Osprey Point - Kiawah Island Club (Kiawah Island, SC)

Kiawah. Every golfer knows the name. It’s home to the Ocean Course, host of several PGA Championships and the 1991 Ryder Cup known infamously as “The War by the Shore”. Before then, it was an idyllic island, very much like Hilton Head. Osprey was built in 1988, three years before, and the agenda was good golf in a beautiful, serene setting. Tom Fazio was considered the best at the time, and his name would resonate with folks looking for a place to vacation. 

(The lovely par three fifteenth is beautifully framed by the sand in symmetrical fashion. Architect Mike Strantz was the chief associate on this project, and much of the framing is his. This explains some of the gorgeous bunker work at Osprey. This tidbit will make you look at the course in whole different light.)

Osprey has kept to its original intentions, and it is a solid course that interacts beautifully with it’s setting. The course is located in the heart of the island among the marshes and lagoons. The wildlife and natural vegetation makes this lush paradise a memorable experience. The course is very playable. The grass is seashore paspalum, a thick sticky texture that catches balls and limits the roll. They will not be bounding into hazards. The greens are receptive with modest contour in them. 8 or 9 on the stimpmeter. 

(The par three third across the marsh is a terrific hole. Note how the green angles diagonally with only 15% of the putting surface in view. Muscles tighten up, the pulse quickens, breathing gets rapid. Strike it with confidence!)

There are only a handful of exciting holes. The rest fill out the card in typical Fazio fashion. Most will consider three and eleven the best, forced carry par threes over the swaying lowland marshes. The par four ninth is a cape hole hard against the water that torments your confidence as you choose what line to take and how far you can really carry the ball. For myself, I loved the par five eighteenth. It turned around the water exactly where you want to land your second shot. You know how well you’ve been striking it all day, or how poorly. Choose accordingly. 

(The par four ninth is possibly the most intimidating shot on the entire island. A centerline bunker breaks up the sight line and forces the player to be aggressive or conservative.) 

It’s silly to talk about value since everything at Kiawah is a big ticket item, however, all the amenities you expect, such as free range balls and complimentary water, are provided. If standing alone, few would pay the $225 dollar green fee, but being part of the resort makes it easier to swallow. Many feel it’s the second best course on the island and I concur with that sentiment. I give it a 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play). 

[we played the silver tee at 6162 yards.  The Hollywood game had Paul and I as partners the last six holes. I made a 8 footer for par to go 1 Up on seventeen. Yapping all the way to the next tee, I was really giving the boys the business. Our third shots all came up several yards short of eighteen. I spun my wedge a couple feet short of the pin, celebrating mine and Paul’s secured par when Joby putts it ten yards off the green, ramming it dead center of the hole. Not only did that putt save them from humiliation, but effectively won my buddy $105 dollars for +4 in quota game plus a skin.]

(The par three eleventh plays over the water to a long diagonal green.)