Rose Hill Golf Club in Bluffton, South Carolina continues on the comeback trail
BLUFFTON, S.C. -- Rose Hill Golf Club is the oldest club in this once-sleepy town a few miles from Hilton Head Island, dating to the 1980s.
The reality closer to the truth is that Rose Hill could finally be ready to mature all over again following a miraculous rebirth. The club reopened its doors in August 2008 after a closure that lasted nearly two-and-a-half years. Saved by the Rose Hill Plantation's Property Owners Association, the course transformed from an original 27-hole routing into 18 holes, where two extra par 4s serve as practice playgrounds.
It still fights the stigma from the early days of the comeback when conditions weren't up to par.
"Rose Hill has always had the worst reputation in the Lowcountry," admitted Ed Sealy III, the head professional at Rose Hill. "... To me, it's about telling people we are going in the right direction. It's a slow march, but we keep marching."
Along with improving conditions, Rose Hill sells affordability and a friendly staff to attract return play. The 6,961-yard course is scenic in spots once off the main road. It toughens up dramatically on the back nine.
"They've done a good job bringing it back," said member Ed Varcho, who was hitting balls on the range in early December. "This is the best it has looked and played since it reopened."
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Rose Hill Golf Club