RiverTowne Country Club and Dunes West Golf and River Club In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

BY: John Torsiello

I’ve had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which is located about a half hour’s drive from the magical city of Charleston.

In fact, two of the best public courses in the area are located right across from one another on Route 41 in Mount Peasant; RiverTowne Country Club and the Dunes West Golf and River Club.

Before I tell you about both, make sure if you are in the area to check out the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, two ocean communities boasting funky cafes and bars off the warm, soft brown sand and mild ocean waters. Hang out in downtown Charleston, with its trendy pubs, restaurants, shops, and historic sites. There are myriad lodging choices, and the city has a central shopping area called, appropriately, “The Marketplace.”

RiverTowne is Arnold Palmer’s first signature course in the Charleston area. The course, which hosted a LPGA event for several years, is situated among scenic marshlands and live oaks, with 13 holes routed along the Wando River and Horlbeck Creek. The tree lined fairways provide generous landing areas to set up approach shots to multi-tiered greens guarded by bunkers and water. The course plays from 7,188 yards down to 5,089.

“The Arnold Palmer Signature layout is what makes RiverTowne a standout golf course,” said Pete Dunham, Director of Golf. “The conditions are excellent, especially the greens, and the challenge tests all levels of golfers every round.”

The back nine at RiverTowne, home of an LPGA tournament for several years, is tougher than the front. Although the front ends is brutal fashion, with a 563-yard parfive. With the marsh still on the right, the ninth is a true three-shot hole the majority of the time. A drive over a finger of marsh will find a wide landing area. The second shot needs to be positioned carefully to leave the best angle into a demanding green guarded tightly by bunkers.

Dunes West plays anywhere from 6,859 yards down to 5,208 yards from the forward markers. Water comes into play on seven holes and the fairways are fairly large and forgiving. The greens are mildly undulating and guarded by bunkers, both sand and grass.

At Dunes West Golf and River Club, a long drive eventually takes you to a stately clubhouse after passing tall live oaks draped with Spanish moss. It creates a sublime mood for a fun day of golf. Dunes West plays anywhere from 6,859 yards down to 5,208, and water comes into play on seven holes. The fairways are fairly large and forgiving.

Number four at Dunes West, a 489-yard par-five, is a well thought out design. A big tee shot leaves the player with an opportunity to go for the green in two, which demands a carry across a pond that runs down the left side of the fairway to the green. “What makes Dunes West special to members is that we always give back to the club with annual improvements,” said General Manager Rich Rankin. “In 2018, we renovated all greenside bunkers, painted both the athletic clubhouse and the tennis pro shop, made landscaping improvements around the tennis facility as well as the main pool, and purchased new maintenance equipment to be able to continue to keep the golf course in great shape.”

If get an invited, make sure you accept and play the private Snee Farm Country Club, just down the road from the two aforementioned layouts on Route 17. The club is home to a really interesting George Cobb-designed course, a newly renovated clubhouse, a full service restaurant and bar.

www.RiverTowneCountryClub.com www.DunesWestGolfClub.com