Rose Hill Golf Club worth a visit on way to, from Hilton Head

By Tim McDonald,
Contributor

BLUFFTON, S.C. - Rose Hill Golf Club is one of the first courses you hit when you turn off Interstate-95 on your way to la-dee-dah Hilton Head Island. It's worth a stop before you hit the famed, golf-obsessed island.

Rose Hill doesn't have the lofty, island address of some of the more famous Hilton Head courses - nor does it have the green fees. It's one of those courses that sprouted up on Highway 287 in recent years that offer an alternative to the more famous, higher-priced courses.

It's a Gene Hamm design meant to be player friendly and its 27 holes are just that, in varying degrees.

"It's a pretty straightforward, country club layout," said Rose Hill Head Pro Mike Quisenberry. "It has tree-lined fairways, there aren't a lot of forced carries, which is fun for all golfers. But, with the bunkering and water hazards, if you're not hitting it straight, you can get in trouble quick. The West is as narrow as anything down here."

The West, which was re-designed in 2002, also has some holes as long as anywhere down here, like the 601-yard par-5 second hole, which has Highway 287 on one side and a lake to the left. There is also a couple of 200-yard-plus par 3s to deal with - No. 3 has water to hit over to a slightly elevated green.

The South has the highest slope rating of the three nines, a 136, and some interesting holes, if not overly difficult. No. 3 is a mid-length par 4 that works best if you can shape a right to left shot around the trees. There is hidden water left and a small tree in the middle of the fairway can distract you.

The 387 yards of the seventh hole can be sliced by big hitters who can carry the trees. Otherwise, stay left for a good angle into the green.

The East nine is currently under renovation and is expected to open in September.

"It's a fun layout," Quisenberry said. "A lot of opportunities for birdies if you hit it straight, but again, with the bunkering and water hazards, you can get into trouble. It's a little shorter (3,225 yards)."

The Verdict

Like other courses in the area hit hard by the winter, Rose Hill is having problems with its greens. There are numerous bare patches and when it rains, which it has been doing frequently in the late spring, you're putting through sludge.

"We had a really rough winter," Quisenberry said. "We have four upscale golf courses on the island that are completely re-doing their greens. It was really cold this spring, and then we've been hammered by rain. The fungicide won't work as long as those greens are wet. Give us a couple of weeks to dry out and this summer that Bermuda will really take off."

The East is getting some drainage work, and the greens will be replaced with Champions Bermuda.

The course has gotten good reviews on its greens in the past.

"When we're in shape, we're a great value for the dollar," Quisenberry said.

Maurice Poulter, a Canadian golfer who vacations often at Hilton Head, agreed.

"It's a shame, because this course usually has very good greens," he said. "I like to play here a few times when I come down."

Green fees range from $35-$65 depending on the season.

Places to Stay

There are a number of lodging options in and around Hilton Head, including the Crown Plaza Beach Resort, which is on the south side of the island, with easy access to the area's golf courses. The resort is located on 11 acres inside Shipyard Plantation.

The Shipyard Golf Club, a 27-hole facility, has hosted PGA Senior Tour events in the past, and there are more than 30 courses in the surrounding area.

Hilton Head is also a tennis hotspot and the Van der Meer Tennis Center/Shipyard Racquet Club is a couple of minutes away from the resort, with 23 courts on three surfaces. The 11-mile beach itself is a good one - it was voted in the top 10 of beaches in the country by the Travel Channel.

The resort offers boogie boards, sailboats, floats, catamarans, water bikes and beach tricycles. It has a fitness center with saunas, whirlpool and an indoor swimming pool as well as an outdoor pool and wading pool.

Crown Plaza has 340 rooms, including nine suites, all with high-speed Internet access available for a charge, as well as private balconies. The resort is housed in a five-story single building with views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Places to eat

The island has a wide array of restaurants, more than 250, in just about every conceivable style, from French, German and Italian, to Caribbean, Thai and Mexican.

Crown Plaza has Brella's Café, with inside dining or its outside terrace, and serves salads, sandwiches and fresh seafood. It has a Sunday brunch.

Portz specializes in Mediterranean food. The resort also has Docker's, a poolside bar and Signal's Lounge, with a large dance floor.

Fast fact

No. 9 on the east course, a par 3 surrounded by bunkers and fronted by water, is usually used as the playoff hole for tournaments at Rose Hill.

July 25, 2005

Veteran golf writer Tim McDonald keeps one eye on the PGA Tour and another watching golf vacation hotspots and letting travelers in on the best place to vacation.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.