A golf trip to Charleston should include the Links at Wild Dunes

While Charleston has always been a top tourist destination due to its history, beauty, and charm, it should also be seen as one of the top golf destinations, particularly in the fall and early winter, in the country. Over the last two weeks, the high temperatures have ranged from a pleasant 63 degrees to a balmy 76 and there is a wealth of courses in the area that could be added to any golfer’s “must-play” list. Travel south of the city and find Stono Ferry (named Charleston-area “Course of the Year in 2004), Seabrook Island, which features Crooked Oakes and Ocean Winds, and Kiawah Island, with the world-renowned Ocean Course not to mention another four courses that recently earned 4 ½ stars.

Travel just north of the city, and you’ll come to Charleston National, Patriot’s Point, RiverTowne Country Club, and the one of the oldest of the highly-acclaimed courses in the area, the Wild Dunes Resort Links Course, located at the northern end of the Isle of Palms, only twenty minutes from downtown. Driving through the neighborhood streets that lead to the Links course shows a mixture of the island’s native palm and live oak trees with the multi-million dollar homes that have become a commonality on the Isle of Palms since the course was first constructed.

One of Tom Fazio’s earliest designs, the Links Course received a great deal of attention upon opening in 1980, and deserves no less acclaim now in a discussion about the best public courses in South Carolina. When commenting on the property shortly after designing the course, Fazio said, “I saw right away that it was an architect’s dream. It had all the elements you could ask for- trees, water, dunes, and an ocean coast. The routing was relatively easy because some of the holes looked like they had been there forever. The place reminded me of Pine Valley.”

The course is kept in prime condition in the fall and winter months, as the beautifully-timed over seeding provides dreamlike lies in the fairways and true rolls on the greens (though, unfortunately, it does nothing to quell the nasty Bermuda rough). While it only plays to a length of just over 6,700 yards from the back tees, the tiny greens, changing breezes, and requirement for accuracy off of the tee make the Links Course a good challenge. Avoiding a big number on the closing holes is also quite an accomplishment, as the stunning views of Dewees Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean can spoil anyone’s concentration. To its credit, the resort allows unrestricted walking, and guests have the chance to take in the entire experience whenever they wish.

Wild Dunes has everything that a player should expect from a great resort: excellent course conditions; great service in every area; wonderful aesthetics; a state-of-art GPS system in the carts; or, for those who prefer the more traditional approach, an impeccably-designed yardage book that gives an accurate depiction of the Links’ contours. There are also several options available for accommodations with the AAA Four Diamond Boardwalk Inn, villas, and boardwalk homes. The Sea Island Grill is a favorite among guests of the resort and locals with its wide variety of “fruits of the sea” . There will be much more to come soon on the Links Course; in the meantime, take the trip to the Isle of Palms and experience it for yourself.