S.C. has something for everyone

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Where are we? Welcome to South Carolina, y'all, a state that has a little bit of everything. Only 10 states in the nation are smaller in terms of square miles, but that just means that it takes less time to get from the scenic foothills and mountains to the sandy beaches in the Palmetto State. Speaking of palmettos, South Carolina has one of the coolest flags in the U.S. -- a dark blue background frames a white palmetto in the center and a white half moon in the left corner.

When in Harbour Town, visit the old Liberty tree during the summer and listen to live music by entertainer Gregg Russell. (Cox/WireImage)

South Carolina history: Part of the 13 original colonies that declared their independence from the British Crown, South Carolina was also the first state to secede from the union prior to the War Between the States (as the Civil War was sometimes referred to down South). The state was named after King Charles II of England and was settled by English settlers in the 1670s. Famous residents throughout history include singer James Brown, the nation's seventh president Andrew Jackson, actress Andie MacDowell, basketball star Kevin Garnett and letter-turning extraordinaire Vanna White.

South Carolina on TOUR: Since 1969 the PGA TOUR has been traveling to Hilton Head, S.C. for the Verizon Heritage. With its famous red and white lighthouse jutting majestically above the trees behind the 18th hole, Harbour Town Golf Links is the place to be the week after the Masters. Arnold Palmer won the inaugural event, with the record books also listing Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Payne Stewart and Davis Love III as past champions.

Then there's Kiawah Island's Ocean Course, which hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship and the 1997 and 2003 World Cups. In 2012 the best golfers in the world will descend upon the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, located just miles from Charleston, for the 94th PGA Championship.

South Carolina on the course: Sure, St. Andrews, Pebble Beach and Augusta National Golf Club are the magnificent and historic places every golfer dreams of visiting. But for sheer numbers of golf courses in one area, there's no better place for a golf vacation than Myrtle Beach. There are over 100 courses in the area, some designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Check out Black Bear Golf Club and Indian Wells Golf Club, two of the many courses in the area. And after a full day touring the area's best venues, there's plenty to do at night (head to Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle for shopping, dining and live music at the House of Blues).

Fun fact: South Carolinians love to shag. No, get your mind out of the gutter, that doesn't mean what you might think. The official state dance is "shagging", a swing dance that began in popular Spring Break locale Myrtle Beach, S.C. Beach music, which has a southern flavor with a slow shuffle that makes it easy to dance with a partner to, usually accompanies this type of dancing. Some popular shagging songs include "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy", "Under the Boardwalk", "Carolina Girls" and "Sixty Minute Man".

South Carolina golfer: Jay Haas was born in St. Louis, Mo., but now makes his home in the state where he met his wife Jan. The father of five, which includes son and PGA TOUR pro Bill Haas, lives in Greenville and is currently one of the top players on the Champions Tour. In just four years on the 50-and-over circuit, Haas has won 10 times to add to his nine victories on the PGA TOUR. He's also a true southern gentleman and was awarded the 2006 Bob Jones Award, the USGA's highest honor for distinguished sportsmanship and received the 2004 Payne Stewart Award for upholding the traditions of golf.

South Carolina off the course: No pro sports teams make their home in South Carolina -- the Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes represent both North and South Carolina but are based in N.C. -- but check out the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball team in Fort Mill, S.C. This triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox has helped develop several future MLB stars. It's well-worth a trip just 30 minutes south of Charlotte to see the Knights. In fact, plan a whole summer day to go down to Fort Mill, where you can hang out on Lake Wylie, find a grove to pick juicy peaches in the summer months and catch a night Knights game.

Historic Rainbow Row in Charleston, S.C. (Deason/PGA TOUR)

South Carolina eats: Fill yourself up with some of that good ol' down home cookin' in South Carolina. There's nothin' quite like tasty S.C. BBQ, which uses a mustard-based sauce with a little apple juice and brown sugar (sample Maurice's BBQ sauce for an authentic taste). Wash the bar-be-que plus some cole slaw and hushpuppies down with a big glass of sweet tea and you'll be in southern food heaven.

South Carolina culture: This Southern state does have plantations and relics from the antebellum past, particularly in areas around Charleston. But it also continues to advance in the 21st century, as college kids elect to broaden their minds by studying at the University of South Carolina, Clemson University or the College of Charleston, to name a few.

South Carolina resort golf community: Normally this section is devoted to a hotel and spa in the state but we've already mentioned the only luxury resort that I've visited in S.C. (Kiawah Island). Therefore, instead of a place you can just visit, I'm going to focus on a place you might want to retire to -- the Cliffs. Even Tiger Woods realized how special this master-planned community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is because he chose to build his first golf course in the U.S. at the Cliffs at High Carolina. Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Fazio have also lent their expert hand to design courses in the area. One membership provides property holders access to all eight courses.

Next week: Can you name the four faces carved into a mountain in this state?