By Len Ziehm
Cheraw State Park
Joy and I are never reluctant to check out hidden gems and Cheraw State Park was a great track that I am glad we were able to visit.
Cheraw State Park Golf Course opened in 1992 and receives heavy play from Canadian golfers, who like to rent cabins on the park grounds. Superintendent, Chris Flowers, is considered top notch and the course was in the best condition of any we’ve seen so far in 2020, plus the clubhouse was impressive. 
Tom Jackson, a course architect based in Greenville, was the designer. The best hole No. 13 is a sharp dogleg par-4, that plays 492 yards from the back tees. The green is protected by water on the left side and continues around the back, plus most of the right side. This hole clearly merits its designation as the No. 1 handicap hole.
Jackson worked for both Robert Trent Jones Sr. and George Cobb before starting his own architectural firm in 1971 and has built over 100 courses, mostly in the Carolinas.
One interesting side note: Cheraw was the first course we have played this season that had rakes available in every bunker.
Cheraw measures 6,928 yards from the back tees and can play as short as 5,408. For more information check out www.playcheraw.com.
Santee
Less than 1,000 people live in Santee, located between Charleston and Columbia, but this small community has three quality golf courses, within close proximity, affordable lodging and an ample supply of restaurants, highlighted by the iconic Clark’s Restaurant and Inn, a fixture since 1946.
Santee mayor Donnie Hilliard likes to say,
“We have less than 1,000 residents here during the day, but potentially 20,000 on the weekends.’’ They come in big numbers for the golf, and more were starting to trickle in after Palmetto Traverse – a unique putting attraction — was opened last fall.”
Then the pandemic hit.
“For us it wasn’t just the lack of revenue but the timing of it all,’’ said Todd Miller, general manager of Santee Cooper Resort. “After Traverse opened, we had the momentum going. Then all this (pandemic concerns and inevitable restrictions) happened and we don’t know if it’s done yet. That’s the hard part. All we can compare it to in our area is the hurricanes, and they come and go.’’
The three-course triumvirate consists of Santee Cooper Country Club, a George Cobb design that opened in 1967; Lake Marion, designed by Eddie Riccono for a 1978 opening; and Santee National, a Porter Gibson creation that made its debut in 1989.
Palmetto Traverse
Putting courses aren’t new. Many golf facilities, even storied St. Andrews in Scotland, have them as an extra amenity for golfers. Palmetto Traverse isn’t one of the bigger such courses, but it is one of the best.
Its not just a putting course, Palmetto Traverse has been labeled a ‘putting experience.’ Covering over 35,000 square feet, Palmetto Traverse was designed by Kris Spence, an architect based in Greensboro, North Carolina, with help from Robbie Wooten. 
You putt from black “tee’’ markers to holes labeled with white flags. A 260-foot putt is possible, plus the layout offers putts steep uphill, speedy downhill, as well as, putts breaking in all directions. This ‘putting experience’ even includes two bunkers.
Palmetto Traverse makes the perfect social diversion after a round, or a challenging pre-round practice exercise.
“We created the concept over what Pinehurst had done (on its Thistle Du layout) – a short, fun course,’’ said Miller, who has been with the Santee organization since 1998. “It was a way for us to introduce the game to anyone and yet experienced players can enjoy it just as much – if not more.’’
Easy to Find
Santee has always provided a laid-back atmosphere and now that pandemic concerns are easing, it’s location along I-95 makes it a convenient stop for golfing travelers. In addition to these three great courses, another 11 courses sit nearby to please any golfer’s needs.
Of the trio at Santee, we considered Lake Marion the best of the three in our initial visit in 2014. This time, however, we switched our favorite to Santee National. It has a nice mixture of holes with lots of doglegs and a particularly tight, demanding back nine. Santee Cooper Country Club, a short, sporty layout located in a gated community, has 300 members, but is also open to play by resort guests.
If you are heading through South Carolina and would like more information visit: www.SanteeCooperGolf.com.
