Orangeburg Country Club – Played April 2021
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 2745 Griffith Drive NW, Orangeburg, South Carolina
- Year: 1961
- Original Architect: Ellis Maples
- Additional Work By: Richard Mandell
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Orange: 7,032 yards, Par 72, 73.8 Rating/132 Slope
- Blue: 6,629 yards, Par 72, 71.8 Rating/127 Slope
- Black: 6,092 yards, Par 72, 69.5 Rating/124 Slope (Men’s), 75.5 Rating/133 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,368 yards, Par 72, 65.5 Rating/116 Slope (Men’s), 70.9 Rating/124 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 4,671 yards, Par 72, 62.6 Rating/112 Slope (Men’s), 66.5 Rating/117 Slope (Women’s)
I’ve been making an effort to play more courses in my home state. My trip to Orangeburg Country Club had that goal in mind.
Thankfully, my friend CJ recently joined an out of town member and was able to host me. I ended up playing the next weekend as well with him and a couple other buddies. This first trip around was just the two of us.
Orangeburg Country Club has a long history in town. You can read more about it here. It has also hosted some big state tournaments including the CGA Mid-Am, SCGA Mid-Am Four-Ball, and the Big I Junior.
I had long heard about the golf course, especially since they did a major renovation in 2008-2009. So I was excited to check it out. Ellis Maples is an architect who may not have the prestige of some of the biggest names, but I’ve always found his courses to be enjoyable. With Richard Mandell’s renovation attempting to restore the Maples touches, I was ready to head to the first tee.
Hole 1 – 347 yards – Par 4
The first hole isn’t looking to beat you up. Solid drives should provide an opportunity to fire at the pin and get your round started with a birdie.
Hole 2 – 494 yards – Par 5
This hole is quite gettable if you can stay out of the trees on the left. A good drive leaves you with a long shot over water, but the green is a big target and is worth going for in two.
Hole 3 – 174 yards – Par 3
One critique of Orangeburg Country Club is that the par threes can feel a bit repetitive. That said, they are still good tests, especially when the greens are running quickly.
Hole 4 – 391 yards – Par 4
On this slight dogleg right, over the green is death for your score.
Hole 5 – 358 yards – Par 4
With the fairway framed by trees and an elevated green, don’t let the shortness of the hole lull you into a false sense of security.
Hole 6 – 192 yards – Par 3
It looks uphill but I didn’t think it affected how the hole played. This green is a bit shallow and long misses make for tough up and downs.
Hole 7 – 406 yards – Par 4
This is a beefy hole with water lurking on the approach shot. The bunker in the middle is a nice piece of visual intimidation. I got lucky here and flagged the second shot.
Hole 8 – 480 yards – Par 5
I found this hole played longer than the scorecard yardage. It turns hard to the left before continuing to a green surrounded by bunkers.
Hole 9 – 366 yards – Par 4
The fairway is wide here, but if you get off line it can affect the approach. The green is pretty tough, especially if you miss long.
Hole 10 – 382 yards – Par 4
The aesthetics on this hole are really nice with the stone wall on the hazard. The green is open in front which helps if you are playing into teeth of the wind.
Hole 11 – 519 yards – Par 5
Longer hitters can challenge the bunkers up the right side, while the left is a safer bet. It’s difficult to get home in two here, but the layup is pretty easy and leaves you with a short shot to attack the pin.
Hole 12 – 154 yards – Par 3
Miss the water and you should be good to go here.
Hole 13 – 438 yards – Par 4
I think this might be my favorite hole at Orangeburg Country Club. The fairway is pinched by the water but it is wide enough to let the driver go. If you hit the fairway it’s a green light to go at the flag.
Hole 14 – 418 yards – Par 4
Centerline bunkers can be a controversial architectural technique, but I love them. Faders can cut the corner and significantly shorten the hole.
Hole 15 – 427 yards – Par 4
Wide open and long means you have to hit two solid shots. Not much to do but avoid the bunkers.
Hole 16 – 332 yards – Par 4
This is a chance for the late round birdie. You can go for the green or approach it with a wedge, either way a 3 is possible. Just avoid the bunkers or par becomes a problem.
Hole 17 – 184 yards – Par 3
The water isn’t in play but the bunkers certainly are. The green is pretty big and angles from left to right.
Hole 18 – 567 yards – Par 5
There is no faking it on the final hole. It will take most players three good shots to reach the green. The approach is stressful with the water fronting the green ready to gobble up bad shots.
My round at Orangeburg Country Club was delightful. It’s not the most visually stunning course but it has solid bones. You have to move the ball both ways to be in the best positions and approaches have to be precise to have good looks at birdie. It’s a gem of a course off the beaten path!