When it came time to plan a recent guys’ weekend, we knew it would be a golf trip. But that was only the beginning. We wanted our stay to really feel like a getaway - we needed to escape our daily grind, a little bit of adventure, and an off-the-beaten path kind of setting.
Musgrove Mill was therefore a natural fit.
The Arnold Palmer designed course, nestled at the base of the Appalachian Mountain foothills and etched along the banks of the Enoree River, is a property with facilities that are serene and comforting.
Settling In
Driving through the rolling hills of upstate South Carolina into The Mill felt like entering an enclave. A few wild creatures greeted us — deer, turkey, and even a fox — during our mile-long drive to the main clubhouse. The staff upstaged them, though: we were immediately and warmly greeted and given the keys to our spot for the weekend, Lee Cottage. The Mill offers two cottages adjacent to the driving range, as well as two suites adjoined to the clubhouse. Surrounded by pine trees, our home away from home was idyllic and cozy. We had four bedrooms, two private bathrooms, a huge shared living area, a full kitchen, a large-screen satellite television, a screened-in porch and – perfect for a guys’ weekend – a pool table. Delighted with our accommodations, we returned to the clubhouse to secure a 1:30 p.m. tee time.
A Feast For The Senses
You know you’re on vacation when all you have to think about is golf and food. With time before our golf game, the staff again surpassed our service expectations by telling us it was time to think about dinner — a request well received among a group of always-hungry men. We decided to grab lunch in the clubhouse, which was top-notch, simple cuisine served in a relaxed ambiance.
Over lunch, we perused menus for the real dining highlight: Cottage Dinners. You can elect to have on-site chefs provide most of your meal for you, leaving the seasoned main course for you to prepare for yourself in your cottage. We went with what is the crowd favorite, the Musgrove Mill Original Steak and Shrimp Dinner.
The Centerpiece
Bellies full but mouths already watering for the next meal, it was time to hit the course. Dubbed “the most challenging course you’ll ever love,” Arnold Palmer took inspiration from the site’s backcountry location when designing the layout. The Mill’s 6,940-yard, par 72 course often changes elevations; each hole is an entirely different experience. Fortunately, this bodes well for golfers of every level like us, as Palmer created a variety of tees.
We couldn’t stop marveling at the unpredictable elevations and landscapes. It was as if we were in the lowcountry marsh on hole number eight and then suddenly a highlands course on hole number ten. The Mill’s signature hole is number seven, considered one of the most demanding in the Southeast. Let’s just say the 190-yard shot over a bend in the Enoree gave us a good run for our money and leave it at that.
Thanks to its variety, it was in fact a course that challenged us in a very satisfying way. Plus, fairways of lush Bermuda grass made it a sight to behold around every bend. Every hole was so unique, it seemed like you could play this track all day and never get tired of it.
Tradition Worthy
Wonderfully exhausted from our time on the course, we returned to the clubhouse for a round of drinks before it was time to see what those Cottage Dinners are all about. We arrived home to a shrimp cocktail appetizer, salad ingredients, and baked potatoes with all the fixings. No prep work required. There were also, as promised, seasoned steaks waiting for us to cook, so we cracked open a few beers and fired up our grill.
Afterward, sitting on the porch and re-hashing the day’s activities, one of my friends declared our trip one of the best he’s ever taken — and we had only finished day one! We planned for another round of golf the next day, as well as a little downtime spent enjoying our cabin and some fishing.
By the weekend’s end, we felt as rejuvenated as we’d hoped, and then some. We were so glad we had come to stay at Musgrove; inimitable service and unbeatable amenities made for a worry-free three days. Add in the friendship and community formed around golf, and this will likely become an annual tradition.
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