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York and Lancaster, Chesterfield and Chester. What's in a name? A spirit, "forever England," that lingers over South Carolina's central uplands. Ties were strong with the English Colonial powers; Tories were not exactly rare. When the Revolution impolitely broke the peace, Lord Cornwallis and his troops pulled into Camden for a protracted stay.

"Englishness" persists in a love of land and family and tradition; the joy of the race and steeplechase; courtly manners that have evolved into "Southern"; a reverence for antiquity. The War of Independence was a breaking of tethers, not of roots. The three large river systems that brought in settlers - Pee Dee, Catawba-Wateree and Broad - now offer visitors all sorts of water recreation. Native American Catawbas, noted for their pottery, still live along their river in eastern York County. Famous potters, they are the only tribe maintaining a homeland in the state.

Backroads often lead to treasures; one gem is S.C. 97, starting just north of I-20 above Camden, and winding 38 hilly, rustic miles, past Liberty Hill - a tiny widow-town of the Confederacy; past green Lake Wateree and Great Falls to I-77 near Chester. Winters tend to be mild; in Camden, a haven for northern "snowbirds," the mean winter temperature hovers in the upper 40s. Throughout the district the long springs and autumns are blessed with splendid outdoor weather, perfect for training and breeding horses, a major industry in the Camden area, known especially for its steeplechasing.

Early on, the Red Rose of Lancaster and the White Rose of York learned to share the fertile Olde English loam with the cottonfields of Union, the blushing peaches of Filbert and McBee, the cool sweet watermelons of Pageland and Jefferson. Crops still pay the bills of many homefolk, as do textiles and other manufacturing and an ever-widening base of commerce and professions.

Genealogy researchers will love local archives and old church yards. Pioneers moved westward through the district, stopping over to marry, birth and bury in such areas as the Waxhaws, near Lancaster, York and Union counties.

Olde English District

If you're a history enthusiast, then a day in the Olde English District is a step into a history book. Camden was the Uplands headquarters for the British army, and the area was the setting for 14 Revolutionary battles. In honor of its history, the residents of Camden have created Historic Camden, a 92-acre park that recreates the village life of the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Golfing in the Olde English District Also, nearby in Winnsboro, the seat of Fairfield County, see relics from both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Zion Street in downtown Winnsboro features several historically significant landmarks, among those, the Cornwallis house where the British General stayed for a winter, and Winn Dee. Winn Dee, one of the few large homes spared by General Sherman during his March to the Sea, did not escape entirely. The hardwood floorboards of the foyer still bear numerous hoofmarks, a result of Sherman's decision to drive his entire troop, horses and all, through the main room of the old home. Though it's taken a while, the Olde English District has recovered from the many battles that took place there.

Camden plays host to two festive events. The Carolina Cup is a spring tradition for South Carolinians, and the Colonial Cup in November is an internationally renowned steeplechase. Both events provide an opportunity for sophisticated tailgating. The Olde English District is no longer a hostile place, in fact, even the British are now welcome.

Golf in the Olde English District

After the successfully state-operated course at Hickory Knob, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism recently established another quality Tom Jackson course in York County, at Cheraw State Park. With bent grass greens and bermuda fairways, Jackson's Cheraw State Park layout plays anywhere from 6,928 yards to 6,130 for men. Cheraw State Park features tennis courts, a swimming pool, and outdoor amenities like campgrounds, cabins and a boat ramp.

Ask your home club pro to make a call to the private Camden Country Club in Camden. Camden is a small Donald Ross design that is not long, but demands accuracy from tee to green. And like all Donald Ross courses, it is lots of fun to play.

Some other fine courses in the Olde English District include: Pinetuck Golf Club in Rock Hill, which plays to 6,700 yards and features bent grass greens; the Fort Mill Golf Club, which plays from 5,448 yards to 6,865 yards, and also has bent grass greens; and finally, Carolina Downs, whose 7,196 yards will wear out the longest of long hitters.

For years, Myrtle Beach and its incredible strand of perfect beach has been a tourist's mecca in the spring and summer months. Now, with a growing music and theme park business, the Myrtle Beach area is fast becoming popular year-round. While these visitors are here, the warm gusts of the Gulf Stream allow play on Myrtle Beach's 100 resort courses nearly 365 days a year.

The widest beaches in the land let you set your own pace. Whether it is beach combing, shell collecting, or just lying in the sun, Myrtle Beach provides the simple pleasure of doing nothing at all. Thousands of developed campgrounds have merited the unofficial title of Camping Capital of the World. Most campgrounds are on the beach, within minutes of the strand's boardwalk attractions. The food is another magnet for Myrtle Beach. Seafood, seafood, seafood, as far as the eye can see, and cooked in every way imagined. Even Bubba Blue from the movie, Forest Gump, could find all he wanted in shrimp selection in the Grand Strand - whether it is shrimp kabobs, shrimp salad, shrimp burgers, or shrimp sandwiches. You can even do your own shrimping in the Grand Strand, crabbing, or plain old fishing if you like. There are hundreds of reasons why so many people flock to Myrtle Beach for vacation - and all of them are fun.

Golf in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand

With over 80 courses in the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach means incredible golf and lots of choices for the vacationer. In November 1994, the Senior PGA held its first annual Tour Championship at the Dunes Club. The Dunes, a private club, is the second-oldest in Myrtle Beach, having opened in 1948. This first Senior Tour Championship had an amazing beginning, achieving a huge response from a nation-wide audience. Over 700 enthusiasts witnessed an amazing finish on this Robert Trent Jones design. Jim Albus began Sunday's final round at 15 under par, and with a six-shot lead over Raymond Floyd. By the 10th hole, however, the two were tied. Floyd's blistering 66 enabled him to catch Albus, and finally win on the fifth playoff hole. The Senior PGA knew where to come for its Tour Championship in an exciting way, and so should you.

Myrtle Beach National maintains eight championship courses by some great designers. At Litchfield Beach and Golf, three courses are available to the vacationer: the Litchfield Country Club, the Willbrook Course, and the River Club. Litchfield Country Club, a Willard Byrd design is the oldest of the three, and features a traditional Parkland style, wooded course. The River Club, by Tom Jackson, and the Willbrook Course, by Dan Maples, are two decades younger than their older brother. They feature a more modern, wide-open, watery test of golf.

Myrtle Beach National's signature club features three courses, all of which are Arnold Palmer collaborations. Also, be sure to visit Waterway Hills, a 27-hole Robert Trent Jones design, and the Long Bay Club, a Jack Nicklaus gem. The Moorland Be sure to visit The Legends Golf Course during your Grand Strand Experience. Tom Doak and P.B. Dye co-designed three superb 18 hole layouts: the Heathland Course, the Parkland Course, and the Moorland Course. Heathland, a 1990 Golf magazine "Top Ten New Resort Course", is a links-style course with no trees but plenty of wind. Moorland, a 1991 Golf Digest "Top Ten New Course" requires accurate shot placement to score low.

If you enjoy Gene Hamm layouts, play the courses owned by the Links Group formerly known as Favorite Five. Hamm authorized two courses at Burning Ridge, and single courses at Indian Wells, Quail Creek, and Sea Gull. Also owned by Links: Cypress and Indigo Creek, by Willard Byrd. Other courses you will want to experience: Heather Glen, a Willard Byrd creation with distinctive Scottish influences, called by Golf Digest the best new public course of 1987. Bay Tree, a George Fazio course that hosts many state and regional proffessional tournaments. Possum Trot, a nearly 40-year old Russell Breeden layout with forgiving fairways and big greens. And Eagle Nest, a traditional Gene Hamm design that stretches to 6,901 yards. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is a new golf course designed by Mike Strantz and built on the property of an old rice plantation dating back to the late 18th century. This is a beautiful as well as enjoyable course.

Lowcountry and Resort Islands

Some of the most hauntingly beautiful land on earth makes up South Carolina's Lowcountry and resort islands. Hilton Head has become the standard by which all other quality resort developments are compared. Buildings in Hilton Head must adhere closely to an island-wide architectural code. Broad traffic circles reduce the need for imposing traffic signals, and everywhere, natural themes lessen the imposition of man upon this picturesque island paradise.

While Hilton Head is the brightest pearl in the Lowcountry's string of islands, there are dozens of other jewels in the rough marsh. Directly below Hilton Head is the secluded Daufuskie Island, reachable only by ferry. Daufuskie allows no automobiles on the island. Across the Broad River and Port Royal Sound lie Fripp Island, Hunting Island State Park, and the classic Lowcountry town of Beaufort. Beaufort has provided the marshy Southern atmosphere to many movies, including Conrack, The Prince of Tides, and The Big Chill. Explored a century before Europeans stood on Plymouth Rock, Beaufort lies quietly beside the shrimp boats that fill its wide harbor. You can reach the modern world from South Carolina's Lowcountry and Resort Islands, but once you visit here, you may forget to try.