Santee, South Carolina's Growing Golf Pit Stop, Shines in February Episode of Traveling Golfer

(PHILADELPHIA, Pa.) - It began as a filling station along old Highway 301 in South Carolina. Now Santee has grown into a must-stop along Interstate 95, and a value-based golf destination that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Anyone who travels by auto along the I-95 corridor in South Carolina knows the Santee exit. It is well-lit and well-publicized. Those who have stopped there quickly realize that it is no longer just a place to fill the car with gas. Fine hotels, a variety of restaurants and a cluster of great golf courses have propelled Santee - from a pit stop ... to an overnight stay ... to a golf destination that is now the main reason so many people visit this golf-rich location in inland South Carolina.

All of this will be highlighted in the February episode of the award-winning Traveling Golfer television show. Show host Tony Leodora introduces the viewers to favorite golf courses such as Santee National, Lake Marion and Santee Cooper Country Club. He opens the doors to the charming and historic plantation-style Clark's Inn. Then viewers are tantalized by the offerings of a diverse selection of restaurants such as Captains Quarters, Wilbur's Cocktails and Supper Club, Pedro's Mexican Restaurant, Thai House II and, of course, the down-home southern cuisine of Clark's Restaurant.

"The growth of the Santee area has been amazing," explains Donnie Hilliard, mayor of Santee."Businesses have continued to come here and flourish. Travelers who, at one point in time, just stopped to refill their gas tank and get a quick bite to eat, now stay overnight or longer. And, thanks to golf and beautiful Lake Marion, we now have people who are making Santee their vacation destination."

Originally an area dedicated to vast cotton fields,  Santee has evolved into a golf and fishing paradise that attracts visitors from all over the United States and Canada. In addition to the three golf courses featured in this episode of the Traveling Golfer show, there are another four courses within 25 minutes of the town and a total of 17 that are available to play within one hour.

"I had not spent any extended time in Santee for more than 20 years," says Traveling Golfer host Tony Leodora. "My first visit was shortly after the three main courses were built. What I discovered when I returned to shoot the show was amazing. There are all of the modern conveniences but you immediately slip back into the friendly atmosphere of the Old South. Time slows down to a much-appreciated pace."

The February episode runs throughout the month on the Traveling Golfer network of websites ... including The Golf Director Network (see full list of sites on travelinggolfervideo.com). It also will air on Monday, February 12 as part of the Press Box television show in Myrtle Beach, 5 to 7 p.m. on HTC Ch. 4. The Traveling Golfer also airs as a scheduled weekly feature show on NBC Sports and NBC Sports + throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. NBC Sports airings are 10:30 a.m. Sundays and 4:30 p.m. Thursdays. NBC Sports + airs the show at 6 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.

As part of every Traveling Golfer show there is the additional feature, "Tech Talk", hosted by Tour Edge Golf experts, such as President Dave Glod. With years of experience as a club maker, Glod presents an inside look at the research and development of high-quality golf equipment.

Responding to golfers' never-ending demands to learn more about interesting golf courses and golf resorts across the country and around the world, well-traveled host Tony Leodora created the Traveling Golfer so he could take viewers on video trips to some of the most exciting golf locations. The show repeated for an unprecedented third straight year as the No. 1 Golf Television Show in America in the prestigious International Network of Golf Awards, presented at the PGA Merchandise Show in January.

The Traveling Golfer is a series of monthly shows hosted by Leodora, who has 17 years of experience in televised golf. The featured destination stays on the website for one month, before being replaced by a new show. The old shows are archived for continued viewing on the YouTube Network and on the home website, www.travelinggolfervideo.com.