GEORGIA`S GOLDEN ISLES

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MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2014
Magazine
TAKE THIS MAGAZINE WITH YOU.
★
GEORGIA’S
GOLDEN
ISLES
A YEAR-ROUND
PARADISE
★
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Sun-kissed
Coast
Georgia’s
Golden Isles
shine bright
with natural
beauty and
discovery.
BY SUSAN B. BARNES
W
hen the sun sets on Georgia’s
southern coast, it’s evident why
this area of the state is known as
the Golden Isles — the sun’s rays
cast a glow along the shoreline.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOLDEN ISLES CVB
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Four islands make up the Golden Isles —
St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island,
Sea Island, and Jekyll Island — and are anchored by the historic port town of Brunswick.
Though close geographically, each island has
its own particular character and personality.
The largest of the Golden Isles is lovely
St. Simons Island. Live oaks draped with
Spanish moss line the two-lane roads, easing
visitors into the island way of life. Golfers can
tee off at one of the island’s award-winning
public courses; nature lovers can enjoy fishing,
birding, kayaking, and dolphin watching; history buffs won’t want to miss the St. Simons
Lighthouse, in operation since 1872, Fort Frederica National Monument, the Maritime Center,
and historic Christ Church; and shoppers can
head to the Pier Village with its charming
boutiques and outdoor eateries. If a day at the
four-plus miles of sandy beaches is in store,
you’re in for a treat: St. Simons Island was
awarded America’s Favorite Beach Town in
America by Travel + Leisure.
Accessible only by boat from Hampton
River Marina on St. Simons Island, Little St.
Simons Island is a private isle that’s remained
untouched for nearly 100 years. The Lodge was
built in 1917 by the owner of Eagle Pencil
Company, who bought the 10,000-acre island
to harvest its cedar trees. When initial tests
indicated that the cedar on the island was not
suited for pencils, the owner decided to keep
the island as a retreat for family, friends, and
colleagues. Today, a maximum of 32 guests
can stay on the island in the six cottages, and
day trippers can spend a day of exploring inisland, or on the seven miles of private beach.
Besides being a favorite destination for its
recreational activities and natural solitude,
Little St. Simons Island is a favorite of birders
the world over. With such a large and diverse
bird population, the Lodge hosts enthusiasts
and experts twice a year for week-long seminars
during the spring and fall migration seasons.
Just a short drive across the causeway from
St. Simons Island is Sea Island, home to the
world-famous, five-star resort The Cloister
at Sea Island and the five-star, five-diamond
The Lodge at Sea
Island Golf Club
— both of which
were named to
Travel + Leisure’s
2014 list of the
World’s Best
Hotels. Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of
Sea Island, guests
enjoy luxurious
accommodations,
amenities, and
activities such as
tennis, fishing,
yachting, and
water excursions.
After taking part in
the Golf Performance Center’s award-winning
instruction, golfers will want to hit the championship courses at Sea Island Golf Club, including the Seaside, a links course with ocean
views in the tradition of St. Andrews.
Clockwise from top:
Horseback riding,
St. Simons Lighthouse,
and Davis Love III
➺
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77
★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Besides being a favorite
destination for its natural
solitude, Little St. Simons
is a favorite of birders
the world over.
Clockwise from top
left: kayaking in salt
marshes, barrier island
beauty, miles of
private beaches,
and boats at dusk
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NOVEMBER 2014
Jekyll Island is the
destination that many of
the early 20th-century
titans of industry chose as
their winter playground.
The island is mostly residential, with an array of
condominiums and hotels
available. The historic
district is the site of the
elegant Jekyll Island Club Hotel, as well as the
“cottages” built by the Vanderbilts, Goodyears,
Morgans, and Rockefellers. The hotel and
cottages welcome guests year-round. Visitors
to Jekyll Island enjoy golf, tennis, beaches,
20 miles of bike paths, mini-golf, and nature
tours throughout the year.
The mainland city in the Golden Isles is
historic Brunswick. Established in 1771, downtown Brunswick is enjoying a renaissance, with
its buildings and public squares undergoing
renovations. In addition to a variety of residential architectural styles ranging from Queen
Anne, Jacobean, Eastlake, Mansard, Gothic,
and Italianate, downtown features an eclectic
mix of antique and specialty shops, art galleries, restaurants, and theaters.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, board the
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Lady Jane, the only
shrimp boat on the
east coast that’s U.S.
Coast Guard-certified
to carry passengers
offshore. Your mission: Cast your nets and try
to catch dinner. Not up for doing the work?
Stay on the docks and watch the shrimpers
unload their catches; it’s a good bet that what
you’re seeing will be on tonight’s menus.
The Golden Isles’ natural coastline offers
diverse eco-adventures and wildlife viewing. In
the marshlands, you’ll likely see marsh rabbits,
great blue herons, and bald eagles, and through
the summer months you can spot Loggerhead
sea turtles making their nests and hatching on
the beaches. In the water, dolphins frolic and
pelicans nosedive for a quick meal. Ease into
the environment without disturbing the abundant wildlife, binoculars in hand.
Fun festivals and good food are guarantees
for every visitor. Arts and culture, home and
garden, and music are celebrated yearlong at
festivals throughout the region. And whether
your tastes lean toward fine dining or casual
paper-plate fare, you’ll find plenty of choices
and generous helpings — all served with
Southern hospitality.
A visit to Georgia’s Golden Isles is certain to
be memorable — and it’s guaranteed that you’ll
want to return.
GETTING THERE The Golden Isles of Georgia are nearly
equidistant from Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville,
Florida, both US Airways destinations. For more information, upcoming events, how to get around, and a webcam
Official Visitor Guide
peek, visit goldenisles.com.
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NOVEMBER 2014
79
★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
I
caught up with Davis Love III at home shortly after his
Champions Tour debut. He was prepping for a barbecuecooking contest at the Saint Simons Food and Spirits Festival. Davis knows his way around a fire pit almost as well as
he does on a golf course. When you start to understand the
man, you realize that he’s a big kid with lots of toys from virtually
every board sport to hunting and fishing. There’s no place like
his home on St. Simons Island to get the 50-year-old, 20-time
PGA TOUR winner to talk about his home and his hobbies.
How did you get interested in paddle
boarding? And then open your shop
Paddle and Putt?
Buzzy Kerbox, a professional surfer friend of
mine, got me hooked on surfing. But paddling
out on my stomach hurt my neck. So he suggested I try a stand-up paddle board. But on St.
Simons, we didn’t even have a surf shop much
less a place to get a paddle board. The nearest
place to get one was Jacksonville. So I realized
that there was a need for one right here. And
now paddle boarding has really caught on.
There’s not a bunch of money in it, but our
little shop will sell around 90 boards this year,
which is great.
Will you ever leave Sea Island?
I play 20 or more weeks a year, so I keep quite
busy. We spend a couple of months a year in
Idaho, and maybe will get out there more. But
no — we are tied to this island by friends and
family. We’re part of a great community. Sea
Island will always be home.
Davis Love III gets into a new sport with his
popular St. Simons paddle shop.
BY JOHN MAGINNES
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PHOTOS BY RYAN KETTERMAN
From Putt
to Paddle
You could live anywhere in the country.
Why Sea Island?
Dad moved here when I was 15. Before that, he
was the pro at the Atlanta Country Club, and
the members would occasionally let us use their
vacation houses in Jacksonville or Hilton Head.
Every time we came to Sea Island, Dad said here
is where he wanted to live. When he went to
work for Golf Digest, he traveled a lot, so he
could choose to live anywhere. So we moved to
Sea Island, and he started teaching there. When
I became a tour player, I could live anywhere.
The problem with moving to Atlanta, Dallas, or
Orlando, which are great to travel from, is that
when you go home you’re in Atlanta, Dallas or
Orlando. I recently brought some friends here
from Idaho. They were here for a couple of days
and are now looking to buy a house.
A former PGA TOUR player, John Maginnes is
host of The Clubhouse on Back9 Network.
Davis Love III’s
Classic Paddle
and Putt Shop
300 Redfern Village
St. Simons Island, GA
912.268.4247
paddleandputt.com
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Love honed his game as a child. He never left,
and today his neighbors include Zach Johnson
and Matt Kuchar, among other current pros. On
the design side, Love is joined by a Who’s Who of
classic and current greats, from Donald Ross to
Tom Fazio and in between them, Walter Travis
(Westchester CC), Harry Colt and Charles
Allison (Royal Lytham), Dick Wilson (Bay Hill),
and Rees Jones (Atlantic GC). “These architects
are legends and have crafted courses that have
stood the test of time, held many majors, and are
ingrained in golf history, but they didn’t skimp
when they visited Georgia: Sea Island and the
Jekyll Island Club remain among the most
revered vacation destinations in the sport,”
says Shiels.
Sea Island Resort, home to one of the highestranked golf academies and performance learning
centers in the world, recently opened the Inn at
Sea Island, a more affordable lodging option for
visiting golfers seeking to play in the footsteps of
the PGA TOUR. The Jekyll Island Club boasts a
variety of lodging choices, and with three 18-hole
courses and one 9-hole course, it’s one of the
nation’s largest golf resorts. Visiting golfers can
enjoy several other local courses, including the
Brunswick GC, Coastal Pines GC, Heritage
Oaks, and the 27-hole Sea Oaks. With a mix of
Scottish links style, parkland, and marshland
designs, the Golden Isles offer an array of course
play for every ability and budget, all steeped in
history and swept by seas breezes.
World-class courses attract visiting golfers and
PGA pros who call these barrier islands home.
Golden Isles
Golf
BY LARRY
OLMSTED
82
NOVEMBER 2014
The main debate in these parts concerns which
group is more locally prominent: the famous
architects who built the many courses or the
PGA TOUR stars who live here and play on them.
“Outside of Scotland and Ireland it’s hard to
find many areas as steeped in golf tradition,” says
golf journalist Michael Patrick Shiels, author of
several books including Secrets of the Great Golf
Course Architects. “You have to put it in historical perspective: The first golf resort in the entire
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country opened in 1898. That same year the
Jekyll Island Club opened here, and world-class
architects, players, and travelers have been coming ever since.”
Top pros still come to the Sea Island resort
on St. Simons Island every October for the PGA
TOUR’s McGladrey Classic, held on the Seaside
Course, one of three top-shelf 18-hole layouts at
the resort, along with the Plantation and Retreat
courses. The New York Times called St. Simons
the “Capitol For U.S. Golf,” and all told there
are a dozen courses across the Golden Isles.
Almost as many top professional players call
the region home — eight PGA pros live on
St. Simons. These two groups intersect with
20-time winner and past Ryder Cup captain
Davis Love III, also an accomplished golf course
designer with many courses to this credit. One
of his designs is the Retreat at Sea Island, where
PHOTOS (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF SEA ISLAND, AND MCGLADREY CLASSIC
A
n equally accurate nickname for Georgia’s
Golden Isles might be Golfing Isles.
The game’s history and popularity
in this coastal region is so thick you
could cut it with an oyster knife.
From left: Sea
Island Golf Club’s
Seaside Course,
and Davis Love III
and Jim Furyk at
The McGladrey
Classic
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Our Foundation is fortunate to be
able to positively impact children
and family charities through the
dollars raised by The McGladrey
— Davis Love III
Classic.
Instant
Classic
The McGladrey Classic’s laidback vibe and coastal
setting has made it a favorite on the PGA TOUR.
Hosted by major champion, Ryder Cup Captain,
and Sea Island resident Davis Love III, the tourBY JOHN MAGINNES nament has become a highly anticipated social
event, drawing top players and spectators to the
Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club for
challenging play and family-friendly activities
and entertainment.
For the PGA TOUR player who travels
upwards of 50,000 miles a year, The McGladrey
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Classic has become a working vacation. For
PGA players Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson,
Lucas Glover, and Davis Love III, it’s an opportunity to show off their seaside community. And
for spectators, the laidback vibe means gorgeous
scenery, southern hospitality, and the chance to
watch a PGA TOUR event up close.
“Our event is very family-friendly, with a
variety of accommodations and access to a number of fun activities,” says tournament director
Scott Reid. “There is plenty for players and their
families to enjoy.” Players and spectators look
forward to the SUP Challenge, a paddle board
race presented by the Davis Love Foundation,
Community Day, and the Wiffle Ball Classic,
featuring PGA TOUR players and their wives.
Besides great golf, another highlight is entertainment. Grammy Award winner Darius Rucker
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MCGLADREY CLASSIC AND DAVIS LOVE FOUNDATION
P
erhaps no golf tournament
in recent memory enjoyed
a more successful debut
than The McGladrey
Classic in 2010.
returned to perform “Live Under the Oaks” at
this year’s tournament, having performed in
2011. Past headliners include Toby Keith in 2013
and Gary Allan in 2012.
To date, The McGladrey Classic has raised
$2 million for charities. The Davis Love Foundation is dedicated to raising money for underprivileged children and their families. “Our
Foundation is fortunate to be able to positively
impact children and family charities through
the dollars raised by The McGladrey Classic,”
said Davis Love III. “It is our privilege to continue the PGA TOUR’s tradition of charitable
giving.”
Visit mcgladreyclassic.com for details on the
2015 tournament.
Clockwise from top
left: aerial of 18th hole
on the Seaside Course,
Davis Love III, a seaside
approach, and 2013
champion Chris Kirk
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Classroom
With a View
We wanted to design a complete
golf program that would entice
the best players, and then offer
the same package to any golfer
looking to get better.
— Director of Instruction Todd Anderson
Sharpen your game — and savor the scenery —
at Sea Island Golf Performance Center.
T
here may not be a more
gorgeous practice facility
than the one at Sea Island
Golf Performance Center
in Georgia.
Sea Island
Golf Performance
Center
100 Retreat Ave.
St. Simons Island, GA
844.257.3136
seaislandgpc.com
Right on the shores of the St. Simon Sound,
the range affords incredible vistas as you hone
your swing. Mix in acres of chipping greens
and world-class instructors, facilities, and technology and you have the ideal place for average
and aspiring golfers to practice alongside PGA
Tour players.
The Performance Center is run by Director
of Instruction Todd Anderson, who has coached
two of his pupils to FedEx Cup championships
Gale Peterson offers short game guidance
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in the last three years. Many golf schools claim
to offer the PGA Tour experience, but Sea
Island takes it to a new level. Just ask ardent
golfer Steve Mitchem, publisher of US Airways
Magazine. “This is by far the best golf experience I have ever had in my life. I didn’t just
leave with things to work on; I left a better
player,” he says of his recent visit.
Sea Island’s instructors have considered every
aspect of the game, including swing, the short
game, and putting. “We wanted to design a complete golf program that would entice the best
players, and then offer the same package to any
golfer looking to get better,” says Anderson.
The program starts with a warm-up designed
by Director of Fitness Randy Myers. “No one in
golf warms up properly. We designed a program
that anyone can follow, and that is proven to
improve a golfer’s game in the long run as well,”
says Myers. Mitchem echoes those sentiments:
“I’ll incorporate that warm-up every time I play.”
Fitness is only one facet of the Sea Island
Golf Performance Center’s multidisciplinary
approach. Experts such as Craig Allan explain
proper club fitting while short-game guru Mike
Shannon touts his Laser Optic Putting Improvement System. The Center doesn’t overlook the
mental game, either. Renowned sports psychologist Dr. Morris Pickens, or Dr. Mo, has worked
with some of the game’s most decorated players
of the past decade, and is available for individual
and group consultation.
Exceptional instruction, remarkable results:
the Sea Island Golf Performance Center experience will take your game to the next level.
Golf Performance Center on St. Simons Sound
Pitching and chipping area
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEA ISLAND GOLF PERFORMANCE CENTER
86
BY JOHN MAGINNES
Mike Shannon with PGA Tour Player Matt Kuchar
Club Fitting with Craig Allan
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Coastal Courses
Island
Gem
Hole #3 on
Great Dunes
History meets modern luxury at the landmark
Jekyll Island Club Hotel.
Jekyll Island promises premier golf
in an unbeatable setting.
I
magine gliding your club along
pristine greens as a warm ocean
breeze blows off the ocean, softly
lapping the shore in the background.
This is golf on Jekyll Island.
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O
myriad ways to relax or
pursue recreational
pursuits: a dip in the
inviting pool, a game
of croquet on the manicured lawn, or a walk
in the pines among
Spanish moss-fringed
live oaks. Enjoy Sunday brunch or an evening meal in the Grand
Dining Room, which serves sumptuous South
Georgian cuisine in a space exuding Victorian
grandeur. It’s hard not to imagine tycoons and
socialites gathering in this same space a century
ago. Casual fine-dining options include the
lovely Italian villa-inspired Crane Cottage, as
well as the Club Café, a bakery and delicatessan.
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s rich history,
distinctive architecture, gracious hospitality,
and surrounding natural beauty also make it a
romantic wedding venue or a memorable setting for any group meeting or celebration.
nce a retreat for the nation’s wealthiest at the turn of the last century, the
Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a four-star
resort getaway on one of the most
beautiful isles of the Georgia Coast.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB HOTEL
BY ELLIE BALDINI
Georgia’s largest public golf resort and one of
the nation’s premier golf destinations, Jekyll
Island Golf Club encompasses 63 holes
throughout four courses of varying styles and
challenges, all set against a stunning coastal
backdrop.
Start with the Island’s first course, Great
Dunes, designed in 1926 by the renowned
Walter “Old Man” Travis. The nine-hole
course alternates between difficult and simple
— all the while displaying Jekyll Island’s
breathtaking scenery — so golfers are assured
a stimulating (and gorgeous) round.
Indian Mound, an 18-hole woodlands
course, is equally beautiful. Constructed in
1975 by Joe Lee, it’s the island’s shortest course
but offers plenty of challenges, from Lee’s signature fairway bunkers in precarious locations
to par 5s more difficult to navigate than their
short yardage might hint.
More daring golfers will enjoy Oleander,
generally thought of as the Island’s most difficult course. Designed by the revered Dick
Wilson, it has hosted the Georgia Open four
times thanks to its tight designs and short
grasses.
For a longer round, there’s Pine Lakes, the
Island’s longest golf course built in 1968 and
renovated in 2002. Known as a family-oriented
course, Pine Lakes is one of the only courses
in the nation to feature tee-boxes and an even
playing ground perfect for both adults and
younger players.
BY CALLIE YOUNG
This stunning Victorian treasure — a National
Historic Landmark and designated a Historic
Hotel of America by the National Trust — lives
up to its storied reputation as a seaside retreat
in the grand tradition. First opened in 1888
as a club for the likes of Marshall Field, J.P.
Morgan, and William K. Vanderbilt, the Jekyll
Island Club Hotel today draws guests attracted
to its lush seaside setting, stately features, and
modern amenities.
Boasting 157 guest rooms and suites in five
elegant settings, three restaurants, and access
to 63 holes of golf nearby, the hotel offers guests
Jekyll Island
Club Hotel
371 Riverview Dr.
Jekyll Island, GA
844.297.4001
jekyllclub.com
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Natural
Wonders
Experience the area’s
marshland by renting a
kayak or taking a guided
salt marsh hike.
Conservation and tourism go
hand-in-hand in the Golden Isles.
T
he Golden Isles is a
beautiful place to get away
on vacation, but it’s also
home to unique wildlife
and delicate habitats.
BY IVY LAMB
Learn more about
conservation and
ecotourism in the
Golden Isles at
goldenisles.com.
NOVEMBER 2014
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products, among its many efforts. It also has its
own organic garden, which supplies the chefs
with fresh produce. From the lodge, you can
explore the largely undeveloped island. Naturalist guides can take you along the beach or
though the forest, pointing out local flora and
fauna. If you’re an amateur or an avid birder,
bring your binoculars: The island is part of the
Atlantic Migratory Flyway, and more than 280
species have been spotted on Little St. Simons.
On adjacent St. Simons Island, you can
explore Cannon’s Point Preserve, a 600-acre
tract of natural land on the northern end of the
island. The St. Simons Land Trust maintains
the area and only just recently opened it to the
public. Hike through live oaks draped with
Spanish moss to discover shell rings and middens dating back to 2500 BCE, as well as plantation ruins dating back to the 19th century.
Experience the area’s marshland on Sea
Island by renting a kayak or taking a guided salt
marsh hike. These lush, diverse habitats are vital
to the region — they provide food and shelter for
land and sea animals, help filter pollutants from
the water, and act as a buffer against offshore
storms and hurricanes. Train your eye to spot
SouthEast Adventure Outfitters
PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) COURTESY OF GOLDEN ISLES CVB, SOUTHEAST
ADVENTURE OUTFITTERS, AND THE LODGE ON LITTLE ST. SIMONS ISLAND
90
Fortunately, those who live in the barrier islands
are committed to protecting them, and visitors
can learn about conserving the area’s natural
resources and enjoy the enchanting landscapes
at the same time.
Start by booking a room at The Lodge on
Little St. Simons Island. This eco-friendly resort
strives to maintain the island’s natural state by
composting and recycling, minimizing electricity consumption, using barrels to catch and
conserve rainwater, and carrying natural bath
With its hundreds of miles of remote rivers, thousands of acres
of protected marshes, and pristine beaches as far as the eye
can see, the Golden Isles offer visitors many opportunities for
exploration and relaxation. For more than 20 years, SouthEast
Adventure Outfitters has been sharing the area’s exceptional
natural settings through kayaking, stand up paddleboarding,
boat cruises, and fishing charters. Daily excursions include
2- and 3-hour kayak tours, paddleboarding, and boating cruises between St. Simons, Little St. Simons, and Sea Island. Visit
their shop in the historic Pier Village on St. Simons to find
the best outdoor clothing and accessories, or head to their
private dock at the Brunswick kayak shop to try out dozens
of different kayaks or to join a tour. southeastadventure.com
wildlife among the tall grasses and you might see
crabs, snails, birds, and turtles. In fact, Georgia is
home to (or visited by) five different species of
sea turtles. In the spring, you can take a nighttime tour along the beach to search for nesting
mothers. Sick and injured turtles, meanwhile,
are cared for at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on
Jekyll Island. The center is open to the public
and has an interactive exhibit gallery and an area
where you can see the rehabilitating turtles.
Whether you hike though the maritime forest, kayak in the salt marshes, or spot a rare bird,
you’ll leave the Golden Isles with a deep appreciation for the delicate ecosystems and stunning
natural beauty of Georgia’s barrier islands.
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Little St. Simons
Island Sanctuary
Hatching a Plan
Learn about one of the sea’s most compelling
creatures at Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
BY CALLIE YOUNG
W
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A
BY CAROLINE EUBANKS
s the crown jewel of Georgia’s
Golden Isles, Little St. Simons
Island offers seven miles of
pristine beaches and 10,000
acres of wilderness.
Georgia Sea Turtle
Center
214 Stable Rd.
Jekyll Island, GA
1.877.4.JEKYLL
gstc.jekyllisland.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LODGE ON LITTLE ST. SIMONS ISLAND
92
Discover your
own private
paradise.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER
ith its mission of research, rehabilitation,
and education, Jekyll
Island’s Georgia Sea
Turtle Center benefits
both ocean creatures and curious humans.
It operates as a hospital and as a place where
the public can get a unique view of these
fascinating animals and their habitat along
the Georgia coast.
One of the Southeast’s most unique
animal-care facilities and the state’s only sea
turtle hospital, the center cares for sick and
injured sea turtles that call this area of the
coast home, and provides care and rehabilitation to them. A large viewing window lets
visitors peer into the operating room and
watch staff treat the animals.
Allowing visitors to witness this care and
rehabilitation helps underscore the center’s
commitment to educating the public about
sea turtles, the challenges of protecting their
environment, and the preservation of this
fragile species. (Only 75 percent of sea turtle
eggs laid will hatch; only one out of every
4,000 will make it to adulthood.)
The George Sea Turtle Center is
actively involved in outreach, at the facility
and beyond. In addition to daily educator-led
programs, including Meet the Patient and
turtle feeding times, the center offers behindthe-scenes tours, guided evening turtle walks
in June and July (the loggerhead nesting season), and sunrise beach ecology walks to learn
about the local ecosystem and the sea turtle’s
nesting habitat. Guests will come away with a
greater awareness of these complex and fascinating creatures and the natural world found
on Jekyll Island.
One of the most tranquil and unique properties in the country, The Lodge on Little St.
Simons Island hosts a maximum of 32 guests at
a time. The Lodge, privately owned since 1908,
is accessible only by boat and welcomes guests
with live oaks and neighboring marshland. For
optimal relaxation, the resort offers all-inclusive
pricing, allowing guests to enjoy three meals a
day, beverages including beer and wine, snacks,
and all of the island’s activities without giving a
thought to costs involved.
The lodge’s natural setting offers
the ideal place to unwind in one of
six charming cottages. The adventure seeker will enjoy activities
including birding, boating, bicycling, fishing, and swimming, all of
which are included in a visit. Daily
tours of the island guided by experienced staff naturalists offer the
opportunity to study the natural sanctuary.
The unhurried pace of coastal living makes
Little St. Simons Island an ideal getaway for
individuals, families, and groups, all whom will
be spoiled by boundless natural beauty and
gracious hospitality that have garnered dozens
of awards, including Condé Nast Traveler’s
Gold List, the magazine’s No. 1 Resort in
Mainland U.S. title in the Readers’ Choice
Awards 2007, and countless TripAdvisor
Certifi­cates of Excellence.
The Lodge on Little
St. Simons Island
1000 Hampton Point Dr.
St. Simons Island, GA
888.733.5774
LittleSSI.com
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
First Choice
Legendary golf, leisure pursuits, and
lodging await at Sea Island.
F
or 86 years, Sea Island has
been the destination of choice
for those desiring a sophisticated resort getaway in an
unspoiled coastal setting.
BY CALLIE YOUNG
Its many accolades — home of two of the five
top resorts in the continental U.S., says Travel +
Leisure, and recipient of four Forbes Travel
Guide Five Stars six years running, among them
Something for Everyone
Sea Island’s unhurried pace and family-friendly
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEA ISLAND RESORT
— are well deserved. Sea Island’s storied history
as the preferred resort for dignitaries and discerning guests carries through to its reputation today
for gracious hospitality and exceptional offerings.
Sea Island is that rare resort destination where
nature lovers, golfers, pleasure seekers, and the
fitness-minded have access to a breadth of activities in a single spectacular setting. It’s a getaway
for couples, where luxe amenities and secluded
accommodations make a honeymoon, anniversary, or a romantic retreat especially meaningful.
It’s a family-friendly destination where kids,
parents, and grandparents can find adventure
while making the most of their time together.
It’s a golfer’s paradise with three championship
courses and a renowned performance center
where players can learn from — and tee off
near— the best.
Sea Island’s exceptional array of recreational
pursuits, along with elegant accommodations
and warm, personal service, draws guests back
year after year and leaves new guests with memories they’ll cherish for a lifetime.
pastimes can make vacations special. A wealth
of entertaining and enriching activities keep the
youngest ones busy. Children age 3 to 14 get in
on the fun with Camp Cloister’s staff-led games
and nature hunts or a special Kids’ Night Out.
Teens can make new friends at the Shooting
School, tennis academy, junior golf camp, or
while hanging out at the Beach Club’s Waterfront Lounge. Multiple generations can spend
time together while watching movies at the
Beach Club Theater, savoring a Lowcountry
Boil at Sea Island’s Plantation Supper, or exploring the five miles of private beach.
For the outdoor enthusiast, there are few
better places to revel in nature. Sea Island has a
longstanding skeet shooting tradition, and has
one of the nation’s best shooting facilities. Beginner and more experienced shooters can take
part in the Shooting School’s clay target shooting instruction as well as classes geared toward
women and youth. Nearby is Broadfield, a Sea
Island Sporting Club and Lodge, a 5,800-acre
sporting property reminiscent of the southern
coast’s earliest hunting clubs. The Club offers
seasonal quail and pheasant hunting, fishing,
shooting, and a falconry program.
And if the sea
beckons: Charter a
private fishing excursion (and let the chefs
expertly prepare your
catch for your dinner),
go kayaking in the salt
marshes, or try your
hand at stand-up paddleboarding with the
resort’s instructors. For
animal lovers, Sea
Island’s beach horseback riding is an invigorating way to connect with nature and explore the resort’s private coastline.
The island’s salt marshes and woodlands are
a natural habitat for many native and migratory
avian species. Birders of all levels can take part
in naturalist-led excursions, including the popular Birding Weekends, to spot shore birds, wading birds, and even birds of prey.
Looking for a different kind of birdie altogether? Sea Island is a prime destination for
great golf (no wonder a dozen PGA pros call
this area home.) Sea Island’s Golf Performance
Clockwise from top:
The Cloister, falconry
at Broadfield Sporting
Club, and horseback
riding on the private
beach
➺
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Sea Island is that rare resort destination
where nature lovers, golfers, pleasure
seekers, and the fitness minded have
access to a breadth of activities in a
single spectacular setting.
Clockwise from above:
The Forbes Five-Star
Spa, Sea Island Beach
Club, dining in the
Georgian Room,
a view of The Lodge
at Sea Island Golf
Club, and hunting at
Broadfield Sporting
Club
usairwaysmag.com
Play … and Stay
Sea Island is as lauded for its golf and recreational opportunities as for its five-star dining, luxurious amenities, and exquisite accommodations,
ranging from grand suites that evoke an era of
opulence to refreshingly sophisticated lodging.
At the heart of Sea Island is The Cloister.
The magnificent, Mediterranean-inspired main
building, graced by live oaks planted by U.S.
presidents and other dignitaries, includes 175
elegantly appointed rooms and the Forbes FiveStar Georgian Room restaurant. The resort also
PHOTO BY
NOVEMBER 2014
Harry S. Colt and Charles Alison in 1929 and
revitalized by Tom Fazio in 1999. Today, Seaside hosts the PGA TOUR’s McGladrey Classic
every autumn and has also been the site of other
USGA events.
PHOTO BY
96
Center is one of the top-ranked golf academies
in the US. Nationally recognized experts work
with novice to professional players to improve
every aspect of their game, including fitness,
club fitting, and the mental game. The practice facility overlooks St. Simons Sound, making instruction a treat.
Sea Island is home to three outstanding
courses, each set against the impossibly lush
scenery of the Georgia coastline and bearing
the hallmarks of master course designers. The
Retreat Course was renovated 14 years ago by
Davis Love III and his brother, Mark. The Plantation Course, reimagined by Rees Jones, is
known for its expansive fairways and ocean
vistas. The traditional Scottish links-style
Seaside Course might be the most tantalizing
and challenging. The course was designed by
encompasses the Forbes Five-Star Spa, nine
restaurants, and the Sea Island Yacht Club.
Rooms in The Cloister feature views of the tidal
river and marsh or The Cloister garden — best
seen from the private balconies. The spacious
Cloister Ocean Villa suites have elegant décor,
ocean views, private beach access, and a private
pool. The family-friendly Beach Club offers easy
entrance to the beach, Camp Cloister, Wonderland Ice Cream Shop, and casual dining, with
contemporary, amenity-filled rooms.
With its English country manor feel, 40
sumptuous rooms, ocean views, and proximity
to championship courses, The Lodge at Sea
Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island is consistently awarded Forbes Five-Star and AAA FiveDiamond accolades. The recently opened Inn at
Sea Island is a select-service hotel with 85 casual
rooms and access to Sea Island golf, dining, and
many other amenities. At Broadfield, a Sea Island
Sporting Club and Lodge, cabins offer a rustic yet
refined stay. Sea Island Cottages offer access for
renters to resort privileges at The Cloister and
The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club.
Savor Sea Island’s dining scene. The resort’s
talented culinary team is dedicated to using the
best local ingredients in imaginative cuisine for
every preference, from fine to casual dining.
The elegant and excellent Georgian Room is
a true gustatory experience. Chef Daniel Zeal’s
menu features artful dishes using the local bounty, accompanied by a stellar wine list and served
in a rarified atmosphere; in fact, the restaurant is
the only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the state.
Overlooking the Plantation Course, The
Lodge’s Colt & Alison is a classic steakhouse
with a Southern twist: Think local seafood and
tableside presentations of steak au poivre and
bananas foster.
Diners can also find delicious options at
Tavola, the rustic Italian eatery; the brasserieinspired River Bar; the Oak Room tavern; Southern Tide, serving fresh seafood; Wonderland, a
destination for sweet tooths, and other casual
dining spots.
Guests can choose from among a range of
fitness and spa programs providing personal attention and a focus on wellness. Tennis and
squash players can raise a racquet and hone their
skills at the Murphy Jensen Tennis Academy,
and play year-round on world-class courts. Ease
mind and body at the Forbes Five-Star Spa at
Sea Island. The 65,000-square-foot space includes
a salon and state-of-the-art fitness center, and the
treatment areas are havens of tranquility where
spa-goers find relaxation and rejuvenation in a
full complement of services and spa packages.
As part of its ongoing legacy as an internationally renowned resort, Sea Island is embarking on
an expansion of The Cloister, adding elegant new
guest rooms, a junior ballroom, and a pool. This
expansion, which kicks off in November, ensures
that Sea Island can offer guests even more ways
to experience its pasttimes and pleasures.
100 Cloister Dr.
Sea Island, GA
855.923.8105
seaisland.com
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Escape
from the
Mainland
Get away from it all at the
King and Prince Beach &
Golf Resort.
BY CAROLINE EUBANKS
T
he island of St. Simons on the
Georgia Coast has grown from
a quiet beach town to a favorite
vacation spot for travelers from
all over the country.
201 Arnold Rd.
St. Simons Island, GA
800.342.0212
kingandprince.com
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bedrooms. Even Fido is welcome!
Enjoy the property’s many amenities during
your stay, like the tennis courts, pool, and awardwinning golf course, which was renovated by the
course superintendent of Augusta National.
Want to unwind? Book a massage at the Royal
Treatment Cottage, or sign up for one of the
photography or cooking classes held on-site.
St. Simons Island also offers access to the
island’s village, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and parks, rent bicycles, climb to the top
of the lighthouse, or fish from the pier.
The King and Prince Resort makes for a
great getaway from the pace of mainland life.
But thanks to its laid-back yet luxurious accommodations, you’re sure to feel right at home.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KING AND PRINCE BEACH & GOLF RESORT
King and Prince
Beach & Golf
Resort
But the timeless luxury of one of the island’s
oldest properties, the King and Prince Beach &
Golf Resort, has remained. Opened in 1935, the
historic resort began as a private dance club
before opening as a hotel in 1941.
During World War II, the hotel’s oceanfront
location was utilized for naval coast watching
and training operations. Rooms were even used
as housing for the soldiers stationed there. But in
1947, it welcomed guests once more. And today,
the King and Prince is one of the most beloved
resorts in the Golden Isles.
Through over 75 years of hospitality, the
resort has been honored with numerous titles,
from membership in the Historic Hotels of
America to a listing on the National Register of
Historic Places. Most recently, it was the only
Golden Isles property to join the Southern Living Hotel Collection.
The King and Prince has undergone four
renovations — one just last year —but each
update preserves historic features, like the iconic
yellow exterior and Mediterranean style terracotta roof, while still installing modern features
like complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property and state-of-the-art amenities.
One of the first projects of the recent renovation was the lobby, which has been completely
transformed. Cozy up to the fireplace with a
drink, and soak in the sunset views before dinner. The on-site ECHO Restaurant offers the
island’s only oceanfront dining. Executive chef
John Palacio has worked all over the country
and carefully crafted the menu using fresh,
local ingredients.
The intimate resort has a wide variety of
room types for all party sizes and budgets. The
rooms and suites are comfortable, with views of
the ocean or the resort. For families and groups,
the beach villas have two to three rooms, while
the spacious resort residences contain five to six
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Celebrate
History
Discover holidays past in a beautiful
setting on Jekyll Island.
Retreats
Find the perfect vacation spot on
Georgia’s Jekyll Island.
Jekyll Island
Museum
100 Stable Rd.
Jekyll Island, GA
912.635.4036
jekyllisland.com/history
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NOVEMBER 2014
And historic holiday decorations recall times
past when the nation’s most elite families began
celebrating Christmas at Jekyll Island. Festivites begin on November 29 with the annual
Christmas Tree Lighting in the heart of the
historic district.
In 1886, the island was established as a
winter retreat for America’s wealthiest society
families. The Rockefellers, Morgans, and Pulitzers were among those who built spectacular
cottages here as a retreat from the cold North.
usairwaysmag.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF JEKYLL ISLAND MUSEUM
BY LAURA
BURKEHART
By 1904, the Jekyll Island Club was opening in
time for Christmas dinner each year.
Today the Jekyll Island Museum’s “Holidays
in History” tour takes visitors on a journey not
only through the preserved landmarks on the
island but also through the historical holiday
festivities. Explore the elegantly decorated
cottages and historic district, hear delightful
seasonal stories about the Club’s members, and
learn about cherished holiday customs on the
island.
The tour is offered daily from Nov. 29­–Dec.
31 (except the 24th and 25th) at 11 a.m., 1 p.m.,
and 3 p.m. Special Twilight Tours are also available Saturdays in December, at 4 p.m. The
program is $16 for adults, $7 for children age
7–15, and is free for children 6 and under. Reservations are required for the Twilight Tours.
Make reservations online at jekyllisland.com or
call the Jekyll Island Museum at 912.635.4036.
PHOTOS (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF WESTIN JEKYLL ISLAND (2) AND PARKER-KAUFMAN REALTORS
P
alm trees and live oaks draped
in Spanish moss sway in the
sea breezes, even as winter
and the holidays come to the
Golden Isles of Georgia.
The Westin Jekyll Island
Scheduled to open January 2015, The
Westin Jekyll Island will feature 200
guestrooms, including 13 suites and
the latest Westin amenities such as the
plush Heavenly Bed, the indulgent
Westin Heavenly Bath, and the energizing Westin Workout. For dining,
guests can choose the oceanfront
full-service restaurant and bar, complete with indoor and outdoor seating
and a refreshing rooftop lounge, or
more casual fare from poolside and
lobby cafes, and 24-hour room service.
A resort-style swimming pool and
direct beach access round out The
Westin Jekyll Island’s amenities. For
meetings and special events, the hotel
will feature five function rooms totaling more than 5,600 square feet, easily
accommodating a destination convention or an uplifting social event.
westinjekyllisland.com
Parker-Kaufman Realtors
Planning a vacation to Georgia’s beautiful Golden Isles? Whether you want
to stay a week, a month, or buy a property to enjoy for years to come, ParkerKaufman Realtors has a variety of
options, from condos and lofts to townhomes and single-family houses. With
properties located on both St. Simons
Island and Jekyll Island, you’re sure to
find the beautiful vacation retreat of
your dreams. parker-kaufman.com
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Georgia’s Golden Isles serve up a flavorful
feast of seafood and specialties.
BY HOPE S. PHILBRICK
T
he Golden Isles of Georgia serve up a feast for
the eyes, from rich yellow sunrises to swaying
amber marsh grasses, sparkling blue waters to
beige sands dotted with shells, fluffy white
clouds to star-studded night skies. It’s all a wonderful inundation for the senses — and the
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PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) COURTESY OF BROOKE ROBERTS, SEA ISLAND RESORT, AND GOLDEN ISLES CVB (2)
A Taste
of the
Coast
local cuisine makes the experience even better.
Food here tastes as fresh as the saltwater
breezes feel. The prevailing national food trend
to use local, seasonal ingredients is hardly a new
idea in the Golden Isles, where cooking traditions have long showcased the region’s agricultural and seafood bounty.
As you might expect, “seafood is number
one,” according to Chef Dave Snyder, owner of
Halyards and Tramici on
St. Simons Island and
named a Georgia Grown
Executive Chef by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Restaurant Association in 2013.
“We serve many different
kinds of seafood, depending
on the time of year.” Wild
Georgia shrimp is renowned
for its sweet, tender bite.
Other popular favorites
include blue crab, sea trout,
redfish, flounder, black
drum, oysters, and clams.
Farther off shore the catch
includes several types of
snapper, grouper, cobia,
amberjack, whiting, mackerel, skate, and mahi mahi.
The local cuisine has
been evolving for more than
200 years, with influences
by Native Americans, settlers from Spain, Scotland,
and England, as well as
enslaved Africans and the
Gullah-Geechee culture
that continues with their
descendants. The islands’ long history as a
resort community is another factor. “Our cuisine dates back to the days when we were a
resort destination for the Carnegies, Rockefellers, and other millionaires,” says Gena Berry,
culinary event planner and St. Simons Island
native. “So we have a lot of continental culinary influences compared to other parts of the
Lowcountry.”
Whatever your mood and budget, you’re sure
to find a restaurant prepared to please. From
pecan pie hot from the oven with fresh-brewed
coffee to innovative multi-course meals highlighting local ingredients from land and sea, the
Golden Isles offers a variety of quality dining
experiences. Belly up to a bar or spruce up to
dine at the only Forbes five-star rated restaurant
in the state, The Georgian Room at Sea Island.
While recipes and preparations vary by chef,
menus throughout the islands share common
dishes, including several one-pot traditions like
shrimp boil, Lowcountry boil (sometimes also
referred to as Frogmore Stew, consisting of
potatoes, corn, sausage, and shrimp), and
Brunswick Stew (made of barbecued meat and
vegetables).
Other mouthwatering favorites include
shrimp and grits, crab cakes, crab au gratin,
Imperial crab, marinated pickled shrimp, barbecue, roast marsh hens, sautéed collard greens,
stone-ground grits, hot boiled peanuts, field
pea succotash, and stewed okra.
Three annual food festivals celebrate the
foods of the region: Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits
Festival, Saint Simons Island Food & Spirits
Festival, and Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee.
Clockwise from above:
Dining at The Lodge
at Sea Island Resort,
fishing boats, and
Lowcountry boil
Coastal Kitchen
Fresh fare. Spectacular view. Skilled service. Experience quintessential island dining at Coastal Kitchen. Grab a table overlooking the
marina at the best-kept secret on St. Simons Island. Choose from
temptations like peel-and-eat wild Georgia shrimp, oysters on the
half shell, crab cakes, calamari, or the perennial favorite lobster
nachos. Named “best seafood” at A Taste of Glynn, the extensive
menu offers Lowcountry classic shrimp and grits prepared two different ways, local grouper drizzled with citrus beurre blanc, and
flounder stuffed with blue crab and splashed with whole-grain mustard sauce. Also find chicken, beef, pork, and vegetarian options.
Save room for desserts such as pecan pie and Key lime pie. Open
for Sunday brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner at 102 Marina Dr..
912.638.7790, coastalkitchenandrawbar.net.
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
St. Simons Charm
Gogo Jewelry
transforms nature
into wearable art.
Relax and explore the island’s many pleasures.
Village Inn and Pub
L
ocated on St. Simons Island in the heart of the historic Village, the
Village Inn and Pub is just four leisurely blocks to the beach, St. Simons
lighthouse, pier, shops, restaurants, and night life. This boutique hotel
of 28 rooms is centered around the restored 1930s cottage, and is decorated
to reflect the coastal atmosphere with modern amenities such as complimentary
Wi-Fi. The Inn received a Coastal Living Design Award for building the Inn
around the live oak trees on the property. Come to the Pub and take a seat at the
mahogany bar imported from England, and enjoy the signature Wild Orchid
Martini. Visit villageinnandpub.com for monthly specials. 912.634.6056.
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T
he location alone — in the
heart of St. Simons Island
— makes Sea Palms Resort
& Conference Center a
memorable destination for a vacation
getaway, meeting, or celebration.
Whether you come for business or
pleasure, Sea Palms has every amenity
to make your stay relaxing and productive. Abundant meeting space (indoors
and out), deluxe accommodations, 27
holes of golf, recreational opportunities, a dedicated culinary team, and
catering services help make any event
a total success. Meeting rooms are
equipped for any kind of function,
and the conference center, clubhouse,
and restaurant are an easy walk from
accommodations. Sea Palms Resort’s
island setting also makes it an ideal
spot for a wedding. The on-site wedding specialist can work with couples
on every detail, from selecting the
perfect venue to customizing menus.
1.800.841.6268; seapalms.com.
PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT) COURTESY OF VILLAGE INN AND PUB, SEA PALMS RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER, AND GOGO JEWELRY
Sea Palms Resort & Conference Center
Island
Inspired
I
t all begins with a daily journey
through an old maritime forest to
the beach: something glistens, uncovered by the tide, waiting to be
transformed into timeless jewelry.
This is the routine and living legacy of Gogo
Ferguson and her daughter Hannah Thomas,
jewelry designers who live and work on Cumberland Island. Cumberland is the southern-
Gogo Ferguson and Hannah Thomas
most of the Georgia
barrier islands and has
been the home of the
Carnegie family for seven
generations.
In the 1800s, steel magnate
Thomas Carnegie, brother of
Andrew Carnegie, built a grand
mansion on the island for his
family. Island matriarchs Lucy Carnegie and
her granddaughter Lucy Ferguson (Gogo’s
grandmother) both instilled their wisdom and
passion for the land in the generations that
followed. Growing up on Cumberland has
gifted Gogo and Hannah with an insatiable
sense of wonder and respect for their surroundings, and that love of the natural world is seen
in all their designs. Every intricate detail of the
original form is perfectly retained, and holding
a piece of Gogo jewelry in your hands you
may feel the spirit of the creature or plant that
inspired it.
In 2013, The High Museum in Atlanta,
Georgia, honored Gogo with an eight-month
installation, Gogo: Nature Transformed, presenting the evolution of her creativity. Gogo
has also created designs for the 1996 Olympic
Games in Atlanta, the G8 Summit Meeting
held on St. Simons Island in 2004, and many
celebrities and dignitaries around the world
collect her works.
From top: Armadillo
shell necklace,
sea urchin earrings,
and barnacle ring
Gogo Jewelry
217 Redfern Village
St. Simons Island, GA
gogojewelry.com
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105
★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Walking
through History
BY JUDY
GARRISON
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NOVEMBER 2014
T
he Golden Isles of Georgia
tell centuries-old tales of
European settlers, GullahGeechee culture, and
millionaire playgrounds.
usairwaysmag.com
Today these islands champion their rich history
with fascinating landmarks and vibrant towns.
Fashioned after Savannah, the port city of
Brunswick is where Old Town reveals a medley
of European architectural influences. Built in
1888, the Old City Hall and its iconic clock
tower flaunt gargoyles and terra-cotta friezes.
The Grand Opera House on Newcastle Street,
built in 1899 but known as the Ritz Theatre
since the 1920s, has been extensively restored
to preserve its Victorian and art deco flourishes,
including the distinctive brightly lit sign.
North of the city and situated on the
Altamaha River is Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, the last surviving example of a Georgia
rice plantation. Established in 1806, it was
bequeathed to the state in 1973 by Ophelia
Dent, the last heir of founder William Brailsford. Explore the wooden 1850s Hofwyl House
and its assemblage of artifacts and antiques.
Upon leaving the mainland, cross over poet
Sidney Lanier’s Marshes of Glynn to St. Simons
PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) COURTESY OF JEKYLL ISLAND MUSEUM (2), GOLDEN ISLES CVB, JOHNSON PICTURES, AND GOLDEN ISLES CVB
Discover the region’s diverse heritage by
exploring its many local landmarks.
Island, the largest barrier island. Located near
the downtown village is the St. Simons Lighthouse. Built in 1872, today it remains “a symbol
of our past, present, and future,” notes Leigh
Ann Stroud of the Coastal Georgia Historical
Society. As a functioning navigational aid, it
grants a stunning glimpse of the Golden Isles.
“St. Simons has had a strong hand in shaping
our national history,” says local mariner Cap
Fendig. This notion is evidenced by such landmarks as the Bloody Marsh Battle Site and Fort
Frederica National Monument, both of which
served as strongholds against the Spanish in the
18th century.
Adjacent to the entrance of Fort Frederica is
Christ Church, which held services for settlers
as early as 1736 and is still an active Episcopal
church. “Christ Church is a place of ancient
traditions and modern people,” says Rev. Tom
Purdy, the current rector. “People can walk in
the footsteps of John and Charles Wesley.”
Learn about Gullah culture at Hamilton
Plantation, where two slave cabins remain. The
First African Baptist Church and Harrington
School, the last African-American school on the
island, also add insights into the region’s extensive African-American history and culture.
Southernmost Jekyll Island is enveloped in
tranquility and natural beauty and is, as John
Hunter of the Jekyll Island Authority says, “a
place that tells stories.”
At the heart of its story is the Jekyll Island
Club Hotel, once a playground for America’s
wealthiest families. In the late 18th and early
19th centuries, J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Joseph Pulitzer, and other industrialists
There are few other places in
America where you can do this.
History defines this place.
— John Hunter, Jekyll Island Authority
and financiers built sumptuous Victorian cottages among the 400-year old Plantation Oaks
and enjoyed the island wilderness while simultaneously building empires. The Club flourished until WWI; WWII forced island evacuation. The Club sat empty from 1961 until 1984,
when the state began a $40 million renovation.
Today, more than 240 acres and 33 historic
buildings are managed by the Jekyll Island
Authority in an effort to “preserve and make it
available to the public.”
The Golden Isles is a rare destination; visitors
don’t view history on a wall, but they sleep, dine,
and walk in history’s footsteps. “There are few
other places in America where you can do this,”
says Hunter. “History defines this place.”
Opposite page:
Christ Church and
Jekyll Island Club
Hotel. Clockwise from
top left: Brunswick’s
Ritz Theatre, Fort
Frederica, and
Hofwyl-Broadfield
Plantation
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★ The Golden Isles of Georgia
Timothy A. Jamieson, MD, PhD
Southeast Georgia
Health System
fights back with
innovation.
Precision-Based
Cancer Treatment
S
2500 Starling St.
Brunswick, GA
1.800.537.5142 x5149
sghs.org/cyberknife
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surrounding tissue. As a result, patients face fewer
side effects and shorter treatment — typically
over one to five days rather than weeks of radiation therapy.
Since opening in 2011, the Health System has
successfully treated more than 800 patients with
CyberKnife, including over 400 with prostate
cancer, making it one of the most experienced
centers in the country. In only five painless outpatient radiation sessions, CyberKnife delivers a
high biologically effective dose resulting in a
reported 95 percent prostate cancer cure rate for
low-risk disease, with a seven year median followup, and a reported 90 percent cure rate for intermediate risk disease.
“CyberKnife compares very favorably with
other options given its high cure rate and minimal side effects,” says Timothy A. Jamieson, MD,
PhD, board-certified radiation oncologist and
medical director, Cancer Care Centers. “Patients
continue their normal activities even during the
week of treatment.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM
BY ELLIE BALDINI
outheast Georgia Health System is changing the
face of cancer treatment. In January 2011, it
became the second health system in the state
with a fully operational CyberKnife® Robotic
Radiosurgery System.
The cutting-edge cancer-fighting technology is designed to treat tumors without any
cutting. CyberKnife works by delivering beams
of high-dose radiation to cancerous and noncancerous tumors anywhere in the body with
extreme accuracy — including the head, spine,
lung, prostate, liver, and pancreas. It’s a painfree, non-surgical option for patients with inoperable or surgically complex tumors, or those
simply looking for an alternative treatment.
CyberKnife is also different than traditional
radiation therapy, which delivers radiation to a
wide field of tissue in the body, often resulting
in damage to large amounts of surrounding
healthy tissue. Because CyberKnife delivers
radiation with precision accuracy, the targeted
tumor is treated with minimal impact on