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By John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor

The driving range at Sea Island sits on a plot of land adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway. At either end of this amazing practice ground, you have a beautiful view of ships passing by and the mainland across the water. Even on a warm, summer day in southern Georgia, an ocean breeze keeps things bearable. In January and February, when most of the state is cloaked in winter, Sea Island has far more in common with Florida than it does Atlanta.

The green on the 164-yard, par-3 6th hole at sunrise on the Sea Island Golf Club Seaside Course in St Simons Island, Ga. (Cannon/Getty Images)

But make no mistake, this is not multicultural Florida -- this is the South, the Deep South, steeped in tradition and rich with history. And for decades now, the high- dollar, high-powered elite have been migrating quietly to Sea Island to play the golf courses, stay at the lodge and rejuvenate themselves at the spa.

The resort itself is beyond compare. From a golf trip with the boys, to a family vacation, Sea Island is an incredible destination. Of course, many resorts make that claim, and some succeed while others fall short. The success of Sea Island goes well beyond the creature comforts -- it lies in the people who work there. Simply put, they have individually selected the very best in the business and created a training ground for the best players in the game.

Mac Barnhardt laughs when he hears the term "Sea Island Mafia." Mac and former Nationwide Tour player Jimmy Johnston make up the management team of Crown Sports Management. Mac has represented Davis Love III for much of his career, but to call him an agent is somewhat of a misrepresentation. He is one of the young and talented members of this little "mafia" that Bill Jones III, chairman of Sea Island, has assembled. The goal was simple. "We wanted to create an atmosphere where TOUR players could come and address every part of the profession," Mac said.

Four years ago, Jack Lumpkin, the long-time head of golf instruction, announced that he would be retiring. Now, Lumpkin can still be found most days on the driving range, extolling years of hard-earned wisdom to willing students. But the search for his replacement didn't last long. Although Mac has no official post at Sea Island, Bill Jones consulted him when the search began. Mac told Bill, "There are only three people that you should look at -- Todd Anderson, Todd Anderson and if you can't get him, get Todd Anderson."

Three and a half years ago, Todd moved to Sea Island from West Palm Beach, bringing with him the reputation of being one of the best young instructors in golf. His stable of players on the PGA TOUR includes many of the game's best young players like Brandt Snedeker, who won the Wyndham Championship to cap a standout rookie season. Todd admits that this is his dream job. "No place I have ever seen is more committed to its people and the goal of creating the best golf-training environment possible," he said.

This may sound a little stuffy, but it is actually just the opposite. The unspoken motto here seems to be: work hard and play hard -- and if you are on Sea Island, you can do both at the same time." There is a refreshing lack of ego among the group that tends to some of the greatest players in the game. In addition to Todd Anderson and the staff of instructors on site at Sea Island, that group includes sports psychologist Morris Pickens, strength and conditioning expert Randy Meyers and short game and putting specialist Mike Shannon.

PGA TOUR veteran Charles Warren is just one of many players who either live on Sea Island or visit regularly. "In my mind, each of the people there are the best in their discipline," Charles says. He goes on to explain that having his teacher, sports psychologist and trainer all on the same team is more than a mere convenience. "They all know what I am working on at the same time and can feed off each other," he said.

The 409-yard, par-4 13th hole on the Sea Island Golf Club, Seaside Course in St Simons Island, Ga. (Cannon/Getty Images)

A new state-of-the-art instruction and fitness facility is planned for next year. The new complex will house a club-fitting studio, workout area, putting studio with computerized analysis and indoor/outdoor instructional bays.

For players like Charles and fellow Clemson Tigers Lucas Glover and Jonathan Byrd, Sea Island is more than just a training facility. Jonathan stopped in to see Mac several years ago on his way to Florida. At the time, he was thinking of moving to the Sunshine State, but it only took him a few minutes for Jonathan to realize that he was home on Sea Island. Lucas owns property on the island, as well.

"There really is a support group down here," Mac said. "Players get away from the rigors of the road and relax here. They get to know each other and bond here in ways that you aren't going to find on the road." He's seen some of the best players in the world congregating on the driving range to talk instruction and technique.

According to Mac, there is also an unofficial mentoring program going on at Sea Island. Major champions and up-and-comers are treated as equals on the range beside the Intracoastal Waterway. No one has immunity from the inevitable verbal jabs that are thrown, but the underlying theme is one of respect.

Sea Island may have become a Mecca for TOUR pros, but it remains a wonderful destination for players of every level. Visitors are taken through the same analysis that the best players in the world utilize. "We handicap every aspect of a player's game from the golf swing and equipment, to flexibility and technique," Todd says.

As the reputation of Sea Island continues to grow, and the profile of its keepers rise, the setting remains the same. There is tranquility to the backdrop that focuses and regenerates. "When I go down there, I get excited about golf again," Charles Warren says.

Standing on the back of that driving range, with sea birds floating on the ocean breezes above 5-irons lofted into the salty air, it is pretty easy to get excited about golf. But more important than the setting and the three spectacular golf courses, at Sea Island you are in good company.

"There is something going on here," Mac says. "I don't think that any single person can take credit for it, and I don't think that you can duplicate it, but there is definitely something special going on."