Conference 7.286::golf

    I'm heading for Havlock N.C. and Charleston S.C. this comming weekend
    for a week and a half of Golf.  Can anyone recommend any courses in
    these area's.  I'll have to travel rt. 17 from one to the other and
    would like to know which of all the courses around Mirtle Beach is
    a "Not to miss".  I've heard of Kiawa near Charleston...
    
    Regards Kevin,

   There are several really nice courses on Kiawah, which is a little over a
   half an hour from Charleston.  I was there about a while ago, and I played
   Turtle Point and the Ocean Course twice.  Turtle Point is a very nice Jack
   Nicklaus course with three spectacluar holes along the ocean.  The Ocean 
   Course is where they played the Ryder Cup last year and it's unbelievable.
   Bring a LOT of balls.  From the back tees almost every drive requires 175+
   yards of carry to a small (and usually blind) landing area.  It's a real
   challenge, definitely the hardest course I've ever played.  Kiawah also has
   two other courses which I did not get to play, but that are rated in GD's 
   top resort courses.  Osprey Point is a Gary Player course which we checked
   out while we were there and it looked beautiful.

  Hope this helps,

     Evan

    Hi Kevin,

        My wife and I spent last week on Kiawah (4/3-4/10).  We didn't play
    any of the Kiawah courses due to cost, but I have played some of them
    in the past.  Turtle Point and Osprey Point (mentioned in a previous
    note) are both outstanding.  I preferred Osprey Point.  Greens fees are
    high and I THINK you have to be a guest of the resort in order to
    play.  Fees as of last week (for 18):

                        Ocean Course:  $130.00
                        Osprey Point:  $ 90.00
                        Turtle Point:  $ 90.00
                        Marsh Point:   $ 80.00

        There is a course just south of Kiawah Island that I have played
    many times.  It is called The Links At Stono Ferry.  It is a challenging
    track with several holes along the Stono River.  Fees change through
    the day depending upon the time.  Tee off before 9:00 AM Monday-Thursday
    and greens fees are NINE DOLLARS ($9.00) with a cart.  The course is 
    much nicer than courses around here getting top dollar.  Its just a few
    minutes off of 17 so it would be easy to get to.  We played 54 holes
    there last week and its in great shape.

        Another course that you'll find on 17 is Charleston National.
    We didn't play there but we looked the course over pretty good.  It
    was architected by Rees Jones and looks like something you'd expect
    from a Robert Trent-Jones decendent.  It looked very well kept, and 
    not that busy.

        I spoke to a few locals and they said that most of the courses in
    the area a worth a trip.  Pick up a Charleston phone book and you'll 
    find a full listing.

        We had one day of rain and several of 75 degree sunshine.  They
    hit a record of 87 on Monday of this week.  April is a beautiful time
    to be down there.  I'm jealous.  Looking for a partner?


                                - Dean -

    Thanks so much for the quick responses Evan and Dean, and yes I'll be
    looking for 1-3 partners 8^) as I'll be by my lonesome.  Though that's
    the way I've gotten use to playing, sunrise to sunset 8^).  So I'll be
    looking for a course that will not deter me from doing so and I can't
    stand to take a cart.  As for the the expensive one's you listed Dean
    ouchhhhhhh, and I though the Samoset/Sugarloaf resort areas here in Me.
    were steep (pun intended) $35-40 here!  Plus I'll be staying with
    relatives who are retired Air Force so I'm sure to hit the base, just
    hope I'll not be disappointed with it.  I spent 3 1/2 years in
    Charlietown with uncle sam as well but hadn't taken up the game then,
    and from what I saw of the snakes... 8^)  Should I neglect to look for
    the stray balls or not? 8^)  I'm not really interested in indulging
    big $'s so early in the season.  I'd be content with playing the good
    public links that won't frown on me being there all day, can you think
    of any?
    
    Regards, Kevin

    To follow up on my note in 1214.1... I played twice at the Carolina
    Pines G.C.  This course is in very good condition and greens fees where
    very reasonable $14 midweek $18 weekends w/out cart.  Greenbrier and
    River Bend are two others that I didn't get the chance to play but I
    heard very good things about.  I played at the Cherry Point base but
    was not all that impressed with the condition of it, though it plays
    quite tuff.

    As for Charleston area courses 1. The Links at Stono Ferry  2.
    Shadowmoss 3. Pine Forest  All three where less than $20.  If you like
    playing very difficult courses that have camel backed greens with land
    mines, shark infested waters, giant worms in the dunes, and huge mounded
    bunkers as protecting elements then make sure you play Pine Forest. 
    When this course matures it will be perhaps one of the best ones in
    the area.

    Regards Kevin,