Located halfway between Beaufort and Hilton Head, Callawassie Island offers members seclusion and privacy without isolation. While not in the midst of traffic like some areas, it is still close to shopping and airports. A convenient causeway linking Callawassie to the mainland was built in the early eighties.
Only 724 home sites have been slated for the island which allows no commercial or business centers. The population density is low, only one person per acre. Panoramic vistas of serene salt marshes, tranquil lagoons, ancient forests, and award winning golf courses dominate the landscape. The custom homes of the island lay nestled between towering pines, majestic magnolias, and tropical palmettos to catch the temperate breezes blowing in from the three rivers.
The hub of the social scene on Callawassie Island is the Clubhouse, a 26,000-square-foot facility with casual and formal dining rooms serving the best of traditional, regional cuisine and a neighborhood pub. The Lowcountry- style building overlooks spectacular views of tidal marsh and the three finishing holes of the island’s noted Tom Fazio designed Callawassie Island golf course. Stylish rooms for meetings, cards, or private receptions are available to members, as is a billiards room, elegant men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Outside the Clubhouse is a terrace garden, complete with a large “adults only” pool, cabana, snack bar, and six Har-Tru tennis courts. Families can enjoy the River Club on the south end of the island, a casual, cabana-style clubhouse with, meeting rooms, barbeque and picnic facilities, as well as a pool overlooking the Colleton River.
Callawassie Island is owned and governed by its property owners, who share and support the original developer’s dedication to preserving the island’s rare intrinsic beauty and unique historical heritage. Remnants of the island’s 6,000- year history of human habitation dot the landscape. The mysterious tabby and fire-brick ruins of a rare sugar mill dating from the 18th century have been preserved as part of a community park. Shell mounds and an ancient Yemasse Indian burial ground lie on the island, and archaeological digs have Indian artifacts displayed in a place of honor in the clubhouse.
Callawassie Island was selected as one of America’s top twenty retirement communities for two years running by New Choices magazine, and was awarded one of America’s Best Master Planned Communities by the Where to Retire publication. About 75% of the island’s residents live there full-time, and about a third of those are working people.
GOLF AT CALLAWASSIE
A Tom Fazio 27-hole masterpiece.
Designing Callawassie Island’s award-winning championship 27-hole course, Tom Fazio took advantage of the Island’s natural beauty to create visual drama and superb playability. Magnificent Live Oaks and Magnolias, as well as freshwater ponds and the surrounding salt-water marsh come into play on most holes. Consistently rated among the top courses in South Carolina, the Callawassie Island Course offers challenges for every skill level.
Golf is an integral part of the everyday life of many of Callawassie’s residents. With three distinctive, yet different courses to play, one does not tire of playing day after day. Each of the nines has its own character and degree of difficulty. Five sets of tees on each hole make the courses enjoyable to golfers of all skill levels. The Palmetto nine winds through the interior of the Island, but golfers still face water hazards on six of the nine holes. The second is a straightaway hole with lateral water along the entire length of the left side. A small green is tucked behind the water and a small but strategically placed bunker. The par three sixth is the second most difficult hole on Palmetto with a forced carry over water to a large tilting green. One not only needs to clear the water but also needs to insure against a three putt. The most difficult hole on Palmetto is a straight-away par five. Its difficulty lies in its length, bunkering, and a well guarded back to front sloping green. Eight of the Magnolia nine’s holes are interior, with the eighth green abutting the salt marsh. The eighth plays as the most difficult hole on any of the nines. It is a par five with a dogleg off the tee. Beginning at the bend of the dogleg is a lateral water hazard that comes into play along most of the remaining length of the hole. The well bunkered green backs onto the salt marsh where an errant shot could
leave you in that marsh. The marsh comes into play as a direct hazard twice on the ninth hole and forms a lateral hazard along the remaining length of the hole. Fazio has used his trademark illusions coupled with a small well bunkered green to make it a very difficult hole. Our newest nine, Dogwood, opened in 1992. Again, it starts out through the interior of the Island with water hazards on three of the first five holes. The most difficult hole is the fourth which is a long par four bordered by a hazard along its last two hundred yards. The sixth is short par five that takes you out to the salt marsh and a well bunkered island green. The salt marsh forms a lateral hazard on the last three holes of Dogwood and provides outstanding views of the marsh, Spring Island, and the lower portion of Callawassie Island.
The center of Callawassie golf is the well equipped Pro Shop. It is the headquarters of our professional golf staff, who are available to provide lessons, arrange tournaments and enhance your golfing experience. The opening holes of each nine emanate from the Clubhouse and Pro Shop. In addition, a large, well manicured practice facility is available to members, guests and visitors near the Pro Shop. It includes a driving range with target greens, a practice putting green and a bunker and chipping practice area. Once you get a chance to experience this wonderful golf course, you will want to come back often.
THE CALLAWASSIE CLUBHOUSE
The Clubhouse complex includes the main Clubhouse, the Golf and Tennis Pro Shops, the Fitness and Aerobics Center, an adult pool, the Golf Practice Range, and Bocci, Croquet and Horse Shoe Courts. Perched on the banks of the Colleton River is Callawassie’s River Club. It includes a facility for casual dining and socializing, a family pool, changing facilities, and a deepwater dock.
The main Clubhouse was built in 1992 by the developer. It soon proved to be too small to properly accommodate the Island’s growing population. In 2002, the Club undertook a major construction project to remodel and to expand both the Clubhouse and the River Club, to remodel the second floor of the Golf Pro Shop to add a Fitness facility, and to build a new Tennis Pro Shop.
The interior of the Clubhouse was totally remodeled and a room added to provide additional dining space. The remodeling included a new bar, a veranda for casual dining, and an expanded service area. New furnishings throughout contribute to its beauty.
The River Club was also remodeled and a library, multipurpose conference room and kitchen were added providing additional space for members to enjoy. The Fitness Center on the second floor of the Golf Pro Shop houses both exercise equipment and a separate aerobics facility.
The new Tennis Pro Shop was built at the tennis complex. It houses an office for the Tennis Pro, a shop where equipment and clothing can be purchased, and rest rooms convenient to the courts. There is a porch where members can relax, cool down and enjoy each others company.
The Callawassie Club also offers tennis, fitness facilities and dining accomodations. Life at Callawassie is an experience all its own, which is why I have chosen to make it my home.
For more information on real estate on beautiful Callawassie Island, please contact me.
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