At this year's Dixie Cup, we played three really good golf courses. I think Aiken was the biggest surprise of the bunch. I know that there have been some posts about the course before, but I was wholly unprepared for the experience. It reminded me so much of the obscure, quirky places that Sean Arble posts. I would be thrilled to have this course in my town.
The course was originally built in 1912 to complement a resort hotel. The course started out with just eleven holes and the remaining seven were added by their professional who had worked with Flynn & Ross. I'm not sure who laid out the original holes, but they did a great job.
I failed to get a photo of the first tee shot. The course opens with a 330 yard par four. Total distance from the tips is barely 6000 yards and a par of 70 or 71 depending on the tees you play from. Great greens provide adequate challenge.
Looking back towards the tee.
From the second tee. The 1st & 17th share a double green.
From the 17th green looking over to the playing area of the first.
And one last look at the first from around the 18th tee. This green gives you a hint of what awaits.
The second is a 465 yard par five. The tee shot is blind.
From the forward tees you can see the fairway.
Reaching the green in two requires a well positioned tee shot which is difficult given the angle. The green is sited perfectly.
The third hole defies description. It's a 402 yard par 4. There are trees on both sides of the fairway, but still plenty of room (certainly more that it appears from the tee). The fairway drops off sharply on the left side, and there is a small hazard if you drive it too far on the left side.
The approach is intimidating due to a green partially hidden by a wetlands hazard.
A small bunker also protects the green from a run-up shot. Note the small bridge that spans a little drainage area. This wasn't marked as a hazard.
From the fourth tee looking back towards the green. Railroad tracks run down the left side of the hole (right side in the photo).
Hopefully there are some better photos than mine, especially of the third hole.