first time to augusta - golf options around Columbia SC

[Mark Arata]

I will go back and read all the other posts about Augusta and what to do when on property, but i do have one question as it relates to playing golf in the area around tourney time.

We are staying in Columbia SC, and am going with 3 guys who would rather play than watch, but are excited to see Augusta. They want to play Thursday and Friday, and go to the tourney on the weekend. They are all pretty good golfers (except me). Price isnt going to be an issue, but access would be, non of us are members of private courses........



Any suggestions on golf? Any good places to eat in Columbia? All responses appreciated. Thanks.

[Tim Gavrich]

Mid-Carolina GC in Prosperity is pretty decent.  I played in a US Junior Am qualifier there three years ago.

[Paul Jones]

It is a little of a drive, but you can play Reynolds Plantation - they have 4 courses, but you might have to stay on property.

[Paul Jones]

Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken I think is accessible during that week also - http://www.palmettogolfclub.net

[Anthony Fowler]

Cuscowilla is not much further from Augusta than Columbia.  What about that?  Kiawah is less than 3 hours and Pinehurst is less than 4.  I would easily drive that far for two days of golf in those spots.

[Matt_Ward]

Mark:

If you are going to be in Columbia the choices are fairly limited but I would suggest a possible visit to two I've played a few times while a student at USC.

The first is Lin-Rick -- owned by Richland Cunty and not far from the downtown area. The final five holes will make your visit there worthwhile -- especially the unique double-dog-leg par-5 16th.

The other is Hidden Valley in nearby Gaston. Years ago was a semi-private club and now it's open to public play. Has a few greens of note and as I mentioned is quite close by. Both courses, if memort serves, were designed by Russell Breeden.

If you need a course that's close to Augusta -- check out Persimmon Hill in Johnston-Saluda off highway 378. Two water guarded greens -- as risk and reward type par-5 holes -- the 11th is quite good for this type.

If I have a few more options in the Richland / Lexington county areas I'll forward ASAP.

All the ones I mentioned are quite affordable.

[Doug Spets]

Mark....

I'll cover public courses for you.....

I live in Columbia and have played everywhere.  In terms of public courses, Timberlake GC is situated on Lake Murray near Chapin SC.  Designed by Willard Byrd, the course has some outstanding holes...and an 18th hole finish right on the lake.  Conditions vary...but April should be pretty good.

Golden Hills.  In Lexington.  Ron Garl layout...a few goofy holes...but usually in outstanding shape.

Coopers Creek.  Pelion (nearly halfway between Augusta and Aiken).  A fun country golf course in the middle of nowhere.

Aiken Golf Club.  One of my absolute favorites.  Built in 1912...it stands the test of time.  Best, and toughest, set of par-3's you're likely to find anywhere.

Other options...Indian River (West Columbia), Northwoods (I-77 in Columbia), Oak Hills (we used to call it Rock Hills for obvious reasons), and the aforementioned Linrick and Hidden Valley.

[Carl Nichols]

Reynolds Plantation is already pretty pricey, and the prices go up during Masters week.

[Doug Spets]

And Renyolds Plantation is 2.5 hours from Columbia.

[Jamey Bryan]

With all respect to previous posters, I don't think the options have been fairly described.......

1)  Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken opens to play during Masters Week (for a handsome price).  So long as price is no problem, that has to be the best available course.  I'd suggest calling the club ASAP to determine availability.

2)  Camden Country Club  A Travis/Ross course which continues to test the best (hosting the South Carolina Mid-Am this weekend).  PM me if you'd like to play, I'm a member.

3)  Columbia Country Club  Ellis Maples, I think.....   Solid but unexciting course.  Excellent conditioning, generally, with excellent greens.  Private, but not too hard to access.  I can probably help here.

4)  Patriot Course in Greenwood.  An excellent newer course from the Love Group an hour or so from Columbia.

5)  Wood Creek Farms  A decent Fazio; actually I think it's one of his better mid-budget offerings.  Solid course with some really good holes.  Private but fairly accessible.   Conditioning is sometimes suspect but seems to be improving.

6)  Windimere  A true Pete and PB Dye, Pete did the front and PB did the back.  The front is mediocre by Pete's standards but I think the back is among PB's better efforts.  The combination is a fun, good test with a little quirk.  Private, but easy to access.

I'd agree that Mid Carolina and Golden Hills can be fun, but neither are really good courses.

Jamey

[Mark Arata]

Thanks for the info gents......will start working on it.... I think the other 3 folks are flying into Atlanta, and I am driving up from New Orleans and picking them up there. 

Jamey, thanks for the offer on Camden, I might have to take you up on that, I will IM you when I get all the details straight on my end.

I had thought about Pinehurst and Kiawah, but I will probably be the designated driver to a bunch of drunk Canadiens, so I think 4 hours will do too much damage to the interior of my car........Is Cuscowilla private? and
how handsome is handsome at Palmetto? just out of curiosity.......

[Jason Topp]

Mark:

This thread had good advice for us but we came from the opposite direction.  We flew in and out of Charlotte and did a Strantz/Ross trip while staying near Pinehurst.


http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,31084.0.html

[Anthony Fowler]

It appears that you can play Cuscowilla as an unaccompanied guest on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  There are also some stay and play packages that might be available for other days.

[Matt_Ward]

Doug:

What has been done to Sedgewood -- last I heard it had really gone south (no pun intended) in terms of overall conditions.

One other thing -- if I'm not mistaken the course at Fort Jackson is a George Cobb design. Don't know if it has any outside public play but I do remember the course quite well. The par-4 4th was quite a treat to play with one's approach - ditto the short but potentially driveable 17th. I understand a second 18 was added since and that different names have been given to each.

Any info you can provide is appreciated.

[jeffwarne]

Mark,
As you're approaching from Atlanta.
I assume you're already booked/committed in Columbia.

Play Long Shadow and or Cuscowilla the day you arrive. (wed?) on the way to Columbia.
Ideally stay near there Wed night.

Thursday-Play the one you missed (Cusc or Longshadow)
then   drive to Aiken(2 hours tops) and play Aiken golf club ($75 masters week) or Palmetto ($175 Masters week -inc. lunch and prob cart).
Stay thursday night columbia as planned


Friday play Camden CC (if available) and or something near Columbia.

Saturday morning, play Palmetto or Aiken Golf Club early(tee times start at 7 and play is brisk)-it's on the way.
The tournament doesn't start until 10 or 11 on the weekends.

Or some combination of this

Palmetto is open to the public and tee times are available Jan. 1.

Next year fly to Columbia-stay in Aiken.

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

Thanks for the info gents......will start working on it.... I think the other 3 folks are flying into Atlanta, and I am driving up from New Orleans and picking them up there. 

Jamey, thanks for the offer on Camden, I might have to take you up on that, I will IM you when I get all the details straight on my end.

I had thought about Pinehurst and Kiawah, but I will probably be the designated driver to a bunch of drunk Canadiens, so I think 4 hours will do too much damage to the interior of my car........Is Cuscowilla private? and
how handsome is handsome at Palmetto? just out of curiosity.......

It's only three hours to Kiawah...  I-20 to Columbia (one hour) then I-26 to Charleston (2 hours).

[Steve_Lemmon]

Make sure when you book the tee time whether you will be playing in a cattle call shotgun start which is somewhat common during Masters week. 

[Mark Arata]

Jeff, thanks for the info....I am not totally commited to Columbia, I have made hotel reservations there, but if I can find other places to stay in Aiken, I can do that.  I got two rooms at the residence inn Columbia for 139 a night...(marriott) I couldnt find anything closer that had rooms available, or was not ridiculously overpriced, but I admit I only looked at the major hotel chain sites.......

I am pretty sure that the intent of the group is to play Thursday and Friday and go watch the tournament Saturday and Sunday.

I like your ideas for Thursday and Friday.........thanks again for the suggestions.