The Club at Savannah Harbor

Savannah, GA

www.theclubatsavannahharbor.com

1999, Bob Cupp & Sam Snead
Back 7288 74.6 134 72
Middle 6627 71.9 129 72
Men's 6048 74.9 127 72

Directions: From the SC state line, take State Rd 17 S and follow signs to Hutchinson Island (1st Savannah exit)

Fees: ~$115 ($22 reround)

Golf Magazine Review: Savannah's golf centerpiece hosted a 2003 Champions Tour Event. The majestic Savannah River Bridge and a muted cityscape serve as backdrops, and the property backs up to the Back River. A long test from the tips.

Golfcourse.com Review: This course is located on Hutchinson Island, just across the river from downtown Savannah. The layout offers spectacular views of the city's historical skyline. The traditional design makes the most of the naturally-wooded marshland terrain. Rolling, well-bunkered fairways demand accuracy off the tee, and several blind approach shots add to the overall challenge.

Golfcourse.com Player Reviews Avg.: 4.3/5.0 Players raved about the layout, called it a future Top 100 Modern course.

Best Bar Nearby: Per Golf Magazine, Midnight Sun is the on-premisis bar at the Westin Hotel. Named after a tune by legendary songwriter and Savannah native Johnny Mercer. Golf Magazine also likes Sixpence Pub. Specialties include Beef Guinness or shepard's pie. T&L Golf says lively River Street and the leafy historic district are but an 800-foot water-taxi ride (or a 5 minute drive) from the resort. PGATour.com digs the frozen drinks at Wet Willies on River Street (more flavors than your mind can process), then enjoy it walking along the Savannah River at sunset. Then head up to Churchill's Pub on Bay Street, one block from the Savannah River. An English style pub with a beautiful wooden bar, leather booths, dozens of British and American beers, a good restaurant with exposed brick walls serving upscale non-English fare, pool tables downstairs, and the best part--a lively rooftop terrace surrounded by growing trellises.

Where To Grub:  For Savannah's best pizza, PGATour.com recommends Vinnie Van Go Go's for NY-style pie in City Market in the historic section.  After a couple slices, venture around the corner for Savannah's best ice cream at Cafe Gelatohh!.  

For more upscale meals, Philly Magazine says try Il Pasticlio (Italian, 2 E. Broughton St, dinner for 2 about $80 with wine). Golf Magazine likes Sapphire Grill for continental cuisine with an urban flair. OR, for classic Southern in more formal settings, you can't go wrong between 45 South, The Olde Pink House, or Elizabeth's on 37th. Sunday brunch highlights include Huey's on River Street on the inexpensive end, and the Hilton DeSoto on the pricier one.

Ben Affleck, in an article on driving up the East Coast in a Ferrari in Conde Nast Traveler magazine, says you gotta eat at North Beach Grill, Tybee Island, GA (a kitschy counter-culture community about 30 mins. east of Savannah, with a broad expanse of sand which is every bit Hilton Head's equal). Affleck planned his whole trip around North Beach Grill's outstanding jerk chicken. Among the collection of funky bars and restaurants at land's end on Tybee, try The Quarter Sports Bar & Grill (Hwy 80 & Lewis Ave). Happy Hour wingy specials, burgers & fryer food, open late.

Where To Stay: Golf Magazine says fall is the best weather and best value is at the on-site Westin Savannah Harbor Resort (www.westin.com, 1 night/2 round packages @ $370). Check out The Greenbrier Spa at the Westin for world-class pampering. If you'd prefer sultry Savannah's historic district to glass-and-brass upscale, hit the 16-room B&B Ballastone Inn (www.ballastone.com, $215-$415/night).

Other Area Tracks To Play: 5 minutes from the airport, hit Crosswinds GC ($37-$44, www.crosswindsgolfclub.com, a well-conditioned 6,512-yard, 132 slope with drivable par 4's); Wilmington Island GC ($56, 912-897-1615, semi-private Ross design circa 1927 renovated by William Byrd in the mid-60's, near Tybee Island); or Southbridge GC ($44, 912-651-5455, little known Rees Jones layout with water on nearly every hole, and Jones' narrow playing corridors wind their way through heavy forest).

What To Read Before You Go: It's been awhile, so re-read Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. A somewhat eclectic read for a NY Times best-seller, and supposedly a true story. It'll change the way you see Savannah forever (but for God's sake, don't skip the book for the movie!). Then of course, when in Savannah, you must take "The Book" tour. Midnight... has become a cottage industry here.