Tidewater Golf Club

Tidewater was designed by Ken Tomlinson — a Columbia, SC attorney with no formal architecture training — and built on a dramatic 600-acre peninsula along the Intracoastal Waterway. The course was nearly ready in fall 1989 when Hurricane Hugo struck, delaying the opening to 1990.

Upon debut, both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine named it the best new public course in America. It remains Tomlinson\'s only publicly known course design, making his achievement remarkably unique in the history of golf architecture. A 2014 renovation rebuilt and resurfaced all greens with MiniVerde bermuda, restoring original contours.

Golfweek rates it No. 7 among top public courses in South Carolina. The dramatic bluff-top and waterside holes have earned it the nickname "The Pebble Beach of the East."

Eight holes play along either Cherry Grove or the Intracoastal Waterway, creating visuals often compared to Pebble Beach. Dramatic elevation changes and sweeping marsh views throughout. Water affects 15 of 18 holes.

The peninsula setting means wind is a constant factor — the exposed waterside holes can play very differently from day to day. The inland holes offer some relief but maintain strategic interest with tree-lined corridors.

The 2014 greens renovation with MiniVerde bermuda restored the course to top condition.

Wind is the primary challenge given the exposed waterside setting. Check wind direction before every shot, especially on the bluff-top and marsh holes.

Club selection on the par 3s is critical — the 12th ("Wishing Well") requires a carry over marshland where wind makes distance judgment very difficult.

The inland holes offer scoring opportunities between the dramatic waterside stretches. Take advantage of them.

Water affects 15 of 18 holes. Know where the hazards are and play away from them.