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Olde English District Golf CoursesOlde English District (including
Cheraw, Camden, Chester and Lancaster in the north-central portion of the
state) is so named because the area was a significant base for the British
Army during the Revolutionary War. It's dotted with a number of fine golf
courses. Cheraw State Park's modern course is probably the one you'll want
to play the most. Two of the three Springs Industries-owned courses, in
Lancaster and Chester, are fine traditional courses worth a visit.
Note: Courses in the Fort Mill area and to the north are reviewed in
the N.C.'s Charlotte Region chapter of this book. Cheraw State Park Cheraw State Park boasts a modern course designed by Tom Jackson. And since it's part of the park, you can camp nearby should you be a golfer who prefers a night spent in a tent versus a dry, comfortable and air-conditioned motel room with a big TV and large selection of channels. Fairways are bermudagrass, and the greens are bentgrass, although we're told they may be changed to bermudagrass in the near future. Laid out in a magnificent pine forest (no houses in sight), the course is set on undulating terrain and poses several water hazards, including a significant lake. In this age of wholesale government downsizing, Cheraw State Park is a rare example of successful government intervention. Based on this effort, we can only hope that the state of South Carolina's budget includes significant earmarks for additional golf courses. We believe you'd be hard-pressed to find a better course in this area. Its modern design includes the obligatory mounds, big bunkers and water, plus large, undulating greens that will test your sanity and patience. The course features a number of doglegs. Its variety is evident around the greens; you'll find different contours and extensive bunkering. The backbreaker is the 13th, a 492-yard par 4 (that's not a misprint). The hole doglegs left down a hill. Assuming you hit your drive 325 yards, you'll be faced with a long and significantly downhill approach shot to a shallow green fronted by water and backed by a cavernous bunker. Hit it hot and you're flying over the green. Hit it fat and you're in the drink. Good luck! Make a daytrip from Charlotte, Columbia or wherever; it will be worth it. It might be of interest to some golfers that Cheraw is the home of jazz great Dizzy Gillespie. Amenities include a practice green, chipping green, pro shop, snack bar, practice range, locker room and rental clubs. The clubhouse is particularly impressive. The course is a hike, but you can walk anytime. Approximate cost, including cart, is $30 weekdays, $35 weekends. Chester Golf Club Chester Golf Club, designed by Russell Breeden, opened in the early 1970s. The fairways are bermudagrass, and the greens are bentgrass. Holes are mixed between wooded terrain and flat, open stretches. Water hazards come into play on eight holes. The greens are slightly raised, sloped and undulating. As you might expect with a Breeden course, each green is strategically protected by a couple of bunkers. Chester Golf Club is part of the Springs Industries triumvirate of golf courses. We think the track is one of Breeden's better designs in that it makes tremendous use of the land. Hole after hole is magnificently framed by a backdrop of mature pines and hardwoods. Dare we recommend that you make the trip from Charlotte or Columbia? Yes, of course we do! We ran into a number of regulars in the pro shop who were justifiably enthusiastic about their course. There's plenty of variety here, without modern trickery. And there are no houses to avoid. The course closes with the tough 18th, a 421-yard par 4 where you must smack the ball a long way over water with your second shot, even with a good drive. The fairways vary in width, but the course allows and almost encourages you to bring out your big weapon on a few excellent driving holes. Chester is a thoroughly sensible and completely fair course in a wonderful setting. Walking is allowed (and you should walk) on weekdays and after 1 PM on weekends. Approximate cost, including cart, is $26 weekdays, $33 weekends. Green River Country Club The full 18-hole layout opened at Green River Country Club in 1982. The members designed the back nine; R.C. Goodson designed the front, which opened around 1965. The course is set on rolling wooded terrain. Bermudagrass covers the fairways and greens. The front nine at Green River is spectacularly understated and straightforward. You might look at the course and think, "I'll devour this track." The fairways are wide open. A couple of holes bring water into play. Hit the driver on most holes but be accurate--your second shot will have to avoid bunkers and reach the right part of the green for a birdie attempt. You'll use almost every club in the bag, yet the course comes without all the trappings of the modern layout. Chipping areas flank the greens--a nice touch. With your score card reading 2-under and a hot dog firmly planted in your stomach, it's time to tackle the back nine--somewhat different from the front, though still fair. For starters, there are many more doglegs. The fairways are more rolling, though still fairly wide. The greens vary in shape and size. The most difficult hole on the course is the 13th, a terrifying and long par 5 that features a pond at the bottom of a large downslope. (If possible, enlist the guidance of a member who knows how to score par.) Overall, the back nine is more challenging, primarily due to the elevation changes and all the water. Still, the course is a lot of fun; try to visit if you're in the area. Amenities include a practice green, practice range, pro shop and snack bar. Walking is allowed mostly on weekdays. You can book anytime. Approximate cost, including cart, is $20 weekdays, $29 weekends. Lancaster Golf Club The front nine at Lancaster Golf Club opened in the 1930s. The course added a back nine more recently. The course is one of three Springs Industries courses. Bermudagrass covers the fairways, and bentgrass covers the greens. Architects of Golf lists Donald Ross as the initial designer; Russell Breeden redesigned the track. The course is well kept and boasts a solid design that wanders through some beautiful woodlands. It's mainly flat, save a few minor elevation changes. The fairways are predominantly wide, and water comes into play on only three holes, including the 7th--an island green. Bunkers abound around the greens, so it's important to consider them if you play aggressively. Lancaster also boasts a golf ball-stealing fox. The No. 1 handicap hole comes at you quickly, on the 3rd hole to be exact--a 408-yard par 4 with a brace of bunkers on the left hand side. It's a magnificent hole, and every golfer should be happy with a par. Lancaster offers an on-site meeting and banquet facility. Other amenities include a practice range, practice green and snack bar. Walking is restricted on the weekends. You can book up to three days in advance. Approximate cost, including cart, is $33 weekdays, $36 weekends. White Pines White Pines opened in 1969. Bermudagrass covers the greens and fairways. The layout is mostly open and hilly. To score well at White Pines, you must keep your ball in play. To do so, avoid the numerous ditches and water hazards--they have a yen for dimpled eggs. The greens vary in size, and most are undulating. Some are raised, and all are protected in some fashion by bunkers. Keep your accuracy in tow. Overall, we found a relaxed setting for a fun round of golf. The reachable but heavily bunkered 17th is a par 5 that could yield a birdie and alter the course of your Nassau. Amenities include a practice range, putting green, pro shop, snack bar, locker room and rental clubs. Walking is allowed primarily on weekdays. You can book up to 10 days in advance. Approximate cost, including cart, is $27 weekdays, $35 weekends. White Plains Country Club White Plains, an Eddie Riccoboni design, opened in 1968. Bermudagrass covers the fairways, and bentgrass is used on the greens. The layout is open and undulating, with trees bordering the course and defining the fairways. At this friendly course, we found a playable and mostly straightforward track. In the heat of summer, White Plains, due to its openness, becomes white hot. The layout is sensible yet challenging, short yet demanding. The fairways are generally wide enough to let you pull out the driver. Greens are fairly large and primarily flat yet gently sloped. You'll end up using most of the clubs in your bag. If you get in trouble, you can blame only yourself (or your clubs, your job or whatever political party you don't like). Overall, this is a fun course that can be as easygoing or intense as you want it to be. The track closes with a birdie opportunity, the 528-yard 18th; just avoid the water that comes into play on your second shot. Amenities include a practice range, putting green, chipping green, pro shop, snack bar and rental clubs. Walking is allowed primarily on weekdays. Approximate cost, including cart, is $28 weekdays, $33 weekends.
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