Kiawah Island Club: Cassique

Johns Island, SC, United States • Private

1 / 2

USGA/Russell Kirk

2 / 2

148 - Kiawah Island (Cassique) - 5th hole - Evan Schiller.jpg

Courtesy of Evan Schiller

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 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

Holes 18

Length 7005

Slope 147

Facility Type Private

Year Opened 2000

Designer Tom Watson

Awards

Ranking history:

100 Greatest: Ranked from 2007 through 2010.
Highest ranking: 85th, 2009-2010.

Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 166th.
Previous ranking: 150th.

Best in State: Ranked sixth in 2021-'22. Ranked inside the top five 2007-2009. Ranked seventh, 2023-'24. Ranked inside the top 10 in 2005, 2011-2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 7th.

Panelists

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

4.5

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

7.3154

Character

7.4873

Challenge

7.2443

Layout Variety

7.4545

Fun

7.3927

Aesthetics

7.528

Conditioning

7.2929

Reviews

1 / 10

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."

2024

2 / 10

Review

“Some unique holes that were designed in the form of holes found in Scotland/Ireland."

2023

3 / 10

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."

2022

4 / 10

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. "

2022

5 / 10

Review

“Private, links style course, designed by Tom Watson and Bob Gibbons. Beautiful, well maintained old school , Scottish style course, unique to the area."

2022

6 / 10

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."

2021

7 / 10

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."

2019

8 / 10

Review

“A severe course, that high handicappers might wish to avoid, and without the beauty of some of its neighbors, but if you are in the area, worth playing. Several unique holes."

2018

9 / 10

Review

“Fun layout with lots of interesting holes. Could be challenging for higher handicappers. Clubhouse and pro shop staff were very courteous and competent. A really good golf experience."

2018

10 / 10

Review

“Definitely worth the time to play. The clubhouse, food, and service are top notch. The course has very good conditions, but the ball plays more like a resort course where it doesn't run around a lot. "more sizzle than steak"."

2018