The 1st South Carolina (later designated the 33rd U.S.C.T.) in line.

In honor of next week’s Veteran’s Day, this Saturday, Nov. 7, one of Daniel Island’s unsung heroes will finally receive the memorial he deserved long ago.

Private David Sparkman was an African American soldier who fought during the Civil War. He was a member of the 33rd United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.), a unit that guarded the coast and land between Savannah, GA and Charleston. In 1864, he was among the forces that attacked and captured Battery Gregg on James Island. The 33rd U.S.C.T. next joined forces with another African American regiment for the battle at Honey Hill, which ended in defeat for Union troops.

U.S.C.T. Troops

When news reached Charleston that the war had ended, Pvt. Sparkman was a part of group that searched for Confederate soldiers in hiding and shared the news. When residents on Daniel Island heard, they banged pots, sang out and rejoiced in the celebration! After the war, Pvt. Sparkman retired from the military and moved to Daniel Island, where he lived until his death in 1909.

The fence leading into Simmons Cemetery.

On Saturday, his descendants and family will join the Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, the Berkeley County Historical Society and veterans to unveil a new tombstone to place on his grave in Simmons Cemetery on Daniel Island. His great-great grandson, the Reverend David Reilly, will help lead the memorial along with re-enactors from the 54th Massachusetts United States Colored Troops. Rev. Reilly has been a friend to Daniel Island for a long time and has cared for the island’s three African American cemeteries through the years.

The event will begin at 10:00 am at the Howe Hall Cemetery, where organizers and guests will honor Pvt. George Williams, another African American Civil War veteran. The event will then continue at Simmons Cemetery at 101 River Landing Drive on Daniel Island. Pvt. Sparkman’s memorial is expected to begin around 11:30 am. The event is open to the public, especially all Veterans.

For more information, contact Rev. David Reilly at (843) 364-2310.

Simmons Cemetery on Daniel Island

* Partial information in this article found in Michael Dahlman’s Daniel Island, 2006.

This annual event, organized by the Daniel Island Property Owners Association and Daniel Island School PTA (the event’s beneficiary), started with a pumpkin carving “marathon” at Pierce Park, which took place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. the day before. Check out the following video of this festive event:

Friends and fans wait for the athletes to finish their round.

Former University of Florida All-American Matt Every outlasted the Nationwide Tour’s most dominating player of 2009, Michael Sim, to win the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island on Sunday, October 25. The top 60 money winners from this season’s Nationwide Tour were in town for the final event in their season-long quest to earn their PGA TOUR cards for the 2010 season. The four-day event took place at the Daniel Island Club’s Rees Jones-designed Ralston Creek course.

The Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island is one of only three Nationwide Tour events offering a $1 million purse and $180,000 first prize, both of which are the largest on Tour. Following play on Sunday, the top 25 money winners from the season were presented their PGA TOUR cards in an emotional ceremony at the Daniel Island Club. A celebration followed on the back lawn of the clubhouse for the athletes, their families and fans.

The Nationwide Tour Championship Cup was displayed at the first tee ont he Ralston Creek course during the tournament.

Hosted by the Student Transportation of America Education Foundation and broadcast live by the Golf Channel, the Nationwide Tour Championship will call Daniel Island home through 2011.

Players had good things to say about the venue.

“The golf course (Ralston Creek) is in great shape. The greens are perfect. They have a new clubhouse here. They have a lot of members so you get a lot of support from the area,” said Michael Sim, who entered the tournament as the leader and closed the first day with a course record of 64. “This is a good venue for the Tour Championship. It doesn’t get any better,” he added.

In addition to raising scholarship funds for the Student Transportation of America education Foundation, the event provide funding for the First Tee Program of Charleston and more than 50 area non-profit organizations, which benefited from a unique “Tickets FORE Charity” program. Purchasers of tickets were directed to select which charity received 100% of the proceeds.

The back lawn of the clubhouse served as the "19th Hole," offering food, beverages and entertainment for visitors and fans.

Founded (1990) and owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies those players who are ready to compete and win on golf’s greatest stage. As the official proving ground of the PGA TOUR, two-thirds of the current PGA TOUR membership played on the Nationwide Tour. Tour alumni have won 236 PGA TOUR titles, including a grand slam and three PLAYERS Championships.

Participants at the 2008 Charleston "Light The Night Walk"

The light will shine brightly on Daniel Island on the evening of Thursday, November 5, even after the sun sets, as the S.C. Chapter of the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society hosts its annual Charleston “Light the Night Walk“.

The “Light The Night Walk” is an international event that pays tribute and brings hope to those battling cancer. Throughout the United States and Canada, hundreds of communities come together as thousands of participants carry illuminated balloons throughout the streets. The color of the balloons is symbolic: White for survivors, red for supporters, and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.

“The breathtaking parade of red, gold and white balloons against the evening sky is such a beautiful sight,” says event coordinator Laura Tregner. “It is a memorable experience for everyone involved.” Together, the balloons, as well as the men, women and children carrying them, will light up the night in honor of all those affected by cancer and to raise funding for lifesaving research.

In Charleston, this year’s “Light The Night Walk” will take place at Freedom Park on Daniel Island on Thursday, November 5. Registration starts at 6:00 pm and the walk will start at 7:00 pm. To learn more or to get involved, visit www.lightthenight.org/sc.

Check out the video below, featuring Tina Fey, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s national spokesperson, talking about why it’s so important to get involved and “walk the talk”!

Practice round at the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island. Courtesy: Family Circle Cup

The stakes are high and the pressure is intense, but fans coming out for the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island are having a great time and enjoying the action at the Daniel Island Club. And the players have good things to say about the Ralston Creek course – check out this article in today’s Post & Courier!

A lot is riding on the results this weekend – only 25 players will earn their PGA Tour cards for next year when it’s all over on Sunday. And it’s a goal they’ve been working towards all season.

D.J. Brigman, Albuqurque, NM

“To some extent, it is a different strategy this week,” said D.J. Brigman of Albuquerque, N.M., who currently is in the top ten this week. “This Tour is all about being aggressive for the most part. This week you don’t have to be quite as aggressive. You have to pick and choose your holes.”

Be sure to catch the action live today through Sunday from 2-4:30 p.m. on the Golf Channel. And if you can get out to watch in person, just visit NationwideTourChampionship.com for ticket information. It’s just $10 per day, which includes access to the “19th Hole,” offering food, cold beverages and live music.

Denis Gallagher (left) and Tournament Director Kevin Canning hold the Nationwide Tour Championship cup during preparations for the event.

This weekend’s Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island is a world-class event that is bringing professional golf to the island. But for resident Denis Gallagher, the event is all about raising money for his company’s charitable foundation, the Student Transportation of America Education Foundation. Without his involvement, the tournament would not have made its way to the island.

“Since we moved to Daniel Island from Wall, N.J. nearly three years ago, I had been searching for a way to get involved in trying to bring a high-level event or some special recognition to the island,” says Denis. “It’s such a unique place.”

He was still searching when fellow resident and Vice President of Operations for the Daniel Island Club, Greg Keating, approached him about becoming the Host Organization for the season-ending event of the Nationwide Tour. Tour officials had been in discussions with the Club about bringing this highly-visible event to Daniel Island, but a non-profit partner was needed to make it work.

Student Transportation of America is the third largest provider of school bus services in North America.

“It was the perfect opportunity for me to help showcase this community that I have grown to love and, even more importantly, it created an opportunity for me to bring my company’s Foundation here to Charleston,” Denis explains.

Denis is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Student Transportation of America, the third largest provider of school bus transportation services in North America. The STA Education Foundation is an approved 501 c3 organization that raises money to award college scholarships to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service and leadership. Established in 2003, the Foundation has already provided over $100,000 to students trying to get to college.

“Education is the backbone of our society,” Denis says. “It’s so important that we give time and money to help those who want to attend college but might struggle financially. For my company, this mission is a good fit. And I really saw this golf tournament as a way to bring my business, this community and our Foundation together to help make a difference.”

The STA Education Foundation provides collage scholarship assistance to qualifying students.

Denis’ “relationship” with Daniel Island began on a plane one weekend in 2006 when he and his wife, Mary, were headed to Charleston for a short weekend trip. He was reading the New York Times on the plane and saw an article about Daniel Island.

“We had never heard of it before, and our curiosity got the best of us. When we got to Charleston this was our first stop. We met Rick Vale of Daniel Island Real Estate and – I almost hate to say this – we bought the first house he showed us.”

The Gallaghers settled into their Daniel Island Park home that same year and quickly became immersed in the community, particularly enjoying its recreational and social offerings. But beyond the championship golf courses, spectacular scenery, beautiful weather and active lifestyle, Denis says by far the best thing about this community are the people who live here.

“Previously, we lived in the same neighborhood for thirty years and barely knew the people next door,” he says. “Here, it’s totally different. Everyone we have met has made us feel like life-long friends. You can’t get that in many places that I know.”

It’s that spirit of community that Denis is counting on as the first of three Nationwide Tour Championships at Daniel Island begins (the event is scheduled to take place here through 2011).

“Although this is an international event in the eyes of the golf world, when it comes right down to it, we could not pull this off without the support of the local community,” says Denis. “The operations of the tournament are being handled by a team of residents and island employees at the Daniel Island Club and Family Circle Cup, and dozens of area businesses have stepped up as sponsors to help make this a success. It’s going to be a great week!”

When Rees Jones designed the Ralston Creek course, a par 72 layout that plays 7,446 yards from the championship tees, he had both members and professionals in mind. “The layout has all the elements of a stern test of golf,” says Jones, “including strategically placed, sculpted fairway bunkers, greenside bunkers placed to protect the championship pin positions, and enough length for the long hitters.”

Perhaps the most challenging – and certainly the most scenic – of the holes on Ralston are the “inside nine,” termed as such by members because they play out in a loop closest to the clubhouse. With long and dramatic marsh and tidal creek vistas, these stunning back nine holes highlight Daniel Island’s Lowcountry setting beautifully.

Take, for example, the 12th hole, a picturesque par three with water lining the right side of the fairway and the front of the green. No. 14, one of the best strategic holes on the course, is lined by marsh down the entire right side. You can check out the back 9 here:

For the professionals battling it out at the Nationwide Tour Championship, these breathtaking holes will provide a level of challenge that will test their skill. But for those lucky to call Daniel Island Park home, such views are a part of daily life. In fact, the “inside nine” is the location of some of the island’s most desirable homesites. With many sites nearing an acre in size, these are large, golf-oriented sites that offer a stunning setting within this spectacular golf neighborhood. Prices start in the low $200,000s. Further information is available here or by contacting a Daniel Island Real Estate sales associate for details.

The weekend fun will begin at a pumpkin carving party on Friday, Oct. 23 from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at Pierce Park. “We’d really like to get more than 500 pumpkins carved and ready to go for the walk and drum circle on Saturday,” said Jennifer Carrigan, event organizer. “In previous years, we’ve had great responses from island residents, businesses and organizations. I know we will reach our goal again this year!” Residents are asked to bring their own pumpkin to carve.

The next evening, island residents will walk or ride their bikes, golf carts and wagons over to Barfield Park for the 6th Annual Pumpkin Walk & Drum Circle, which is only open to Daniel Island residents. The park will be transformed into a magical menagerie of Jack-O-Lanterns, an outdoor amphitheater and the magical sounds of Adande, an authentic group of African drummers and dancers. The event will start around sunset (approximately 7:00 pm) and will last until 9:00 pm. For ticket and other information, click HERE.

On Sunday, cap off the weekend with a cold beer and delicious bratwurst at Oktoberfest, hosted by the Charleston Battery. Each year, Blackbaud Stadium is transformed into a Bavarian-style beer hall with authentic German music and dancers, a wide selection of German beer and delicious food and fun games for everyone. This year, the Roger Gootman Sauerkraut Oompah Band will be performing, and there will be a variety of fun games and events for children.

Oktoberfesters are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn-chairs. For tickets, visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

If you’re a golf fan, be sure to head over to the Daniel Island Club for some top-notch competitive golf at the 2009 PGA Nationwide Tour Championship, as the tour’s top 60 money winners compete for their chance to win a PGA Tour Card for the 2010 season. The tournament takes place Thursday through Sunday, with gates opening at 7:30 am each day. Tickets are just $10 per day. For more information, click HERE.

Whatever you choose, have fun!

During the past eight years, Daniel Island residents and businesses have joined together to support the Race as it made its home on the island. And this year, the support is even more overwhelming throughout the entire Charleston region.

Business windows and storefronts from Charleston to Daniel Island are painted pink with pictures, words of inspiration and hope for finding a cure. The streets on Daniel Island are lined with pink banners and ribbons. And the giant Lowcountry Race for the Cure banner hanging from the Family Circle Tennis Center can be seen from I-526 and the Wando River Bridge, encouraging local commuters to get involved.

“The Race for the Cure is one of my favorite races of the year,” says island resident and avid runner Rachel Sweeney. “It’s heartwarming to see the town start to turn pink at the beginning of October, with street banners going up and merchants decorating their storefronts. Everyone in the community really comes together for this great cause.” This year, Rachel is running for breast cancer survivor Whitney McDaris of Greenville, S.C. “Whitney’s husband died of brain cancer just last week, so this is going to be a particularly emotional run for me,” she said. “But I think it’s a wonderful way to honor his memory and her ongoing fight to survive.”

The Lowcountry affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised more than $3 million for local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in the Charleston region, and the Race is their largest fundraising initiative of the year. If you’d like to get involved in helping find a cure, visit www.Lowcountrykomen.org.

And don’t forget to register for Saturday’s race – this is your chance to make a difference!

The PGA Tour’s 2009 Nationwide Tour season is coming to an end this week as the top 60 money winners advance to Charleston for the season-ending event. The Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island takes place October 22-25 on the Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek course, where players will compete for their chance to win one of 25 PGA Tour cards for next season.

And the players aren’t the only ones working hard for the event! The staff at the Daniel Island Club has been working around the clock to make sure the award-winning facilities are in order and ready for this week’s guests. Both the Rees Jones-designed Ralston Creek course, on which the players will compete, and the Tom Fazio-designed Beresford Creek course look incredible!

Events begin this week with the Cleatskins Jr. Golf Clinic and a number of private Pro-Am tournaments. Tournament play will start on Thursday morning and will continue through Sunday. The Golf Channel will be on-site covering the tournament, with live coverage being broadcast Thursday through Sunday from 2-4:30 pm each day.

The Championship will culminate in a special PGA Tour Card Ceremony on Sunday afternoon at the Daniel Island Club’s clubhouse, where the top 25 money winners from the season will be presented with their 2010 PGA Tour Cards. Afterwards, local band and fan-favorite, The Bluedogs, will perform at the “19th Hole,” a gathering place for ticket holders that will offer food and beverages throughout the tournament.

Daily tickets are available for $10/per day, weekly passes are priced at $30/per person, and a weekly group rate is available for $200 for 10 people. A unique “TICKETS Fore CHARITY” program has been implemented to help drive ticket sales, with more than 50 area non-profit organizations benefiting from ticket sales (list available HERE). As tickets are purchased, buyers can select which charity receives 100% of the proceeds. Visit www.NationwideTourChampionship.com or at the Family Circle Tennis Center ticket office (located at 161 Seven Farms Drive on Daniel Island) for ticket information.