We had a family gathering last week on Kiawah Island and had the opportunity to play four different golf courses. Kiawah is known for the Ocean Course but in my rating it is no better than the third best course there. I will expand on that a little later. Now low country golf presents different challenges than we are used to here in Arizona, or in Minnesota for that matter. Given that this is in the Low Country it should surprise no one that water is in play both strategically and often. Also, especially in one case, I got up close and personal with some of the locals including this guy.

My ball came to rest less than 15 feet from him and while I did not take the time to measure him he was somewhere between eight and ten feet. Needless to say it did not take long to hit the shot and exit stage left. This fellow was not the only alligator around the courses during the week – there were many.

We arrived on Saturday but both Sunday and Monday were rainy and windy so no golf. On Tuesday we played Turtle Point an early Jack Nicklaus design. This is a very nice course and the easiest one that we played even though my score did not bear that out. From the Nicklaus tees the course measures 6,210 yards with a rating of 69.2 and a slope of 123. The fact that it was rather cool, maybe cold, and windy may have figured in to my lack of scoring prowess. Liked the course and will certainly play it again on my next trip to Kiawah.

Wednesday we played The River course one of the two private courses on Kiawah. Tom Fazio designed the course and I probably do not need to say much more. From the Kiawah tees – 6,246 yards – the course rating is 72.2 and the slope is 139. From the back the slope is 150! Generally the driving areas are generous but the approach shots are demanding – miss by five feet and you can be in trouble. The River Course is in my humble, or unhumble as the case may be, opinion by far the best course on Kiawah or in many other places. My comment was that I could play this course every day the rest of my life and die a happy man. Actually played this course much better than the less demanding Turtle Point.

Thursday we moved to Cassique the other private course that is a sharp contrast to the more tree-lined River Course. This Tom Watson design shows Tom’s affection for British Isles courses. A links layout with a rating of 71.5 and a slope of 137 again from the Kiawah tees at 6,146 yards. While the caddie we had on the River Course was a rookie and not much help our caddie on Cassique was top notch and invaluable. Knowing where to hit the ball is critical on Cassique as you cannot always see how the hole plays from the tee. Further some of the putts you would never see. For instance, I had one putt from about 15 feet above the hole and DOWNHILL. The caddie told me to putt it 90 degrees from the hole and only hit it about five feet, I didn’t make the putt but had a less than one-foot tap in. Left to my own devices I would have missed the hole by eight or ten feet! Both Cassique and the River Course are part of the private Kiawah Island Club. We had access to the Kiawah Island Club as my Son-In-Law has a Sports Club membership. I do not know what the reciprocal approach is at the Kiawah Island Club but if you are in the area try to play both courses.

Friday we moved to the Ocean Course. This Pete Dye design has hosted the Ryder Cup and both PGA and Senior PGA Championships. As the name implies the course plays along the Atlantic Ocean. From the Kiawah Tees at 6,202 yards the rating is 70.9 and the slope is 132. This was the fourth time I played the Ocean Course and was probably my last. The course while it is difficult is imminently playable but in my mind does not measure up to either The River or Cassique. Green fees are another matter – rack rate is $353.00 and the Kiawah Island owner’s rate is discounted? to $321.00. Enjoyed the round but I have the Ocean Course in the “Been There Done That” category.

On previous trips I played the Osprey Point, another Tom Fazio course and Oak Point Clubs. Oak Point did not impress me but I did really liked Osprey Point.

Those of you that have been to Charleston and the South Carolina Low Country know all about the wonderful dining and the resulting food comas but that is a subject for another post.

As you have probably surmised I am a fan of Kiawah Island golf and look forward to my return trip.