By Mike May
If you are seeking a restful and relaxed destination in the Southeast that has everything that you could possibly want, look no further than Jekyll Island, Georgia, in the extreme southeastern corner of the Peach State. With ten miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, kayaking, biking, bird watching, tennis, paddle boarding, horseback riding, fishing, boating, canoeing, croquet, as well as 63 holes of golf, Jekyll Island has it all.
With easy access off I-95 and located not far from airports in Jacksonville and Savannah, Jekyll Island is easy to get to.
“Jekyll Island is one of the best places in the country where you can go to unwind and relax while enjoying golf, fresh seafood, long walks along the beach, poolside siestas, and time off the grid,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, the Georgia Golf Trail. “For golfers, the Jekyll Island Golf Club is one of the most popular getaways on the Georgia Golf Trail, plus the island is ideal for golfers and their families.”
The Jekyll Island Club Resort combines luxury and history. In 1910, a meeting of financial and business leaders was held on the Island and led to the creation the Federal Reserve System,
The Jekyll Island Club’s late-19th Century charm, historical accommodations, diverse dining venues, on-site activities, and direct access to the National Landmark Jekyll Island Historic District make it a wonderful place to stay.
This resort also has a sun-soaked swimming pool with a fire pit nearby. For beach lovers, there’s a complimentary shuttle which will take you to and from the nearby seashore. The finely manicured croquet courts are also popular with hotel guests.
In the late 1800’s, the Jekyll Island Club Resort provided overnight accommodations for wealthy families of the time, such as the Rockefeller’s, Morgan’s, Vanderbilt’s, and Pulitzer’s, all of whom made regular annual trips to Jekyll Island.
In addition to rooms at the Resort, guests have two other accommodation options – the Jekyll Ocean Club, which is built along the beach, or one of three on-site historic cottages, Crane, Cherokee, and Sans Souci. Built in 1917, the Crane Cottage features Victorian era architecture with a fabulous garden. The Cherokee Cottage is an Italian Renaissance structure, built in 1904. The Victorian-style Sans Souci was once owned by the late J.P. Morgan.
At the Resort, there are six on-site dining destinations: The Wharf, Grand Dining Room, Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar, The Pantry, The Pool House and The Bar & Alexander Lounge.
The Jekyll Island Golf Club features three 18-hole championship courses. plus a nine-hole layout. The three 18-holers, Indian Mound, Oleander, and Pine Lakes, are joined by the original nine-hole course, Great Dunes.
Indian Mound, constructed in 1975 by golf course designer Joe Lee, is the shortest of the three 18-hole courses.
Designed by golf course architect Dick Wilson, Oleander is known as the most ‘distinct’ of the three championship courses and measures 6,500 yards from the back tees.
Pine Lakes, designed by Clyde Johnson, was first opened for play in 1968 and renovated in 2002. The golf course meanders through ocean forests and natural marsh hammocks.
Great Dunes was the first golf course on Jekyll Island. The architect of this coastal jewel was Walter “Old Man” Travis and he was tasked with designing the best golf course money could buy in 1928.
After golf, enjoy a post-round drink or snack at McCormick’s Grill.
To book your visit to Jekyll Island visit JekyllIsland.com, or GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com.
With miles of Atlantic Coastal Beaches, 63 holes of golf, delicious seafood dishes and a laid-back atmosphere, Jekyll Island makes the perfect golf, or vacation destination.
