My dad and I decided to go on a trip for his big birthday, which of course had to be golf related! He loves golf and being his only child, I didn't have a choice to not love golf. As I got older (within the last few years), the more I appreciated the world of the sport. It is pure talent. It is unlike any other sport, you can't just pick up a club and swing like Tiger Woods, it takes lots of practice. I'm very fortunate for my parents teaching me at a very young age. So when we were thinking of places to go, the first idea I had was Scotland. Well, since that was very far away and I am now a working girl, we decided to explore the golf on this side of the pond. There are so many places I want to explore! As I am a golf specialist in my office, it was hard to give up Scotland! The next problem was finding a golf course that my dad hasn't played. But we managed and found Kiawah and Sea Island!
Kiawah Island, South Carolina:
For those who are unfamiliar with Kiawah Island, this destination should be on your “to do” list. One of the most beautiful places I’ve been to in the United States, it is a destination for families and golfers alike.
A gorgeous one hour drive from the Charleston Airport, big Oak Trees hovering over the 1 road to Kiawah Island, is a sight your eyes will not forget.You pass through a “gate” that takes you to the Sanctuary Hotel. We valeted our car (which is complimentary when booking through Frosch), and were immediately welcomed with open arms. The Sanctuary was rated #3 best resort on the mainland US and #37 Best in the World top 100 in Conde Nast Traveler. Kiawah got #3 in the top 10 Islands
We got to our Ocean View rooms in the west wing and got ready for our first day of golf. The rooms were big, the bathrooms were even more spacious, and the ocean views from the balcony were defintely appreciated.
There are 5 golf courses on Kiawah Island: Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Oak Point, Cougar Point, and the most famous, The Ocean Course.
M ended up playing The Ocean Course twice and Osprey once. We played Osprey the first day we arrived. Osprey, a Tom Fazio course, is nothing to write home about. You need a cart, as you are weaving through houses to get to the next hole. Don’t get me wrong, all of us golfers believe a day out on the course is better than any other day not on the course.The coolest part about the course were all of the alligators. They were EVERYWHERE!
The next day we played at The Ocean Course. No words can do this course justice for what it is, so I will let the facts impress you and quite frankly, you will just have to play it to understand.
- Pete Dye designed
- Ranked 25th in Golf Digest's 100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses List
- Ranked 4th on Best Public Course List
- You can put from 10+ feet off the green
- Pete Dye's wife suggested raising the entire course so every player can have an unobstructed view of the Atlantic coastline from every hole (and like a smart man, listened to his wife)
- One of the hardest courses in the country from the back tees
- Hosted the Ryder Cup in 1991, and now 21 years later, going to be hosting the PGA Championship in early August
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Wanamaker Trophy
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We had an incredible caddie, Grant, who was not only beyond useful in our game, but he was friendly, a joy to talk with, and actually had a personality. I’ve never experienced such a knowledgeable and outgoing caddie. He even told us of the best BBQ in Kiawah called JB’s Smokehous. The point is, if you go to the Ocean Course, ask if he can be your caddie!
We were so thrilled with the Ocean course after we finished, that we decided to check to see if we could play another round the next day! Fortunately, they were able to fit us in at 9:50 AM and cancel our tee time for Turtle Point.
Unfortunately, we were not able to try the other courses. We did not realize that Turtle Point was a Jack Nicklaus course before we decided to play the Ocean Course again. We were not devastated, but I guess it is just a reason to go back to Kiawah!
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| Ocean Course |
The Food:
JB Smokehouse was for dinner after the first day on the Ocean Course. Now, my dad's number 1 priority being in the south was to get "good ol' southern Q!" This place was about 15-20 minutes away from the Sanctuary. Grant said to us "do not turn away when you see the outside of the place@" I will say the same thing to you It is a little shack. $11.50 all you can eat. Brisket, port, veggies, chicken, ribs, and the most infamous...the fried chicken. The crunchiness of the batter and not to mention the seasoning! Voila, good job JB's.
Cherrywood BBQ and Ale House at the Osprey Point Course was sufficient after another day out on the Ocean Course. The highlight was an appetizer, the Sweet Jalapeno Pimento Cheese. It was served with pita chips and was absolutely delicious!
Jasmine Porch is in the Sanctuary and the place to eat breakfast every morning. Booking with Frosch gets you complimentary full breakfast daily :). We took advantage of it, and ate there every morning before golf. You could either choose the buffet or order. If you are on a time frame, do the buffet as ordering takes them a while for some reason.
Part II at Sea Island, Georgia will be up soon, keep your eyes out for it!
**Don't forget to watch the PGA Championship in August, which is played at the Ocean Course, I sure won't!**
-Mar
Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented - Arnold Palmer
Photos by Stanley Silberstein
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