The Ocean Course

Pete and Alice Dye built The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in just two years between 1989 and 1991, on commission to host the 1991 Ryder Cup, "The War by the Shore." The course has ten holes hugging the Atlantic and eight running parallel: the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere. Wind defines every round, a single hole can play up to 8 clubs differently depending on direction. The Ocean Course is one of only four courses to host each of the PGA of America's major championships: the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships (Phil Mickelson became the oldest major champion in 2021), the 2005 PGA Professional Championship, and the 2007 Senior PGA Championship. It's already been awarded the 2031 PGA Championship. Golf Digest's 2023-24 rankings place The Ocean Course #3 on America's 100 Greatest Public Courses and 24th on the overall 100 Greatest, a rare combined top-25 position.