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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Blair, SC

Home Care Blair, SC

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Blair Farm gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Blair, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Blair, SC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care for! Nate and Melisa offer regular training for caregivers so they they can provide the best care possible!”

Kayla P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Nice people to work with”

Denise D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best choice for your family’s needs. The Team at Always Best is thoughtful and supportive they go out of their way to make you feel heard and understood. They customize the care plan, care team and schedule. I recommend them to anyone considering aging in place.”

Melisa R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service is a savior for me personally. It relieves me from having to miss a lot of work time to travel to my mothers appt, now I can meet her at the appt. and save this time. The care and service she is getting is TOP NOTCH! From how easy it is for my mother to schedule and the follow through is right on the money. From a person getting the services: Melissa is the best, she calls me weekly to remind me of my appointments coming up. I am very pleased with the services and absolutely pleased with the services provided. I know that this alone helps ease the mind of my daughter. Thank you to the team at Always Best Care!”

Stephanie A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.”

Dusty B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.”

Melisa B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!”

pam C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year!  My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year.  You're amazing! All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,”

Neal L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs assistance daily, and I work full time. I like their team approach.”

Elizabeth &.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.”

Gina B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”

Josephine N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job if it wasn't for them and they go grocery shopping. They can have more guidance for the client and what to do for the client.”

Kyle M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly and courteous. I like that I do not have to worry about them; they are honest.”

Mary J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a lot easier for me to find out about the caregiver coming out and having someone on backup. The agency could provide better scheduling and the caregivers would not come in on time.”

Anonymous_6190
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver has changed a lot for me and has done errands for me. I would tell a friend that Donna is great.”

Michael B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They help with his personal care and the cooking. They're very accommodating and the communication is very good.”

Cindy S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I don't have transportation so I rely on them to take me to my chance treatment. I like how they take control of who they have.”

Ann A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They are my mother's means with her transportation. My mother enjoys her caregiver.”

Greg M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The help is very welcome and I have a great caregiver. I don't like that they don't have much staff, but I do like my caregiver.”

Dawn F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom and all areas and for safety reasons they help with the showering. Some things have improved because at one point they weren't communicating that someone was coming.”

Joyce S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Blair, SC?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Blair, SC

Types of Elderly Care in Blair, SC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Blair, SC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Blair, SC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Blair Mill Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Blair, SC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local El Vallarta or visit Isle of Hope Historic District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Blair, SC

Benefits of Home Care in Blair, SC

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Blair, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Blair, SC

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your SC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Blair, SC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Blair, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Blair, SC

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Blair, SC

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Carter Place Senior Living
  • Crowell Memorial Home
  • Good Shepherd Lutheran Community
  • Shepherd's Village
  • Johansen Manor Retirement
  • Blair Office-Eastern Nebraska Office On Aging
Home Care Blair, SC

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Blair, SC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Blair, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Blair, SC

Latest News in Blair, SC

Old Aiken tree farm has been transformed into golf course

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - An old tree farm in Aiken has become a golf course and will be open to members for a preview next week.Zac Blair has golfed at a lot of courses in his career but he’s always dreamed of having one of his own.Blair, a PGA golfer, and the tree farm developer says, “And I think the more cool places I saw, definitely piqued my interest, and I thought it would be something fun to do.”He’s made many trips here in the last couple of years to watch an old tree farm become “...

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - An old tree farm in Aiken has become a golf course and will be open to members for a preview next week.

Zac Blair has golfed at a lot of courses in his career but he’s always dreamed of having one of his own.

Blair, a PGA golfer, and the tree farm developer says, “And I think the more cool places I saw, definitely piqued my interest, and I thought it would be something fun to do.”

He’s made many trips here in the last couple of years to watch an old tree farm become “The Tree Farm,” our area’s newest course, located in New Holland.

MORE | Golden Harvest breaks ground on new building in Augusta

“The property was pretty sweet, the area, I think in general, people love golf,” Blair says.

Blair says that’s one of the big reasons he built it here.

“It’s been awesome to see how I would say the locals in Aiken have been excited about the project,” Blair says.

He knows how important golf is in this area, especially in April.

Blair says, “That’s a cool time of the year, there’s a bunch of golf fans in from around the world, so we’ll see how it goes.”

MORE | Man wins $300K from scratch-off during stop for gas

Blair says the course isn’t extremely challenging, because he just wants it to be a place to have a good time.

“You know, nothing crazy, in terms of it’s the hardest course you’ve ever played, but it’s just a fun place to bring people and play golf,” Blair says.

Blair has played a lot of courses, but this one is different: it’s his.

Blair says the course opens to members for preview play next week. He wants to open it up to more people during tournament week.

Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

Utah golfer building his own golf course in South Carolina

AIKEN, South Carolina (ABC4 Sports) – It’s been a minute since we’ve seen Zac Blair playing in a PGA tour event.He had shoulder surgery and he’s missed most of the last two years but he’s keeping himself busy.He’s building a golf course in South Carolina called the Tree Farm, about 30 minutes away from Augusta. Utah Gymnastics te...

AIKEN, South Carolina (ABC4 Sports) – It’s been a minute since we’ve seen Zac Blair playing in a PGA tour event.

He had shoulder surgery and he’s missed most of the last two years but he’s keeping himself busy.

He’s building a golf course in South Carolina called the Tree Farm, about 30 minutes away from Augusta.

“Found a cool piece of property for sale a handful of years ago and went out and looked at it with some friends and thought it was a pretty cool place,” said Blair. “Obviously the land was appealing, good soil for golf, good topography for golf. Midway through the build, start grassing next Monday, so it should grow in this summer and be ready next year for the Masters.”

Fans who travel to the Masters are always looking for places to play while they’re in Augusta, and starting next year Blair is hoping he can attract some of those golfers.

“Biggest golf sporting event in the world, you just have a crazy high influx of people traveling in for that week,” Blair said. “It’s definitely something that we kind of baked into the business model and expect it to be a high traffic week and we built it for people to see so that’s kind of a good week to do it.”

Blair has been on site many times over the past year, and this is his baby. He designed the holes, and he’s watching it come to fruition.

“I definitely knew it would be a lot of work, learned a lot along the way, so that’s been really fun for me,” said Blair. “Hopefully the goal for me would be able to do something in Utah in the next little while.”

This is a massive project with a lot of investors, and Blair isn’t sure when they will see a return on their investment.

“It depends on how good of a product that we build and we’re pretty confident that we’ve got a pretty good one cooking in the oven right now,” Blair said.

While course designing is definitely in his future, he hopes he’s not done playing on the PGA Tour just yet.

“Hope to continue to golf, this has been a nice little project to fill the void in terms of not being out on Tour the last 2 years with the shoulder injury,” said Blair. “But the plan is to definitely keep playing golf, it’s a pretty good day job.”

Blair is hoping to return to PGA tour events this summer.

Stingrays fire head coach Ryan Blair

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - In the midst of one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Stingrays made a move on Monday morning firing head coach Ryan Blair as the team sits in last place in the entire ECHL.Assistant coach Brenden Kotyk will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season while Ryan Bourque will take over as the interim assistant coach.“It has been a very challenging season and it is time for a change,” Stingrays President Rob Concannon said in a statement. “We would like ...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - In the midst of one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Stingrays made a move on Monday morning firing head coach Ryan Blair as the team sits in last place in the entire ECHL.

Assistant coach Brenden Kotyk will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season while Ryan Bourque will take over as the interim assistant coach.

“It has been a very challenging season and it is time for a change,” Stingrays President Rob Concannon said in a statement. “We would like to thank Ryan for his hard work with the South Carolina Stingrays organization over the past three years and wish him nothing but the best.”

Blair was in the middle of his 3rd season with the organization. He was an assistant coach in 2019-20 and took over as the head coach before the 2020-21 season.

Last season Blair led the Rays to the Kelly Cup Finals after finishing in 4th place in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The team upset top seed Florida and 2nd seed Greenville before falling to Fort Wayne in the championship series.

Kotyk, 30, began his coaching career as an assistant coach, joining the Stingrays organization last year after playing three years of professional hockey. The former defender spent the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons on the back end for the Toledo Walleye, appearing in 50 games during each campaign. The native of Regina, Saskatchewan began his pro career in 2017-18 with the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack and also spent time in the ECHL with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

Bourque, 31, will begin his professional coaching career with the Stingrays after completing a nine-year professional hockey career ending after the 2019-20 season. The former forward appeared in one game for the NHL’s New York Rangers and spent 585 games in the AHL with the Connecticut Whale, Hartford Wolf Pack, Hershey Bears, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and Charlotte Checkers. Since retiring from professional hockey, Bourque has been involved in player and skill development in the Boston area.

The native of Topsfield, MA is the son of five-time Norris Trophy winner, Stanley Cup Champion, and Hall of Famer Ray Bourque.

Kotyk’s first game as head coach will be Friday when the Rays host Greenville.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Why River Bluff football coach won’t be on the sidelines this season

Blair Hardin will get a different perspective on gamedays this season. It’s not by design.The fifth-year River Bluff High School football coach will be watching from the press box as his team plays this season after rupturing his patella tendon last month in a church kickball game.“I wish I had a better story to tell you, but I don’t,” Hardin said with a laugh Thursday when sharing how he suffered the injury.Hardin had surgery a day after the injury. Full recovery will take a year, he said. He won...

Blair Hardin will get a different perspective on gamedays this season. It’s not by design.

The fifth-year River Bluff High School football coach will be watching from the press box as his team plays this season after rupturing his patella tendon last month in a church kickball game.

“I wish I had a better story to tell you, but I don’t,” Hardin said with a laugh Thursday when sharing how he suffered the injury.

Hardin had surgery a day after the injury. Full recovery will take a year, he said. He won’t be able to walk for at least the next two months, he said. When he can return to the sidelines isn’t clear just yet.

River Bluff opens the season at Lugoff-Elgin on Aug. 19.

Hardin just got cleared to do rehab twice a week. He must keep his leg elevated, which is tough —especially for sleeping — though he hasn’t done much of that since the injury.

“It is not a good injury. It is a long recovery,” Hardin said. “We will take it day by day. I will be in the training room with my players every day. But we will get through it.”

Thursday was the first test for Hardin to see what it’s like to not be on the sidelines. The Gators hosted a four-way scrimmage with Blythewood, Camden and Airport. Road games will be another challenge, as he won’t be able to ride with the team on the bus.

Assistant coaches Ryan Sharpe (offense) and James Reynolds (defense) acted as head coaches on the field Thursday.

Hardin was situated in the press box with his leg elevated on a chair and bottled water next to his play sheet. He was quite vocal throughout the night, lamenting when his team wasn’t lined up correctly or after a missed tackle.

After the scrimmage ended, Hardin slowly made his way to his walker and took the elevator down to the field. A utility vehicle picked him up and took him to talk to his players.

“It is different. … I don’t like not being around my team and coaches. That is what I miss the most,” Hardin said. “I got to talk to them at the end and coach them up top. It is an adjustment, but we will learn and keep going.

“We are fortunate to have great coaches, great people and communicators to our players. I have to rely on them for everything. They take me home. They pick me up. Fortunately we have great guys and I have a great support system with my wife, and we are going to get through it.”

River Bluff has another four-way scrimmage Monday at Greenwood with Byrnes and Seneca. The Gators will play in the Lexington Sportsarama on Aug. 12 before the season opener.

River Bluff is coming off a 2-8 season but returns 16 starters.

This story was originally published August 8, 2022, 6:00 AM.

Top Teacher: Maria Blair, Coosa Elementary School

BLUFFTON, SC (WTOC) - It’s never too late to change your career path, and for this week’s WTOC Top Teacher, that meant changing jobs to do what she always wanted.Maria Blair teaches 3rd Grade at Coosa Elementary School. She took the long way to the classroom.“I wanted to do it when I was younger, when I was in high school, but they encouraged me to go into business because teaching doesn’t pay,” Blair said.After working for a couple of decades in the business world, she still felt the urge t...

BLUFFTON, SC (WTOC) - It’s never too late to change your career path, and for this week’s WTOC Top Teacher, that meant changing jobs to do what she always wanted.

Maria Blair teaches 3rd Grade at Coosa Elementary School. She took the long way to the classroom.

“I wanted to do it when I was younger, when I was in high school, but they encouraged me to go into business because teaching doesn’t pay,” Blair said.

After working for a couple of decades in the business world, she still felt the urge to become a teacher tugging at her heart.

"So at that point in my life, my kids were in high school, my husband said ‘it’s okay,’ so I quit and went back to school and became a teacher.

WTOC: "How was it during that transition? Did you ever have one of those moments where you are thinking, ‘what am I doing?’

Blair: “No, I did not. As soon as I went into the classroom, I was like 'this is always what I should have been doing.”

Blair’s mission is to make each of her students at Coosa Elementary realize how awesome they are, building a relationship with each of them.

“It’s the most important. If you don’t know what makes them tick, you’re not going to know how to teach them. You have to know what do they like, what don’t they like,” she said.

She gets just as excited as her children do when they learn something new.

“I feel like when they get that ‘aha moment,’ and you see that happiness on their face, it just makes my heart full,” Blair said.

Blair says she’s a morning person, getting up everyday at 4:30 a.m. and getting to work at 6:30 a.m. She loves planning the day and trying to find new ways to help her children learn.

If you’re interested in nominating a Top Teacher, click here for more information.

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