During and before "The War Between the States" the
property now occupied by Brickyard Plantation Golf Club was owned by James
M. (Jim) Johnson, the great grandfather to the current owner Mary Lillian
Johnson Clark. Today she and her husband, W. N. Clark, can
trace
back seven generations of ownership. The present acreage is 800
acres of the original 7000 acres. Until about 1950 it was farmed by
mules. Crops grown were peanuts, cotton and wheat. The
plantation had it's own cotton gin, commissary, blacksmith shop, cane mill
and many houses for the local labor. Bricks were used for these
houses and they were made on the farm.
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In 1977 plans
were made for a 7 acre pond to be built for fishing. A friend
suggested a couple of golf holes be built around the lake. This
catapulted into 9 holes and then came the question of a name for the
course. When construction of the pond began the kiln and other
artifacts of brick making were discovered. This is where the brick
came from for the buildings on the plantation. Many years before
removal of dirt from that wet weather hole had created a swimming hole
which the local kids referred to as the "Brickyard Hole". For want
of a name, the second golf course ever built in Sumter County was called
Brickyard Plantation Golf Club. Today it is a semi-private course
and welcomes all to come play this challenging 27 hole facility. |
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In keeping with the plantation theme, the pro shop is
housed in an actual mule barn. This barn was located from another
area on the farm and remodeled to accommodate the pro shop, snack bar and
office. The "Hay Loft" is used for meetings, receptions and other
outings. Also, bricks are used as tee markers on the course. |
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During the
construction of the course in the dense thick wooded areas, five moonshine
stills were discovered. These contraptions had not been used in many
years; but old clay jars were found in the debris. |
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The course is
divided into three nine holes. Each course name depicts the terrain
of the course.
The Ditches and Waters were named due to the many
water hazards dictated during construction and the Mounds were named due
to the many berms and bunkers created in this open field. The
original course consisted of nine holes in 1978; but in 1984, 13 holes
were built and four holes were replaced to make 18. |
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Then in 1991,
the Mounds were added. This nine was designed to depict a replica of
St. Andrews in Scotland. A peanut field had tons and tons of dirt
relocated to create the many berms. |
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Although many plants have been added, a great effort
has been made to preserve native trees and flowers such as Native Azaleas
(Wild Honeysuckle), Persimmon, Dogwood, Red Bud, Magnolia, Carolina
Jasmine, Hickory, Wax Myrtle and Winged Elm. |
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Today this
plantation has modernized in many ways. Condominiums have been built
overlooking the "Brickyard Hole". An RV park has been set up for
travelers and sod grass has become the primary crop. |
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