Chechessee Creek Club – Played December 2022
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 18 Chechessee Creek Drive, Okatie, South Carolina
- Year: 2000
- Architects: Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Championship: 6,641 yards, Par 70, 72.2 Rating/135 Slope
- Back: 6,285 yards, Par 70, 70.8 Rating/123 Slope
- Club: 6,049 yards, Par 70, 69.6 Rating/118 Slope
- Member: 5,930 yards, Par 70, 69.0 Rating/127 Slope
A friend of mine recently joined Chechessee Creek Club, which is what had me checking it out this past December.
One of the first things you’ll realize about Chechessee Creek Club is the flatness of the majority of the land. To combat this, Coore & Crenshaw elevated some of the greens to allow for some variety. This decision makes for a more interesting experience on a benign property. They also make use of the trees to provide some challenges.
On the agronomy front, the fairways are sand-capped to aid with drainage. In 2015 the entire property was re-grassed in Bermuda using TifEagle on the greens, TifGrand around the greens, and Celebration everywhere else.
Couple all of that with an extremely walkable routing and you have a good result. Let’s get into the tour.
Hole 1 – 350 yards – Par 4
The first hole is a gentle opener that bends slightly to the left. You’ll notice the first example of the elevated greens I mentioned. Missing the green short will be preferable for most of the day.
Hole 2 – 179 yards – Par 3
This shot didn’t play as tight as it appears. Putting yourself in any of the bunkers will make for a difficult par.
Hole 3 – 338 yards – Par 4
As you progress on this hole, the fairway narrows, pinched by bunkers left and a hazard right. A fade fits really well on this tee.
The hazard should be on your mind as it extends all the way up to the green.
Hole 4 – 369 yards – Par 4
The bunker on the left is eye-catching but it isn’t really in play. Don’t let it distract from the set of bunkers on the right. A good drive here can set you up with a chance to attack the pin.
The green falls off on the back side. As I mentioned before, missing short is usually fine.
Hole 5 – 516 yards – Par 5
I missed the tee shot photo here, so were looking at the approach shot below. Stay away from the left side of this hole and you’ll be smiling.
Hole 6 – 406 yards – Par 4
On this hole, a draw proves advantageous. The fairway is free of bunkers so you can wail away.
Sand enters the equation again for the approach shot, seen below.
Hole 7 – 155 yards – Par 3
The club’s namesake creek and a marsh sit to the left of this hole. A short tee shot still asks a lot of the player with trouble left and right. The green has a massive false front that is unpinnable.
Hole 8 – 407 yards – Par 4
This hole has the most bunkers on the course and is a brute. They are everywhere, including two cross bunkers fifty yards short of the green.
Again, short is ok here. Right is better than left.
Hole 9 – 403 yards – Par 4
The longest par four has one of the widest fairways and a huge green. That seems fair to me. The green is hidden from the tee where a fade plays best.
With a long second shot, the open green is a welcome sight. You can definitely run your approach shot up onto the surface.
Hole 10 – 486 yards – Par 5
This short par five bends to the right off the tee. If you can keep your drive on the fairway, going for this green in two is a definite possibility.
You’re in the “go-zone” from here.
Hole 11 – 179 yards – Par 3
Your eyes are drawn to the large bunker on the left. The green slopes toward it as well. Playing to the center of the green and being happy with a par may test tour patience, but it is the preferred strategy.
Hole 12 – 324 yards – Par 4
On this short hole, the green is tucked just out of sight to the right. Long hitters can certainly challenge it from the tee. The conservative play is an option as well.
Only one bunker guards the green but it is in a perfect spot. The green is pretty narrow, just to add some fun.
Hole 13 – 149 yards – Par 3
Don’t let the shorter length lull you into a false sense of security. The green is wide in the front before narrowing the deeper you go. If you end up offline here, good luck making par.
Hole 14 – 371 yards – Par 4
You’ve got a tougher tee shot here with the trees pinching the fairway. The green sits off to the right to guide you.
The green offers the most intrigue on this hole. Be careful not to short side yourself with all of that contouring.
Hole 15 – 484 yards – Par 5
Straightaway and right in front of you are all apt descriptors of this par five. If you can string two solid shots together, birdie or better can be had.
Hole 16 – 202 yards – Par 3
The longest of the one-shot holes gives you some options. The aerial route or more along the ground can both work here. The bunker on the left is actually 30 yards short of the green, while the left bunkers are quite deep.
Hole 17 – 320 yards – Par 4
The farther right you go, the more carry is required. Playing to the left is safer but your approach angle is worse. Check out the plaque below for the best way to play the hole.
If the approach shot is a bit lazy the hazard awaits on the right side of the green.
Hole 18 – 411 yards – Par 4
Chechessee Creek Club offers up a difficult finishing hole. A draw plays best on this slight dogleg left.
The green rests in front of the low-key clubhouse that is nestled among the trees, not drawing attention at all. You absolutely cannot go over this green.
Chechessee Creek Club will not wow you with dramatic elevation changes or stunning views. Everything is a bit turned down here, but that is not a negative in my eyes. The course provides an excellent walk and just enough challenge to keep you engaged. I think C&C did quite well with a flat piece of land.