By Allison Hersh
For Coastal Parent

Sabrina Manganella Simmons photo
The Leiti family at one of the many lakes in Oldfield Plantation in Okatie, S.C. From left, Ashley, Courtney, Matthew (in front), Scott, and Wendy Leiti. Their oldest son Scott Jr. is at the University of Florida.

OKATIE, S.C.

For the Leiti family, moving here from Naples, Fla., was a major step in the right direction.

After living in Naples for 13 years, Scott and Wendy Leiti decided to pursue a more active, family-centered lifestyle by moving to Oldfield, a residential community overlooking the Okatie River, one year ago with their four children - Scott Jr., Ashley, Courtney and Matthew.

Scott, 44, and Wendy, 43, are devoted to pursuing a healthy and fit lifestyle - values that they have imparted upon their children, who range in age from 8 to 20. Together, the Leiti family plays sports together, enjoys outdoor recreation and makes the most of living along the South Carolina coast.

"We are a close-knit family," says Wendy. "We really enjoy spending time together."

The Leitis pride themselves on taking advantage of all that Oldfield has to offer. They play golf and tennis, exercise regularly at the on-site Sports Club, bike around the neighborhood, and enjoy boating, kayaking and fishing in the Okatie River and surrounding waterways.

Wendy particularly loves working out at the Sports Club, where she lifts weights, does cardio exercises, Pilates and yoga five days a week. She recently tried her hand at throwing a shrimp net down at the Outfitter's Center, Oldfield's fishing, kayaking and nature club.

"That is the coolest thing ever," she enthuses. "It's the best sport I've ever done in my life!"

For Scott, a third-generation builder, leading an active lifestyle is more than just a great way to stay in shape. It is an important way to forge strong family ties as well.

"It brings us closer as a family," he says. "I love playing golf and tennis with my kids. It helps me stay as involved as possible with them."

Sports and outdoor activities also offer a way for him to expand his children's horizons. "I love exposing them to a lot of different things," he says. "We want them to be well-rounded."

For Scott and Wendy, being active is a lifelong habit they have stuck to throughout their 23 years of marriage. The couple met when they were 15 and 16 on the beach in Stone Harbor, N.J., and have been together ever since, living in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida before finally setting down roots in the Lowcountry.

"My husband and I have always been into sports," says Wendy, explaining that the two developed a passion for tennis while attending Florida International University in the 1980s. "Everybody cares about being cardiovascularly attuned and we're always trying to watch what we eat."

As the owners of Scott Development, a luxury custom home building and general contracting business, Scott and Wendy work hard, building upscale homes in Oldfield, Belfair and Palmetto Bluff. But they also play hard, frequently taking their 21-foot Sea Pro out on the Okatie River and applying the fishing lessons they have learned from Oldfield's full-time river pro and legendary fly fisherman, David Murray.

Scott Jr., a sophomore at the University of Florida, plans to go into the construction field, like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather before him. He also plans to continue the active lifestyle that his parents have instilled in him and to return to the Lowcountry after graduation.

Ashley, 17, is an avid runner and tennis player, while Courtney, 15, also enjoys playing tennis and singing. Both daughters attend Hilton Head High School.

Even eight-year-old Matthew has gotten in on the act. He enjoys Friday youth golf clinics at Oldfield and loves being out on the green when he's not attending Okatie Elementary.

"Any nice day, he's at the driving range practicing," Wendy reports. "He has a great flair for golf."

With Kipper, a perky Bischon Frise, the Leiti family has developed a deep appreciation for the casual elegance and active spirit of the Lowcountry lifestyle. "Coming from Naples, which is very crowded, we appreciate how much useable water there is here," says Scott.

The Leiti family has a true passion for the sporting life, refusing to sit and home and watch life pass them by. "A lot of people do the 'same old, same old,'" says Wendy. "You just have to make the time and go for it."