Tag: Davis Love III

  • Hilton Head Island’s Golf Gems

    Hilton Head Island’s Golf Gems

    Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III Hole #15
    Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III Hole #15 – Photo courtesy of The Sea Pines Resort / Rob Tipton

    All eyes were on “Golf Island” in April as the PGA TOUR came to Hilton Head. The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing – a Lowcountry tradition and South Carolina’s only PGA TOUR event – was played on the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort on April 13 – 16.

    Both on and off-island layouts are experiencing some of the best course conditions in years. Coupled with temperatures in the 70s and more direct flights than ever into Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport, spring is the perfect time to visit Golf Island. Keep reading to learn about some of the golf gems in Hilton Head and the surrounding area.

    On-Island Gems

    Harbour Town Golf Links, designed by the legendary Pete Dye, is a favorite venue among TOUR players, and anchors a stable of championship-caliber tracks across Hilton Head Island. Here’s a sampling of some of the destination’s most challenging and player-friendly layouts appealing to a wide swath of players.

    Hole 4 Heron Point
    Hole #4 Heron Point – Photo courtesy of The Sea Pines Resort / Rob Tipton

    Also designed by Dye, Heron Point was named South Carolina’s 2015 Golf Course of the Year. Dye supervised recent enhancements including softening green surrounds and contours, enlarging several putting surfaces and adding numerous ornamental landscape beds. Additionally, the putting surfaces were transitioned to Tif-Eagle Bermuda.

    Opened in October 2016, Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III is a complete reconstruction of the historic Ocean Course, Hilton Head Island’s first course. The new layout features entirely rebuilt holes with modern shot values and scenic corridors. The pronounced seaside ambience and Lowcountry feel is accented by coquina shells and seaside grass.

    Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort also showcases a trio of tournament-tier golf courses, designed by three legendary architects: Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio and Arthur Hills. Switch things up by renting a Golf Bike instead of a cart for your round.

    The Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes sports one of only two oceanfront holes on Hilton Head Island. It is widely renowned for its open, inviting layout and challenging yet fair play. It is the most open of the three and breezes roll off the Atlantic Ocean to constantly affect play.  Ranked one of Golfweek’s “Best Resort Courses” for 2017, the Jones Course appeals to novices and experienced players alike.

    Hilton Head Island’s only public par-70 design, the George Fazio Course at Palmetto Dunes has just two par 5s, both offering a good opportunities to score. The layout balances open, tree-lined fairways on the front nine with tighter and more severe routing on the back nine. With new, state-of-the-art Diamond Zoysia greens, the Fazio Course delivers a peak golf experience.

    Palmetto Dunes - Arthur Hills #16
    Palmetto Dunes – Arthur Hills #16

    Measuring 6,651 yards from the tips, the Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes places a premium on accuracy and precision rather than distance. With an extensive network of lagoons winding through 10 different holes, continuous lines of dunes and thick stands of palmettos, the Hills Course seamlessly integrates the area’s natural beauty into its challenging design.

    Off-Island Gems

    Just over the bridge from Hilton Head Island, Old South Golf Links showcases the natural beauty of the Lowcountry. At this local favorite, golfers play beneath towering live oaks and alongside the Intracoastal marshes of Mackays Creek. Three holes end at picturesque island-like greens. Water and wetland pose a threat on all but three holes. Recognized by Golf Digest as one of the “Top 10 New Public Courses” of 1992, Old South remains one of the area’s finest layouts 25 years later.

    The Pete Dye Signature Golf Course at Hampton Hall is a classic links style with wide fairways and landing areas, unobstructed green approaches and a safe route on every hole. Playing at 7,503 yards from the tips, length is an important factor. Nestled within a private golf community, the course does allow limited outside play. Golfers may call the pro shop up to one week in advance to schedule a tee time.

    Day Tripper

    Less than an hour north of Hilton Head Island, visitors can combine American military history with a round of golf. Situated within Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, The Legends Golf Course at Parris Island features beautiful marsh views and a challenging – and unique – golf experience. Originally designed by Fred Findley and George Cobb in the 1940s, the par-72 course was redesigned by Clyde Johnston in 2000. Last September it became the first military golf course in the world to earn the Golf Environment Organization’s certification. Parris Island has been training Marines since 1915. Before or after a round of golf, visitors can explore the depot’s many monuments, statues and memorials commemorating generations of Marines.

    A designated Wildlife Sanctuary, Fripp Island’s 3000 acres of natural beauty are home to over 175 species of birds as well as raccoons, gators and an abundance of deer. Its two courses – Ocean Point and Ocean Creek – have at least one thing in common: spectacular scenery. A George Cobb design, Ocean Point boasts dramatic views of the ocean or inlet on 10 of its 18 holes. Both the front and back nine finish against a stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. The other layout, Ocean Creek, was Davis Love III’s first signature course. Its magnificent panoramic views of the Great Salt marsh and freshwater lakes are ideal for viewing some of the abundant wildlife in their natural habitat.

    Sanctuary Golf Club at Cat Island is a player-friendly layout that rewards good shots. Although a selection of elevated greens appear daunting, overall the course is a fair test. Located on a 400+ acre barrier island, Sanctuary Golf Club is Lowcountry golf at its best with statuesque oak trees draped in Spanish moss and splendid views of Port Royal Sound throughout.

    Grab your clubs and journey to Hilton Head Golf Island. Natural beauty, outstanding golf and a relaxing island vibe await your arrival.

  • Course Review – Kinderlou Forrest in Valdosta Georgia

    240 miles south of Atlanta, near the Florida state line and along the I-75 corridor lies the city of Valdosta, Georgia. About 45000 people live in Valdosta, and the town was named ESPN’s Titletown, USA in 2008. It may not be known as a golfer’s mecca, but this town has certainly augmented it’s reputation with the addition of Kinderlou Forest Golf Club to it’s golf course resume.

    Kinderlou_sign

    Founded in 2004, Kinderlou Forest Golf Club sits on 160 acre site who’s history dates back to 1863. It is named after Louisa McRee, The original land owner George McRee’s sister “Kinder” is German for children and “Lou” is a reference to Louisa McRee. Kinderlou is not known as a golf destination, but it probably should be. It is within 3.5 hours of Atlanta, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Orlando. My recent trip package, booked through the Comfort Inn Conference Center in Valdosta, included two nights accommodations and unlimited golf at Kinderlou Forest for only $180. For more info on their golf packages, check out the Kinderlou Website for more info.

    Davis Love III was tapped to design Kinderlou, and he did a fantastic job. The course is a classic type of layout with no tricky holes or strange design elements. He used the natural lay of the land and didn't force the design upon it, which gives you the impression that the course has been here all along, he just had to cut some holes. The front nine makes its way through some uncharacteristically hilly terrain for Southern Georgia, and runs through a hardwood forest of Oak, Hickory and Dogwoods. Several holes find their way through an open meadow, giving it a bit of a linksy feel before returning to the clubhouse. The back nine winds through a planted pine forest, giving it a totally different feel compared to the front nine. Kinderlou has been host to several Hooters Tour and Nationwide Tour events over the years, and also hosts the First Stage of the PGA Tour School this October. The course is always in excellent shape, with tees and fairways planted with TifSport Bermuda and TifEagle on the greens. Both times I have played the course the greens were running between 10 and 12 on the stimpmeter. The first time I visited the course was a few days before last year's Nationwide Tournament, and it was an interesting experience coming up 18 with the bleachers and tents everywhere. Unfortunately for me, nobody was watching and cheering me on.

    hole1

    This course has something for everyone. The back tees, if you are man enough (or dumb enough) stretch all the way back to 7781 yards. It's a good test of golf for sure, but in my opinion it doesn't quite play to it's marked distance. The fairways are generous and the greens large, averaging almost 7000 square feet in size. In dry conditions the course will most likely play 300 or 400 yards shorter in my estimation. Check out the official scorecard for last years, South Georgia Classic on the Nationwide Tour. Just for reference, the winning score at this years tournament was 13 under. My friends and I played the next set of tees, measuring 7200 yards or so. The next set is at about 6700 yards, and there are a few more sets of tees making the course friendly for all ages and abilities. The practice area is large, with a double-ended range and large putting green. The balls are provided free or charge when you play, and the range is well kept and targets are plentiful. There is also a staging area near the putting green, which sits at the halfway point between the first and tenth tees. It also serves to reduce cart clutter around the clubhouse. The staff was always friendly and helpful, and the pro shop was well stocked with everything you might need. The restaurant is polished and comfortable, and the food was very good. I especially recommend the sweet potato fries!

    kinderlou_clubhouse

    The two things that impressed me the most about this facility is the care taken to keep the course in prime condition, and the decision to set the home sites far back from the golf course. Although the course was in fantastic shape when we last played it, they had received several inches of rain that week. There was no standing water or casual water on the course, and mud balls were minimal, but the superintendent restricted the players to the cart paths only. Many people would complain at the inconvenience, but this kind of attention ensures that the course stays in tip top shape. The development company also made a decision at some point to set the home sites far back from the golf course, giving the homeowners more privacy (and land) and giving the golfers a more intimate golf experience without the distractions of cars, kids and radios. Kinderlou Forest Golf Club is a first-class golf facility and should not be missed if you live in Central or Northern Florida and Southern Georgia. The Course is fair, fun, has great variety and is in great shape. The facilities are clean and welcoming and the staff is friendly and helpful. Valdosta has plenty to offer in terms of dining and accommodation, and is located right off the interstate, making access quick and easy. Overall this is a must-play golf course, and with packages this cheap it's also a great value.

    Hole #6

    If you've never been to Kinderlou, I suggest you plan a weekend away and try it. If you have played it before, let me know how you liked it!