Unique New 12-Hole Golf Course Coming To Chechessee Creek Club

SportsMoneyUnique New 12-Hole Golf Course Coming To Chechessee Creek ByErik Matuszewski, Contributor

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Chechessee Creek One of golf’s newest short courses is taking a unique apach, with a 12-hole mixed routing in which five holes are geared toward beginners and higher-handicap players and the strategic nature of the other seven caters more to experienced golfers

The yet-to-be-named layout at Chechessee Creek, a private in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, is being overseen by Zinkand Golf Design (ZGD)

The flexible 12-hole design at Chechessee starts with a five-hole loop of par-3 holes that are draped over a blanket of continuous turf

While int to be less intimidating and challenging for newer or less-skilled players, the varied yardages on the opening holes will also test the short- and mid-irons of better players

The ing seven-hole loop is a blend of par 3 and par 4 holes, with the longest being just over 300 yards, and is more strategic in nature with forced carries, nounced bunkers, and putting surfaces with greater contour. “Our new 12-hole course fulfills the ’s vision for a fun, bold playing experience that both complements and contrasts its existing 18 holes,” said Zinkand. “The first loop vides avenues to the hole for any level of play without sacrificing design character, while the second loop offers a balance of shot options for all skill levels. ” Dave Zinkand spent nearly a decade and a half working for the design team of Bill Coore and Ben

Zinkand Golf Design MORE FOR YOU The Zinkand team broke ground on the golf course earlier this year and will continue working on the ject throughout the summer

In recent years, more than one-third of new course openings have been so-called short courses, according to the National Golf Foundation, the majority being at res or private s

Among the other private s currently building short courses are Tepetonka (MN), Crazy Mountain Ranch (MT), Miakka Golf (FL), High Grove (FL), and Old Sawmill (S. ), while public Par 3 courses are in the works at places such as Sweetens Cove (TN), Wild Horse Golf (NE), and Sugarloaf Golf (ME)

Chechessee Creek, meanwhile, is among a growing number of South Carolina golf facilities undertaking new development, joining perties 21, Cypress Shoals, Kawonu, Old Barnwell, Old Sawmill, and Palmetto Bluff

Florida and Texas are the only states with more current golf courses under construction or in-planning, according to the NGF

The greenside bunker at the ninth hole at Chechessee's new short course, which is expected open in

Chechessee Creek The non-traditional routing isn’t the only unique element of the new course at Chechessee, which is being built in a Lowcountry setting punctuated by oak trees and colorful wetlands

Amid the rugged environment, Zinkand and his team are preserving and incorporating native vegetation – including, most unusually, a carnivorous plant bog

Among the carnivorous plants native to South Carolina are the Venus flytrap, pitcher plants, sundew, and butterworts, and bladderworts, all of which trap, digest and absorb nutrients from insects and other organisms they capture. “Our team is also establishing extremely varied habitats outside of turf areas, focusing on native plants and ground formations that will expand the site’s ecological diversity,” said Zinkand. “These planned habitats include installing what may be a true one-of-a-kind golf course feature. ” It’s doubtful, however, that any of the aforementioned plants can digest a golf ball

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