When Bernhard Langer missed that three-foot putt in 1991 to give the U.S. the Ryder Cup, the real victory that day belonged to the Cup’s host venue, Kiawah Island Resort. Twenty years removed from that fateful day and one year prior to hosting the 2012 PGA Championship, the South Carolina retreat is now arguably the top golf resort east of the Mississippi. No offense to Pinehurst or Sea Island, and it may not be fair to offer comparisons, but Kiawah whispers to its guests in a way other well-heeled golf institutions cannot.
Arriving at Kiawah Island’s Sanctu-
ary Hotel is like arriving for a round of golf at the course you played as a kid—the air is thick with nostalgia and even if it’s your first time, it’s the most welcoming place in the world. The Sanctuary’s 255 plush rooms, 11 restaurants, two pools, two complete
tennis complexes and relaxing atmo- sphere make you think you could melt your stress away. Then it’s time to tee it up and the mood changes dramatically. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island hits you right in the mouth. And while Kiawah’s other courses can’t match
the “second bests” at comparable world- class resorts (Spyglass Hill at Pebble Beach or Course No. 4 at Pinehurst), the layouts are all playable and fun. The Ocean Course however is the 800-pound gorilla that doesn’t let up, leaving you feeling great about a crafty par on the 18th hole to break 100. Next August the golf world will be
reintroduced to the beauty and splendor that is Kiawah Island. Even the most casual of golf fans will add Kiawah to their bucket list after a week of aerial views and television coverage highlight- ing the course and the barrier island during the golf season’s final major, the 2012 PGA championship. Pete Dye designed the course in
1991 on the easternmost end of Kiawah Island, a spectacular yet exposed part of land just inside the coast. Wind and weather conditions factor into every shot, making even the straightforward approach a challenge. Trustworthy caddies claim that winds can make an eight-club difference depending on the strength of the swirling sea breeze. The course accolades speak for
themselves, ranked 26th in Golf Digest’s “100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses List” and 4th on “Best Public Course List.” One must walk the land and take the challenge of playing the dunes course to fully appreciate the nuances and dif- ficulty. Dye is known for over-the-top design techniques including railroad bunker ties, but in this case he intel- ligently lets the beauty of the natural landscape steal the show. And what a landscape it is—nearly
three miles of pristine sand dunes stretching along a postcard-worthy beach. In 2007, the course opened a new shingle-style clubhouse reminiscent of an oversized ritzy Hamptons cottage that marks the perfect spot to end the day with a meal or drink. The course unravels like any good
act, warming up over time and reach- ing its crescendo with a breathtaking and exacting three-hole closing stretch. The par-5 16th is blind off the tee and narrows as you approach the tight green fiercely guarded by bunkers. No shot on this hole is safe as the lay up can be daunting because of strong winds and waste bunkers that pinch the landing areas. The par-3 17th plays over water
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