Kiawah Island (Cougar Point)

Kiawah has built itself into one of the United States’ most celebrated golf resorts thanks to contributions from Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and, of course, Pete Dye. Let us not forget where it all started, however. Before Nicklaus came to town, fellow hall-of-famer Gary Player laid out the Cougar Point course on the southwest side of the island.

The architect has kept up with the course, last conducting a renovation during 2017 to improve greens and bunkers. Although other Kiawah courses are celebrated for their oceanside view, Cougar Point is a relative rarity in its views out to the Kiawah River. Players will first see the marshy expanse as they approach the green at No. 4, and they will then play along the river for the entirety of No. 5. Before turning back inland, players will tee off across the wetland to the green of No. 6, an 180-yard par three.

A new clubhouse has added more drama to the closing hole, where players will hit to a Biarritz-style green perched on the side of a pond. Guests will view from the clubhouse, creating pressure akin to the finale at the Ocean course down the island.