COURSE REVIEW

Osprey Point a haven
for big alligators and
easy-going golfers

By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (March 28, 2005) - When you play the par-3 third hole at Osprey Point on Kiawah Island, beware the "phantom wind" that sometimes seems to come out of nowhere, sweeping cross-wise over the hole and carrying your ball - if it happens to be in flight - to dangerous destinations.

And there are plenty of dangerous destinations at Osprey Point, Kiawah Island being on the relatively isolated South Carolina coast and a favorite party place for alligators. The course is known for two things that set it apart from other Kiawah courses: Its playability and the sheer number of large reptiles that like to sun themselves on the course, while ignoring posted traffic regulations.

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"I've seen 13 of them lined up against the clubhouse," said Kiawah spokesman and golfer Mike Vegis.

The members seem to like this course as much as the gators, for the same reasons. Since the course is more open than the Ocean Course, Turtle Point or Cougar Point, there is more room for the gators to get sun and more room for the golfers to find errant shots.

"The members here like it the best because it's the most player-friendly," Vegis said. "It's more open."

Indeed, Osprey has wide landing areas and most of the hazards are on the left, good news for right-handed high-handicappers, most of whom deal unsuccessfully with their slices. It has been said that about 80 percent of average golfers have a slice.

Being "playable" at Kiawah is no back-handed compliment, not when the nearby Ocean course ranks as one of the most difficult resort courses in the country. Go take your licks from the Ocean, come and get your milk and cookies at Osprey.

Which isn't to say Osprey is a walk-over. It's Tom Fazio-designed layout and he actually designed it believing it would be a members-only course. But, it's now a daily-fee course and has some typical Fazio touches, like his fondness for risk-and-reward shots.

Take No. 14, for example. The hole was lengthened into a 345-yard par-4 in 1997 and the green was moved back and to the right. At first, they added sand-filled mounds down both sides of the fairway. But when golfers whined, officials, said OK, we'll put a fairway bunker in the middle of the fairway. It's a 240-yard carry - you decide.

No. 2 is a classic Fazio risk-taker, requiring a second shot that must steer clear of water to the left and pot bunkers to the right. You can cut the dogleg on No. 12 if the wind is in your favor, but then you're dealing with a large fairway bunker. However, even if you play it safe down the left side, you're hitting onto an uphill slope, making your approach shot longer. You may even have to lay up, God forbid.

On the closing No. 18, the safe route is to the right where you will face a long shot in. Or you can risk it to the left, thereby bringing into the possibility your route to the green may be blocked by trees.

So, yes, the course is playable, but it isn't as if you can play brain-dead. Think, man, think.

"That's why I like that course." said Todd Wilson, a visitor staying with his family at nearby Charleston. "It's not real hard, but you can take a lot of chances and make it hard if you're not playing good."

The Verdict

This course is definitely less challenging than the Ocean, Turtle Point, Cougar Point and the very difficult and private Cassique. But, if played from the back tees, it can bite you, just like the alligators if you get too close. And water is in play on 10 holes.

Like the other courses guests of the Sanctuary resort have access to, it's a little more of a wilderness experience than you will find at most U.S. courses. It has homes around it, but they're a little bigger and nicer than homes on the other Kiawah courses, since the CEOs and other corporate suits seem to fancy the Osprey on which to build their second and third homes.

Beware, Kiawah Island is not cheap. Green fees at Osprey Point range from $113 to $195 for the public and $91 to $155 for guests of the resort, depending on the season.

Places to Stay

The Sanctuary opened last year to a great deal of acclaim, replacing the much more modest hotel on the property. It's an impressive building with wide-planked, oak parquet floors - it's like stepping back to a simpler time when they took time with their architecture.

The hotel is going after a five-star rating and they will probably get it. The service is excellent, sometimes bordering on smothering.

You have virtually the entire island at your disposal, either by foot, bicycle or car; there are 26 miles of bike trails, and bikes are available for guests. With only two commercial enterprises on the island - the Sanctuary and a real estate company - it's a good place to cruise and look at all the critters. The place has more alligators per square foot than the Everglades.

It has a spa and fitness center, of course, with 12 massage, facial, body treatment and steam rooms with domed ceilings and hardwood floors, and a full-service salon. There's also a 65-foot-long indoor pool and a special studio for yoga, tai chi and other new-age workouts.

Places to East

The Ocean Room is the swanky restaurant on the grounds, with jackets required (they have some if you're slothful and low-brow enough to have forgotten to bring your own). The chef's name is advertised so you know it must be high-falutin.

The restaurant specializes in "New American "cuisine and promises an "inspired evening of dining." There's a lot of mahogany and fancy ironwork with views of the Atlantic, plus plush, oversized chairs next to a fireplace.

Osprey Point Golf Club thesanctuary.com Tee times: (877) 683-1234

The Jasmine Porch is more casual, serving "Lowcountry" dishes and fresh seafood. Try the roast corn and baby crab bisque. It also has a great breakfast buffet.

The Loggerhead Grill and Beaches and Cream are seasonal restaurants and the Lobby Bar is where the nightlife on the island happens, such as it is. There is piano entertainment Tuesday through Saturday.

Fast fact

Osprey has an exceptionally nice clubhouse for a daily fee course. It was built in 1997 at a cost of $6.6 million.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.