COURSE + GROUNDS
2020Vision In a year most would like to forget, The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek in Johns Island, S.C. made memorable upgrades to its Lowcountry property by renovating its golf course and adding a new performance center and a lighted, nine-hole putting green. By Betsy Gilliland, Contributing Editor
IT’S HARD TO IMPROVE ON PERFECTION. But don’t tell that to the folks at The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek in Johns Island, S.C. The property, set on 900 pristine acres that take advantage of the best that the Palmetto State’s Lowcountry has to offer, recently completed a two-year, $6.5 million renovation to its golf course and facilities. In addition to a transformation of its 18-hole course, Briar’s Creek opened the Robert C. McNair Golf Performance Center, built three onsite cottages, and added a nine-hole lighted putting green. “This place is a nature preserve,” says General Manager Clint Wood, CCM, CCE. “As soon as you drive through the gate, your blood pressure goes down.” No wonder. The property, where the golf course
is routed along the Kiawah River and Briar’s Creek, features open spaces, farmland, woodland, wetlands, marshland, spectacular vistas, and eye-catching vegetation. Wildlife includes deer, turkeys, white ibis, wood stork, and other seabirds. Adjacent properties are largely obscured from the golf course, and golf and the natural environment complement each other to enhance the Briar’s Creek experience. “It’s one of my favorite places in golf. It’s just a unique golf course,” says golf course architect Rees Jones, who designed the original course and the renovations. “It’s such a beautiful Lowcountry setting. When people drive in, they just know they’re somewhere special. It’s a pure golf course on an unbelievable piece of property.” Photo by Tripp Smith and Courtesy The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek
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January 2021
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