Kiawah Island
Charleston, South Carolina has long been famous for its
many historic "firsts." The first shots of the Civil War...the first
decisive patriot victory of the American revolution...the first
museum in America. What many people don't realize is that
the game of golf also figures prominently on this list.
Over 200 years ago Charleston was the site of America's
first golf course and golf club. In 1786 the South Carolina
Golf Club was formed and established "Harleston Green" in
what is now downtown Charleston. In fact, the term "green
fee" is thought to have evolved from the membership fees
paid by club members to maintain their course. While
Charleston Green is a long-gone memory, it established a
heritage and tradition of golfing excellence that today is
evident throughout the Lowcountry.
Most golfers were unaware of the quality golf experience
available in the Charleston area until 1991, when the eyes of
the world followed the most fiercely contested Ryder Cup
matches in history. A nation cheered as the US team regained
the coveted Ryder Cup on the final hole at Kiawah Island's
Ocean Course. Since that time, more and more golfers have
discovered the undeniable appeal of a Charleston area golf
vacation. In fact, Kiawah Island Golf & Tennis Resort
proudly hosted the 1997 World Cup of Golf on the
renowned Ocean Course.
Designed by Pete Dye, The Ocean Course hosted the World Cup
of Golf in 1997. The world's finest golfers from 32 countries competed in
this stroke play tournament. But with all 18 holes offering
panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, it's likely The Ocean
Course would have earned widespread acclaim had no
tournament ever been played there. Located at the Eastern end
of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course negotiates along 2 3/4
miles of pristine oceanfront property. According to Pete Dye,
"There’s no other golf course in the Northern Hemisphere that
has as many seaside holes".
 There are four other courses available at the Kiawah Island Resort.
Oak Point is the newest addition to Kiawah’s
array of courses. This Scottish-American style course boarders
the historic Haulover Creek and the Kiawah River. Wide areas
of windswept fairways stretch alongside salt marshlands
interspersed with densely forested areas of live oaks. Oak Point
was rated among "America’s Best" by Golfweek magazine.
Designed by Gary Player, the
par-72 layout at Cougar Point features holes playing directly along broad
expanses of tidal marsh, offering panoramic views of the Kiawah
River and acres of needlerush and spartina grass. Cougar Point
is designed to test the scratch player while providing an
enjoyable round for all.
Opened in 1981, Turtle
Point is a low-profile design with fairways and green settings
blended into the existing landscape. Nowhere is this more
evident than along a specatular three-hole stretch woven through
rolling sand dunes directly along the Atlantic Ocean. The Jack
Nicklaus design is currently undergoing course renovations but
will reopen in October 2000.
Designed by the consensus pick as
the best contemporary architect in golf, Tom Fazio has left his
mark on Kiawah. At Osprey Point, Fazio used a superb natural
canvas to create a masterpiece in playability and variety. The
setting for the course features four large, natural lakes, fingers of
saltwater marsh, and dense maritime forests of live oaks, pines,
palmettos, and magnolias. Into that backdrop, Fazio blended a
par-72 layout that takes advantage of its setting. Ranked in Golf
Digest's "America's Top 75 Resort Courses," Osprey Point has
grown into one of the favorite courses on the island.
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