Happy Halloween, Daniel Island!

Hundreds of island residents came out to Barfield Park on Saturday, October 24 for an island tradition that seems to grow bigger each year. The wooded paths of Barfield Park were transformed into an illuminated Halloween trail with hundreds of jack-o-lanterns and luminaries at the annual Pumpkin Walk and Drum Circle. In the background, the sounds of a steady beat were generated at the drum circle, an interactive musical session for all ages.

This annual event, organized by the Daniel Island Property Owners Association and Daniel Island School PTA (the event’s beneficiary), started with a pumpkin carving “marathon” at Pierce Park, which took place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. the day before. Check out the following video of this festive event:

Nationwide Tour Championship Draws Praise for Daniel Island

“What is the quickest way to paradise from Interstate 526 around Charleston, South Carolina? Take Exit 24 to Daniel Island and proceed to the Daniel Island Club.”

That’s a quote from golf writer Andy Reistetter, who visited Daniel Island for the first time from Jacksonville, Florida, to cover October’s Nationwide Tour Championship. He was among the many athletes, spectators and golf fans that came to the island October 22-25 for this prestigious season-ending event for the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour. And he wasn’t the only one who had good things to say about the island and the facilities at the Daniel Island Club.

According to Bob Gillespie, Golf Writer for The State newspaper, Australia’s Michael Sim, the Nationwide Tour’s most dominating player of 2009, dubbed the greens “perfect,” the Daniel Island clubhouse “phenomenal,” and the Rees Jones-designed layout “challenging.”

“This is as good as I’ve played,” said Kevin Johnson, a former Clemson All-American who finished 13th on the money list.

The top 60 money winners from the season competed on Rees Jones’ Ralston Creek course for the Championship title and their chance to earn one of 25 PGA Tour cards for 2010. Former University of Florida All-American Matt Every outlasted Michael Sim to win the title and his share of the one million dollar purse. And when it was all over, the season’s top 25 money winners were presented with their PGA Tour cards for 2010 in an emotional ceremony in the Club’s ballroom.

By all accounts, the event was an outstanding success. Daniel Island’s breathtaking Lowcountry setting was showcased to spectators who came for the action and those who watched the live coverage on the Golf Channel. Sunny skies and warm fall temperatures helped ensure everyone had a great time.

“The club is fabulous,” said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. “We’ve had a great experience (at Daniel Island). It’s very upscale, absolutely gorgeous.”

The Nationwide Tour Championship will return to Daniel Island in 2010 and 2011. To view the PGA Tour’s video overview of this year’s Championship, click here.

Come “Light The Night” on Daniel Island

The light will shine brightly on Daniel Island on the evening of Thursday, November 5, even after the sun sets, as the S.C. Chapter of the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society hosts its annual Charleston “Light the Night Walk“.

The “Light The Night Walk” is an international event that pays tribute and brings hope to those battling cancer. Throughout the United States and Canada, hundreds of communities come together as thousands of participants carry illuminated balloons throughout the streets. The color of the balloons is symbolic: White for survivors, red for supporters, and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.

“The breathtaking parade of red, gold and white balloons against the evening sky is such a beautiful sight,” says event coordinator Laura Tregner. “It is a memorable experience for everyone involved.” Together, the balloons, as well as the men, women and children carrying them, will light up the night in honor of all those affected by cancer and to raise funding for lifesaving research.

In Charleston, this year’s “Light The Night Walk” will take place at Freedom Park on Daniel Island on Thursday, November 5. Registration starts at 6:00 pm and the walk will start at 7:00 pm. To learn more or to get involved, visit www.lightthenight.org/sc.

Check out the video below, featuring Tina Fey, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s national spokesperson, talking about why it’s so important to get involved and “walk the talk”!

Watch the Action Live this Weekend at the Nationwide Tour Championship!

The stakes are high and the pressure is intense, but fans coming out for the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island are having a great time and enjoying the action at the Daniel Island Club. And the players have good things to say about the Ralston Creek course – check out this article in today’s Post & Courier!

A lot is riding on the results this weekend – only 25 players will earn their PGA Tour cards for next year when it’s all over on Sunday. And it’s a goal they’ve been working towards all season.

“To some extent, it is a different strategy this week,” said D.J. Brigman of Albuquerque, N.M., who currently is in the top ten this week. “This Tour is all about being aggressive for the most part. This week you don’t have to be quite as aggressive. You have to pick and choose your holes.”

Be sure to catch the action live today through Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. on the Golf Channel. And if you can get out to watch in person, just visit NationwideTourChampionship.com for ticket information. It’s just $10 per day, which includes access to the “19th Hole,” offering food, cold beverages and live music.

Island Resident Helps Bring Professional Golf to Charleston’s Island Town

This weekend’s Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island is a world-class event that is bringing professional golf to the island. But for resident Denis Gallagher, the event is all about raising money for his company’s charitable foundation, the Student Transportation of America Education Foundation. Without his involvement, the tournament would not have made its way to the island.

“Since we moved to Daniel Island from Wall, N.J. nearly three years ago, I had been searching for a way to get involved in trying to bring a high-level event or some special recognition to the island,” says Denis. “It’s such a unique place.”

He was still searching when fellow resident and Vice President of Operations for the Daniel Island Club, Greg Keating, approached him about becoming the Host Organization for the season-ending event of the Nationwide Tour. Tour officials had been in discussions with the Club about bringing this highly-visible event to Daniel Island, but a non-profit partner was needed to make it work.

“It was the perfect opportunity for me to help showcase this community that I have grown to love and, even more importantly, it created an opportunity for me to bring my company’s Foundation here to Charleston,” Denis explains.

Denis is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Student Transportation of America, the third largest provider of school bus transportation services in North America. The STA Education Foundation is an approved 501 c3 organization that raises money to award college scholarships to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service and leadership. Established in 2003, the Foundation has already provided over $100,000 to students trying to get to college.

“Education is the backbone of our society,” Denis says. “It’s so important that we give time and money to help those who want to attend college but might struggle financially. For my company, this mission is a good fit. And I really saw this golf tournament as a way to bring my business, this community and our Foundation together to help make a difference.”

Denis’ “relationship” with Daniel Island began on a plane one weekend in 2006 when he and his wife, Mary, were headed to Charleston for a short weekend trip. He was reading the New York Times on the plane and saw an article about Daniel Island.

“We had never heard of it before, and our curiosity got the best of us. When we got to Charleston this was our first stop. We met Rick Vale of Daniel Island Real Estate and – I almost hate to say this – we bought the first house he showed us.”

The Gallaghers settled into their Daniel Island Park home that same year and quickly became immersed in the community, particularly enjoying its recreational and social offerings. But beyond the championship golf courses, spectacular scenery, beautiful weather and active lifestyle, Denis says by far the best thing about this community are the people who live here.

“Previously, we lived in the same neighborhood for thirty years and barely knew the people next door,” he says. “Here, it’s totally different. Everyone we have met has made us feel like life-long friends. You can’t get that in many places that I know.”

It’s that spirit of community that Denis is counting on as the first of three Nationwide Tour Championships at Daniel Island begins (the event is scheduled to take place here through 2011).

“Although this is an international event in the eyes of the golf world, when it comes right down to it, we could not pull this off without the support of the local community,” says Denis. “The operations of the tournament are being handled by a team of residents and island employees at the Daniel Island Club and Family Circle Cup, and dozens of area businesses have stepped up as sponsors to help make this a success. It’s going to be a great week!”

Ralston Creek’s Back Nine Provide a Stunning Backdrop for PGA Golf

When Rees Jones designed the Ralston Creek course, a par 72 layout that plays 7,446 yards from the championship tees, he had both members and professionals in mind. “The layout has all the elements of a stern test of golf,” says Jones, “including strategically placed, sculpted fairway bunkers, greenside bunkers placed to protect the championship pin positions, and enough length for the long hitters.”

Perhaps the most challenging – and certainly the most scenic – of the holes on Ralston are the “inside nine,” termed as such by members because they play out in a loop closest to the clubhouse. With long and dramatic marsh and tidal creek vistas, these stunning back nine holes highlight Daniel Island’s Lowcountry setting beautifully.

Take, for example, the 12th hole, a picturesque par three with water lining the right side of the fairway and the front of the green. No. 14, one of the best strategic holes on the course, is lined by marsh down the entire right side. You can check out the back 9 here:

For the professionals battling it out at the Nationwide Tour Championship, these breathtaking holes will provide a level of challenge that will test their skill. But for those lucky to call Daniel Island Park home, such views are a part of daily life. In fact, the “inside nine” is the location of some of the island’s most desirable homesites. With many sites nearing an acre in size, these are large, golf-oriented sites that offer a stunning setting within this spectacular golf neighborhood. Prices start in the low $200,000s. Further information is available here or by contacting a Daniel Island Real Estate sales associate for details.

Fall Fun on Daniel Island this Weekend

The fall festivities continue this weekend on Daniel Island at the 6th annual resident Pumpkin Walk & Drum Circle on Saturday evening and the Charleston Battery’s Oktoberfest on Sunday. And then there’s the 2009 PGA Nationwide Tour Championship taking place all weekend at the Daniel Island Club. There’s something for everyone!

The weekend fun will begin at a pumpkin carving party on Friday, Oct. 23 from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at Pierce Park. “We’d really like to get more than 500 pumpkins carved and ready to go for the walk and drum circle on Saturday,” said Jennifer Carrigan, event organizer. “In previous years, we’ve had great responses from island residents, businesses and organizations. I know we will reach our goal again this year!” Residents are asked to bring their own pumpkin to carve.

The next evening, island residents will walk or ride their bikes, golf carts and wagons over to Barfield Park for the 6th Annual Pumpkin Walk & Drum Circle, which is only open to Daniel Island residents. The park will be transformed into a magical menagerie of Jack-O-Lanterns, an outdoor amphitheater and the magical sounds of Adande, an authentic group of African drummers and dancers. The event will start around sunset (approximately 7:00 pm) and will last until 9:00 pm. For ticket and other information, click HERE.

On Sunday, cap off the weekend with a cold beer and delicious bratwurst at Oktoberfest, hosted by the Charleston Battery. Each year, Blackbaud Stadium is transformed into a Bavarian-style beer hall with authentic German music and dancers, a wide selection of German beer and delicious food and fun games for everyone. This year, the Roger Gootman Sauerkraut Oompah Band will be performing, and there will be a variety of fun games and events for children.

Oktoberfesters are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn-chairs. For tickets, visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

If you’re a golf fan, be sure to head over to the Daniel Island Club for some top-notch competitive golf at the 2009 PGA Nationwide Tour Championship, as the tour’s top 60 money winners compete for their chance to win a PGA Tour Card for the 2010 season. The tournament takes place Thursday through Sunday, with gates opening at 7:30 am each day. Tickets are just $10 per day. For more information, click HERE.

Whatever you choose, have fun!

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go – the Race for the Cure is Back!

The Lowcountry Race for the Cure, one of Charleston’s most esteemed and popular fundraising events, will take place this Saturday, October 17, marking the event’s eighth year on Daniel Island. More than 6,400 participants have already registered for this year’s race — an amazing number considering when the Race began in 1994, they had less than 800 people take part! The event raises money and awareness for breast cancer research.

During the past eight years, Daniel Island residents and businesses have joined together to support the Race as it made its home on the island. And this year, the support is even more overwhelming throughout the entire Charleston region.

Business windows and storefronts from Charleston to Daniel Island are painted pink with pictures, words of inspiration and hope for finding a cure. The streets on Daniel Island are lined with pink banners and ribbons. And the giant Lowcountry Race for the Cure banner hanging from the Family Circle Tennis Center can be seen from I-526 and the Wando River Bridge, encouraging local commuters to get involved.

“The Race for the Cure is one of my favorite races of the year,” says island resident and avid runner Rachel Sweeney. “It’s heartwarming to see the town start to turn pink at the beginning of October, with street banners going up and merchants decorating their storefronts. Everyone in the community really comes together for this great cause.” This year, Rachel is running for breast cancer survivor Whitney McDaris of Greenville, S.C. “Whitney’s husband died of brain cancer just last week, so this is going to be a particularly emotional run for me,” she said. “But I think it’s a wonderful way to honor his memory and her ongoing fight to survive.”

The Lowcountry affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised more than $3 million for local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in the Charleston region, and the Race is their largest fundraising initiative of the year. If you’d like to get involved in helping find a cure, visit www.Lowcountrykomen.org.

And don’t forget to register for Saturday’s race – this is your chance to make a difference!

The PGA Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island Begins

The PGA Tour’s 2009 Nationwide Tour season is coming to an end this week as the top 60 money winners advance to Charleston for the season-ending event. The Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island takes place October 22-25 on the Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek course, where players will compete for their chance to win one of 25 PGA Tour cards for next season.

And the players aren’t the only ones working hard for the event! The staff at the Daniel Island Club has been working around the clock to make sure the award-winning facilities are in order and ready for this week’s guests. Both the Rees Jones-designed Ralston Creek course, on which the players will compete, and the Tom Fazio-designed Beresford Creek course look incredible!

Events begin this week with the Cleatskins Jr. Golf Clinic and a number of private Pro-Am tournaments. Tournament play will start on Thursday morning and will continue through Sunday. The Golf Channel will be on-site covering the tournament, with live coverage being broadcast Thursday through Sunday from 2-4:30 pm each day.

The Championship will culminate in a special PGA Tour Card Ceremony on Sunday afternoon at the Daniel Island Club’s clubhouse, where the top 25 money winners from the season will be presented with their 2010 PGA Tour Cards. Afterwards, local band and fan-favorite, The Bluedogs, will perform at the “19th Hole,” a gathering place for ticket holders that will offer food and beverages throughout the tournament.

Daily tickets are available for $10/per day, weekly passes are priced at $30/per person, and a weekly group rate is available for $200 for 10 people. A unique “TICKETS Fore CHARITY” program has been implemented to help drive ticket sales, with more than 50 area non-profit organizations benefiting from ticket sales (list available HERE). As tickets are purchased, buyers can select which charity receives 100% of the proceeds. Visit www.NationwideTourChampionship.com or at the Family Circle Tennis Center ticket office (located at 161 Seven Farms Drive on Daniel Island) for ticket information.

‘Harvest Tour of Homes’ Opens Its Doors to Welcome You!

This upcoming Saturday, October 17, more than 400 participants are expected at the Daniel Island Harvest Tour of Homes, which is being organized by the Friends of the Daniel Island Library to benefit the island’s Berkeley County Library branch.

Four homes, specifically chosen to showcase the variety of homes and lifestyles found on Daniel Island, will be featured on the tour. Two are located in the lake and park-oriented Smythe Park neighborhood, close to the Daniel Island School and library. The other two homes are in Daniel Island Park, the island’s golf neighborhood. All of the homes boast beautifully decorated interiors featuring a variety of styles and inspirations.

Home interior of Lorraine and Rick Vale. Lorraine owns Home Interiors and
decorated the home herself.

�
Local authors Ken Burger of The Post and Courier, Richard Cote, Beth Webb Hart and Andrea Weathers will each be featured in one of the homes to sign copies of their books and meet guests. Ticket holders may visit the homes in any order, and refreshments will be served at the Jeresaty home on Smythe Lake.

The Harvest Tour of Homes will take place on Saturday, October 17 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Advance tickets are available for $15 and can be purchased at the Daniel Island Real Estate sales center, A Floral Affair and Expressions Art & Framing on Daniel Island, as well as at Zinnia in Mount Pleasant. Tickets will also be available the day of the tour for $25 at the Daniel Island Library. And as an extra incentive to raise some much-needed funds for the library, when tour participants eat at a participating Daniel Island restaurant the day of the tour, the restaurant will make a donation to the library.

Take a look HERE to read the Post & Courier’s recent article about the Harvest Home Tour, which includes more information about the homes being featured.

Next Page »