Evening star., 1935-12-29
Golden Isles
OF Georgia
Picturesque
Social Life Revolves
About Cloister
and Clubs.

- EA ISLAND, Ga, December
2S.-Of Georgia's southern
coast, favored by the Gulf
~ Streams warmth in Winter
and by cool breezes from the Atlantic
in Summer are the Golden Isles of
Georgia. Today a Fairgrounds for
some of the Nations most prominent
and interesting people, these islands
form the setting for full round of
Southern sports and for social activi-
ties against the glamorous historical
background.
Today all OF these islands are pri-
vately owned with the exception OF
st. Simons, the only one of the
chain connected to the mainland by
motor causeway. At the seaward end
of ST. Simons is Sea Island, with
its CloiSter Hotel and a colony of
about rs beautiful residences, set in
a semi-tropical loVelinesS. In Sum-
mer beach and pool sports are by far
the most popular, and the activity re-
wolves about the Casino overlooking
the broad, smooth beach and ada
cent to the fresh water swimming
pool, where water carnivals and sports
programs are frequent events.
Especial attention will be focused on
the many historically important hap
penings on these Golden Isles this
year, for February, 1896, will mark
the bicentennial of the building of
Fort Frederick under the direction of
Gen. Oglethorpe and the arrival of
John and Charley Wesley on St.
Simons' Island Overlooking the
Marshes of Glynn, celebrated in the
writings of Sidney Lanier, ruins of
this fort still stand.
Still mute reminder of the history
enacted on that spot is the huge oak,
heavily draped with gray Spanish
moss, under which the Wesleys
preached and laid the foundations of
Methodism. Interesting ruins on the
sites of old Colonial plantations recall
the splendor of bygone days when
Southern ariStocracy Powered n all
of its aff1uence on these islands, where
the famous long staple Sea Island
cotton grew in great fields and from
here was shipped to all parts of the
globe.
WHERE fields of Sea Island cotton
Nv flourished, caddies now follow
golf balls over clipped fairways, and
the golf club house, new this season,
Is a happy combination Of historic
and modern, following plantation
style of architecture. The Sea Island
golf course, designed by the interna-
tionally famous golf architects, Colt
and Alison, is unusual. The first
nine holes embody the characteristics
of the best inland courses, and is
bordered by lofty pines and great
oaks. The second nine is typically
a seaside course. where the winds
from the ocean make shots vary each
day. Tournaments are continually in
progress at the golf club.
Keen interest is shown in skeet
shooting at the Sea Island Gun Club,
where regular skeet shoots are sched-
uled four times weekly. In addition,
there are many special and trophy
shoots. Nimrods are also interested
in the excellent hunting offered at
the 65,000-acre Sea Island hunting
preserve located on the mainland, one
hour by boat south of Sea Island.
Native wild turkeys are the premier
game here, and afford q big thrill to
the hunters. And there is an abun-
dance of quail, dove, deer, waterfowl
and other game on this preserve,
where fishing is also good in salt and
fresh water.
Miles of picturesque bride trails
leading to historic shrineS lure equeS-
trians on long rides. Splendid mounts
are maintained at the Sea Island
stables. Canters over the packed
beach sands or on the dunes lend
marked contrast to rides over these
palm and oak-bordered and pine-car-
peted trails. Frequently groups make
all-day trips, with steak fries or barbe-
cues for the luncheon, or make trips
in the light of the full moon.
THE Sea Island Casino overlooks 5
miles of smooth beach along the
Atlantic seaboard. Ideal for the sun
and surf bathers, it also makes a per-
feet course for cycling. Beside the
casino is the fresh-water swimming
pool, fed by artesian wells and sur
rounded by wall and protected sun
deck Water sports programs in the
pools are eagerly anticipated events,
drawing large groups of Cloister guests
and Sea Island residents as spectators
and participants.
En-tout-cas tennis courts on the
Cloister grounds and cement courts at
the Sea Island Yacht Club are in
constant use and are often the scene
of round robins and exciting matches.
Also on the Cloister grounds is a sporty
little two-club golf course with real
sand traps and small water hazards;
bowling on -the-green, archery, bad
minton, croquet and putting.
Directly across from the Cloister
entrance fishermen may drop their
lines from the pier in sight of the hotel
and try their luck at sheepshead, trout,
whiting and other fish. At the eastern