Visit Valdosta

Editors Note:

The Valdosta area suffered significant damage from Hurricane Helene. They are still in the process of cleaning up and rebuilding, but many businesses are now open. We encourage you to plan a visit in the near future to show your support. You can also visit the Greater Valdosta United Way website (link in article) to make a contribution.

Over the summer I had the opportunity to visit Valdosta, GA and to participate in the 2024 Georgia Open Pro-Am, which was held at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. It was a fun-filled visit, and I would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to David Desalvo and the entire Visit Valdosta staff for the invitation and incredible hospitality.

Kinderlou Forest proved to be a fabulous selection as the host course. One benchmark for a golf course is whether it can simultaneously challenge highly accomplished players while being player friendly for the rest of us. Kinderlou Forest passes that test with flying colors.

Kyle Mueller, of Athens, went wire-to-wire to win the event. Mueller’s four-day total of 274 (14 under par) was good enough to win by two strokes over Nicola Cassidy of Johns Creek. The tournament was Presented By A & R Comunities and Visit Valdosta.

Course conditions were superb. It is no surprise that the Georgia Section of the PGA chose Kinderlou Forest as the host course. The Davis Love design features lush fairways, gently undulating greens, and is set on a magnificent piece of property.

You can learn more, and book a tee time at kinderlou-golf.com. Make sure to check out the “Stay & Play” options at Live Oak Villas, which are located adjacent to Kinderlou’s signature “Raven Hole”.

Although our Pro-Am team did not take home any hardware, we certainly had a wonderful time! I could not have asked for a better team, which consisted of Valdosta State University President Richard Carvajal, Greater Valdosta United Way CEO Michael Smith, and Kinderlou Forest Golf Professional Henry Westmoreland. Henry had a very respectable showing in the tournament, finishing at 2-under-par, in a tie for 17th.

The day before, I had the opportunity to play another fine course in the area – Stone Creek Golf Club. The course is defined by narrow fairways on the front side, with a more open layout on the back. The diverse design and excellent course conditions make it one to include on any visit to the South Georgia region. I was joined by Keith Weachter and appreciate him taking the time and being a great host.

Visit gagolf.com for more information on Stone Creek or to schedule your tee time.

My accommodations were at The McKey, a fantastic boutique hotel in downtown Valdosta. Originally constructed in 1906, the McKey building has a rich history as both a church and an office building. It has been revitalized as the first boutique hotel in Valdosta. The hotel features twelve spacious rooms, including seven suites. The McKey was the perfect home base for my stay, and it was just a short walk to many of Valdosta’s great restaurants and entertainment venues. Make your reservations at themckey.com.

I enjoyed meals at 306 North and The Bistro, each offering diverse menus in an upscale casual environment.

306 North offers a blend of Southern elegance in a casually upscale setting. Its menus and specials highlight locally sourced ingredients, including fresh produce, cheeses, and farm-raised meats. Website: 306north.com

The Bistro is known for its original menu classics, such as the Drunken Angus Steak, Sesame Encrusted Tuna, and Grilled Diver Scallops, alongside other items that have been featured since 2002. Website: bistrovaldosta.com

Both restaurants are an easy walk from The McKey.

The Georgia Beer Company offers a diverse array of beers brewed using local ingredients. The taproom is a great place to hang out and meet locals and visitors alike. The service and the beer were both fantastic! Website: georgiabeerco.com

Downtown Social is another cool spot, and it’s just a two-minute walk from The McKey. Downtown Social has something for just about everyone who is looking for a good time: boutique bowling, shuffleboard, sports suites, darts, cold drinks, and tasty food. You can find it all at Downtown Social. Website: downtownsocialvld.com

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Valdosta and look forward to a return trip. I recommend that you put it on your list and make a visit soon! Until then, you can learn more at visitvaldosta.org.