The History of Golf on Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island is rich in history, dating back to the early 1600s when a tribe of natives called “Kiawah” inhabited the Island before the English arrived later in the century. Since then, Kiawah Island has experienced a significant amount of history, including both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. While the history of golf on Kiawah Island isn’t nearly as deep, golf has also left a consequential stamp on the Island and its residents. Below, we will break down the significant events in the rich history of golf on Kiawah Island.

1974-1976 | Kiawah Island Resort

In 1974, the Royal family sold Kiawah Island to Kuwait Investment Group for $17 million. The new owner, along with Sea Pines Company, completed an extensive environmental inventory and created a master plan for development. In 1975, Sea Pines took over management of the Island and in the following year, Kiawah Island Golf Resort officially opened with the Kiawah Island Inn. 

1981 | Turtle Point Golf Course

Jack Nicklaus opened Turtle Point Golf Course in 1981. In 2016, Nicklaus renovated it again, adding upgraded features such as modern tee boxes, paspalum, and larger bunkers. 

1988 | Osprey Point Golf Course

In 1988, Kiawah Resort Associates purchased the Island for $105 million. That same year, the Osprey Point golf course, designed by Tom Fazio, opened. 

1991 | The Ocean Course

Pete Dye designed the famous “Dye-abolical” Ocean Course for the 1991 Ryder Cup matches. As master golfers will know, this course has been named one of the greatest spots to play in the world. The American team won that year’s Ryder Cup, shining the spotlight on Kiawah for years to come. 

1995 | River Course

Kiawah Island Club was constructed in 1993, and River Course was added to it a few years later in 1995. This course was Tom Fazio’s second Island project and Kiawah Island Club’s first golf amenity, exclusively accessible to Club Members.

2000 | Cassique Golf Course

In 2000, Hall-of-Famer Tom Watson designed the Scottish links-style Cassique Course, which became Kiawah Island Club’s second Members-only course.

2007 | Ocean Course Clubhouse

The Ocean Course Clubhouse, with its classical cottage-style architecture, was built in 2007 and opened just in time for the Senior PGA that same year. The notable Robert A.M. Stern designed this fantastic clubhouse, which continues to leave visitors in awe.

2012 | PGA Championship

The 2012 PGA Championship featured a career-defining major win for Rory Mcllroy at The Ocean Course, redefining it as a prestigious venue in the golfing world. Around the same time, the Ocean Park community was also developed, and it has since provided local homeowners with a chance to own property close to a top-rated course.

2021 | PGA Championship

The PGA Championship returned to the Island in 2021. The Ocean Course was once again put on the map by another huge name, as Phil Mickelson won his second PGA Championship and sixth major, two strokes ahead of Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen. We are excited to announce that the PGA Championship will be returning to Kiawah Island in 2031!

Golf on Kiawah Island Today

Golf opportunities on Kiawah Island are abundant. With five public courses and Kiawah Island Club’s two private offerings, it’s easy to sneak in a few rounds any time of the year. The biggest names in sports have made their marks on these championship-level courses, so you know you’re in great company when out on the green. Read on as we break down each of the seven courses currently located on Kiawah Island.

Public Courses

1.   The Ocean Course

Located on the easternmost end of the Island, The Ocean Course boasts the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere and is challenging even to the most seasoned golfer. Originally designed to sit behind the sand dunes, designer Pete Dye’s wife, Alice, decided that the view of the coastline should be visible from every hole. Thus, the course was raised to have views over the dunes; however, there was a catch. The elevated course was now susceptible to the Atlantic’s rough and unpredictable winds, making it one of the more challenging courses on the Island.

2. Osprey Point Golf Course

Osprey Point Golf Course began as a members-only course and was noted for its playability and impeccable design early on. Course architect Tom Fazio completely renovated the course in 2014 and is still praised for its pristine conditions and elegant clubhouse. The course contains four challenging par-3s, four distinctive par-5s, and ten par-4s ranging in length from 340 to 461 yards.

3. Oak Point Golf Course

The Oak Point Golf Course received the 2019 Charleston Golf Course Owners Association Course of the Year award. This course provides a fantastic playing surface with its regrassing in Paspalum and a refreshed overall design. Initially, this course was designed by Clyde Johnston and sits by the Kiawah River and Haulover Creek. This course showcases breathtaking fairways and challenging greens, making any round played here a memorable experience. 

4. Turtle Point Golf Course

As a Jack Nicklaus signature course, Turtle Point Golf Course features pristine fairways, approachable greens, and strategically placed lagoons that emphasize accuracy. This course’s luxury extends into the clubhouse, which offers locker rooms, a pro shop, and indoor and patio dining at Tomasso at Turtle Point.  

5. Cougar Point Golf Course

Cougar Point Golf Course reopened in 2017 after a 10-month renovation with Gary Player Design. This course is highly regarded for its playability and dramatic views, instantly winning over Kiawah Island golfers upon its re-opening. If you’ve never played this course, it must be added to your golf plans the next time you visit the Island. 

Private Courses

1. River Course 

As the first course created exclusively for Kiawah Island Club Members on the Island, River Course has remained one of the most challenging courses in South Carolina for decades. Tom Fazio designed the course and took full advantage of the Island’s breathtaking landscape to create this masterpiece. Six holes embrace the river’s edge, while the remaining fairways and greens meet with dazzling savannas and ponds. 

2. Cassique Golf

Golf legend Tom Watson meticulously designed the Cassique golf course around the natural beauty of the Island. This 7,050-yard test ranges through maritime forests and marshes where the Kiawah River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Watson designed some holes so that they can be navigated in various ways, depending on weather conditions, creating a sense of creativity when playing the course. 

Make Your Golf Dreams a Reality

A move to Kiawah Island should be a consideration for any avid golfer. Here, you will have access to five public courses and two private courses through a Kiawah Island Club Membership. With an abundance of luxurious Island properties, there is undoubtedly a home here for anyone looking to live the Island life. View our golf-view properties below!