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May River Golf Club
Architect: Jack Nicklaus Year: 2004 350 Mt Pelia Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910 Phone: (843) 706-6500 Course Access: Resort https://www.palmettobluff.com/ |
May River Club
The May River Golf Club, located within the Palmetto Bluff community in Bluffton, South Carolina, is a private golf course celebrated for its Jack Nicklaus-designed layout and its integration with the Lowcountry’s natural beauty. While often referred to simply as "May River Golf Club" in modern contexts, its full historical name ties it to the broader Palmetto Bluff development. Below is a detailed historical report tracing its origins, development, and evolution.
Origins and Context (Early 20th Century–2000s)
The land where May River Golf Club now sits has a deep history rooted in the Lowcountry’s plantation era. Originally part of the 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff tract, the area was a patchwork of rice and cotton plantations in the 18th and 19th centuries, worked by enslaved people until the Civil War disrupted the region’s economy. After the war, the land passed through various owners, including industrialist R.T. Wilson in the early 20th century, who used it as a hunting retreat. By the mid-20th century, it was acquired by the Union Camp Corporation, a paper and timber company that logged the pine forests but left much of the landscape intact.
In 1998, Crescent Resources, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, purchased Palmetto Bluff with plans to develop it into a luxury residential and resort community. This marked a turning point, setting the stage for the creation of May River Golf Club. The vision was to craft a community that preserved the Lowcountry’s natural splendor—live oaks, marshes, and the May River—while offering world-class amenities. Golf, a proven draw for such developments, became a centerpiece of the plan.
Design and Construction (2001–2004)
In 2001, Crescent Resources tapped Jack Nicklaus, one of golf’s greatest players and a prolific course designer, to create a signature 18-hole layout. Nicklaus, working with his design associate Jim Lipe, began shaping the course that year, leveraging the site’s proximity to the May River and its forested interior. Construction progressed over three years, with Nicklaus’s team navigating the challenges of the Lowcountry terrain—marshy soils, tidal influences, and dense vegetation—to craft a playable yet scenic design.
The course opened in July 2004 as the May River Golf Club, named for the tidal river that defines Bluffton’s geography and flows into the nearby Calibogue Sound. Spanning 7,171 yards from the championship tees, it debuted as a par-72 layout with a course rating of 75.6 and a slope of 148. Nicklaus designed it to blend seamlessly with the environment, using eco-friendly Supreme Paspalum turf for fairways—a grass suited to the region’s salty air and sandy soils—and importing white bunker sand to contrast with the lush greenery. The routing winds through the May River Forest neighborhood, with several holes (notably the par-3 6th, par-4 7th, par-5 12th, and par-4 14th) hugging the river’s banks, offering stunning views of marshlands and ancient oaks.
Early Years and Acclaim (2004–2010)
Upon opening, May River Golf Club quickly garnered attention. In 2005, the South Carolina Course Ratings Panel named it the “Best New Course” in the state, praising its strategic design and natural integration. Golfers lauded its wide, inviting fairways—averaging 40–50 yards—flanked by bunkers, waste areas, and water hazards on 11 of 18 holes. The greens, though gently undulating, were guarded by deep bunkers, testing precision over power. The course’s lack of rough, replaced by sandy waste areas and tree-lined edges, gave it a distinctive Lowcountry feel.
The club’s debut coincided with Palmetto Bluff’s growth as a luxury destination. In 2003, Crescent Resources partnered with Auberge Resorts to develop the Inn at Palmetto Bluff (later rebranded as Montage Palmetto Bluff in 2014), enhancing the golf club’s appeal to affluent visitors and residents. By 2010, May River had earned a reputation as one of South Carolina’s top courses, bolstered by its Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary certification for wildlife and habitat management—a nod to its environmental stewardship.
Evolution and Expansion (2010s–Present)
As Palmetto Bluff matured, so did May River Golf Club. The course remained private, accessible only to members and Montage Palmetto Bluff guests, preserving its exclusivity. A state-of-the-art practice facility, including a driving range, short-game area, and putting greens, was added to complement the layout, along with a handsome clubhouse offering dining and views of the 18th green.
In 2023, Palmetto Bluff expanded its golf offerings with Crossroads, a 9-hole course designed by King-Collins Golf (Rob Collins and Tad King). While distinct from May River, Crossroads—featuring dramatic dune ridges and flexible play options—underscored the community’s commitment to diverse golf experiences. May River, however, remained the flagship, with its Nicklaus pedigree and riverfront allure.
Periodic maintenance has kept the course in pristine condition. The Champions Bermuda greens (upgraded from Paspalum in later years) and TifEagle Bermuda fairways are meticulously tended, reflecting the club’s high standards. GolfPass readers have consistently ranked it among South Carolina’s best resort courses, with its scenic beauty and challenging layout earning accolades like a spot in the Golfers’ Choice Awards.
Modern Day (2025)
As of April 2, 2025, May River Golf Club stands at 7,171 yards, with five tee options (3,973–7,171 yards) catering to all skill levels. Its signature holes—like the 455-yard par-4 7th, with its riverfront approach, or the 561-yard par-5 12th, bending through oaks and marsh—continue to captivate players. The course operates Tuesday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a caddie program enhancing the experience (a rarity that adds to its upscale charm).
The club’s facilities include a pro shop, PGA-certified instructors, and a clubhouse that doubles as a social hub. Membership in the Palmetto Bluff Golf Club, which includes May River and Crossroads, is a coveted perk for residents, who number around 600 households across Palmetto Bluff’s 1,500 developed acres. Home prices range from $500,000 to over $10 million, reflecting the community’s luxury status.
Historical Significance
May River Golf Club’s history is tied to Palmetto Bluff’s transformation from a timber tract to a modern Lowcountry retreat. Nicklaus’s design, completed during a prolific phase of his career (post-Pinehurst No. 2 and Muirfield Village), showcases his knack for harmonizing challenge with nature. Unlike Pete Dye’s Harbour Town or Long Cove—both on Hilton Head—May River offers wider fairways and a less claustrophobic feel, yet retains a strategic depth that rewards shot-making.
The course’s opening in 2004 marked a milestone for Bluffton, elevating its profile beyond Hilton Head’s shadow. Its environmental focus, from sustainable turf to habitat preservation, aligns with broader trends in golf toward ecological responsibility. While it lacks the PGA Tour pedigree of Harbour Town, May River’s private status and Nicklaus imprimatur have made it a Lowcountry icon, often compared to classics like Yeamans Hall or Colleton River.
Legacy
May River Golf Club embodies the Lowcountry’s blend of history and luxury. From its plantation-era roots to its 21st-century rebirth, it reflects a careful balance of preservation and progress. For golfers, it’s a bucket-list experience—beautiful, challenging, and serene. For Palmetto Bluff, it’s a cornerstone of a community that’s redefined Southern living, proving that a golf course can be both a sporting venue and a cultural touchstone.
Origins and Context (Early 20th Century–2000s)
The land where May River Golf Club now sits has a deep history rooted in the Lowcountry’s plantation era. Originally part of the 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff tract, the area was a patchwork of rice and cotton plantations in the 18th and 19th centuries, worked by enslaved people until the Civil War disrupted the region’s economy. After the war, the land passed through various owners, including industrialist R.T. Wilson in the early 20th century, who used it as a hunting retreat. By the mid-20th century, it was acquired by the Union Camp Corporation, a paper and timber company that logged the pine forests but left much of the landscape intact.
In 1998, Crescent Resources, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, purchased Palmetto Bluff with plans to develop it into a luxury residential and resort community. This marked a turning point, setting the stage for the creation of May River Golf Club. The vision was to craft a community that preserved the Lowcountry’s natural splendor—live oaks, marshes, and the May River—while offering world-class amenities. Golf, a proven draw for such developments, became a centerpiece of the plan.
Design and Construction (2001–2004)
In 2001, Crescent Resources tapped Jack Nicklaus, one of golf’s greatest players and a prolific course designer, to create a signature 18-hole layout. Nicklaus, working with his design associate Jim Lipe, began shaping the course that year, leveraging the site’s proximity to the May River and its forested interior. Construction progressed over three years, with Nicklaus’s team navigating the challenges of the Lowcountry terrain—marshy soils, tidal influences, and dense vegetation—to craft a playable yet scenic design.
The course opened in July 2004 as the May River Golf Club, named for the tidal river that defines Bluffton’s geography and flows into the nearby Calibogue Sound. Spanning 7,171 yards from the championship tees, it debuted as a par-72 layout with a course rating of 75.6 and a slope of 148. Nicklaus designed it to blend seamlessly with the environment, using eco-friendly Supreme Paspalum turf for fairways—a grass suited to the region’s salty air and sandy soils—and importing white bunker sand to contrast with the lush greenery. The routing winds through the May River Forest neighborhood, with several holes (notably the par-3 6th, par-4 7th, par-5 12th, and par-4 14th) hugging the river’s banks, offering stunning views of marshlands and ancient oaks.
Early Years and Acclaim (2004–2010)
Upon opening, May River Golf Club quickly garnered attention. In 2005, the South Carolina Course Ratings Panel named it the “Best New Course” in the state, praising its strategic design and natural integration. Golfers lauded its wide, inviting fairways—averaging 40–50 yards—flanked by bunkers, waste areas, and water hazards on 11 of 18 holes. The greens, though gently undulating, were guarded by deep bunkers, testing precision over power. The course’s lack of rough, replaced by sandy waste areas and tree-lined edges, gave it a distinctive Lowcountry feel.
The club’s debut coincided with Palmetto Bluff’s growth as a luxury destination. In 2003, Crescent Resources partnered with Auberge Resorts to develop the Inn at Palmetto Bluff (later rebranded as Montage Palmetto Bluff in 2014), enhancing the golf club’s appeal to affluent visitors and residents. By 2010, May River had earned a reputation as one of South Carolina’s top courses, bolstered by its Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary certification for wildlife and habitat management—a nod to its environmental stewardship.
Evolution and Expansion (2010s–Present)
As Palmetto Bluff matured, so did May River Golf Club. The course remained private, accessible only to members and Montage Palmetto Bluff guests, preserving its exclusivity. A state-of-the-art practice facility, including a driving range, short-game area, and putting greens, was added to complement the layout, along with a handsome clubhouse offering dining and views of the 18th green.
In 2023, Palmetto Bluff expanded its golf offerings with Crossroads, a 9-hole course designed by King-Collins Golf (Rob Collins and Tad King). While distinct from May River, Crossroads—featuring dramatic dune ridges and flexible play options—underscored the community’s commitment to diverse golf experiences. May River, however, remained the flagship, with its Nicklaus pedigree and riverfront allure.
Periodic maintenance has kept the course in pristine condition. The Champions Bermuda greens (upgraded from Paspalum in later years) and TifEagle Bermuda fairways are meticulously tended, reflecting the club’s high standards. GolfPass readers have consistently ranked it among South Carolina’s best resort courses, with its scenic beauty and challenging layout earning accolades like a spot in the Golfers’ Choice Awards.
Modern Day (2025)
As of April 2, 2025, May River Golf Club stands at 7,171 yards, with five tee options (3,973–7,171 yards) catering to all skill levels. Its signature holes—like the 455-yard par-4 7th, with its riverfront approach, or the 561-yard par-5 12th, bending through oaks and marsh—continue to captivate players. The course operates Tuesday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a caddie program enhancing the experience (a rarity that adds to its upscale charm).
The club’s facilities include a pro shop, PGA-certified instructors, and a clubhouse that doubles as a social hub. Membership in the Palmetto Bluff Golf Club, which includes May River and Crossroads, is a coveted perk for residents, who number around 600 households across Palmetto Bluff’s 1,500 developed acres. Home prices range from $500,000 to over $10 million, reflecting the community’s luxury status.
Historical Significance
May River Golf Club’s history is tied to Palmetto Bluff’s transformation from a timber tract to a modern Lowcountry retreat. Nicklaus’s design, completed during a prolific phase of his career (post-Pinehurst No. 2 and Muirfield Village), showcases his knack for harmonizing challenge with nature. Unlike Pete Dye’s Harbour Town or Long Cove—both on Hilton Head—May River offers wider fairways and a less claustrophobic feel, yet retains a strategic depth that rewards shot-making.
The course’s opening in 2004 marked a milestone for Bluffton, elevating its profile beyond Hilton Head’s shadow. Its environmental focus, from sustainable turf to habitat preservation, aligns with broader trends in golf toward ecological responsibility. While it lacks the PGA Tour pedigree of Harbour Town, May River’s private status and Nicklaus imprimatur have made it a Lowcountry icon, often compared to classics like Yeamans Hall or Colleton River.
Legacy
May River Golf Club embodies the Lowcountry’s blend of history and luxury. From its plantation-era roots to its 21st-century rebirth, it reflects a careful balance of preservation and progress. For golfers, it’s a bucket-list experience—beautiful, challenging, and serene. For Palmetto Bluff, it’s a cornerstone of a community that’s redefined Southern living, proving that a golf course can be both a sporting venue and a cultural touchstone.