Cornelius Lee, Secretary of the United States Golf Association (USGA), was a member of the Jekyll Island Club from 1919– 1947. He served as the Chairman of the Green Committee for the Jekyll Island Club. In 1924, under his influence, low-to-high handicap golfers conducted a series of equipment tests on Jekyll Island. These tests resulted in the adoption of a lighter ball and steel-shafted clubs for use by the USGA.

The USGA permitted the use of steel-shafted clubs in 1924. In 1931, it also dictated the use of a larger, lighter ball that was very unpopular. After a year the USGA reverted back to a heavier ball but maintained the larger size.

The Change in technology signified a switch to more modern golf equipment. It also represented America’s shift away from the rules of golf established by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in Scotland, which had determined international golf standards since its fomation in 1754.

Tags: cornelius lee, jekyll island golf, jekyll island golf vacation, jekyll island history, usga
Posted in Beachscape, November 2009 | No Comments »

Thirty years ago, PGA Golf Pro Johnny Paulk and friends, H.P. Weldon and Frank Inman, decided to put together a “little” golf tournament geared toward University of Georgia football fans . . .

Every October, these three avid golfers watched as UGA fans flocked to Jekyll Island before the big Georgia-Florida football showdown in Jacksonville, FL. The island was filled with team spirit and competitiveness. Paulk, Weldon, and Inman decided to channel this excitement into a one-day golf tournament. This “little” golf tournament was the birth of the annual Georgia-Florida Golf Classic which is now celebrating its thirtieth anniversary and has become the biggest amateur golf tournament in Georgia.

Forty golfers teed off for that first tournament in 1979 to play one round, in one day, with the winning team taking home new golf bags. The Georgia-Florida Golf Classic has evolved since then with 576 players participating last year in the two-day, 36-hole competition. Now, the winning team not only receives bragging rights, but also the exclusive Georgia- Florida Golf Classic ring. Additionally, the top 75 teams receive prizes from vendors like Nike, Callaway, Odyssey, Cobra, TaylorMade and Cleveland. And, if that’s not enough, the players and their dates enjoy a cocktail party, an oyster roast with entertainment by the Swingin’ Medallions, a putting contest, a wine & cheese party, a doubles tennis tournament, and a ladies’ luncheon.

Today Mr. Paulk continues to lead the tournament as Tournament Director. However, he will tell you he could not pull this tournament together if it were not for his lovely wife, Virginia, the Jekyll Island Authority, and 110 volunteers.

“It is a lot of work, but it is worth it,” says Paulk. “A golf tournament is just what Jekyll Island and the fans need to get the party started.”

By encouraging camaraderie and promoting good sportsmanship during one of the most competitive rivalries in college sports, Johnny Paulk embodies his legacy as one of Georgia’s, and Jekyll Island’s, greatest sportsmen. The Jekyll Island Authority, tournament players, and volunteers all appreciate his dedication and hard work. We look forward to another great Georgia-Florida Golf Classic and many more years to come.

more online

The Georgia-Florida Golf Classic runs October 28-30th at the Jekyll Island Golf Course. For more information and GA /FL Golf Classic Registration, please visit us online: www.jekyllisland.com/georgiaflorida

Tags: georgia florida golf classic, golf tournament, jekyll island golf, jekyll island golf tournament, johnny paulk
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We asked some of the ladies playing in the putting contest and some of the guys warming up on the driving range, what was their favorite part of the Georgia Florida Golf Classic:

Tags: georgia beaches, georgia coast, georgia florida golf classic, golf tournament, golf tournaments, jekyll island golf, jekyll island vacation
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Tags: Beach Music Festival, beach vacation, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, Georgia, georgia beaches, georgia coast, georgia's jewel, golden isles, golf, island treasures, jekyll, jekyll island, jekyll island arts association, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, jekyll island birding, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island development, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island facts, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island museum, jekyll island vacation, sea turtles, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, shrimp and grits festival, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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If you wait too long it will be too late! The 30th annual Georgia-Florida Golf Classic is filling up and less than twenty team slots remain available! The Georgia-Florida Golf Classic is a great way to celebrate college football and the annual Dawg vs. Gators rivalry. Stay on Jekyll Island and be part of the celebration. Hotel Packages including game day transportation and tailgating at the stadium available. Teams of four compete for top prizes and bragging rights in two-day, 36-hole competition that takes full advantage of the college football celebration. $300 registration fee per person. Enter today, only 20 team openings remain! Get your team together or enter as an individual player. Individual players will be placed into competitive teams with A, B, C and D players. Registration is per person and all-inclusive of the following: Two rounds of tournament golf Breakfast at the tee for players (coffee, Bloody Marys, Orange Blossom Special and alka seltzer included) Lunch at the tee and turn for players (Soft drinks and beer provided) Two tickets for player and guest to the Get Acquainted Cocktail Party with food and drinks included Two tickets for player and guest to Oyster Roast, entertainment by Swingin’ Medallions Prizes for top 75 teams (prizes range from $600 - $80 value) Tournament goodie bag Free putting contest for players and guests, prizes awarded. Wine & Cheese Party for players’ guest Doubles Tennis Tournament for players’ guest (optional) Annual Ladies Luncheon

Tags: georgia beaches, georgia florida golf classic, golf tournament, jekyll island golf
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Tags: Add new tag, Beach Music Festival, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, Georgia, georgia beaches, georgia coast, golden isles, golf, jekyll island, jekyll island arts association, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, jekyll island birding, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island golf, jekyll island history, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island museum, jekyll island revitalization, jekyll island vacation, Jekyll Island vacations, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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Check out this great article on Worldgolf.com by Stan Awtrey:  Jekyll Island on three budgets: Plenty to do on Georgia a golf vacation

Tags: georgia beaches, georgia coast golf, georgia golf, jekyll island beach, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels
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Tags: Beach Music Festival, beach vacation, Beachscape, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, geocaching on jekyll island jekyll island georgia, Georgia, georgia beach vacation, georgia beaches, georgia coast, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, golden isles, golf, jekyll, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island development, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island facts, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island museum, jekyll island revitalization, jekyll island vacation, sea turtles, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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The Last Golf Cart Nature Tour (by Lydia Thompson, local birding enthusiast and blogger. Visit her blog at http://coastalgeorgiabirding-lydia.blogspot.com.

Friday was the last Golf Cart Nature Tour on Jekyll Island’s golf courses for the summer. It has been so much fun to ride in a golf cart to look at the beauty of nature. Here is a picture of the group looking at the Amphitheater pond. I hope we can schedule some more of these tours. (Golf Cart Nature Tours will be offered June through September at 5:30 p.m. (time is subject to change). The cost is $15/person and private tours are available. Keep this in mind for your Spring trip to Jekyll Island!

Tags: georgia golf, golf cart nature tours, jekyll island golf, jekyll island golff courses
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Tags: Beach Music Festival, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, geocaching on jekyll island jekyll island georgia, Georgia, georgia beach vacation, georgia beaches, georgia coast, golf, jekyll, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island development, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island golf, jekyll island history, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island revitalization, jekyll island vacation, Jekyll Island vacations, sea turtles, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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