Prominent Charleston area chefs will be offering up a few birds, perhaps even an eagle and likely a number of snowmen at this year inaugural Chef’s Golf Classic. The tournament will be held at Patriots Point Golf Links in Mount Pleasant March 8 as part of the 10th Annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, which stretches from March 4 through March 8.
“Golf has always been enjoyed casually among the chefs during the festival, but, in the past, it has been informal,” said Gillian Zettler, executive director of the Wine + Food Festival. “This year, led by Chef Kevin Johnson (of The Grocery) and Chef Mike Lata (of FIG and The Ordinary), we decided to create the Golf Classic so that chefs and festival guests could have an opportunity to officially enjoy one of their favorite sports together. With golf at the heart of Charleston’s charm, the Festival was delighted to organize and host this new event.”
The tournament begins at 11 a.m. and concludes around 4 p.m. The ticket price of $500 includes golf at one of the area’s premier layouts, food and drink on the course, a ticket for a significant other or friend to “Toasted: The Festival Finale” and a pass to the Festival’s Culinary Village on Sunday, so golfers can feel guilt-free for taking the day off to hit the links. Foursomes will be comprised of two chefs and two guests competing in a scramble-style tourney, all the while sampling cocktails and food on their way around the course, which is located on Charleston Harbor. Included in the delicious fun will be special cocktails from Firefly Distillery, one of the event sponsors, and tasty bites served on various holes. There will also be an opportunity to win a brand-new car from festival sponsor Baker Motor Co. for making a hole-in-one.
Zettler said, “As we celebrate a decade of BB&T Charleston Wine + Food, we wanted to focus on unforgettable experiences throughout Charleston for our guests, and that means creating memorable moments both on and off the peninsula. Playing a round of golf at the stunning Patriots Point Links in Mount Pleasant with our chefs is a unique and engaging way to enjoy the fresh air, sport, food and drink up close and personal with our favorite chefs.”
She called Mount Pleasant a” beautiful part of Charleston County” and added that the Festival is “delighted” to offer a number of great events across the Ravenel Bridge, including Clammer Dave’s Oyster Roast on Saturday, March 7 and Toasted: The Festival Finale, on Sunday, March 8.
Zettler said she’s certain the Golf Classic will appeal to chefs since it was created at their request. She predicted that those joining in the experience will be a mix of golfers, food lovers and anyone who wants “one-on-one time to connect with their favorite chef.” It is anticipated that 40 players will be paired in foursomes with 40 chefs.
A little about Patriots Point Golf Links: With four sets of tees ranging from 5,100 to 7,000 yards, players of all skill levels can attack the Willard Byrd-designed links course. Opened in 1979, the course features perhaps the best par three in the region, the beautiful 17th, which is perennially awarded “Best Par 3 in the Lowcountry.” An island green is poised in the Charleston Harbor with a backdrop of sweeping vistas of Fort Sumter, Shem Creek and the historic downtown Charleston skyline. The ever-changing winds that typically sweep across the harbor can make the course take on a completely different perspective from one day to the next. The course was rated “South Carolina Course of the Year for 2001″ by the National Golf Course Owners Association.
To sign up for the golf tournament, visit www.charlestonwineandfood.com, go to “Tickets” and scroll down to the event – or simply search the event title on the website’s navigation bar. If golfers have a specific partner they would like to play with, add his or her name in the “Notes” field of the ticket purchase.
By the way, for non-golfers, that “snowman” mentioned at the top of the story is a term for a score of eight strokes on one hole. That’s not good, but there probably won’t be too many people worrying about their score.
For more information about the golf tournament or the BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, visit www.charlestonwineandfood.com or call 843-727-9998.
By John Torsiello
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