Your wedding day. Without a doubt, it's one of the most significant events you will ever experience - when you and the love of your life officially seal the deal and get married. On this day, your friends and family will gather to celebrate the next step in your life. Photographers will be running around snapping photos, catering plates delicious food for guests to enjoy, and the DJ sets the mood for a night of fun and libation. You've worked extra hard to make everything look perfect and run smoothly. You have examined every moving part down to the tiniest detail. At the center of all your effort is your wedding venue in Ridgeland, SC.
Your event space can mean the difference between an unforgettable event and an average occasion. Capturing your uniqueness as a couple is paramount to a memorable wedding. But, without the right venue location and staff, your unforgettable event can turn into a painfully average occasion. Fortunately, at Abney Hall, you won't ever have to worry about dingy reception spaces and crummy chow halls.
Constructed in Ridgeland, SC, in 1962, Abney Hall is 15,000 square feet and sits on 500 acres of land, making it a large wedding venue unlike any other. Abney Hall was originally the home of Mrs. Josephine Abney, a Ridgeland native who was a lifelong philanthropist. Mrs. Abney devoted much of her time and effort towards supporting charities, educational institutions, hospitals, and other noble efforts. Today, Abney Hall stands tall as a symbol of love, both in our community and for the couples who choose to get married here.
Abney Hall is an exclusive event experience unlike any other, surrounded by verdant forests and sparkling ponds. Our venue is a natural fit for several occasions, including:
The beginning of your life starts at Abney Hall. With our team by your side, we can create the fairy tale wedding you have dreamed about since childhood. Whether you have 100 guests or 1,000, our waterfront ceremony locations and French-inspired courtyard are perfect for your big day. Celebrate in luxurious style surrounded by shady magnolia trees, a private forest, large ponds, and the beauty of Mother Nature. While our venue location and aesthetic have been praised far and wide, so too have the practical aspects of Abney Hall. Looking for a relaxing, comfortable spot for your bridal party to get ready in? We offer an entire floor in the Abney Hall residence to get the bridal party ready. Want to make your groomsman feel extra-special too? We've got a private, plush house just feet from a sparkling pond that is a proper hangout spot for the guys in your group.
To make life easier on you, we also offer Abney Hall as your go-to spot for rehearsal dinners. Why book an expensive restaurant or travel to another location when unmatched beauty and convenience are right at your fingertips? Abney Hall is just the place for that very important dinner the night before your big day. We are also happy to host your bridal shower at Abney Hall. Our venue makes for one of Ridgeland's most unique bridal shower settings, where your family and friends can gather to give gifts and be merry before you walk down the aisle.
With such a large, magnificent house and a vast property, Abney Hall also makes for an unforgettable location for your bridal portraits and other wedding-related photography needs. Don't take our word for it - book a tour and see for yourself why so many new brides and grooms choose Abney Hall as their wedding venue in Ridgeland.
You've already found the person you want to spend the rest of your life beside. The next step? Finding the perfect wedding venue for your ceremony, reception, and celebration of your lifelong commitment to one another. Remember, the backdrop for photos, dancing, eating, and all other activities will be at your wedding venue. That's why we work so hard to set Abney Hall apart from our competitors - so you and your guests can focus on love and living your new life while we work with your vendors and photographers to make your magic night a reality.
Here are just a few reasons why guests choose Abney Hall as their wedding venue in Ridgeland, SC, along with some helpful tips from our experienced wedding venue staff:
Choosing the appropriate-sied venue for your desired guest count is a critical decision. A venue's capacity affects the number of people you need to consider having at your ceremony and reception. As you're first starting out, we recommend having a guest count in mind as you're searching for the right venue. Try to stick with that number. You may fall in love with a particular venue, but if its max capacity can't accommodate your guest count, it may be time to cross them off your list.
Keep in mind that this is your big day. You shouldn't feel obligated to invite the college roommate you shared a dorm with for one semester. At the end of the day, your wedding venue should be one that can accommodate those closest to you. Abney Hall is equipped for both small and large weddings, consisting of 500 acres of forest, ponds, and lush natural beauty. Whether you want an intimate wedding with only your best friends or a grand ceremony with hundreds of people, we have the right amount of room to make you comfortable.
On your big day, you're likely to have friends and family traveling in from other parts of the state or country. These folks will need a place to stay during and even after your wedding. Accessibility and ease are important factors when it comes to choosing your wedding venue for both you and your guests.
Located in Ridgeland, SC, Abney Hall is situated in a memorable, natural setting, giving your wedding a private vibe in the midst of Mother Nature. While we pride ourselves on having a secluded wedding event space, our venue is within an easy driving distance of hotels and vacation rentals.
When you contact us for a tour, make sure to speak with our experienced venue manager about nearby hotels and shuttle service options. We understand that your guest's comfort and convenience are important, and we're happy to work with you to figure out the best way to get your guests to Abney Hall.
At Abney Hall, our staff has earned its reputation as one of the industry's most friendly, accessible teams. We will provide you with a purpose-minded point of contact that can help answer questions relating to timelines, preferred vendors, and every aspect of your wedding. When you tour our wedding venue in Ridgeland, SC, for the first time, we want you to feel like you have all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision.
At Abney Hall, our goal is to be your first resource when it comes to setting up and coordinating the details of your wedding day.
When it comes to your wedding's decor, you probably already have a few ideas in mind. We love it when our brides and grooms have a vision in mind because one of our greatest joys is turning that vision into a reality. At Abney Hall, our team is available to help you and your decorator fit, accent, and accommodate your fairy-tale wedding - whatever that may be.
Are you looking to dress up your wedding with decorations galore? Just want to add a few accents that tie into your preferred color palette? Abney Hall is versatile and ready to help however we are able.
If you're thinking about bringing in your own greenery, lighting, floral pieces, and more, we recommend discussing your vision with us on your initial tour of our event space. That way, we can get a head start on making your big day exactly how you envision it.
10 years from now, when you and your spouse are celebrating your anniversary, you will pull out photographs from your wedding and will reminisce about the unforgettable time you spent at Abney Hall. Your wedding photos will be with you forever, and as such, we work closely with you and your photographer to suggest extra-special photo op spots that you can only find on Abney Hall grounds.
From the grand staircase and French-inspired courtyard to our manicured gardens and lovely pond, there is no shortage of photo-op locations for your photographer to choose from. As one of the most popular wedding venues in Ridgeland, SC, we have worked with dozens of photographers over the years.
Our experience has allowed us to cultivate a list of preferred photographers - all of whom have the talent to take your pictures to the next level in a setting they're familiar with. We encourage you to check out our gallery to get a sense of the scope of our wedding venue and gain inspiration from other happy couples.
The gallery on our website is extensive but be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages as well. We keep our social pages updated with recent wedding photographs, giving you an incredible resource that you can use for your own photography purposes.
Abney Hall is known across the United States for our stunning weddings, but we also play host to some of the largest corporate events in South Carolina. Why choose a bland, lifeless meeting space when you can enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature coupled with a professional atmosphere? If you have an important team-building event or corporate conference that you have to coordinate, look no further than Abney Hall.
The epitome of class and style, our corporate event space is large, lavish, and chock-full of onsite amenities for you and your co-workers to enjoy. If your team needs a morale boost, don't bring them to the local Olive Garden for a cheap lunch. Treat them to a refreshing experience in our main dining room, where we can work with you to incorporate your catering options with the goals of your event.
When the hard work is done, and your team needs a breather, what better way to relax than with a quick dip in our pool? To burn off a little steam, head over to our brand-new tennis court - the perfect place to get some exercise in an ultra-private setting while you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Don't forget to bring your fishing poles for a couple of hours of fishing. There's even an opportunity to go hunting if you wish.
If you're ready to learn more about Abney Hall as your wedding venue, don't hesitate to reach out. We would love to hear more about your plans, your vision, and your needs. We know that planning a wedding isn't easy. It takes time, attention to detail, and a whole lot of patience. Our goal is to help provide you with all the info you need to learn more about our venue. Once you decide on a date, we'll work closely with you and your vendors to craft a wedding experience that you will treasure for the rest of your life.
Our available dates for your big day are going quick, especially during peak seasons like spring and fall. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Contact us today for a FREE initial consultationAfter leaving Las Vegas, The CJ Cup has a new home this year at Congaree Golf Club near Ridgeland, S.C., under an hour's drive from Savannah. Some of the PGA Tour's biggest names will make their debut at the private course, including Rory McIlroy, the reigning and three-time FedExCup champion who won this event in 2021 at The Summit Club in Las Vegas in 2021.Read more:...
After leaving Las Vegas, The CJ Cup has a new home this year at Congaree Golf Club near Ridgeland, S.C., under an hour's drive from Savannah. Some of the PGA Tour's biggest names will make their debut at the private course, including Rory McIlroy, the reigning and three-time FedExCup champion who won this event in 2021 at The Summit Club in Las Vegas in 2021.
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Congaree Golf Club's address for calculating directions is 384 Davant Drive, Ridgeland, S.C. It's located in rural Jasper County outside of Ridgeland in unincorporated Gillisonville.
The 78-player, no-cut field features 15 of the world's top 20 players, including 2022 PGA Tour Player of the Year at No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, 2. Rory McIlroy, 5. Jon Rahm, 8. Justin Thomas, 9. Collin Morikawa and 10. Matt Fitzpartrick.
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In addition to Georgia Tech graduate Matt Kuchar, the field includes former Georgia Bulldogs Brian Harman (a Savannah native), Harris English, Russell Henley, Chris Kirk, Kevin Kisner, Keith Mitchell, Sepp Straka and Brendan Todd.
The event with a $10.5 million purse includes 23 players from the top 30 in the 2021-22 FedExCup playoffs and eligibility points list. Among those not already noted above are Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Lucas Glover, Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama, Webb Simpson and Sam Burns, winner of the first Savannah Golf Championship in 2018 (now the Club Car Championship at The Landings Club) on the Korn Ferry Tour.
A Tom Fazio design in 2017 regarded as tough but fair, Congaree debuted at No. 39 in Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses for 2021-22, and hosted the PGA Tour's Palmetto Championship in June 2021, when it ranked 31st on Golfweek's top 200 modern courses (built on or after 1960). Sand is in plentiful supply at the location of the former 18th century rice plantation that’s become the 2,800-acre property, including 152 acres for the par-71 course measuring 7,655 yards. Fairways run off into sand areas, with bunkering around the greens, making approach shots critical.
The CJ Cup was launched as Korea’s first official PGA Tour tournament in 2017 and was played for three consecutive years at Nine Bridges on Jeju Island before being relocated to the United States due to the challenges of COVID-19. This will be the first time The CJ Cup will be played in South Carolina following two years in Las Vegas, first at Shadow Creek Golf Course in 2020 and The Summit Club last year.
Wednesday, Oct. 19: Course open to public at 8:30 a.m., official pro-am tee times 9-11:10 a.m.
Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 20-23: Rounds 1-4, gates open 7:30 a.m. each day, tee times 8:15 a.m.-1:25 p.m.
Tee times: https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-cj-cup/tee-times.html
A daily grounds ticket is $25-plus on Wednesday, $55-plus for Thursday and Friday, $60-plus for Saturday and Sunday. Up to two children ages 15 and under are admitted free of charge with every one paid adult (applies to grounds tickets only). Prices are subject to taxes and fees. Armed forces active duty, retirees, veterans and National Guard members are offered up to four complimentary tickets per day, Oct. 19-23. Military members will need an active GovX account to verify military status and unlock the ticket offer. If military members don’t have one tied to their military credentials, they must visit GovX.com to create an account.
Go to https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-cj-cup/tickets.html
For general parking, lots 1-6 and Lot 1 valet parking, go to
https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-cj-cup/parking.html
The tournament will be broadcast on Golf Channel and streamed on Peacock on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3-6 p.m. ET, and from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Go to https://en.thecjcup.com/3/2/page/84 or https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-cj-cup.html and for more about Congaree Golf Club go to https://www.congareegc.com/ and about the Congaree Foundation go to https://congareefoundation.org/
Nathan Dominitz is the Sports Content Editor of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. Email him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @NathanDominitz
RIDGELAND, South Carolina – Featuring a field of 53 PGA TOUR winners, THE 2022 CJ CUP in South Carolina is set to begin at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina from October 19-23.The 78-man limited field event will include 23 players from the top 30 in the 2021-22 FedExCup Playoffs & Eligibility Points List, featuring four FedExCup Champions (Billy Horschel, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas) and 15 players from the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking.McIlroy will defend his title, which ...
RIDGELAND, South Carolina – Featuring a field of 53 PGA TOUR winners, THE 2022 CJ CUP in South Carolina is set to begin at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina from October 19-23.
The 78-man limited field event will include 23 players from the top 30 in the 2021-22 FedExCup Playoffs & Eligibility Points List, featuring four FedExCup Champions (Billy Horschel, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas) and 15 players from the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
McIlroy will defend his title, which he won last year at The Summit Club in Las Vegas for his 20th career PGA TOUR title and first in his season debut. The Northern Irishman went on to win twice more during the 2021-22 season, including the season-ending TOUR Championship where he claimed a record third FedExCup title.
Thomas won the inaugural CJ CUP in 2017 when it was launched as Korea’s first official PGA TOUR event and repeated as champion in 2019, securing both victories at Nine Bridges on Jeju Island before the tournament was relocated to the U.S. due to the challenges of COVID-19. This will be the first time THE CJ CUP will be played in the Southeast region of the U.S. following the staging of the tournament in Las Vegas, first at Shadow Creek Golf Course in 2020 and The Summit Club last year.
Twenty players who featured in the recent Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow will also tee it up at the Tom Fazio-designed course, including nine members of the victorious U.S. Team (Sam Burns, Max Homa, Horschel, Kevin Kisner, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Spieth, Thomas, and Cameron Young) and 10 members of the International Team (Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Corey Conners, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, Tom Kim, K.H. Lee, Hideki Matsuyama, Sebastián Muñoz, and Mito Pereira).
The field for THE CJ CUP in South Carolina will also feature 10 sponsor exemptions, five players designated by the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association (KPGA), and the top-3 available players of Korean nationality from the Official World Golf Ranking as part of CJ Group’s vision to support the development of professional golf in Korea. There will be no 36-hole cut.
+ Sponsor Exemption
* KPGA
# OWGR Ranking
Daily Grounds tickets are available for purchase at CJCUPSouthCarolina.com, with a maximum of two (2) children ages 15 and under admitted free per ticketed adult.
To honor the men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces, THE CJ CUP in South Carolina is pleased to offer active duty, retirees, veterans, and National Guard members up to four (4) complimentary tickets per day, October 19-23. Please note military members will need an active GovX account to verify military status and unlock ticket offer. If military members don’t have one tied to their military credentials, they must visit GovX.com to create an account.
For more information about the THE CJ CUP in South Carolina, please visit CJCUPSouthCarolina.com.
Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.
After South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the entire state Wednesday, both Jasper and Beaufort counties also declared a state of emergency in their counties.The emergency declarations were based on the threat of severe weather throughout the state due to Hurricane Ian.The Town of Ridgeland in Jasper County also declared a...
After South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the entire state Wednesday, both Jasper and Beaufort counties also declared a state of emergency in their counties.
The emergency declarations were based on the threat of severe weather throughout the state due to Hurricane Ian.
The Town of Ridgeland in Jasper County also declared a state of emergency after a meeting Thursday morning, according the town. City of Hardeeville Manager Michael Czymbor said Hardeeville did not plan an emergency meeting since the governor, Beaufort County, and Jasper County had already declared emergencies. He added if conditions should worsen, the city could readily call a meeting.
The emergency status gives state and local governments an opportunity to quickly move resources to help with disaster recovery and gives them the authority to order evacuations if the need arises. As of Thursday morning, Sept. 29, there were no evacuation orders in either county.
Hurricane Ian update:Here's what South Carolina can expect as storm makes slow trek
People who have no place to go for safety from Hurricane Ian can go to an emergency shelter opening Thursday afternoon at the Ridgeland School Campus, Jasper County Emergency Services said. The regional shelter, located at 250 Jaguar Trail in Ridgeland, opens at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.
"This shelter, operated by Jasper County Emergency Services along with support from state and local partners, can accommodate anyone who needs a safe place to stay temporarily along with their pets," a news release said.
Those who go to the shelter are asked to bring along several items, including personal hygiene products; bedding items such as their own blankets and pillows; important documents for identification; a three-day supply of food for anyone with a restrictive diet; and at least a seven-day supply of any medications along with prescription information.
Residents seeking shelter with their pets must bring a crate, pet food, vaccination records and rabies certificate, most recent heartworm test, most recent feline leukemia test result (for cats), at least a seven-day supply of their medications, litter and litter box (for cats), cleaning supplies, food and water bowls. Pets who are not service animals will not be permitted in the main shelter area due to safety considerations.
The news release said instructions and tips for boarding or sheltering pets are available from the CDC. A pet disaster kit checklist is available at hurricane.sc/pets and in the SC Emergency Manager mobile app.
Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina – site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup – was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2017. This will be the second Tour event for the private club after it hosted the 2021 Palmetto Championship.Congaree will play to a par of 71 at 7,655 yards for the CJ Cup. Congaree ranks as the No. 2 private course in South Carolina on ...
Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina – site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup – was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2017. This will be the second Tour event for the private club after it hosted the 2021 Palmetto Championship.
Congaree will play to a par of 71 at 7,655 yards for the CJ Cup. Congaree ranks as the No. 2 private course in South Carolina on Golfweek’s Best ranking of top layouts in each state, and it ties for No. 22 on the ranking of top modern courses built in the U.S. since 1960.
Thanks to yardage books provided by StrackaLine – the maker of detailed yardage books for thousands of courses around the world – we can see exactly the challenges the players face this week. Check out the maps of each hole below.
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The StrackaLine yardage book for Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C., site of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup (Courtesy of StrackaLine)
The CJ Cup in South Carolina, a PGA Tour limited-field event, features 15 of the top 20 players in the World Golf Rankings who are competing at Congaree Golf Club. It’s airing on the Golf Channel fro...
The CJ Cup in South Carolina, a PGA Tour limited-field event, features 15 of the top 20 players in the World Golf Rankings who are competing at Congaree Golf Club. It’s airing on the Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. daily through Sunday.
Here’s what to know about Congaree:
The Congaree course is located off of Interstate 95 in rural Jasper County in Ridgeland, South Carolina. It’s more than 90 minutes west of Charleston and about an hour north of Savannah, Georgia, and about two hours from Columbia.
It is a private club, and the mission has never been about prestige for themselves. The billionaire businessmen who founded the club wanted to use the golf course in a positive way.
The Congaree Foundation’s top program is the Congaree Global Golf Initiative, a week-long training camp each summer. The program identifies aspiring golf with talent but not necessarily the resources for college golf. Participants get access to elite instructors and the high-quality facilities.
Among other projects is the Sergeant Jasper Golf Club that the club bought in 2021 to provide a home for area high school golf teams.
No. Congaree is a private club that has had only two official members, its founders Dan Friedkin and Bob McNair, the latter a University of South Carolina graduate. McNair, who also owned the NFL’s Houston Texans, died in 2018, leaving the club with one member.
Rather than members, Congaree has approximately 250 “ambassadors,” prominent individual who promote the club while lending time and money to the cause.
No. All 78 players in the field will compete over 72 holes for shares of a $10.5 million purse. The winner earns $1.89 million and $1.134 million goes to second place.
Bruce Davidson, director of golf for The Friedkin Group, and colleague John McNeely had the job of finding a large property for a firm, fast golf course. They first saw the property in 2013 and liked the look of sand.
Davidson said the land reminded him of Pinehurst No. 2 and Pine Valley. Others have linked the property to Royal Melbourne in the Australian sand belt.
“We thought, ‘No, it can’t be. We can’t be this lucky,’ ” Davidson said. “I don’t know what happened hundreds of millions of years ago, but the sea was probably there and left the deposit of sand.”