Texas Children's Houston Open

Memorial Park Golf Course



Harbour Town Golf Links

Hilton Head Island, SC Public

Overview

In the late 1960s, Jack Nicklaus landed the design contract for Harbour Town, then turned it over to his new partner, Pete Dye, who was determined to distinguish his work from that of rival Robert Trent Jones. Soon after Harbour Town opened in late November 1969 (with a victory by Arnold Palmer in the Heritage Classic), the course debuted on America’s 100 Greatest as one of the Top 10. It was a total departure for golf at the time. No mounds, no elevated tees, no elevated greens—just low-profile and abrupt change. Tiny greens hung atop railroad ties directly over water hazards. Trees blocked direct shots. Harbour Town gave Pete Dye national attention and put Jack Nicklaus, who made more than 100 inspection trips in collaborating with Dye, in the design business. Pete’s wife, Alice, also contributed, instructing workers on the size and shape of the unique 13th green, a sinister one edged by cypress planks.

About

Holes 18
Length 7101
Slope 148
Price $425
Facility Type Public
Designer Pete Dye, ASGCA/Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA

Awards

100 Greatest
100 Greatest the Second 100
100 Greatest Public
Best Courses in Every State

Ranking history:

100 Greatest: Ranked from 1971-2014.
Highest ranking: 29th, 1985-'86.

Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2015.
2023-'24 ranking: 160th.
Previous ranking: 142nd.

100 Greatest Public: Ranked since the inaugural edition in 2003.
2023-'24 ranking: 27th.
Highest ranking: 10th, 2003-'04.
Previous ranking: 25th.

Best in State: Ranked inside the top five 2011-2022.
2023-'24 ranking: 6th.
Previous ranking: 5th.

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

4.4

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options
7.3893
Character
7.4295
Challenge
7.4605
Layout Variety
7.3365
Fun
7.2989
Aesthetics
7.3455
Conditioning
7.3429

Reviews

Readers

Collection of reviews from our readers

0
There are no reader ratings yet

Reviews

There are no readers reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.