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KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Is Pete Dye a genius or a madman? It depends on how
you’re swinging the club the day you play one of his designs.
The Ocean Course at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a lesson in beauty and
brutality. Unless you’re having a great day off the tee, there’s no place
where your ball is safe — and by safe, we mean free from sand, waste areas,
tall grass, and brush.
For the crooked, the news gets worse: The ranger said there’s no OB on this
gem near Charleston. That’s why a forecaddie is an absolute necessity.
There’s good reason why the 1991 Ryder Cup, 2007 Senior PGA Championship,
and 2012 PGA Championship were and will be held at this monster by the sea —
it’s backbreaking.
But it’s also as beautiful and well-conditioned a course as you’ll see. The
stretch from holes 14 to 18 runs along the Atlantic. Every shot is uniquely
demanding: Not only are the tee shots difficult because of the wind and the
occasional forced carry, the roar of the waves and the beautiful view are
quite distracting.
And as for the 17th hole, site of Mark Calcavecchia’s famous meltdown at the
1991 Ryder Cup, it’s beyond difficult. The back tees measure 221 yards, with
the regular-guy tees standing 182 yards away.
There’s water from tee grass to green and trouble in back. Sure,
Calcavecchia’s harpoon-like shot into the water was misplayed. But anyone
who calls him a choker has not stood at that tee and wondered, “How am I
going to get this onto that green?”
Kiawah Island Golf Resort isn’t a one-trick pony. The property has four
other courses (Osprey Point, Turtle Point, Oak Point, and Cougar Point) and
all of them are quite fetching. What’s interesting about the resort is that
seemingly all year-round, employees play golf.
When polled informally, all of them seem to prefer Osprey Point, the Tom
Fazio-designed resort course that is immaculate. Designed as a private
course, it’s now open to the public, offers conditioning to match the Ocean
Course, and it’s easier on the pocket and the ego.
Speaking of the wallet, the name of the resort’s five-diamond hotel says it
all — The Sanctuary. No expense was spared in constructing this gorgeous
oceanfront property. And its staff takes the customer-first approach to a
whole new level. The crew at The Sanctuary goes out of its way to converse
with guests, ask them about their stay, and offer advice on where to eat,
what to do, and where to go.
None of these amenities are cheap — a round of golf on the Ocean Course is
$298 before taxes, tips, and caddie fees — and room rates aren’t even listed
on the website.
But, sometimes to pamper yourself, you’ve got to come out of the pocket.
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