SC’s First 18-Hole Natural Grass Putting Course Now Open!

Santee Cooper Golf Resort opened The Palmetto Traverse, a 35,000 square foot green designed for wild fun, with putts as long as 260 feet possible and over some of the most varied terrain you will ever see in a putting surface. The design is based off the Himalayas putting course at St. Andrews, and designed by golf course architect and Donald Ross restoration specialist Kris Spence.

“We have been looking for ways to make the overall experience at our facility better and more exciting. The trend in putting course construction caught our attention and we happened to have the perfect piece of property to build something extremely unique for our area, and for the state of South Carolina for that matter,” said Todd Miller, general manager of Santee Cooper Resort.

Spence said the complex — which was constructed using USGA sub surface drainage and rootzone, and will be topped with a Tifeagle Ultradwarf surface — also will include a pair of small bunkers within the surface area, and a small central grassy island with a sitting area and landscaping. The internal contours include plateaus, terraces, swales, rolls, valleys, spines and slopes that will provide abundant variety testing the best player to the beginner.

“The green includes most every feature a golfer might experience when playing golf around the world,” said Spence, who is based in Greensboro, N.C.

Spence has renovated, restored or worked on nearly three-dozen golf courses in North Carolina, most notably Sedgefield CC, site of the PGA Tour’s annual Wyndham Championship, Roaring Gap Club, Country Club of North Carolina’s Dogwood Course, Forsyth CC, Mimosa Hills, Grove Park, Cape Fear and Myers Park.

The putting green is conveniently located behind the Lake Marion GC clubhouse and golf shop near the multiple golf villas on the property, just steps away from the front door of the villas and pool area.

“I think this will especially appeal to those golfers staying on the property wanting something else to do following their round on the course,” said Spence.

“We expect the Palmetto Traverse will be a big hit with the many travelers on I-95, as well as families from Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding area,” Miller said.

Unlimited Play for All Stay and Play Golf Packages at Santee Cooper Golf Resort

A green fee for the 18-hole putting course will be included in all-inclusive, stay-and-play packages booked through Santee Cooper Golf & Travel. There will be a nominal fee for those pulling off I-95 to play.

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