We know what it takes to plan a successful sports event, and we know what an unsuccessful event looks like. Poor facilities and limited amenities are key factors, but so is an unfriendly reception.
Anyone who’s ever traveled south of the Mason-Dixon Line knows that the Southern states take their hospitality seriously. And Greenwood, a small city in northwestern South Carolina, is no exception. Not only does this area pride itself on a generous share of Southern charm, it also has some top-notch facilities and an accommodating CVB team. Taken together, they’ve made Greenwood a favorite spot for golf, tennis, fishing and other sports.
What else can my group enjoy in Greenwood?
One of the first things groups will notice about Greenwood that it is not a big monolithic place; it’s a destination with a good sense of itself. If you’re looking for an “Anywhere, USA” environment, you won’t find it here. What you will find is polite, stylish living and a welcome that feels like a breath of fresh air.
After the gear has been stowed and the final score tallied, fans and players can choose from several pastimes. A simple stroll in the Uptown Greenwood, with stops to dine at unique restaurants and browse local boutiques and art galleries, can be a great way to unwind. Serious shoppers will want to visit The Commons and Greenwood Mall, where more than 30 stores are open for business.
Greenwood, especially during the summer months, always seems to have some kind of celebration going on. May hosts The Catfish Festival (also called a ‘feastival’ for its devotion to this popular protein). June gets the SC Festival of Flowers, which has the life-size safari topiaries that line up the streets of Uptown. The SC Festival of Discovery, in July, is an award-winning barbeque and blues festival with a sanctioned BBQ cooking competition. July 4th brings out the SC Festival of the Stars, an Independence Day fireworks special, as well a new event called “Lights on the Lake,” which features a lakeside fireworks display for area boaters on the 4th of July.
X Factors
- Affordable facilities and spaces (many facilities are free to the sports planning organization, and other facilities can be used at no fee for coinciding events such as awards banquets, welcome receptions, etc.)
- Conveniently located with no traffic headaches
- Visitor support provided with true Southern hospitality
- Complimentary hotel RFP service
- Discounts to local restaurants
- Marketing support
Planner Perspective
What’s the lineup of facilities?
Jeff May Complex
Sports: softball, baseball, soccer, tennis
Also known as Lander University’s Recreation, Wellness, and Sports Complex, the Jeff May Complex is a 25-acre, multi-sport venue. Currently, it’s the home field for the university’s soccer, baseball, softball and tennis teams. The complex encompasses a 950-seat baseball stadium, a 350-seat softball stadium, a soccer field, a field house with meeting space, 12 tennis courts and a tennis pavilion. Walking track, training room and intramural fields round out the amenities offered.
Lander University Equestrian Complex
Sports: equestrian
The Lander University Equestrian Center is a 37-acre event facility that comes with a 300-by-150-foot covered riding arena, 190-by-140-foot outdoor arena and plenty of space to set up jumps. A 20-acre pasture and a fully-appointed barn with 26 stalls, offices, tack rooms, feed rooms and wash stalls make equine guests comfortable; a team room, classroom and office space ensures the comfort and convenience of visiting riders. The complex is where you’ll find the Lander University Equestrian Team’s home base as well as the Bearcat Therapeutic Riding Program. Additions to the site are in the works, including a round pen, another barn and a therapeutic riding complex.
The Links at Stoney Point
Sports: golf
Best known as the premier event on the LPGA Symetra Tour, this 18-hole course combines a challenging layout with an exceptionally beautiful spot on Lake Greenwood. As befits a golf course of its status, The Links offers guests a newly-remodeled, 6,500-square-foot clubhouse, a fitness center and a fine-dining restaurant. After a competitive round or two, guests can relax poolside or brush up on their tennis skills at the onsite facilities. And, if your group happens to be around on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, a trip to Spa on the Green can soothe away any post-game soreness.
The Patriot at Grand Harbor
Sports: golf
Like The Links at Stoney Point, The Patriot has some prime real estate going for it; it embraces the shores of Lake Greenwood. Its layout, by PGA Champion Davis Love III, is designed to be both traditional and creative, with an angle towards strategic play. The landscaping is capped by a recreated star fort—a nod to the area’s Revolutionary War heritage. Challenging and captivating, this course often hosts the Big South Conference Championships as well as South Carolina Golf Association events. Amenities are never lacking; highlights include the clubhouse, complete with a chef-helmed eatery; a yacht club and aquatic center, with its own sandy lakefront beach, waterfront dining, an oversized pool and a large hot tub; tennis and fitness facilities; and an equestrian center.
Lake Greenwood
Sports: fishing; recreational boating, kayaking and paddle boarding
Combine 11,000 acres of lake water and over 200 miles of shoreline with largemouth bass and crappie, and you’ve got a place that will keep fishers happy for hours, if not days. Thanks to an average depth of about 21 feet, there’s plenty of room for water sports of all types. Lake Greenwood hosts fishing tournaments each year, but it’s also a great place to do a little boating, fishing, swimming or other water activities after an event. Plans are underway to complete a lake revitalization project, so expect the list of water sports on this local favorite to grow in the future. Lake Greenwood State Park, which is adjacent to the lake itself, provides 914 acres of forest and miles of protected shoreline—perfect for hiking and exploring during down time.
How do I get my sports group to Greenwood?
Greenwood is located between two major southeastern cities—Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina—and just an hour north of Augusta, Georgia. By car and by air, it’s easy to find Greenwood.
By Car: Groups can drive into Greenwood via Interstate 85 (take the Highway 291 exit) or Interstate 26 (by way of Highway 72).
By Air: Although Atlanta and Charlotte’s airports are within a few hours by car or bus, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is only about an hour away. This airport is served by Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United and U.S. Airways.
