This resort, which was named to GOLF MAGAZINE's 2002 list of "Silver Medal Resorts," features four outstanding eighteen hole courses. The Ocean Course (1000 Ocean Course Dr., Kiawah Island, SC 29455) played host to the 1991 Ryder Cup. The difficulty on this course is due to the numerous dunes, marshes, and sand bunkers spread throughout its design. Water hazards come into play at least sixteen times. The fairways are wide open, but there is no rough. There are a variety of greens that vary in size. This is a very scenic course with a view of the ocean on every hole. GOLF MAGAZINE ranked this course 12th among the "Top 100 Courses in the U.S." in 2002, 91st in 1995, 90th in 1997 and 72nd in 1999. The same publication selected it 10th under the category of the "Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S." for 1998. The Ocean Course was selected by the PGA of America to host it's 2005 Club Pro Championship. Undoubtedly one of Pete Dye's most superb designs, The Ocean Course received worldwide attention as the host of the dramatic 1991 Ryder Cup matches, dubbed "the War at the Shore," and the 1997 World Cup of Golf. A recent article in Cigar Aficionado rated it the 4th most difficult course in North America. At 7,296 yards, The Ocean Course offers spectacular views along two and one half miles of Atlantic Ocean. With ten holes directly on the Atlantic and the other eight winding through the surrounding marshes and dunes, The Ocean Course offers a natural links-style environment reminiscent to the great courses of Scotland, and boast upwards of 50 sand bunkers. Forecaddies accompany all groups until 2pm tee times. No walking caddies (although discussions on implementing such a program are underway.) The head golf professional at The Ocean Course is Brian Gerard. Golf Packages are available, and you may make your tee time reservations when making your hotel accommodations. The green fees for each of the four courses are seasonal and subject to change several times throughout the year.
Guests may stay in villas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons, tennis courts or the fairways. The villas include complete kitchens. There is a 150 room Kiawah Island Inn also available for room accommodations. Amenities and activities include tennis, bike rides, nature tours, kayak tours and 10-mile-long private beach.
In West Beach, located by the Kiawah Island Inn, you may dine poolside at the Sundancer Grill, at the formal Atlantic Room or the informal West Beach Café. In East Beach you may dine poolside at the Night Heron Park Grill or The Village Bistro. Osprey Point's Clubhouse offers formal dining while The Ocean Course Grill offers a more relaxed menu (and some of the best Crabcakes and burgers in the Lowcountry). Mingo Point offers Lowcountry barbecues with a pig-pull and a Carolina oyster roast. Dining is along the beautiful Kiawah River to the melodies of the coastal area's finest Bluegrass musicians. For more information or reservations call (800) 654-2924 or (843) 768-2121. The Ocean Course will close from June 1, 2002 and reopen September 16, 2002. During that time Pete Dye will be making substantial changes to the Ocean Course. Architectural changes will be made to seven holes, all greens will be resurfaced with TifEagle Bermuda, and fairways and roughs will be sprigged with parspalum. Many of the tee boxes will be enlarged, and new tee boxes will be added on four holes. In addition, much of the bunkering throughout the course will be modified.
The most significant architectural changes, however, will take place on holes number 2, 4 and 18. On hole number 2, the second marsh crossing, which is about 110 yards from the green, will be bulkheaded making it more visible. This change will make shots less likely to trickle out of play. On number 4, Dye plans to add fairway to the left side of the tee-shot landing area. This will turn the hole more left to right giving players a better angle into the green. In addition, the tees will be raised a bit and shifted to the left and the fairway will be shaved down giving players a view of the marsh crossing on the far side of the landing area.
The biggest change planned will be on number 18. Dye plans to move the entire green complex out toward the ocean where he originally wanted to place the green. "This change will make for one of the most dramatic finishing holes in golf. Standing at the top of the hill on 18th fairway, the player's second shot will be almost directly toward the pounding surf of the Atlantic," Cuthbert said. Future plans call for a new clubhouse near the 18th green.

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