USGA/Russell Kirk
%20-%205th%20hole%20-%20Evan%20Schiller.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.960.suffix/1573162732314.jpeg)
Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Overview
Kiawah Island Club’s Cassique Course (pronounced Kah-seek) was created by Hall-of-Famer Tom Watson and his crew from old farm fields along the tidal marshes of the Kiawah River. As a five-time Champion Golfer of Year, Watson wanted his design to demand the “touch, feel and imagination” of links-style golf, so he framed most holes with choppy faux dunes, rumpled the fairways and installed some of his favorite links features: a burn a la Turnberry, Carnoustie-inspired Spectacles and a Hell Bunker from St. Andrews. With the front nine in open land and the back nine among trees, Cassique poses bump-and-run opportunities everywhere, and even has a couple of blind shots.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 166th.
Previous ranking: 150th.
100 Greatest: Ranked from 2007 through 2010.
Highest ranking: 85th, 2009-2010.
Best in State: Ranked sixth in 2021-'22. Top 5 in state 2007-2009, top 10 in 2005, 2011-2013.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Private, links style course, designed by Tom Watson and Bob Gibbons. Beautiful, well maintained old school , Scottish style course, unique to the area."
Read More2022
Review
“Very unique Tom Watson design with inspiration from British Open courses. Examples are the burn fronting the 2nd green, spectacle bunkers on the par 5 6th, and the pot bunkers on the par 4 10th. Front nine routing which alternates every other day definitely adds to the variety and memorability. Overall, a fantastic course that is interesting, challenging, and fun to play."
Read More2022
Review
“Beautiful setting and good variety but the excessive shaping detracts from the design. In my view, the course is grossly "overshaped" with very artificial mounding with penal patches of native grasses in clumps in play that again detract from the natural setting and beauty of the site. "
Read More2022
Review
“Awesome Tom Watson design. Only hole that doesn't fit is #9 with a huge false front. Great conditioning, make sure you get out here if you ever get a chance."
Read More2021
Review
“Great variety of holes where you never think, “haven’t I played this hole already.” Very different feel than every other low country course. Designed by Tom Watson with a links feel and tributes to The Open with a Barry Burn like hazard fronting the 2nd green and sod faced round pot bunkers. Great clubhouse feel and exquisite service. Definitely a must play if you’re lucky enough to get access."
Read More2019
Review
“A severe course, that high handicappers might wish to avoid, and without the beauty of some of its neighbors, but if you are in the area, worth playing. Several unique holes."
Read More2018
Review
“Fun layout with lots of interesting holes. Could be challenging for higher handicappers. Clubhouse and pro shop staff were very courteous and competent. A really good golf experience."
Read More2018
Review
“Definitely worth the time to play. The clubhouse, food, and service are top notch. The course has very good conditions, but the ball plays more like a resort course where it doesn't run around a lot. "more sizzle than steak"."
Read More2018
Review
“Neat place--the front is really unique (almost oddly so) and then the back settles into more traditional low-country golf."
Read More2018
Review
“A fantastic Tom Watson Course. Excellent club house and practice facilities. Course was not only challenging but also fun to play. You zig zag thought the March with generous fairways with a targeted second shot. I enjoyed this course better than its sister course"
Read More2018
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
 - Jon Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.406.271.suffix/1573163057785.jpeg)
There are no readers reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.