COURSE
REVIEW
Nicklaus-designed
Turtle Point
remains difficult test
By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (April 12, 2005) - Most people who play golf regularly at Kiawah Island will tell you that, of the island's half-dozen courses, Turtle Point Golf Club is second in difficulty only to the Ocean course and its 155 slope rating.
That puts Turtle Point in a very large club if you cared to throw in the rest of the world as well; few courses in the country can match that difficulty rating. There's a big dropoff there - a nice-to-have problem that the Ocean course presents - everything else pales in comparison, especially courses in such close proximity.
Still, Turtle Point definitely has its charms, and many people have noticed. Golf Digest called it "one of the great secrets of the coast." That would be the East Coast, where this 11-mile stretch of South Carolina island beach meets the Atlantic Ocean. PGA Tour player Peter Jacobsen called the inward nine one of the best nine holes he's ever played.
That may be a bit of a stretch, but it does show how Turtle Point impresses many people. It's an early Jack Nicklaus design, back when Nicklaus was criticized for designing courses for Nicklaus and before he went nuts with the mounding.
"(Nicklaus) came back to renovate in 2000 and by then, he was back to his minimalist style," said Kiawah spokesman Mike Vegis. "So we dodged that bullet."
Architecture critics have compared Turtle Point to two other early Nicklaus designs, Shoal Creek and Glen Abbey. It has also been compared to Cypress Point, which also slithers through coastal forests before opening onto ocean views.
It's a traditional design that low-handicappers seem to like more than your average duffer. That might be because of its narrow fairways, smallish greens and a ton of water hazards and out-of-bounds markers. It's also relatively long at 7,061yards, so you must have a good day with the driver to go low.
Not all the time, though: The par-5 13th hole, for example, waits for you a bit before it rears up. You have to carry a creek in front of the green if you want to reach in two.
"The first shot's not the hard one," Vegis said. "The second shot, you have to gamble how much you want to cut off...It's all second shot."
It also helps if your fairway woods and long irons are working. As in many Nicklaus courses, you should hit to specific areas to get the best approach into the green and be able to hit it high and land it soft. Of course, it also helps to have a Nicklaus power fade in your bag.
Nicklaus did some extensive renovations four years ago, altering the green complexes and bunkering after two decades of harsh coastal climate had done its dirty work. He also re-did many of the tee areas and lengthened the course to nudge it over the 7,000-yard mark.
The verdict
The course is indeed the second-toughest at Kiawah, but Nicklaus' re-work helped make it more playable. He took out some of the more penal bunkers and replaced them with grass collection areas.
Also, the course isn't affected as much as the Ocean Course by the unpredictable and often unruly breezes that come sweeping in off the Atlantic. Still, there can be as much as a five-club shift from day to day and, in some cases, hour to hour.
Like all the Kiawah courses, you can have some wildlife moments, with sightings of deer, foxes, bald eagles and alligators. No. 17 tees off right next to a rookery, where alligators mate in season, so be sure not to wear any attractive cologne.
Where 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 era when they took time with their architecture. The hotel is going after a five-star rating and will probably get it as 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.
Where
to eat
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 up-scale. It 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.
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.
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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's piano entertainment Tuesday through Saturday.
Fast fact
Turtle Point was designed by Nicklaus shortly after he and Pete Dye collaborated on Harbortown.
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.
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