USGA Digital Program

8TH

U.S. AMATEUR FOUR-BALL

CHAMPIONSHIP

MAY 20 - 24, 2023

KIAWAH ISLAND CLUB

CASSIQUE & RIVER COURSE | KIAWAH ISLAND, SC

May 15, 2023

Welcome to The Kiawah Island Club. We and the Membership are proud to host the 8th Annual U.S. Amateur Four-Ball. Our two private courses, Cassique and River Course, were constructed with the goal of hosting high-level championships such as this. We were honored when the USGA asked the club to be a host and truly consider it a prestigious privilege to host this event.

It is an exciting year here on Kiawah Island as 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of The Kiawah Island Club. We could think of no better time to partner with the USGA and show our support of amateur golf than during this anniversary year. Kiawah Island holds a special place in our hearts, and we feel fortunate to be in a position to share it with all those who qualified for this prestigious Championship. Between the contrast in our courses, the natural beauty, unique landscapes, wildlife, and community, Kiawah is unlike any other destination. We hope you relish in the opportunity to absorb yourself in the magic our Island possesses, and hopefully make plenty of birdies in the process.

On behalf of our entire team and the Members here at The Kiawah Island Club, we hope you enjoy your time with us. We wish you the very best of luck and hope Kiawah gives you the experience you so truly deserve.

Sincerely,

Patrick Melton, Will Culp, Chris Randolph and Jordan Phillips Kiawah Partners

May 15, 2023

Dear Esteemed Guests,

The team here at The Kiawah Island Club extends our sincere congratulations to you on qualifying for this exciting event and is proud to extend a heartfelt welcome. We are honored to have the opportunity to host you and hope to deliver an exceptional experience that will leave you with memories to treasure for a lifetime.

For over two years, our team has poured their heart and soul into preparing for your arrival, ensuring every detail is perfected, and creating an ambiance that exudes excellence and championship golf. As you embark on our famous fairways designed by the legendary Tom Watson and Tom Fazio, we hope you develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of our unwavering commitment to golf.

Our Club has proudly hosted several amateur competitions over the years, including the prestigious U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 2009, and our entire Membership and dedicated team of over 400 employees take immense pride in opening our courses and clubhouses to you. It is our promise that your stay with us will be an unforgettable experience filled with extraordinary hospitality, world-class golf, and the highest quality island living.

We are confident that your experience with us will be nothing short of exceptional, and we are thrilled to share in this momentous occasion with you. Congratulations to all those who qualified. We eagerly anticipate the pleasure of your company and remain committed to providing an experience that exceeds your every expectation.

Sincerely,

The Kiawah Island Club Advisory Board

Adam Fuller

Jamie Herbert

Leo Horey

Todd Lankford

Tina Schell

John Shippee

Cindi Solomon

Mike Twilley

Welcome to the 2023 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and the excitement of a USGA championship!

At the United States Golf Association, our purpose is as clear as the letters that define us: Unify the golf community

Showcase the best at every level

Govern the rules of the game

Advance sustainability and inclusivity of golf

When it comes to showcasing, the USGA was created more than 125 years ago to conduct premier championships and provide inspiration to golfers and golf fans alike, and that commitment is as important to us now as it was then. We celebrate the world’s best by providing the stage for them to achieve their dreams. And we are incredibly thankful to all those who support our championships and the players who compete in them.

The USGA has a longstanding and important tradition of bringing national championships to communities throughout the United States, and it’s remarkable to know that more than 40,000 dreamers from around the world vie to play in our championships each year.

We offer our sincere thanks for the tireless efforts of the staff, leadership and membership here at The Kiawah Island Club to help bring this championship to life.

We’d like to thank our corporate partners – American Express, Cisco, Deloitte, Lexus, Rolex and Sentry – for stepping up and aligning their goals and brands with us. Thank you to the hundreds of thousands of USGA members and donors for their belief and support, and to our thousands of volunteers, without whom there would be no championships.

Most importantly, I want to recognize the players, who have worked hard to earn the opportunity to compete in a USGA championship. Thank you for your love and support of the game, and congratulations on earning your place in this week’s field. We know that many special memories will be made here and look forward to what promises to be a memorable championship.

Looking forward,

Mike Whan USGA CEO

Wednesday, May 17

Noon – 5 p.m.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship

The Kiawah Club – Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Subject to change

Player Registration – Cassique Living Room

Noon – 7 p.m. Practice areas open

Thursday, May 18

6 a.m. – 2 p.m.

6 a.m. – 5 p.m.

7 a.m. – 1:24 p.m.

Player Registration – Cassique Living Room

Practice areas open

Practice Rounds – River Course and Cassique – 1st Tees Only

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Welcome Reception – River Course Ballroom

Friday, May 19

6 a.m. – finish

Final Registration for late arrivals – Cassique Living Room

6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Practice areas open

7 a.m. – 1:24 p.m.

Practice Rounds – River Course and Cassique – 1st Tees Only

4 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. USGA Committee Social Hour – Marsh House

6 p.m. USGA Committee Reception and Dinner – Marsh House

Saturday, May 20 256 Players (128 per course)

6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Practice areas open

7 a.m. – 1:24 p.m. Stroke Play Round 1 – River Course and Cassique – 1st Tees Only

Sunday, May 21 256 Players (128 per course)

6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Practice areas open

7 a.m. – 1:24 p.m.

Stroke Play Round 2 – River Course and Cassique – 1st Tees Only

Conclusion of Play Medalist Ceremony & Announcements – Public Scoreboard

5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Championship BBQ – Beach Club

Monday, May 22 64 Players

6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Practice areas open

7 a.m. Play-off, if needed

9 a.m. – Noon Match Play Round 1, Cassique

Tuesday, May 23

6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Practice areas open

7 a.m. – 8:24 a.m.

1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Wednesday, May 24

Match Play Round 2, Cassique (32 Players)

Quarterfinal Matches, Cassique (16 Players)

6 a.m. – 1 p.m. Practice areas open

7 a.m. – 7:20 a.m.

1 p.m.

Semifinal Matches, Cassique (8 Players)

Final Match, Cassique (4 Players)

Prize Presentation Ceremony immediately following completion of play

A PLAYER'S GUIDE TO CASSIQUE

COURSE NOTES BY DYLAN THEW AND CHARLIE ARRINGTON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GATELY WILLIAMS

HOLE #1

A slight dog leg to the right. Very unique pot bunkering takes place just to the right of the centerline of the fairway. You can stay safe down the left side, or you can play very aggressive over the bunkers on the right-hand side where the fairway pencil-tips in a little bit. Totally Risk/reward.

With a good drive you could be left with a short wedge. If you're playing safe, then you're probably going to be hitting a mid- to a long-iron.

The green slopes back to front with a severe runoff in the center right portion. There's a false front, which might leave you chipping up the green if you're slightly under club. Long left is the no-go zone and will put you in a bunker with a difficult up and down. The best strategy is to play to the center of the green.

hole #2

Gettable par five but definitely some interesting strategy involved. You're almost always better off laying up as opposed to going for the green in two.

If you actually stand on the left-hand side of the tee box, you can see the green at the end of the lake. If you want to take the green with your second shot, the best line to take off the tee is down the left side of the fairway- despite the big tree and the dunes covered in bakeri grasses! There's a lot of room to the right, but the further right you go, the longer your layup shot is going to be.

There's a ravine with a six-foot-wide burn that runs in front of the green, which is protected by an enormous false front. Any ball that doesn't hit the top of the putting surface will actually roll back into the ravine. Anything short on this green will spin back, so the front pin is probably the most challenging! Back right pin has a backstop if you hit a little bit long.

*THIS GREEN IS PATTERNED AFTER THE 16TH HOLE AT TURNBERRY IN SCOTLAND WHERE WATSON WON THE 1977 OPEN, "THE DUEL IN THE SUN," AGAINST JACK NICKLAUS.

HOLE #3

Blind tee shot. The hole goes straight out and then veers to the right. A strategically placed bunker in the fairway leaves you with a blind shot if you're stuck behind it. Consider this before you hit the driver, as the bunker can also come into play off the tee! The aggressive play is down the left-hand side. That will give you a clear shot to the green.

Any shot down the left will give you a clear look at the two-tiered green. The front pin is probably going to be the easiest to attack. There's a mound in the middle of the green that is quite challenging if you're playing to the back pin. There's a hidden bunker guarding the front right corner of the green, which you CANNOT see no matter where you are on the hole!

Nip and Tuck | no. 4

Nip and Tuck plays the fairway down the left side. It's not really a driver hole unless it's into the wind. Most players are forced to hold back on this one. The fairway pinches in the closer you get to the green. The miss on the left side brings the hazard and severe mounding into play. A miss on the right side makes it impossible to get to the green. Ideally, carry over the right corner of the bunker on the left in order to leave yourself the best angle onto the green. DIG DEEP AND COMMIT TO THIS TEE SHOT.

You can really only see the left half of the green in your approach. The back right is blocked by sand dunes, cordgrass, and bunkering. With a good tee shot down the left side, you'll at least be able to see the green. You have a bit of back stop if you hit it long. It's a good-sized green for a short hole. Not too penal. Lower tier on the left, higher tier on the right.

**The mounds in front of this green were redesigned after a trip to Ireland. They are modeled after the 11th hole at Ballybunion.

(Par 3, 5th Nip and Tuck plays uphill to the #4 Pulpit green. If you're playing Pulpit, you play a downhill par 3 from Mount Watson. This hole is only used for the Pulpit routing.)

HoLe #4 [THERE ARE TWO ROUTINGS: NIP AND TUCK AND PULPIT.]

Pulpit | no. 4

This routing takes you up the right side. Pulpit can be played multiple ways. The fairway does pinch in, but it is possible to hit a driver over the fairway bunker, leaving a shot pitch into the green. Consider hitting short because if you go in that fairway bunker, you're probably not going to be able to reach the green. The aggressive play is down the left side.

Huge defense slope on the front of the raised green. Any ball that's short will roll into a valley. Any ball that is left will also roll into a valley, both very difficult up-and-downs. It's a fairly tricky green. Difficult to read. Putts often appear to be downhill when they're uphill or appear to break left to right and end up going right to left.

HOle #5

Nip and Tuck | no. 5

Notice the huge undulation on the front of the green. It gives you a back stop. It plays five or six yards uphill. Typically downwind, so this is a good scoring hole if you hit a solid tee shot. Anything short leaves you in a severe valley, so picking the correct club is essential.

Pulpit | no. 5

Teeing off from Mount Watson, you nearly have a 360-degree view. It's a short par 3 down the hill, only 135 yards. Normally it plays into the wind, so the tee shot can be difficult to gauge from this elevation. The left side of the green is guarded by a huge dune. There is a pot bunker long right-virtually impossible to get the ball up and down because the green slopes violently away from you.

*The inspiration for this green was the "Dell Hole" at Lahinch.

hOle #6

Another gettable par 5 with a good tee shot. If you are going for the green, you have to carry over the spectacle bunkers-visually intimidating from the fairway. It's a split fairway from the tee. Although there is room on the left side, it's not actually worthwhile to take an aggressive line because of all the pot bunkers that are in play. The best line off the tee box is slightly right of those bunkers. That'll give you a good angle for your second shot. If you can't carry those bunkers, then laying up is definitely the play as they will almost always lead to a bogey.

Spectacle Bunkers: About 60 yards away from the green. It's an awkward bunker shot, awkward distance, and a lot of height is required to clear the big wall of the bunker.

*These bunkers are patterned after the 14th hole at Carnoustie in Scotland where Watson won his first British Open.

The green is guarded by a big bunker on the left and a small pot bunker on the right. Very interesting contouring here. The front of the green will let the ball run down to the center. The backstop makes this a fairly forgiving green for a long par 5.

**This backstop was added after the original shaping and inspired by the 17th hole at Yeamans Hall.

HOLe #7

You tee off right in front of a pond and overlook an expanse of marshland. This is a two-tiered green-very small tier at the back of the green. Playing to the center of this green is generally always the play no matter where the flag is. There's no point in being too aggressive. Three is a good score on this hole. The green is surrounded by bunkers, two bunkers on the left side and one on the right. So don't bite off more than you can chew! Anything on the green will give you 40 feet, 50 feet max -a relatively small target for a long hole.

HOLE #8

Probably the hardest par 4 on the course. It's short at just a little over 300 yards. Definitely a risk-reward hole! A longer hitter could potentially go for the green, but if it's a miss, you're going to have an extremely difficult chip shot. Most people hit a long iron or a fairway wood to the center of the fairway. You have to hit over the marsh no matter what tee box you choose to play, so get yourself ready. The further left you go, the further you have to hit the ball and the tighter the fairway gets. Intimidating tee shot. You see a lot of bailouts to the right.

The green is approximately 30 feet deep on the back right. So your distance control has to be incredibly accurate. A long shot in makes it virtually impossible to hold the ball on the smallest green on the course. If you walk away from this hole with par, you feel like you've made a birdie.

hole #9

A large oak tree blocks the right side of the fairway, so you feel like you're forced to hit down the left. But there's actually more room down the right than you think! Although the tee pushes you left, take an aggressive line and hit a fade back to right center of the fairway. The rolling fairway always makes for a challenging lie, so be prepared to adjust your setup.

Not much room for error with the approach shot. Good pot bunkering surrounds a green with one of the largest false fronts in America. The way Tom Watson designed the hole was to actually hit a punch shot into the bank and have the bank take all the speed off and pop the ball onto the hill. You could try your best to fly the ball to the top. Any ball that's short of the slope or that has any spin will eventually end up down at the bottom of the hill.

**This green was inspired by the 9th green at Ballybunion, although the false front is much more exaggerated here.

HOLE #10

Intriguing par 4 -there's a lot more room than it looks like. It's a semi-blind tee shot where you can only see the right side of the fairway. But the play is actually down the left! That will give you a view of the green, whereas playing the right will not. It's daunting but there is a lot more room than it looks like from the tee box. Aim down the right side and hit a nice draw to the left side of the fairway. The fairway pinches in, so if it's downwind, it's not necessarily a driver hole. Watch out for the pot bunkering in the mounding on the right of the fairway.

**The idea here was to deceive the golfer on the ideal tee shot direction- similar to the 11th hole at Oakland Hills in Detroit.

The green is surrounded by three sod-stacked pot bunkers and one larger regular bunker on the right-hand side. Anything short is going to end up with a tricky shot. The smartest play, no matter where the flag is on this green, is to just play to the center because the green isn't very deep.

**Watson patterned this green after the 6th hole at Ballybunion in Ireland.

hOle #11

Pretty demanding tee shot. This is the longest hole on the golf course at close to 600 yards from the tips. It kinks a bit to the left and then curves back to the right. Trees guard the left side of the fairway, but that's where you need to hit. The further right you go, the longer the second shot. If you want to get to the green in two, you have to take an aggressive line down the left and carry the ball 290-300 yards over a bunker. If not, play safe down the center of the fairway.

The layup shot is guarded by a bunker on the left side of the fairway, about 150 yards away from the green. Other than that it is fairly straightforward. This three-tiered green is one of the most challenging on the course. Watch the subtle false front on the right side and the bunker on the left. There's a redan in the middle of the green that often swallows balls and funnels them off the left-hand side. The back right tier is by far the smallest and most difficult to attack. Any shot slightly left could potentially end up in a hazard.

hoLe #12

Short par 4. You can be as aggressive as you want. The right side gives you the best look into the green. The more left you go, the more room there is, but hitting left brings trees into play with your approach shot. This is a strategy hole -it's more about positioning than hitting it as far as you can for a short club in. A bunker and trees guard the right side if you miss the fairway.

The green is two-tiered. There is a slope that runs from front left to the back right, so it's kind of diagonally portioned. Back left is the most challenging because anything long left runs down into a small valley and some nasty rough. When the flag is on the left-hand side just play for the center of the green. The easiest pin is front right because you have a backstop to spin it in to.

HOLE #13

A phenomenal par 3! Marsh and water to the left and beyond the green. Three-tiered green: front, back left, and back right. There are three bunkers on the left-hand side and then a waste area long and left. A high spine divides all the quadrants up, so hitting it to the center of the green is not always your best option. The right side of the green funnels balls off the putting surface. You must try to attack the pin no matter where it is, because finding yourself on the incorrect tier will make for a very challenging two putt.

**Missing this green in the short right hollow is a chipper's nightmare regardless of pin location!

hole #14

Relatively long par 4. The fairway is wide, about 220 off the tee box, and then it starts to get narrower the further you hit it. So again, risk/reward. You can't see the green from the tee, so use the pines in the background as your goalpost to hit through. There's mounding down the right side and a waste area to the left. This is the first time on the course where the tree line really pinches the visuals in, and you feel that you have to hit the ball very straight.

The green is long and thin and separated by a spine in the middle. The back left is really tough because the green funnels away from you, so fire at it unless your distance control is really good. You can be the most aggressive when the pin is on the front because anything slightly long will spin off the slope down to the hole.

(This green surface is reminiscent of a potato chip, with a severe roll off on the back left.)

hOLe #15

Par 5. Signature hole on the course! The fairway is split with bunkering, so you have to go left or right. If you're a long hitter, aim just right of the bunkers and hit it as hard as you can. This is a totally player-dependent hole. People who fade the ball usually play down the right, and people who draw the ball play down the left.

Your second shot is guarded by the hell bunker, which sits about 50 yards short of the green. It is huge. The layup shot must ensure that you carry the small pot bunker, which is about 145 yards away from the green.

The green is long and incredibly narrow. Two slopes separate three tiers: back, front, and middle right. The back right tier is like a tabletop -it's TINY. The length of the green runs slightly left to right, so you need to be coming in on the left in order to have a straight shot up the green.

**This hole was inspired by the 14th at St. Andrews. The famous "hell bunker" in Scotland has a ten-foot face. The Cassique version is only about five-feet high, but it's a bit more in play.

HOLE #16

Time to knuckle down and dig deep as three challenging holes bring your round to a close. From this tee box you can actually see Mount Watson across the Kiawah River -it's so beautiful that it's distracting. There are waste areas up the right side of the hole. On the left side there are two big valleys and one small pot bunker. So it's a challenging tee shot, but the green surface is actually pretty big. The smart play on this hole is to hit to the center of the green, which will leave you a relatively straightforward two putt for your par.

hole #17

This is a cape hole - the fairway curves severely to the right around the marsh. You have to play out to the left and then play your way around the marsh to the green. If you can hit 300 yards, then you have the option to take a direct route to the green. The risk/reward is there! But the obvious safe play is a fairway wood down the left side. The further you go left, the longer your approach shot is going to be. Be strategic with your tee shot because this will determine how close you can hit your second shot. This is a narrow green. There is a waste area down the righthand side and severe sloping on the left side.

hOLe #18

Demanding tee shot here. There are two tiers in the fairway...lower left side and upper right side. The smart play is a draw off the right side of the fairway. This will leave you the best line in.

There is a large lake in front of, and to the left, of the green. The entire putting surface slopes towards the water. You have to be careful with the spin on the ball in your approach shot. You can use the contouring of the greens, but you run the risk of gathering too much speed and ending up in the hazard. The green has a small tier right of center, which makes for a pretty tricky pin on a shelf. The tournament pin is always back left, and everything funnels down towards the water, so the putting is challenging.

A PLAYER'S GUIDE TO THE RIVER COURSE

COURSE NOTES BY DYLAN THEW AND CHARLIE ARRINGTON

HOLE #1

Right out of the gate, Tom Fazio makes you think with this short dogleg left. Longer hitters want to take an aggressive line down the left to leave a short wedge onto the green. Any shot that fades too far right could be blocked out by trees. However, overdraw too far left and you risk the lake and severe fairway bunkering. Hit a shot that curves gently to the left in order to situate yourself in the middle of the fairway with a good line to the green.

The left side of the green is guarded by water and sand. The right side is guarded by a short, steep bunker, which is actually not a bad spot to miss. This is a two-tiered green. The safest bet is to play to the right center of the green. If the flag is on the front, utilize the slope to spin the ball back. Distance control is crucial when attacking the back flag, as anything long of the green will leave an incredibly challenging chip shot.

**The River Course opened in 1995 but was substantially renovated in 2005 and again in 2015.

hole #2

Good scoring opportunity here! It's a reachable par 5 with a fairly demanding tee shot. A huge bunker guards the right side of the fairway, and the left is bordered by trees and a water hazard. The aggressive play is to hit driver. The fairway narrows in the landing zone, but hitting the downslope will get some extra yardage. The widest part of the fairway is the safest play. You will have a long second shot no matter what, but it's very gettable! The layup is protected by bunkers that jut into the fairway. If you can't carry the bunkers, stay focused. You're forced to lay up into a tight area, so choose your club wisely.

This is a very wide but shallow green - typical of a Tom Fazio par 5. Because of the width, you can miss left or right. If you're coming in with a short approach shot, watch your distance control. The green slopes severely from the back to the front and is separated into three undulating tiers: a high tier on the left side, a slightly lower middle tier, and an even lower tier on the right. Landing in the correct quadrant will leave you a good chance at making the putt. There is a very high waste area on the left side of the green and a small pot bunker just short to force you to take more club. Remember, short is better than long. Don't be fooled.

**The tunnel on this hole is left over from when the Kuwaitis owned Kiawah Island. They originally intended to design a second course to play from the Turtle Point Clubhouse.

HOLE #3

The first of four beautiful par 3s. This hole often plays into the wind, so the length can be difficult. Tee the ball up on the right side of the tee box. There are some overhanging trees on the left-hand side that you must avoid, especially if you hit butter cuts.

The size of the green surface area is quite forgiving.There are three prominent pin locations: front, middle, and back. There's a hollow in the center of the green that funnels balls off to the left. The front portion is raised, the middle portion is low, and the back portion is raised. If the flag is center left, this is definitely a pin to attack. When it's on the front, missing it short is okay. When the flag is at the back, play from the middle of the green. Missing left will pretty much always leave an uphill chip, so favor this side.

HoLe #4

The first of back-to-back par 4s. It's birdie time! Be strategic with your tee shot. You can drive it over the bunkers where the fairway is narrow, or you can lay up in between the bunkers where the fairway is the widest. The most ideal shot shape off this tee box is a draw, as the hole curves slightly left. A good drive will leave a short shot.

Bunkers guard the left and right sides. The center of the green is a good play no matter what the pin location is. Avoid the front left, as the contours will catch the ball and pull it off the green. If you have a short iron in your hand, throw a dart. This is a good chance to get one back on the field.

HOLE #5

Drivable for long hitters! If you have the ability to carry the ball 280 yards, then have some fun and go for it. If you don't have the length, the safe play is a 220 shot up the left side of the fairway. The hole curves to the left around a water hazard and a waste bunker, so hit a draw to ensure a good line into the green.

One of the most severe greens on the course. There is a very large slope in the middle. Do not be too aggressive if the flag is at the back because long is dead. When the pin is at the front of the green, you can utilize the slope in the middle, taking the false front out of play.

*This hole has undergone more renovations than any hole on the course. Originally it featured two greens! In 2005 they were merged to become one large green.

**The USGA Mid-Amateur Championship was played on the River Course and Cassique in 2009!

HOle #6

It's difficult to gauge the wind here, so pay attention on the preceding holes. Anything short will end up in a bunker or in the water. Anything long will go into a waste area or a grassy bunker, leaving you an incredibly difficult chip. The entire green slopes toward the water, so if you are going to miss, err to the right.

Spend some time reading this shallow green. Look from both sides and play for maximum break and minimum speed. This is no time to be aggressive, as there is no easy pin position. This is a demanding hole. Don't feel like you've lost a shot on the field if you make a bogey.

*Shortest hole on the course. Very difficult, especially in the winter!

hOle #7

One of the longest par 4s on the golf course. It actually has a wide fairway, which I think is fair considering the length. Definitely hit driver. I recommend you aim to the right corner of the left bunker and gently move the ball back to the middle of the fairway.

This green is deep and narrow with a slope in the middle that funnels balls right. This is Fazio at his best! Work the ball from left to right with your approach, so if you miss, you are left with a relatively straightforward pitch back up the slope and a good chance to save par. This is usually the windiest stretch of the golf course, so plan accordingly.

*This hole was originally routed to be a par 5, but the original plan would have brought down a stand of large oak trees. Fazio made this a par 4 to save the trees!

HOLe #8

Again, the direction of the wind will determine the line you take. First, get an accurate yardage of carry distance from the tee box. The further right you go, the longer the carry over Bass Pond. Don't try to bite off more than you can chew. The miss is definitely left. My recommendation for shot shape is to actually curve the ball away from the water. Although the hole curves right, do not try to fade the ball off the tee box. If you fade the ball a bit too much, you will end up in the hazard. This second shot is one of the most difficult layups on the golf course, especially when it's breezy. Again, Fazio is making you think! The ideal position is to lay up to about 110 yards. This will give a straight shot onto the green.

Very large putting surface. There are three tiers: front left, middle lower right, and a back tier. The center of the green is never a bad play. But don't be unnecessarily aggressive! This hole can be incredibly penal if you miss this green, so be patient.

HOLE #9

It's time to get focused. It's not a long hole and you will usually have a prevailing wind. There is a waste area with bakeri grass and trees on the left and marsh and the Kiawah River on the right. It does not matter if you hit a driver, a hybrid, or a fairway wood -the goal is to hit the center of the fairway. The green is impossible to hold if you're coming in from the rough.

This green is severely contoured. The left quadrant is raised and surrounded by a half-moon lower tier. If the flag is in front right, take dead aim. Any other pin placement will benefit from a shot more towards the center of the green.

hole #10

One of the longest par 4s on the back nine. Hit the ball down the right side of the fairway with a tight draw and you'll be in the perfect position to attack the pin with your second shot. A fade here will bring the trees on the right into play.

The entire green slopes left to right. It is fairly wide, not too challenging. I would favor the right side if you are going to miss, leaving yourself a relatively easy bunker shot uphill. A miss on the left side requires you to chip downhill from the rough, which is more difficult to control. Great way to start the back nine. Enjoy!

HOLE #11

This is a short par 4. Do not over club off this tee box. The fairway is too narrow, and the risk/reward is not worth it. Longer hitters must hit a fairwood, a hybrid, or an iron in order to hit the widest portion of the fairway. Now is not the time to attack.

This green is wide and shallow. A small pot bunker guards the front middle. You have no choice but to play aggressively into these pins because of the slope in the middle of the green. You must be confident and approach the shot with an aggressive mindset in order to leave your ball on the correct tier to give yourself the best chance at a birdie. Pay attention to the wind and err on the short side.

*Notice this hole is more low profile. It's called "the dry creek", its bunker modeled after an old, dried-up creek bed.

**If you hit to the left side of the fairway, there is a concave hollow called the "catcher's mitt." This is the ideal landing area to get a clear shot onto the green.

hOle #12

Beautiful par 3. The further right you miss, the longer the shot needs to be to carry the water. If the flag is on the right side of the green, aim just left of it and use the slope. Don't be afraid to take a little extra club on and choke down.

Two-tiered green here: small back tier and then a much larger front tier. Be aggressive if the flag is at the front. Err to the left side to avoid the water and the bunker at the front of the green. A miss short left is an impossible up and down. A short miss right is fine because you have a lengthy two-putt. And if your shot is long, behind the green is a fairly straightforward up and down. (Although, when standing on the tee box, you may think I'm crazy for saying so!)

hoLe #13

Signature hole on the course! This is your chance to play aggressively and possibly walk off with an eagle. Don't play it too safe! Off the tee box, aim at the bunker in the center of the fairway and hit a slight draw. Good players will be left with a long iron into the green. If you hit the ball more than 250 yards, the bunker on the left will not come into play. Shorter hitters have the option to lay up across the lake or just short of the lake. In this case, favor the right side of the fairway as opposed to the bunker and draw the ball.

Play aggressively in your approach shot and draw the ball away from the hazard. If you miss the green, you're left with a either a bunker shot or a chip with plenty of green to work with. So you don't need to fear the third shot. If you are laying up, make sure it's at a comfortable distance. Do not try to get close to the green if you're not comfortable with three-quarter shots or shots that aren't full swings.

Everything short on this green funnels to the water on the right side. If the pin is on the right side, play left of the flag and the ball will funnel down. If the flag is in the back of the green, watch your distance control. Attack the pin at the front of the green.

*Before you get to the 14th tee, stop at the comfort station for a snack and a drink. Two good par 4s await you!

*Fazio wanted to connect holes 14, 15, and 16 so he would have more sand to work with. The sand here is all completely natural to the island.

hole #14

Blind tee shot here. It's a dogleg left, and the further you hit, the narrower the fairway gets. Consider the wind here and choose between a fairway wood or a hybrid. Draw the ball off the tee if you want to play aggressively. If you prefer to fade the ball, aim just right of the waste area on the left side and work the ball to the largest part of the fairway.

This green has two tiers: upper left and lower right. Bunkers guard the front. If you're more comfortable in the bunkers, then the miss is short. If you're not comfortable in the bunkers, take an extra club and don't be afraid to chip back to the flag. If the flag is on the left, play aggressively to the left. Anything that hits in the center of the green will funnel to the right.

hOLe #15

You must hit the ball straight here. Waste bunkers guard both sides of the fairway. If you can carry the ball a decent distance, then a driver will hit the downslope and hopefully run a considerable distance. If you're not comfortable with a driver, then a fairway wood is fine. Just take the straightest club you have in the bag. The approach shot plays ever so slightly downhill, so make sure you deduct a few yards off the actual to get your number.

This green is narrow and long. Do not miss the ball in the bunker to the left. It has an awkward shape and will pose a very difficult stance and lie. If the flag is in the center of the green, don't be afraid to take a little bit less or a little bit more club just to avoid that bunker. Relatively flat green, so no real challenges posed with the putter.

*Historically there was a series of shallow wells in this area that supplied fresh water to the early residents and guests of the old Kiawah Inn.

HOLE #16

This is your last good opportunity to make an easy birdie. It's a long par 5 but very gettable. If you're a longer hitter, shape it right to left off the tee box and favor the left side of the fairway. If you miss right here, you will not be able to hit the green in two. If everything goes well, keep your foot on the gas and fade your approach shot.

Play aggressively on this green. Ideally you'll want to use the contours to work the ball close to the hole. The green slopes severely from left to right at the front with a relatively flat back tier. If the flag is on the front, play your approach shot just left of the pin. Utilize the slope to feed the ball to the hole. When the flag is at the back you have a little bit of room long left, so don't be afraid of a fraction too much club to ensure you carry the slope.

hole #17

Do not be distracted by the beautiful views! This hole requires some thought. It's one of the most exposed holes on the course, so the wind is going to affect your tee shot more than the previous three. The waste area left of the green is close to the penalty area, so miss right if you must. I like to start the ball in the right portion of the green and work it back towards the flag. But some players hit a fade and work the ball off the waste area because the error is to the right side. Stick to your game and play your natural shape.

Relatively flat green. A small spine rolls through the middle. The front portion slopes right. Make sure you walk 360 degrees around your putt, because a putt from the front to the back will break multiple different ways.

*You'll notice the back of the 15th tee here. This can also be played as the back tee for the 17th hole. And it's arguably a more direct shot!

hOLe #18

Home stretch! The average hitter should play a draw on this hole, starting the ball to the right center of the fairway and working it to the left. The longer hitters should favor a left to right - over the tree on the left side and work it to the right. Because the miss is definitely right. You don't want to hit driver on this hole and work it too hard to the left. This could potentially leave you in the waste area, or even the penalty area. Whatever you do, avoid the tree short left.

Fazio challenges you right to the very last moment. This is an incredibly narrow green guarded by a large bunker on the right and a waste area on the left. The green is contoured like a potato chip, with various slopes and contours. If the flag is on the front and your approach is above the hole, be very careful of the speed coming down this hill. If the flag is at the back, do not go long. Play to the center of the green and putt straight up the slope. The miss is short right!

*Fazio modeled this green after the iconic Tillinghast design - concave with sides that sweep up. The shape is a lot like a potato chip!

GOOD LUCK!!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:

USGA EVENT BOARD:

General Chairman - Dylan Thew

Vice Chairman - Chase Godwin

Vice Chairman - Mike Perkins

Vice Chairman - Randall Glover

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Committee Chair - John McMurray

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Committee Chair - Patrick Donnelly

Co-Committee Chair - Dawn Swit

Advisory Chair - Patrick McKinney

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