With all due respect to the above posters, I have to weigh in again
(yes, I am a homer)
Aiken, Palmetto, and Musgrove are all over an hour away from Columbia. While I agree they are all outstanding venues, they don't really suit as a primary club for a Columbia resident.
Ft. Jackson's courses are decent military golf, but are hardly courses I would go out of my way to play nor would I want to play them all the time. I get bored easily, and they bore me.
Columbia CC I think is pretty good, and the conditions are generally excellent. As Bill said, it's a solid "members" course and the greens are fun to putt. That being said (and with deference to my friend Brent), I just don't find the routing very interesting. My approach shots at Columbia seem to be all the same, and angles don't seem to matter much.
Courses which haven't been mentioned:
WoodCreek Farms
A pretty good Fazio. Hosts the local Hooters event (this weekend). Fun to play with some very good holes and only a couple of also rans. Conditioning is often suspect, and club finances are questionable.
Windermere Golf Club
9 hole by Pete Dye, and 9 by PB. In my opinion (and I generally dislike PB courses) this is one of PB's best (with an average Pete contribution). I think this is a fun course to play, but would not want to play it all the time. The club has always struggled financially, and I'd hesitate to recommend joining.
University Club courses
Decent courses, but since the Ginn acquisition big dollars and unknown future.
Northwoods Golf Club
Along with Columbia CC, the home of most of the better Columbia players. Designed by PB Dye, I personally dislike this course. It's got some good holes, but a lot of bad ones (and doesn't drain well which is a pet peeve).
Originally, though, Kirk was looking for Golden Age designs in the Columbia area. As far as quality in that quadrant, there is only one answer (which I still submit is the hidden jewel) and that is Camden. A Travis routing with Ross greens is hard to beat anywhere.
Note to Bill: Family problems will keep me from getting to this year's Dixie Cup, but I still think Camden/Palmetto with a Musgrove option should be a good option for next year. I hate to miss this year and hope ya'll have a great time.
Jamey