For many top-ranked players, the PGA Championship presents the last opportunity to make this golfing season a successful one, and for the likes of Mickelson, Tiger and Westwood, this major championship’s nickname, “Glory’s Last Shot”, will seem even more fitting this year. Having never hosted a major, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is one of the most feared courses in the USA. It was designed by Pete Dye specifically for the 1991 Ryder Cup and he commented that it is unlike any other course: “the only course we built that walks and swims. It is of the land and of the water.” With the PGA Championship just three days away here are our thoughts on its host.
The course is a modern links layout with undulating greens and fairways, deep bunkers, marsh areas and water hazards to intimidate its players.
Features more seaside holes than any other in South Carolina, 10 holes run along the Atlantic while the other 8 run parallel to them.
With the exception of the UK and Ireland, no other course in the world can be affected as much by the wind as Kiawah. It is suggested that players can be faced with as much as 8-club differences on holes dependant on the wind speed and direction.
Pete Dye’s wife is partly to blame for the drastic winds that come into play as she suggested raising the whole course so that players could have views of the coastline from each hole. This clearly exposes the course to the unpredictable breezes coming off the sea.
The 3rd green is a good example of one of the Ocean Course’s toughest greens. Sitting on a steep dune, it falls sharply on all sides putting a great emphasis on ball control when approaching this green.
Looming water hazards and fairway bunkers provide daunting obstacles on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th which boast challenging tee shots and exciting approach angles.
With plenty of water at Kiawah expect to see a few splashes at this year’s PGA Championship. One hole in particular where water poses a serious threat is the par three 17th. With a green viciously guarded by water, any shot finding land on this hole is a good one.
The 18th hole: the destination of Bernhard Langer and Team Europe’s devastation at the 1991 Ryder Cup “War by the Shore” as Langer missed a putt from 6 foot to lose the match. Many believe this par 4 finisher to be the best and toughest hole on the course.
Taking the wind into account, but also the enormous 7676 yardage, it is going to take a player with a good amount of length as well as accuracy to take this major championship.
Kiawah Island Resort is also home to the Cougar Point Course. The 11th hole is one of the most photographed holes on the island and was one of the holes used in the filming of ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance’. For those who have seen the film, the 11th is featured in the opening scene as Jack Lemmon hits his tee shot and walks off down the fairway.
For more information Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina Golf Tours and American Golf Holidays please visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call free on 0800 043 6644.
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