Charleston & its Resort Islands - Twenty Courses in History
Since its founding in 1670, the Charleston area has been famous for its many historic “firsts,” ranging from the first museum in America to the first shots of the Civil War. 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 and Harleston Green were established in what is now downtown Charleston. In fact, the term “green fee” is thought to have evolved from the membership fees paid to maintain the area green where they played. In 1891 the Pine Forest Inn opened in the nearby town of Summerville, and featured 130 acres of golf links. Soon thereafter, in the mid-1920’s, three courses were built in the Charleston area featuring Bermuda grass greens. While Harleston Green and the Pine Forest Inn have since faded from memory, they helped establish a heritage of golfing excellence that is evident throughout the Lowcountry today.
In the late 1970’s, Tom Fazio visited the area and found a very special piece of land that offered all of the elements for the making of a great golf course. Affording massive ancient sand dunes and twisted oaks, the Isle of Palms was the perfect setting for a true links course. Since its 1980 Labor Day opening, the Wild Dunes Links Course has been described as the perfect combination of Scotland and the Caribbean.
In 1991, the eyes of the international media opened to the quality of golf available in the Charleston area when The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosted the most fiercely contested Ryder Cup matches in history. Since then Kiawah Island has become a haven for international competition, hosting the 1997 and 2003 World Cup of Golf, as well as the 2001and 2004 UBS Warburg Cup. The challenge of Charleston golf is not, however, restricted to its resort courses! Throughout the area you’ll find the best efforts of the world’s top architects, including Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, Arthur Hills, and Robert Trent Jones Sr. From courses set on historic plantations and former revolutionary war battlefields, to magnificent seaside links, Charleston’s courses offer it all! And, as one of the South’s most cosmopolitan destinations, you’ll also find outstanding restaurants, shopping and resort beaches.
The area's genuine Southern hospitality assures you a warm welcome and a pleasant pace of play as you enjoy each and every round.
Experience the advantages of golf " Charleston style” by calling Charleston Golf, Inc. in the contact information provided... We’ve made it easy to create, price and book your golf vacation with a single phone call or visit to our website!
