It all started at a little nine-hole track in Jackson, SC
We grew up playing Jim & Lilie Golf Club, a now shuttered little nine-holer outside of Augusta that had more hardpan than grass but that we still called home. We spent childhood summers out there, from dawn to dusk, playing loops with farmers, construction workers, veterans, and retirees. At the turn we'd eat terrible rotisserie hotdogs and plain Lays chips, and we’d drink Gatorade from cans and water from the hose.
It was the absolute time of our lives.
Old Charlie is built on those memories. We're creating a place where our members can experience the same joy, camaraderie, and love for the game that defined our summers at Jim & Lilie.
Only this time with much better golf, and maybe better hotdogs too.
Scenes from a childhood at Jim & Lilie Golf Club.
The name honors two legends…
Old Charlie is named for two important Charlies in our lives:
Mr. Charlie Steed, founder of Jim & Lilie Golf Club in Jackson, SC. He built the course in 1955 on 65 acres granted by his parents. For decades, Jim & Lilie was a Jackson institution: affordable, accessible, and responsible for introducing countless working-class kids to the game. We owe him everything.
"Cove" Charlie McKinney of Altapass, NC, and our direct ancestor. A legend who had at least four wives, fathered at least 48 children, maintained an apple orchard, made whiskey and apple brandy, and went to church every Sunday with all the wives and kids. By all accounts, he got along well with just about everyone.
Old Charlie is our tribute to both men. One gave us the game, and one gave us our name.
Who’s building it
Cliff McKinney, Founder
I spent fifteen years in finance and helped build power plants around the world. Before that, I did almost every job on a golf course, from cart attendant to club pro.
I'm building Old Charlie because I love this game and the joy it brings when shared with friends. And I’m getting a ton of help from some of the folks in these photos, and plenty of folks who aren’t.
This is a club for people who like to joke, gamble, play emergency nines, and hang around all day. If that sounds like you, we'd love to have you.
Reach out: cliff@oldcharliegc.com
Design/Build: Rhebb & Johns | rhebbandjohns.com
Engineering: O'Connell Engineers | oconnellengineers.com
