For the past 12 years, The State, South Carolina's largest and most recognizable newspaper publication, has released an annual list of the top public-access Golf Courses in South Carolina, and this year is no different. In years past, The State only listed the Top Ten Golf Courses in South Carolina, however senior writer and avid golfer, Bob Gillespie, decided last year to add a few more to the list of Top Ten Golf Courses in South Carolina and made the list into a Top 15. This year he continued that same tradition. Read on to see which of your favorite South Carolina Golf Courses made the cut; as usual, we added our own notes and thoughts to Gillespie's renowned list.

1. The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, Kiawah Island Golf Resort
   This remarkable SC Golf Course is located at Kiawah Golf Resort, an SC Golf Resort that was named the #1 Resort in the U.S. by Golf World Magazine. Kiawah Island SC has long been synonymous with the finest beach golf, and the recent PGA Championship that was played here only serves to catapult Kiawah Island Golf Resort into greater fame worldwide as a luxury SC Golf Resort. In fact, Kiawah Island was ranked the #2 Island in South Carolina by the prominent travel publication, Conde Nast Traveler and is slated to host the PGA Championships in 2012. Since last year's list, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island SC has restructured the 18th hole and added salt tolerant paspablum grass. Legendary golf professional and Golf Course Designer, Pete Dye is currently reworking areas of the course just before today's legends match up here for the state's first major.
    
2. Habour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, Sea Pines Resort
   Sea Pine's Harbour Town Hilton Head Island Golf course comes in at the #2 spot this year even though it is one of the most challenging Golf Courses in South Carolina. Designed as a Pete Dye-Jack Nicklaus collaboration, this Hilton Head Island Golf course hosted the Verizon Heritage Tournament, a distinguished PGA tour tournament, in April and is commonly named as one of the most stunning coastal courses in South Carolina. Those playing this course should remember to be creative with shots instead of trying to use strength and distance alone.
    
3. Caledonia Golf Club, Pawleys Island, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
   Do not turn down an opportunity to play at this fantastic Pawleys Island Golf club. Surrounded by ancient live oaks this course, designed by Mike Strantz, who passed away in 2005, this amazing course features several challenging water hazards and is always a fun spot to play. The elegant antebellum clubhouse is also an added bonus.
    
4. The Links Course, Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes Resort
   The Links Course is not always one of the Isle of Palms Golf Courses or Charleston South Carolina Golf Courses mentioned in lists of the top South Carolina Golf Courses, however after repairing the par-5 18th hole, which had been damaged from erosion, State writer Gillespie thinks it should get its due. The Links Course is the only one of the Charleston SC Golf Courses that has the distinction of being Tom Fazio's first solo project. After opening in 1981, it gained national attention and has been often overlooked in recent years, however it remains a true southern gem.
    
5. Dunes Golf and Beach Club, North Myrtle Beach
   The Myrtle Beach SC Golf Course at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach was one of Robert Trent Jones’ first designs to come about in 1948, and since then the Dunes Myrtle Beach SC Golf Course has been considered one of the great classics among Myrtle Beach SC Golf Courses. It made the #5 spot on last year's list, and this year it rests in the same position. You will definitely want to try the links while on your North Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation.
    
6. Tidewater Golf Course, North Myrtle Beach, Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation
   This course comes in at the #6 spot on The State's list, and it made Golf Magazine's #7 spot on it's list of "Public SC Golf Courses" to play. Designed by a former resident of Columbia SC, Ken Tomlinson, this renowned North Myrtle Beach Golf Course is always well noted in golf publications. It sits high on an overlook amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in between the intracoastal waterway and Cherry Grove.
    
7. True Blue Golf Course, Pawleys Island, True Blue Plantation
   True Blue Golf Course is another Pawleys Island Golf Course that was designed by Mike Strantz. Gillespie notes that it is almost as beautiful as the course at Caledonia Golf Club, and some may even find it more difficult. Nestled on land that was once an indigo and rice plantation, this Pawleys Island Golf Course is a must play and it was ranked in the Top 10 of Golf Digest's "Top 50 Courses in Myrtle Beach".
    
8. Osprey Point Course, Kiawah Island, Kiawah Island Resort
   Tom Fazio's elegantly designed Osprey Point Course is often noted as one of the nicest and chicest public Kiawah Island Golf Courses, and that is probably due to the fact that Fazio originally developed it to be a member's only course. Featuring a world class layout that you would normally only find at a luxury private club, Osprey Point Golf Course sits right near the ocean in a delicate marsh surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings.
    
9. Mount Vintage Golf Course, North Augusta, Mount Vintage Golf & Plantation Club
   This rare public North Augusta SC Golf Course is situated in the gorgeous pine forests near the South Carolina and Georgia border and features tons of hilly shots. Designed by Carolina's own Tom Jackson, this course features 27 holes of fantastic golf.
    
10. TPC Myrtle Beach Golf Course, Myrtle Beach
    The TPC is a Tom Fazio designed Myrtle Beach SC Golf Course that offers golfers the chance to play and get a feel for the types of courses that the pros regularly play. It is the only Golf Course in South Carolina to receive a Five Start Rating from Golf Digest; play this infamous Myrtle Beach Golf Course and enjoy a round on a course that is on the same caliber as those the pros regularly play when on tour.
     
11. Country Club of South Carolina, Florence
    The CC of South Carolina hosted the 2007 S.C. Amateurs and is definitely one of the most renowned courses to play in the Pee Dee area of the state.
     
12. Wyboo Golf Club, Manning
    This SC Golf Course is another gem from local golf course architect Tom Jackson, and its #13 Signature Hole is a 191 yard, par 3 that has numerous hazards including large trees on one side and water problems on the opposite side. You will want to play here if you are in the area.
     
13. Melrose Club Golf Course, Daufuskie Island, Daufuski Island Resort
    Daufuski Island is a pristine, natural gem and it is only a short distance from Hilton Head Island. This fantastic course is one that many often overlook when looking for public Hilton Head Golf Courses, however it is certainly worth the trip across the Calibogue Sound via ferry. Deisgned by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, this Golf Course in South Carolina near Hilton Head is a must play!
     
14. Heron Point Golf Course, Hilton Head Island, Sea Pines Resort
    The second golf course located at Sea Pines Resort to grace The State's list, Heron Point Golf Course is Pete Dye's newest course. Upon opening, it has gained tons of national attention and graced numerous other prestigious golf lists that always rate it very well. Similar to the Harbour Town Course at Sea Pines Resort, a resort filled with tons of great Hilton Head Golf Courses, this course is first rate!
     
15. Rivertowne Golf & Country Club , Mount Pleasant
    This Arnold Palmer designed Mt Pleasant Golf Course was once a Bobby Ginn managed gem, along with sister course Patriots Point, another infamous Charleston SC Golf Course, however both are now under new management. Expect to be amazed by the challenges posed by this course. Looking to the future, with new management, you can probably expect some great changes to this already spectacular SC Golf Course.

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