[Brian Cenci]

Would like any opinions on any of the following courses in the Charleston area.  Trying to do a little research for a trip.  Any info or comparisons would be appreciated.

Caledonia, Wild Dunes, True Blue, Briar's Creek, Daniel Island (both courses)

[Jay Flemma]

Brian, I did pieces on Caledonia, True Blue, and Wild Dunes.  I love Caledonia, Like True Blue, and thought Wild Dunes is - as we say in Italian - mezza-mezza.

Wild Dunes:  http://jayflemma.thegolfspace.com/?p=311

Cali and TB:  http://jayflemma.thegolfspace.com/?p=225

[Jerry Kluger]

Caledonia and True Blue are not in the Charleston area - I would guess that they are at least an hour away.  If you want a Strantz course in Charleston it is Bulls Bay - though it is private.

[Jay Flemma]

Jerry, I see what you mean about it being an hour away, but heck, that's like the difference between north myrtle and Pawley's and travelers ROUTINELY make that trip.  When you're down there, an hour is nothing.

[Brian Cenci]

Jay,
     I didn't know that Wild Dunes lost its 18th green.  When did this happen?

-Brian

[Mike Mosely]

October

http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/oct/03/wind_tides_cut_away_at_isle_palms17914/

[Jay Flemma]

Yeah, it happened this fall.  Talk about lightning striking twice in the same place...after Hurricane Hugo devastated the place in '89.

I hope they'll come back somehow.  Always remember what the San Franciscans said to the earthquake, "We'll build ourselves another town so you can tear it down again."

[CJ Carder]

Caledonia is one of my favorite courses that I've ever played.  Just a fun, seemingly old, well designed layout.  And despite being in Myrtle Beach, you really feel like you're off somewhere away from everything else.  If I get a chance later, I'll be happy to post some pictures from when I was down there. 

[Jay Flemma]

Nice, CJ.  Thanks.  You definitely feel that the cares of the world are miles away there...

Have you got a good pic of 13 green?

[CJ Carder]

Here's some of my pics from my visit to Caledonia 2 years ago.  Apologies in advance for the ugly date stamp - I forgot my camera on the trip and wound up having to use my dad's (he prefers the date stamp for some unknown reason).

Onwards to Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - approach to the par 5 2nd....


Approach to the par 4 4th - the tall trees are a great example of Caledonia's intimate feel...


Green on the 10th...


The par 3 11th - a great example of a creek fronting a green posing a diagonal hazard... excellent hole right here...


On cue for Jay Flemma - the 13th.  Sorry it's not a great pic, Jay... best I had. 


Green on the long par 4 14th - getting there is only half the challenge...


Great little par 3 17th - one of 5 on the course...


Approach to 18...


Better view of 18 green... it's a tiny green...

[Brian Cenci]

Great pics.  Its got a little bit less of a "scruffy" look to it than other Strantz courses like Royal New Kent and Tobacco Road.

[Matt MacIver]

I loved Caladonia and will play it again.  I've seen Bulls Bay and it looks like a must- play if you can. 

I enjoyed RiverTowne and liked Dunes West.  I've played Wild Dunes links and didn't get it -- only really enjoyed the closing holes, which are now under water. 

PS: Kiawah is only a 30 minute drive -- aside from the must- play Ocean Course there are two well- regarded privates (River and Cassique) and four other publics, although I wouldn't trade Caladonia for any of the four and would rather see True Blue first. 

[Jason Connor]

I loved Caledonia and liked True Blue.
Caledonia would definitely be worth the drive for me.  And there is probably a decent replay rate on True Blue, it's right across the street.

I just had a buddy take a consulting gig in Charleston. Does anyone know how tough it is to get on Bulls Bay?  Could my local pro call and get me on there?

[Anthony_Nysse]

COUNTRY CLUB OF CHARLESTON....In my opinion, it's a better overall course than Yeamans, but I look at conditioning a little harder than most. Great Renovation work in 2006.....

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Colonial CC
Ft. Worth, TX

[Matt MacIver]

Jason - a few years ago my pro was able to secure a tee time, they were very accomodating as they had few daily rounds in the heat of the summer when I was there.  Don't know if membership has increased or the time of year your thinking about, but it's certainly always worth a try. 

[Ed Oden]

COUNTRY CLUB OF CHARLESTON....In my opinion, it's a better overall course than Yeamans, but I look at conditioning a little harder than most. Great Renovation work in 2006.....

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Colonial CC
Ft. Worth, TX

Tony, I will admit that I haven't played CC of Charleston since the 2006 work.  But I have a hard time believing any changes could elevate it to a level approaching Yeamans, which is a truly special place in my book.  At least pre-restoration, I thought CC of Charleston had a number of very average, nondescript holes.  Is it that improved?  If so, I need to make another trip.

[Jason Connor]

Jason - a few years ago my pro was able to secure a tee time, they were very accomodating as they had few daily rounds in the heat of the summer when I was there.  Don't know if membership has increased or the time of year your thinking about, but it's certainly always worth a try. 

Thanks Matt.  We were hoping summer.  So hopefully that plays to our advantage.  We were discussing a drive up to Tobacco Road.  So a stop at Bulls Bay would be a great way to start the trip.

[CJ Carder]

Thanks Matt.  We were hoping summer.  So hopefully that plays to our advantage.  We were discussing a drive up to Tobacco Road.  So a stop at Bulls Bay would be a great way to start the trip.

Tobacco Road?  That's a hike from Charleston or anywhere in Myrtle unless you're actually headed that way permanently.  From North Myrtle, it's probably close to 3 hours.  From Charleston, I'd wager at least 4.  You guys must be road warriors! 

[Jason Connor]

Thanks Matt.  We were hoping summer.  So hopefully that plays to our advantage.  We were discussing a drive up to Tobacco Road.  So a stop at Bulls Bay would be a great way to start the trip.

Tobacco Road?  That's a hike from Charleston or anywhere in Myrtle unless you're actually headed that way permanently.  From North Myrtle, it's probably close to 3 hours.  From Charleston, I'd wager at least 4.  You guys must be road warriors! 

I know.  I think Strantz is worth it.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Anyone been to Patriot's Point recently?

I stayed in a hotel across the street many years ago, and played one round there. I don't recall the course being great, but the seaside property is very interesting; and, I hear Annika Sorenstam is involved with a planned redo.

[Evan Fleisher]

Would like any opinions on any of the following courses in the Charleston area.  Trying to do a little research for a trip.  Any info or comparisons would be appreciated.

Caledonia, Wild Dunes, True Blue, Briar's Creek, Daniel Island (both courses)

Played the Daniel Island Ralston Creek course last year...was less than inspired by it.  Nationwide Tour played there for one year and left...not sure why.

Personally I'd skip it and hit others mentioned above.  What about Yeaman's Hall?

[CJ Carder]

Thanks Matt.  We were hoping summer.  So hopefully that plays to our advantage.  We were discussing a drive up to Tobacco Road.  So a stop at Bulls Bay would be a great way to start the trip.

Tobacco Road?  That's a hike from Charleston or anywhere in Myrtle unless you're actually headed that way permanently.  From North Myrtle, it's probably close to 3 hours.  From Charleston, I'd wager at least 4.  You guys must be road warriors! 

I know.  I think Strantz is worth it.

I happen to agree - I love his courses.  If you can do a road trip of Bulls Bay - Caledonia - True Blue - Tobacco Road, that'd be one helluva trip.  Depending on how ambitious you are, Royal New Kent and Stonehouse are only another 4 hours from Tobacco Road. 

[Brian Cenci]

Would like any opinions on any of the following courses in the Charleston area.  Trying to do a little research for a trip.  Any info or comparisons would be appreciated.

Caledonia, Wild Dunes, True Blue, Briar's Creek, Daniel Island (both courses)

Played the Daniel Island Ralston Creek course last year...was less than inspired by it.  Nationwide Tour played there for one year and left...not sure why.

Personally I'd skip it and hit others mentioned above.  What about Yeaman's Hall?

Evan,
     So Daniel Island didn't do anything for you?  Is the Ralston Creek course the Rees or the Fazio?  I've played Yeamans and would return there in a second but the option isn't available.  Have you heard anything regarding Briar's Creek?  I see that gets a lot of publicity and rankings.

-Brian

[Brian Cenci]

Thanks Matt.  We were hoping summer.  So hopefully that plays to our advantage.  We were discussing a drive up to Tobacco Road.  So a stop at Bulls Bay would be a great way to start the trip.

Tobacco Road?  That's a hike from Charleston or anywhere in Myrtle unless you're actually headed that way permanently.  From North Myrtle, it's probably close to 3 hours.  From Charleston, I'd wager at least 4.  You guys must be road warriors! 

CJ,
     Bull's Bay...I've never really heard anything about the course.  Does it not get much publicity?  Is it one of the better Strantz's?  I've played Tobacco Road and Royal New Kent before.

-Brian


I know.  I think Strantz is worth it.

I happen to agree - I love his courses.  If you can do a road trip of Bulls Bay - Caledonia - True Blue - Tobacco Road, that'd be one helluva trip.  Depending on how ambitious you are, Royal New Kent and Stonehouse are only another 4 hours from Tobacco Road. 

[Jay Flemma]

Brian, those pics are great.  I thought you did a nice job getting the sand circling the green well.

I had a review of Bulls Bay published in a few places when I covered the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate last year (and again this year!  Woo hoo!)  The place is magical and is also a shrine to Mike Strantz's memory.

Here's the piece I wrote on the course:

http://www.cybergolf.com/indexGenerator.asp?newsID=4833

Here is the portrait of Mike the club had commissioned:



Last, I think everyone who goes down there should take a short 15 minute detour to Isle of Palms to see the crucifix Mike designed for Sunrise presbyterian church.  When the church was destroyed by Hurr. Hugo, Mike designed this cross which features Jesus crucified and also ascending into Heaven.  This is astounding.



It's not what Mike did for a living that made him great, it's what he did for OTHERS.  That's the measure of a man - his worth, not his wealth.

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