Food and Beverage Manager Bo Hurley and his team went all
 of destinations.                                                  out for this event. Bo is a Paris-trained chocolatier who studied
                                                                   at L’Ecole Du Grand Chocolat. Members look forward to his
                                                                   sweet creations throughout the year. One of his most loved
                                                                   offerings, his silky smooth hot chocolate, proved to be a crowd
                                                                   favorite with Tour of Homes goers. Available cold beverages
                                                                   included water and the Club’s special Christmas punch – a
                                                                   tasty mixture of cranberry juice, pineapple juice, sherbert, and
                                                                   ginger ale. Visitors paired their chosen drink with a selection
                                                                   of desserts. Enjoying individual mango mousse with fresh
                                                                   berry cups, banana pudding shots, and passion fruit layered
 Shane and Angela Burroughs of Lee Boulevard, Ashton and           with chocolate ganache, complete with a tiny silver spoon,
 Erin Blue of Partridge Road, and David and Ginny Williams         provided a perfect ending to the tour. As visitors left the Club
 of Five Chop Road opened their residences to the group.           they spoke of the delightful sensory immersion of the evening.
 Participating businesses included Thee Matriarch Bed and          The sights, smells, sounds, and tastes experienced throughout
 Breakfast on Fischer Street, Parzell’s Café on Russell Street,    the tour catapulted everyone into the holiday spirit.
 and Southern Roots on Neeses Highway. All of the locations        OCC was happy to provide refreshments for the final
 displayed beautiful adornments. Each setting held a unique        destination of Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce Tour of
 charm that reflected the host’s distinctive personality. The      Homes again this year. It is always a pleasure to share the Club’s
 variety gave tour participants many ideas to consider for         sophisticated ambiance and service with the local community.
 trimming their own homes and offices.                             Don’t wait until next year’s Tour of Homes to enjoy the features
 After visiting the other properties, tour goers dropped by        and benefits of membership. For information about the offered
 Orangeburg Country Club for the final stop of the evening. The    membership levels, call Kelli Anderson at 803-534-5988 or email
 Club’s festive decorations, designed, assembled, and placed       her at kanderson@orangeburgcc.com.
 by our in-house florist Brenda Harley and her talented elves,
 started at the entrance. As guests drove onto the property,
 twinkling white lights in the trees illuminated the visitors’
 way. Green garlands punctuated by red bows adorned the
 front handrails giving a hint of the splendor inside. Matching
 red wreaths on the front doors flanked by a sparkling garland
 accented the stunning entryway. In the foyer, a distinctive 10-

17                                                                                                                winter 2018 edition
Santa
                                              Visits the Club
                                                     By: Meredith E. Baker

                                                     The Orangeburg Country Club (OCC) is the most elegant
                                                     venue in town and counts a large group of notables among
                                                     its members and guests. On Sunday, December 3, 2017, one
                                                     of the Club’s most beloved VIPs stopped by to help members
                                                     get in the holiday spirit. Seated by a roaring fire in the lobby
                                                     area and decked out in his signature red suit, Santa Claus
                                                     greeted kids of all ages. The jolly old elf listened carefully
                                                     to children’s heartfelt requests for things they hoped to
                                                     find under the tree on Christmas morning and then posed
                                                     for adorable pictures. As in years past, OCC provided a
                                                     photographer to capture this special moment in the lives
                                                     of the youngsters and made the keepsake pictures available
                                                     free of charge as a treat for parents and grandparents.

                                                     An audience with Santa, of course, was a highlight for
                                                     the children, but the lavish brunch that followed pleased
                                                     everyone! The hearty spread featured Southern breakfast
                                                     favorites, salads, and two carving stations. The hot buffet
                                                     included stone-ground grits, home fries, scrambled eggs,
                                                     biscuits, bacon and sausage, along with a waffle station.

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                      18
The cold buffet featured baked goods, seasonal sliced fruit,
     pasta salad, and mixed green salad with a selection of
     dressings. Plates were further filled with freshly carved slices
     of Black Oak ham and prime rib. The traditional sweets table
     of cakes, pies, and other confections drew those who wanted
     a sweet finish. A Christmas cookie decoration station was
     added this year and was a huge hit with young and old
     alike. Based on its reception, decorating cookies together at
     Brunch with Santa will likely become a holiday tradition.

     Brunch with Santa is just one of the many celebratory buffets
     OCC hosts throughout the year. Your participation is greatly
     appreciated and lets us know that you enjoy attending these
     special events with family and friends. In the next few
     months, the Club is hosting Mother’s Day, Father’s Day,
     and Easter dinners. Please look for details in your Currents
     newsletter, Facebook posts, and email. We hope you’ll make
     plans to celebrate these occasions at the Club.

19                                                                      winter 2018 edition
(Left to right) Senator John W. Matthews, Danny Mixon, Luther "Luke" Kissam, and Johnny Evans.

Orangeburg County Business

Hall of Fame
                               Honors Laureates and
                               Scholarship Recipients
                                                                                    Senator John W. Matthews addresses the group.

By Meredith E. Baker

For the past three years, the Orangeburg County Economic
Development Partnership (OCEDP) has identified and honored
individuals who share certain admirable characteristics. In order
to be considered for selection as a Laureate, a private sector
leader must have made a major impact on our community and
the state of South Carolina. Furthermore, he or she must have
reliably demonstrated the core values of integrity, leadership,
respect, and excellence in his or her business and community
dealings. The Lifetime Achievement award is given to persons
who have dedicated their lives to a worthy cause or have
made a positive impact on society or in the lives of others.
                                                                            Kissam speaks with Mixon and Evans who accepted the
The Lifetime Achievement award is open to civic, educational,
                                                                               honor on behalf of his late father, Clarence F. Evans.
institutional, and political leaders.

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                                  20
Special events

     Previous Laureates, recognized in 2015 and 2106, are William       In addition to the above honorees, two high school students,
     B. Cox, Sr., Frank P. Tourville, Sr., Dr. T. Elliott Wannamaker,   Angela Plemmons and Quincey Lee, were selected to receive the
     Wallace C. Bethea, Dewall Waters, and Charles S. Way, Jr.          Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce 2017 R. H. Jennings
     Making up the list of Lifetime Achievement award recipients        Scholarship. Both young ladies rank second in their respective
     from those years are Dr. M. Maceo Nance, Jr., Earl M. Middleton,   classes and participate in many volunteer and extra-curricular
     and Marshall B. Williams. On Thursday, December 14, 2017,          activities. Angela of Holly Hill Academy is the daughter of
     a deserving group of four individuals joined this elite group      Tammy Moore and has her sights set on becoming a veterinarian.
     of honorees. Laureates for 2017 included Clarence F. Evans,        Quincey of Lake Marion High School and Technology Center is
     Founder of C.F. Evans; Danny Mixon, CEO of Mixon Seed and          the daughter of Patricia Middleton. Quincey has not yet decided
     Feed; and Luther Kissam IV (Luke), Chairman, President, and        on her career, but she has excelled in biology. Earning this
     CEO of Albemarle Corporation. Senator John W. Matthews, Jr.        prestigious honor is just the first of many accolades predicted
     received a Lifetime Achievement award.                             for both of these capable young women.

                                                                        The Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce has chosen to host
                                                                        every Business Hall of Fame celebration at Orangeburg
                                                                        Country Club (OCC). President Melinda Jackson explained,
                                                                        “There are many reasons we choose to hold the Business Hall
                                                                        of Fame at OCC. We expect a group of about 180 guests, and the
                                                                        Club has experience handling groups of this size. We always
                                                                        receive outstanding service. The Club’s elegance perfectly
                                                                        complements this formal affair.” Jackson continued, “We are
                                                                        always impressed with the delicious food, and the staff always
                                                                        delivers the impeccable professionalism demanded by such a
                                                                        grand affair.”

                                                                        Festivities commenced at 6:30 p.m. with a wine and cheese
                                                                        reception. An elegant three-course plated dinner service
                                                                        began at 7:00 p.m. starting with a scrumptious strawberry
                                                                        spinach salad. The night’s entrée featured a four-ounce filet
 2017 R. H. Jennings Scholarship recipients                             with mushroom demi glaze and a four-ounce portion of garlic
 Angela Plemmons and Quincey Lee.                                       herb chicken. Accompanying sides included red-bliss potatoes,
                                                                        green beans, and rolls with butter. Cheesecake with berries
                                                                        completed the meal.

                                                                        The Club extends our sincere congratulations to this year’s
                                                                        honorees. OCC looks forward to hosting the Business Hall
                                                                        of Fame celebration for many years to come. When you are
                                                                        searching for a venue for a business, group, or family, we invite
                                                                        you to consider Orangeburg Country Club. Call Private Event
                                                                        Planner Brandy Torrence at 803-534-5988 to set up a tour or
                                                                        reserve a date. Brandy can answer all your questions and help
                                                                        you every step of the way.

      Ray Sabalis (L) speaks with Donnie Whisenhunt (R).
                                                                                        Photos courtesy of T&D Correspondent Yon Line

21                                                                                                                    winter 2018 edition
Award recipients pose with SI Group Sr. Director-Southeast Operations Jeff Prickett. (L to R) Jeff Prickett, Dale Lovingood, Joey Sloop,
Dona Headden, Maurice Baxter, Mark Holstein, and Paul Weimorts. Recipients not pictured are Grady Robinson and James Worley.

SI Group
Every year SI Group, Inc. holds Quarter Century
                                                               ®
                                                                   Holds Quarter Century Celebration
                                                                   at Orangeburg Country Club
                                                                                                                        By Sallie Zorn
                                                                      providing meals for the 130 guests in attendance, but by
Celebrations globally to honor those employees who                    also delivering 47 meals to the SI Group’s plant site so
have achieved 25 years of service with the company.                   those employees who could not attend the event could
SI Group in Orangeburg, like our other plants, looks                  partake of the tasty meal!
forward to honoring our dedicated and deserving
employees with a fitting celebration. We have used the                As dinner concluded, Senior Director of Southeast
Orangeburg Country Club (OCC) for other events and                    Operations Jeff Prickett gave a short summary of
have been delighted with the elegant venue, charming                  the momentous significance of the Quarter Century
customer service, and delectable food. For those reasons,             Celebration. Jeff then introduced the award presenters.
we chose to host our local 2017 Quarter Century                       Managers and supervisors of those receiving awards gave
Celebration at the Club this year. Attendees gathered on              brief remarks and presented the recipients with their
Friday, December 8, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. and started the                lovely service award – watches provided by the company.
evening with appetizers and drinks.                                   The watches, engraved with sentiments requested by the
                                                                      employees, were much appreciated. The gift conveys a
The weather was cold and rainy, but OCC’s Grand                       thank you for employees’ longevity with the corporation.
Ballroom, Covington Room, and Green Room provided                     After dinner and presentation of the awards, attendees
a warm and festive atmosphere. Dinner, prepared by                    danced to music provided by DJ “Hank” McCollum.
Banquet Chef Derrick Harris, was a hearty buffet. Guests
began with a house, pasta, or marinated vegetable salad.              Employees who have served SI Group, Inc. for 25 years
We also offered three meat choices: Chicken Picatta,                  deserve a recognition that matches the contribution
Grilled Tilapia, and Roast Beef. Sides included scalloped             each one has made to the success of our company. For
potatoes, rice pilaf, and green bean casserole. A large               SI Group in Orangeburg, the Orangeburg Country Club
assortment of delicious desserts including the Club’s                 proved to be the perfect venue to congratulate members
famous triple chocolate cheesecake topped off the meal.               of this distinguished circle. Thank you to everyone at SI
                                                                      Group and Orangeburg Country Club that helped make
As is always the case, the OCC staff was courteous                    this celebration spectacular.
and considerate in serving the SI Group employees.
The Club accommodated our company by not only

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                                         22
By Meredith E. Baker

     It’s a proven fact. Oysters taste better in the winter. Besides a
     concentrated flavor, there’s just something exceptionally satisfying
     about gathering with friends on a cold night to shuck and eat these
     briny, buttery bivalves.

     Such was the case on Friday, January 19, 2018, at the oyster roast
     for members of Orangeburg Country Club (OCC). Around 70 folks
     reserved an oyster knife and a spot at the table. Guests consumed
     1,600 of the finest single select oysters available. That’s about 17
     bushels! For those who wanted a little variety, the OCC Food and
     Beverage staff served gumbo and chicken bog.

     We hope you were able to take advantage of this winter favorite.
     OCC has many member activities planned for the months ahead.
     Don’t miss a one! If you are not yet a member of the Club, call 803-
     534-5988 to order a membership packet.

23                                                                          winter 2018 edition
Do you have what it takes?
                                                                                       By: Meredith E. Baker

 So, how’d you fare with these questions posed at Orangeburg         To get started groups coined team names and readied their white
 Country Club’s (OCC’s) first Trivia Night of 2018? Private          boards. As the theme from The Price is Right played, a competitive
 Event Coordinator Brandy Torrence organized and directed the        mood became palpable. Captains shouted out monikers! Trash talk
 contest held on Friday, January 26, 2018. In true-to-Brandy-form    flew! Groups ordered one more round of appetizers and libations
 the occasion went off without a hitch. If whoops and hollers        to sustain themselves! Brandy scribbled names on her score sheet
 measured achievement, this night definitely earned an A+!           and announced she was ready. The Mewtwo, The Girls, Good
                                                                     Fresh Gin Guys, Side Car, Half-Bakered, The Wolf Dawgs, and
 The eagerly anticipated contest, scheduled to begin at 7:00         The Bar Team then uncapped their markers and leaned forward
 p.m. in the Bar, brought out minutiae lovers of all ages. By 6:30   to hear the first query.
 p.m. claim had been laid to every table, but participants kept
 coming. To accommodate the overflow, OCC staff brought in           Emcee Lee Smoak confidently grabbed the microphone and posed
 an additional table and several extra chairs. Once settled, the     the initial question of the night with the poise of a seasoned
 seven squads listened attentively to the rules and prepared to      professional. What football position shares its name with a way
 begin the night’s battle of wits.                                   to score two points? As a snippet of an old favorite song played

                                                                                      Team Mewtwo celebrates a correct answer.
ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                                    24
TRIVIA QUESTIONS!
      1. What was Marilyn Monroe’s real name?
      2. How many hearts does an octopus have?
      3. How many states border the                                                      Team Half-Bakered conceals their answer.
         Pacific Ocean?
      4. At what temperature are Fahrenheit and
         Celsius equal?
      5. What musician won the Nobel Prize for
         Literature in 2016?

     (Answers located at the bottom of the page.)

                                                                                                The Wolf Dawg Team listens
                                                                                                  as Lee poses a question.

 to mark the twenty-five second time limit, folks put their heads     The Wolf Dawg Team (Justin and Angelica Tyler) dominated,
 together and jotted down their agreed upon (or hotly disputed)       and Brandy selected a bottle of wine as their reward. The
 answer. After each question, teams hoisted their white boards        Girls (Ashyln Gray, Laura Hewitt, Paige Hewitt, and Candace
 simultaneously. Checking answers, Brandy tallied scores as Lee       Holstein) took the top spot in Round 3. For their prize, Brandy
 announced the correct response. The answer to the first question     chose gift cards for the ladies' children.
 was safety, and most folks celebrated success. As illustrated
 above, not all the questions would prove to be that easy.            If you weren’t able to make it to this Trivia Night, you missed
                                                                      a fabulous time. Members expressed repeatedly how much fun
 Competing was a hoot for winners and losers. Over the course of      they had, and everyone learned some new facts. Trivia Night
 the night, three different groups claimed victories and prizes! In   is just the latest addition to standard offerings at Orangeburg
 her quest to deliver the most suitable gifts, Brandy waited until    Country Club. To keep from missing anything, read OCC’s
 the winners were determined to decide on prizes. In Round 1, The     eblast, Facebook posts, and Currents newsletter for all upcoming
 Mewtwo Team (Dr. Lucius Craig’s family and friends) won and          member events, including the next Trivia Night!
 asked to keep their dry erase board as their prize. For Round 2,

                    Team Side Car ponder a question.                                     Laughs and beers complement each other.

25                                                                                                                    winter 2018 edition
                  Answers: Norma Jeane Mortenson, Three, Five (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii), -40°, Bob Dylan
Soulmate
ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine
                                                     A Seat      for A

                                                              By: Meredith E. Baker
                                                                                      26
Say "I Do"

 That Friday night in the spring of 2015 started out typically.
 Jill Davis met some friends at Clark’s Inn & Restaurant to
 kick off the weekend. As the group of couples gathered
 around a table, lone single Jill briefly noted the empty
 chair next to her with a sigh. Will I ever find my Prince
 Charming?

 While Jill was scanning her menu, Adam Waters was
 finishing his workout and contemplating his own end-
 of-the-week plans. Adam left the gym and headed toward
 home, his route taking him past Clark’s parking lot.
 Spotting a friend’s truck at the eatery, Adam thought, I
 wonder what Greg is up to tonight? To satisfy his curiosity,
 Adam turned into the driveway, bounded up the front
 steps, and stepped through the front door.

       “Our relationship is the best one
       I have ever had. I can trust
       Adam. He gives good advice
       and keeps me grounded.”

                                  - Jill Waters

 As fate would have it, Jill was part of Greg’s group,
 and the only vacant seat at the table was beside her. Jill
 remembered, “I thought Adam was cute and I was glad
 he had no choice but to sit by me.” Adam was delighted
 about the situation as well. The two hit it off instantly.

 “We ended up sharing a shrimp cocktail,” recalled Adam.
 “Jill was easygoing and fun to talk to.”

 Things were going well, but Jill is a sensible woman, and
 unbeknownst to Adam, he needed to meet one more
 condition before being considered an acceptable suiter.
 “I don’t think I’ve ever told Adam this, but as we were
 leaving the restaurant, I checked out what he was driving.
 I was so happy when he got into a nice F250 truck and not
 something shabby!” shared Jill. With Adam’s suitability
 confirmed, the couple’s whirlwind relationship slipped
 into high gear. The two became inseparable immediately!

27                                                                winter 2018 edition
Jill stated, “Our relationship is the best one I have ever     I bought a wedding dress that I liked early on. I thought
had. I can trust Adam. He gives good advice and keeps          I was all set. Six months before the wedding, I found my
me grounded.”                                                  dream dress and bought it. I am so happy I made the
                                                               changes!”
“We get along so well,” replied Adam. “We rarely argue,
and Jill’s free spirit and spontaneity is good for me. We      Adam and Jill held their wedding service at First
balance each other out.”                                       Presbyterian Church in Orangeburg, SC. The sanctuary,
Adam and Jill enjoyed a strong connection and realized         beautifully decorated for Christmas, was more stunning
early on that they were soulmates. On Christmas Eve,           than Jill had dreamed it would be. The fir trees on each
about two years after becoming Jill’s beau, Adam set out       side of the altar sparkled with Chrismons (decorations
to make things official. On one knee and with the couple’s     made from Christian symbols). The ornaments included
9-month-old daughter Caroline by his side, Adam asked Jill,    ones she and her mom had crafted when Jill was a young
“Will you spend the rest of your life with me and Caroline?”   girl. With a twinge of sentimentality, Jill had to admit
Jill quickly answered with a yes, and preparations for a       that everything had turned out perfectly.
wedding, with a very special flower girl, got started. The
Christmas season is the couple’s favorite, so December 9,      As the service began, groomsmen and bridesmaids
2017, seemed an ideal time to tie the knot. Waiting to marry   promenaded down the center aisle and took their
almost a year from the engagement would allow ample
time to plan a dream wedding. In addition, and perhaps
most important, daughter Caroline would be almost two ―        “Hearing our daughter’s delight on this
old enough to serve as flower girl!
                                                               most special of days brought a smile to
Along the way, the spontaneity that Adam loves about           my face and tears of joy to many of our
Jill revealed itself. In fact, the bride’s advice for others   family and friends. It was a very special
planning a wedding is to be flexible. Jill counseled, “Don’t
be afraid to alter the plan. I started out with champagne      moment.”
colored bridesmaids’ dresses in mind, but changed to black.                                - Jill Waters

ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine                                                                         28
places at the front of the sanctuary.
 Caroline, who had not seen Adam all
 day, started her deliberate flower girl
 walk towards the front just as she
 had practiced. As Jill waited in the
 wings to make her grand entrance,
 she heard Caroline’s delighted
 squeal, “Daddy!” Following the
 proclamation came the precious
 scurry of toddler feet beating a path
 to Adam.

 After the wedding, everyone headed
 to Orangeburg Country Club (OCC)
 for a spectacular reception. “I had lots
 of worry and stress over the details at
 first,” reported Jill. “But Brandy (Private

                                               Event Coordinator Brandy Torrence) took care of everything. I can’t say
                                               enough good about her. She was so accommodating. Not one single mistake
                                               was made all night!” Jill continued, “I chose Orangeburg Country Club
                                               because they said they would take care of everything from set up to take
                                               down. They delivered on that promise!”

                                               All the guests complimented the Club’s gorgeous decorations and enjoyed
                                               celebrating the newlyweds, but the most appreciated part of the evening was
                                               the food. “Everyone commented on how delicious the meal was, especially
                                               the collards. Our guests liked the fact we served things they could identify,”
                                               said Jill. While waiting on the bridal party’s grand entrance, guests sampled
                                               an assortment of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. For dinner, the couple chose a
                                               buffet with Southern fried chicken and pulled pork barbeque. Complementing
                                               sides included collards, mashed potatoes, rice and gravy, and macaroni and
                                               cheese. For dessert, guests chose from slices of red velvet wedding cake,
                                               vanilla cupcakes, or one of an assortment of mini desserts.

                                               The Davis-Waters wedding was indeed a jubilant occasion. Jill, Adam, and
                                               Caroline are a loving family with many milestones ahead! We wish them the
                                               best and hope to celebrate with them again in the years to come. As it did for
                                               the Waters, Orangeburg Country Club always strives to accommodate you
                                               in every way and help you create a memory that you will cherish forever.
                                               Booking our elegant facility is available to both members and non-members.
                                               Visit us online at orangeburgcc.com or call 803-534-5988 to set up a personal
                                               tour of the Club. Brandy and the rest of our staff would love to meet you and
                                               show you all OCC has to offer.

                                                                             Photos courtesy of Carolina Rain Photography

29                                                                                                          winter 2018 edition
The Only Thing
     Missing Is                                You!

                                                          Membership has its
                                                             privileges
                                                     •    Blue Frog Lagoon
                                                     •    Junior Sports Camp
                                                     •    Tennis Clinics
                                                     •    Golf Demo Days
                                                     •    Holiday BBQs and Buffets
                                                     •    And more!
                                                         Call us at (803) 534-5988
ALONG THE EDISTO: Orangeburg country club magazine           to find out more!       30
OCC STAFF
 David Lackey - PGA Director of Golf
 JP Waldron - PGA Head Golf Professional
 Hardeep Judge - USTA Director of Tennis
 Bernard "Bo" Hurley - Food & Beverage Manager
 Steven Kriekard - Assistant Food & Beverage Manager
 Garrett Bailey - BWG Head Chef
 Derrick Harris - OCC Banquet Chef
 Lauren Gray - Events and Marketing Director
 Erynn Molettieri - Hospitality Marketing Manager
 Brandy Torrence - Private Event Coordinator
 Pat Weyandt - Hospitality Business Manager
 Alex Tolbert - Greens Superintendent
 LaToya Johnson - Accounting
 Kelli Anderson - Member Services

                          OCC PHONE NUMBERS
 Office................................................................. 534-5988
 Dining Reservations........................................ 534-5988
 Golf Shop (Tee Times)....................................... 534-6069
 Tennis Professional Shop................................ 534-1576
 Fax..................................................................... 535-8943
 To-Go Orders.................................................... 534-5988                                    Join us!

                                                                                     This quarter’s Along the Edisto was chock full of good times
                                                                                     and great people. We trust that you enjoyed this sampling
                       HOURS OF Operation                                            of member and community events held at Orangeburg
           Blackwater Grille Dining hours                                            Country Club, as well as the informational pieces.
 Lunch
 Monday - Friday.............................. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.                Wasn’t it interesting to find out how regional golf
 Dinner                                                                              associations select host sites for their championships? And
 Tuesday - Saturday............................ 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.                didn’t Greens Superintendent Alex Tolbert’s seasonal tips
                                                                                     get you excited about preparing for a lush, green summer
                                       Bar                                           lawn? What about that sweet love story about soulmates
 Tuesday - Thursday.......................... 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.                 Jill Davis and Alex Waters?
 Friday - Saturday........................... 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
 Sunday............................................. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.          If you like what you saw in the pages of our magazine, we
                                                                                     invite you consider joining the Club. We have a range of
                              Golf Course                                            membership levels. Pick the one that is right for you! To
 Tuesday - Friday................................ 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.              request a membership packet or a copy of the spring edition
 Saturday - Sunday............................. 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.                of Along the Edisto, call Kelli Anderson in Member Services
                                                                                     at 803-534-5988. For information concerning booking a
                                Golf Shop                                            corporate or social event, ask to speak with Private Event
 Tuesday - Friday................................ 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.              Coordinator Brandy Torrence.
 Saturday - Sunday............................. 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
                                                                                                         It's Time To Join.

31                                                                                                                              winter 2018 edition
You can also read