Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort’s RTJ Course named one of South Carolina’s 'Top Courses'

Rankings were based upon availability for Public Play

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) — Like clockwork every year, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort’s trio of golf courses receives some type of prestigious recognition. The most recent honor goes to our Robert Trent Jones Course, which was recently named one of South Carolina’s “Top Courses Available for Public Play” in 2019 by the state’s Golf Course Ratings Panel.

A total of 32 courses across the state were named to the list by members of the ratings panel, which consists of about 120 media, golf business and avid player members. These individuals have been charged with the task of identifying the best that South Carolina golf has to offer.

“Once again, the South Carolina Golf Panel has recognized Palmetto Dunes for our outstanding golf offerings,” said Palmetto Dunes Director of Golf Clark Sinclair. “We are extremely proud of our trio of renowned golf layouts designed by legends of the game. The recognition from the prestigious golf panel further validates the feedback we receive from members and guests on a daily basis.”

The Robert Trent Jones Course is arguably the most well known of the three Palmetto Dunes designs. However, all three courses — including the Arthur Hills Course and the George Fazio Course — have been named South Carolina’s “Course of the Year” by the state’s Golf Course Owners Association and ranked among the state’s finest by the Ratings Panel.

The objective of the Ratings Panel is to promote excellence in golf course design and operations around the state through competitive rankings, education and public advocacy. The Panel serves as an ambassador for golf in South Carolina by striving to stimulate and facilitate the promotion and marketing of the outstanding golf courses, resorts, and real estate developments.

In odd-numbered years, the Panel releases a bi-annual listing of the best non-private courses in the state, called “The Best Courses You Can Play.” Every resort, public access, and daily fee course is eligible for this elite listing. In even-numbered years, the panel taps “South Carolina’s 50 Best Courses,” public or private.

In determining their ratings panelists consider the following criteria:
· Routing – How the course flows from hole to hole in harmony with existing topography.
· Variety – Degree to which the course demands a full range of shot requirements.
· Strategy – How design features test course management.
· Equity – The course’s capacity to reward good shots and penalize poor ones.
· Memorability – The distinctiveness of the golf course and its individual holes.
· Aesthetics – The degree to which scenery and surrounds lend to the enjoyment.
· Experience – Incorporates all elements of the course: practice areas, clubhouse and more.

Information on previous rankings can be found on the organization’s website www.scgolfpanel.org.