Hilton Head Travel Feature
- the MCI Classic - Day One

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

HILTON HEAD, S.c. -- When golf courses come in Hilton Head, they come not alone, but in battalions. The island is not necessarily known for one particular course, but for its uncanny assembly of thirty-six and fifty-four hole resorts - even the renowned Harbor Town Golf Links is just one of three championship courses at the Sea Pines Resort.

And despite weather more reminiscent of Northern Ireland than South Carolina, golf marched on in South Carolina's Cadillac of golf destinations, both in the MCI Classic, and on the numerous resort courses across the island.

While Davis Love III, Dan Forsman and the big boys were fighting thirty mile an hour wind gusts at the Harbour Town Golf Links, the rest of the island's amateurs, hacks, and diehards braved the steady rain and chilly temperatures at golf courses designed by Fazio, Jones, Hills, and Cupp.

"It really doesn't matter what the weather is like, this is still going to be the busiest week and weekend of the year here," said Palmetto Dunes' Arthur Hills Course assistant pro Tim Drygula. "Players have paid a lot of money to be here and to play here."

For Drygula, "here" happens to be one of Hilton Head's most premier resort course destinations not named Sea Pines, and there was no sign of let down on any of Palmetto Dunes' three highly touted tracks.

The Palmetto Dunes Resort is home to Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio, and Arthur Hills courses, each named modestly after their creator. The Jones course is the oldest of the three by far, and is actually one of the oldest courses on the island. The Fazio (remember, George, not Tom) opened in 1974, and the Hills course is the newest of the layouts having opened in 1986.

"The Jones course is more of a links-style course that goes out to the ocean," says Drygula. "The tenth hole is one of only two holes on the island that goes out to the ocean."

Because of its dramatic scenery and venerable reputation, the Jones course is the popular choice among many Palmetto Dunes visitors. And according to Player Assistance chief John Sinclair, father of Hills Course head pro Clark Sinclair, the par 5, No. 10 hole is the primary reason that players come calling.

But over at the Hills course, it is "first team" all American-style traditional course design from one of the modern era's often overlooked golf architects. Arthur Hills may be at his best at Palmetto Dunes, as he has produced a layout that is as cozy as a warm southern night, and as beautiful as a South Carolina sunrise.

"The Hills Course is strategic golf at its best," says Drygula. "In fact, the Hills Course may be the best course outside of Harbour Town that the public can play on the island."

Not a long course, the Hills course makes its living on its par-4's, which range from interesting to awe-inspiring. For starters, check out No.'s 4 and 5 on the front nine, which bend around a fabricated lighthouse and feature some of the most beautiful hardwood backdrops on the island.

When the winds die down, and the players get brave, the Fazio Course becomes a popular choice with many players who want to take a shot at one of the state's toughest courses. A par-70, Fazio's bunker laden track plays close to 7000 yards, which if you know anything about the Lowcountry's unpredictable winds and heavy humidity begins to look longer than the uncut version of Titanic.

As for the weather, don't look for any let up in the windy, rainy conditions tomorrow, whether you are working on a solid 90 or a respectable 70.

Chip Shots

Greens fees at the Jones and Fazio Courses are $90 until the end of May, and are $130 at the Hills course.

The Hills Course is home to the NCAA Rolodex Championships, which feature the top eighteen men's collegiate golf teams in the nation.

Due to a lack of space, there is no practice range at the Fazio Courses, so head to one of the other facilities to warm up.

To get connected to any of the courses, call Palmetto Dunes at 800-827-3006.

THE MCI CLASSIC

When: Today through Sunday
Where: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island
Ticket Information: 18002341007

TravelGolf.com Editor Shane Sharp will be reporting travel related information daily from Hilton Head and the MCI Classic.