Downsized Hilton Head National Golf Club remains a Bluffton, South Carolina favorite
BLUFFTON, S.C. -- Not many courses can lose their signature hole and still remain a local favorite. Hilton Head National Golf Club shrank from 27 holes to 18 in 2009, losing three holes to eminent domain during the construction of a major road toward the front of the property.
Six other holes were returned to nature, but that proud signature par 3 still sits out front as immaculate as ever. Unfortunately, it's just for looks, because golfers can't reach it to play it. Today, the revamped Hilton Head National combines nine holes from the original Gary Player design that opened in 1989 and nine more that Bobby Weed added in 1995.
The 6,730-yard routing still delivers playability, great conditioning and isolated fairways without houses, the winning combination that keeps the club sitting atop a competitive market just off of Hilton Head Island. More severe green complexes and the outstanding drivable, par-4 eighth highlight the front nine by Weed. Player's back nine ends at a double green at No. 18.
Hilton Head National Head Professional Sterlyn Mitchell said losing nine holes keeps the club from attracting the big outings of the past, but the benefit of not having the costs associated with another nine holes probably balances out. "People love this place," Mitchell said. "I don't think people don't play here because of the changes."
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Hilton Head National Golf Club