Three area golf courses have been selected among the best in the Palmetto State, according to the South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel.
Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken and Mount Vintage Plantation and Golf Club in North Augusta were all selected for the honor that was released this month.
Sage Valley, a Tom Fazio creation that opened in 2001, ranks No. 2 in the state. It trails only Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines Resort, which has been named the best course in the state four years in a row.
Palmetto, which underwent extensive renovations last summer, jumped four spots this year to No. 18. Palmetto was founded in 1892 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in the United States.
Mount Vintage, which was designed by Tom Jackson, moved up eight spots to No. 31 in the ratings. The club opened its third nine holes earlier this month.
The South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel is made up of 125 members representing all facets of the game and all levels of playing abilities. Ratings are conducted by a closed vote with results tabulated once voting has been completed.
TOP 10
RANK.......COURSE.......DESIGNERS
1 (1).......Harbour Town Golf Links.......Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus
2 (2).......Sage Valley Golf Club.......Tom Fazio
3 (3).......Ocean Course at Kiawah Resort.......Pete Dye
4 (4).......May River Club at Palmetto Bluff.......Nicklaus
5 (7).......Long Cove Club.......Pete Dye
6 (5).......Greenville CC -- Chanticleer.......Robert Trent Jones Sr.
7 (9).......The Dunes Golf & Beach Club.......Robert Trent Jones Sr.
8 (6).......Yeamans Hall Club.......Seth Raynor
9 (11).......Secession Golf Club.......Bruce Devlin
10 (8).......Cassique -- Kiawah Island Club.......Tom Watson
(Previous Ranking)






