The Pine & Palmetto
take a moment to share how grateful we are for your continued support and enthusiasm for our club and community There is a tremendous amount of positive momentum happening at Kelly Plantation, and we are excited to begin sharing regular updates through this quarterly newsletter
This summer is especially meaningful as our nation prepares to celebrate America's Semiquincentennial the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026 It is a historic milestone that honors our nation's rich heritage, enduring freedoms, and the spirit of community that has united Americans for nearly two and a half centuries Throughout the summer, we look forward to celebrating this special occasion with our members, residents, families, and guests
Here at the club, we continue working hard to improve and enhance every aspect of the Kelly Plantation experience Over the past several years, we have completed significant golf course improvements, including our bunker and tee box renovation project, helping elevate both the beauty and playability of the course This year, we also completed important infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to our irrigation well and pump station, helping ensure the long-term health and conditioning of the golf course for years to come
Beyond the golf course, we remain focused on continuing to improve the overall club experience through great service, enjoyable dining, fun member programming, and a welcoming atmosphere for all who visit Kelly Plantation
This newsletter will serve as a regular way for us to keep you informed on club happenings, upcoming events, course updates, dining features, and special announcements throughout the year
We are excited about the future of Kelly Plantation and look forward to continuing to build a club experience our members and residents can be proud of
Thank you again for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you around the club this summer
From The Links Tip from the Head Golf Professional
From The Turf Care Team From The Grille
JohnTownsend GeneralManager
the greatest game on earth and we are all blessed to be able to play it and share it with each other I want to encourage all of our members and guests to continue enjoying our incredible course and facility.
The first item is course aerification on August 10-13. This practice, while sometimes inconvenient, is critical to the overall health of our turfgrass Our turfcare team has really done an incredible job with the golf course, leading us through a major upgrade to our irrigation system in April, as well as a very successful May aerification The course is in fantastic shape right now! We look forward to what the August aerification does for the condition of the turfgrass and, in particular, the putting surfaces as the timing is ideal for the next thing I would like to highlight, the 2026 Member Guest
This year the 2026 Member Guest will be held on September 10-12 We have great things in store that should make this year's tournament a considerable improvement over previous years. As always, we will deliver a smooth, well planned and well executed event that our members and staff expect and have come to enjoy. Be on the lookout for emails outlining some of our new features to this year's Member Guest If you have any questions about this year's event or would like to register, please feel free to reach out to our professional staff
It is a great honor and privilege to serve as the club's PGA Head Golf Professional. I look forward to continuing to serve our members and guests and seeing the continued success and improvements of Kelly Plantation Golf Club
RobertWhitt
PGAHeadGolfProfessional
FromTheLinks-GolfTip
Many years ago, the legendary Sam Snead was asked, "What is the number one flaw you see in golfers as you walk up and down the range?" His response was simple and concise. "Bad grips! Very few hold the club properly " I can say confidently that I agree 100% The number one thing that affects the clubface angle at impact is the grip How we grip the club is going to directly impact the path, speed and angle of attack in the downswing I was taught many years ago, that with a bad grip, you have to make a bad swing to hit a good shot. The adverse is also true...with an effective grip, you are best positioned, before the swing even takes place, to make a repeatable move that responds well to how the club is being held
The biggest mistake we can make is deemphasizing the grip's importance by just settling for what feels comfortable. We need to learn how to hold the club functionally and effectively. We need to spend time in our practice or warmup, checking our grip to ensure consistency in the placement, positioning and pressure of the hands Our grip should be cradled in the fingers and not the palms Our hands should align and fit together well, almost like puzzle pieces Our thumbs should be pulled into the body of our hands A great way to test this is by taking two dimes or pennies and placing them between the thumb and the hand while hitting balls. If the coins fall out, our thumbs are not well connected to the body of the hand. You can see this connection in the photo of above of Sam Snead
When we make grip changes, we are bound to feel discomfort and perhaps even some muscle cramping. This is because the hand muscles needed to hold the club properly have not been recruited or used. As we practice an effective grip, those muscles will strengthen and our hands will hold the club in a stronger, more controlled manner A great way to think about holding the club is in the fingers and not the palms If you would like to schedule a time to look at your grip or anything else in your golf game, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to help!
RobertWhitt
FromtheTurfCareTeam
Summer is always an exciting time on the golf course, and our team remains focused on providing the best possible playing conditions while continuing to make strategic improvements to the property's infrastructure.
This spring, we completed a significant upgrade to our irrigation pump station. The project included installing a new HDPE liner within the pump station well and lining the intake pipe from our irrigation lake These improvements help reduce sand and debris entering the irrigation system, resulting in more efficient water delivery and reduced wear on critical components such as valves, screens, and sprinkler heads
As part of the project, we also replaced the original pump skid and several aging components to improve reliability and position the system for continued success While some of the benefits will take time to be fully realized, we are already seeing positive results from these upgrades
Looking ahead, we continue evaluating plans for the eventual replacement of our aging irrigation infrastructure. Much of the existing system is approaching the end of its expected service life, and a future HDPE-based system would provide greater efficiency, improved water distribution, and enhanced long-term reliability.
In the meantime, our team remains committed to maintaining exceptional course conditions through daily attention to detail, system audits, and ongoing improvements throughout the property
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on the course this summer
SteveSarro GolfCourseSuperintendent,
FromTheGrille
Summer is here, and the Grille continues to be a favorite destination for members, residents, and guests to gather, relax, and enjoy great food, exceptional service, and the fellowship that makes Kelly Plantation such a special place
Whether you're joining us for breakfast before your round, enjoying lunch with friends, attending one of our weekly events, or unwinding on the verandah after a day on the course, our team is committed to providing a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience for all
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and look forward to serving you throughout the summer season Thank you for making the Grille an important part of the Kelly Plantation experience
We look forward to seeing you at the Grille!
RussCooper
FromTheKitchen
One of the many things that makes Kelly Plantation special is the wonderful food enjoyed by our members and guests In each newsletter, Executive Chef Laura Howard will share one of her favorite recipes for you to enjoy at home
This month's featured recipe is a Southern classic that's perfect for summer gatherings, family dinners, or a light lunch on the verandah
Chef Laura's Southern Tomato Pie
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) frozen deep-dish pie shell
3 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
½ cup cooked bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons sliced black olives (optional)
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Directions
1 Preheat oven to 400°F Prick the bottom and sides of the pie shell and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until lightly browned Reduce oven temperature to 375°F
2 Place the sliced tomatoes in a colander and sprinkle lightly with salt. Allow to drain for several minutes, then pat dry with paper towels
3.In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese until well mixed
4 Layer the tomatoes in the prepared pie shell Top with the bacon, green onions, olives (if using), and basil
5 Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the top
6 Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly
7 Allow the pie to cool for approximately 20 minutes before slicing
Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
Thank You for Your Support!
We appreciate our members and neighbors for being part of the Kelly Plantation Golf Course community. Your support makes everything we do possible, and we look forward to serving you throughout the season.
Stay connected with us for the latest updates, events, and special announcements!
Weekly Dining Offerings
Sunday Brunch
Every Sunday | 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Pub Night
Every Friday | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Featuring Happy Hour drink specials and our Pub Night menu.
Breakfast Service
Daily | 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Lunch Service
Daily | 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM
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