USGA/Russell Kirk
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Courtesy of Evan Schiller
Kiawah Island Club: Cassique
Johns Island, SC • Private
Kiawah Island Club: Cassique
100 Old Cedar Ln
Johns Island, SC 29455-5833
United States
Overview
Kiawah Island Club’s Cassique Course (pronounced kah-SEEK) was created by Hall of Famer Tom Watson and his crew from old farm fields along the tidal marshes of the Kiawah River. As a five-time Champion Golfer of the Year, Watson wanted his design to demand the “touch, feel and imagination” of links-style golf, so he framed most holes with choppy faux dunes, rumpled the fairways and installed some of his favorite links features: a burn a la Turnberry, Carnoustie-inspired Spectacles and a Hell Bunker from St. Andrews. With the front nine in open land and the back nine among trees, Cassique poses bump-and-run opportunities everywhere, and even has a couple of blind shots.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
Previous ranking: 166th.
2025-'26 ranking: 198th.
100 Greatest: Ranked from 2007 through 2010.
Highest ranking: 85th, 2009-'10.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top five, 2007-'09. Ranked sixth in 2021-'22. Ranked seventh, 2023-'24. Ranked eighth, 2025-'26. Ranked inside the top 10 in 2005, 2011-'13.
Previous ranking: 7th.
2025-'26 ranking: 8th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Beautiful course, lots of fun. Great risk reward holes"
Read More2025
Review
“Links style course in beautiful natural setting. Great shot options and variety. Probably Watson's best work."
Read More2025
Review
“A really wonderful course. Marvelously conditioned, firm and fast, but not manicured. Great elevation changes for a links low country course. Varied length 3's, 4's and 5's requiring different shot shapes. Most greens require a high ball flight rather than traditional links course, this is not played along the ground. Forced carries and severe bunkering in fairways and greens make it pretty challenging for the lesser skilled player but still a great experience."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the two private courses on Kiawah. Course is in fantastic condition and offers great shot options which will challenge all levels of golfer. The course offers a unique feature with routing on holes 4 and 5 with the "Nip and Tuck" routing and the "Pulpit" routing which shifts the fairway and green you play to for hole 4 and the tee and green for hole 5, as well as the tee for hole 6. The views from the course are spectacular and add to the fun of the course. If you get the invite from a member, definitely work this into your schedule."
Read More2024
Review
“Some unique holes that were designed in the form of holes found in Scotland/Ireland."
Read More2023
Review
“Very unique Tom Watson design with inspiration from British Open courses. Examples are the burn fronting the 2nd green, spectacle bunkers on the par 5 6th, and the pot bunkers on the par 4 10th. Front nine routing which alternates every other day definitely adds to the variety and memorability. Overall, a fantastic course that is interesting, challenging, and fun to play."
Read More2022
Review
“Beautiful setting and good variety but the excessive shaping detracts from the design. In my view, the course is grossly "overshaped" with very artificial mounding with penal patches of native grasses in clumps in play that again detract from the natural setting and beauty of the site. "
Read More2022
Review
“Private, links style course, designed by Tom Watson and Bob Gibbons. Beautiful, well maintained old school , Scottish style course, unique to the area."
Read More2022
Review
“Awesome Tom Watson design. Only hole that doesn't fit is #9 with a huge false front. Great conditioning, make sure you get out here if you ever get a chance."
Read More2021
Review
“Great variety of holes where you never think, “haven’t I played this hole already.” Very different feel than every other low country course. Designed by Tom Watson with a links feel and tributes to The Open with a Barry Burn like hazard fronting the 2nd green and sod faced round pot bunkers. Great clubhouse feel and exquisite service. Definitely a must play if you’re lucky enough to get access."
Read More2019
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