The 7th Annual 2013 Friendship Cup was contested at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort March 1st and 2nd on Pete Dye’s world-famous Ocean Course and the Jack Nicklaus designed Turtle Point.

One first year attendee shared, “The Friendship Cup will begin the golf year for my friends and me from now on!  I look forward to coming back next year to compete with all the great people I met on our maiden voyage to the “Cup” weekend.  You cannot beat the Southern Hospitality you get at this wonderful island showcase.”

The tournament boasted a record high attendance of 86 two-man teams this year.  Tournament Chairman Tom Bewley says, “We are finally where we want to be with this tournament.  Our goal was for it to become one of the country’s premier amateur events and it has.  While we could grow it much larger, we plan to limit the event to 100 teams in 2014.”  The field of contenders is split between the two courses each day and the tournament is done with tee times rather than a shotgun format so everyone plays the courses as they are meant to be played for the best experience.

While the golf tournament is certainly a key component to the weekend, the “friendship” part of The Friendship Cup really happens off the course each evening.  Attendees dine together each night at different themed events and continue the fellowship at the nightly hospitality suite.  Hospitality suite favorites are the Full Swing Golf simulator, putting contest, cornhole tournament and foosball.

This year, the Thursday night kick-off dinner was once again at the popular Mingo Point site overlooking the magical Kiawah River.  A bonfire, tunes from the Travis Allison Band, and the smell of roasted oysters, fire-grilled steaks and pit BBQ welcomed the crowd.  As the night went on, each guest was encouraged to choose a pair of Sundog sunglasses as part of their weekend amenity package and Puros Reynoso was on hand offering samples of their finest Dominican cigars.

The amenity bag is always a big hit and this year did not disappoint with a Ralph Lauren polo, pair of FootJoy custom golf shoes, Ahead hat, plush golf towel from Harbor Linen, 2 sleeves of Titleist golf balls, Back Nine head covers, FootJoy socks, fine Dominican cigars from Puros Reynoso, and lots of spa goodies.  The resort partners with many sponsors to make the event an exceptional value.  From a four year attendee, “By far the best golf event weekend of the year.  Amazing golf, great hospitality and the best value there is in the world of golf.”

Friday evening after play, all past champions were honored going back to 2007, and the 2012 champions were presented their coveted navy blazers and welcomed into the Friendship Cup Hall of Fame.  Attendees enjoyed a “Taste of Kiawah” themed dinner highlighting the resorts’ varied restaurants.  Each course was paired with a complimenting beer courtesy of Southern Eagle Distributing.

As the tournament came to a close Saturday afternoon, officials from VPAR live scoring tallied the highly anticipated results.  Once again, all gathered in the Grand Ballroom at The Sanctuary Hotel for the final awards dinner. Another first year attendee summed it up by sharing,” The Friendship Cup is an epic experience at an exceptional venue. The combination of playing on a “Majors” golf course and sharing good food and drink with great friends locks this in as an annual event!”

The official results:

The 2013 Friendship Cup Champions:

Michael Iwanicki and Chuck Kalenowski – Bushwood Ballers – (130)

Low Gross Individual – Hugh Morrison (153)

Low Net Individual – Chuck Kalenowski (144)

Rounding out the Top 10: (In the event of a tie, The Ocean Course round score was used as the tiebreaker)

2nd – Randy Jones & Tom Crosby – Hope To Finish (136)

3rd – David Sinclair & Wayne Whitley – Hotty Toddy (138)

4th – Jamie Anderson & Doug Dohner – Cash-N-Out (139)

5th – Brett Sterba & Daron Pope – Agreeably Childish Behavior (140)

6th – Richard Grindon & Hugh Morrison – Cunning Linkers (141)

7th – Bill Thomas & Clay Setzer – I’d Tap That III (142)

8th – Rob Beattie & Jim Costello – Lincoln’s Beard (142)

9th – John Haskins & Matthew Loney – Team Ham & Egg (142)

10th – Jonathan Lee & Shannon Spillman – Red Beans & Rice – (143)

Within The Friendship Cup, a small tournament is held among the “publications” that attend.  This year LINKS, Golf Digest and Sports Illustrated (Golf Magazine) were represented.

The 2013 Pub Cup Champions:

Jason Adel & Rick Hall – Golf Digest (151)

The post 2013 Friendship Cup Recap appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

As “bucket list” proof, the Rolex clock adjacent to The Ocean Course driving range, practice green and clubhouse is one of the most photographed icon on Kiawah Island Golf Resort.  We’ll often see players running up from the 18th green after their round to get their picture taken before heading into the Ryder Cup Bar to celebrate their round.

There will now be an additional opportunity for photography.  Rolex is installing a second clock near the first tee by the practice green there.  Now there’s no excuse for being late for your tee time!

The new clock should be arriving the week of May 6th.  We’ll be blogging on it’s installation so visit often!

The post Second Rolex clock on its way appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Check out Showtime’s “60 Minutes Sports” this month.  Steve Kroft does a great segment on Pete Dye and his unique golf course designs.  Much of it was shot on The Ocean Course where Pete and Steve filmed interviews over the course of an entire round.  It aired originally last night and will air a number of times over the next month.  Once done, it will probably be available online.

The post Pete Dye and The Ocean Course on 60 Minutes Sports on Showtime appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

This often-debated 19th-hole topic is the subject of “LINKS Golf Madness.” Like the NCAA basketball extravaganza, LINKS Golf Madness uses rankings and brackets as a guide for users to identify which courses they think are the best. The public opinion determines the champion.

We are happy to let you know that The Ocean Course was selected as one of the 64 in LINKS Golf Madness. Here is a link to the site where you can register, see the bracket selections, and make your picks:  http://www.linksmagazine.com/linksgolfmadness.

Best of all, it’s a chance to win a trip to Hawaii!!!

The post Which is the best public-access course? appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

Now in its 7th year, a two-man tournament for male amateur players, The Friendship Cup is contested on the world famous Ocean Course, site of the 2012 PGA Championship, and the Jack Nicklaus designed Turtle Point Golf Course.

Thursday night begins with a Lowcountry oyster roast and BBQ at Mingo Point overlooking the Kiawah River.  Enjoy fantastic food, music, making new “friends” and reconnecting with old ones.

We will split the field again this year due to the number of teams, so half will play Turtle Point on Friday and the others will play The Ocean Course – home of the 2012 PGA Championship!  Friday evening will conclude with a culinary experience dinner honoring our past champions and the 2012 Friendship Cup and Pub Cup champions.

Former Dallas Cowboy, Ed "Too Tall" Jones was 2012 Friendship Participant

The tournament continues Saturday as teams play round two on their respective courses.  We will celebrate together in the Grand Oaks Ballroom on Saturday night and award the winning teams.  The top ten teams will win fantastic trips.

The nightly hospitality suite and many more contests and prizes keep the weekend very exciting!

Package includes:

• Accommodations for three nights
• Daily Breakfast (Friday and Saturday)
• Thursday Night – Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ (includes alcohol)
• Friday Night – Dinner for ALL attendees honoring our Past Champions (includes alcohol)
• Saturday Night – Awards Dinner and Reception (includes alcohol)
• Hospitality room for three nights
• Two golf rounds (One on the Ocean Course)
• Two boxed lunches while golfing and sponsored alcohol on course
• Tournament gift bag
• Housekeeping
• Taxes & Fees

The Sanctuary from $1379 per person double occupancy

The Villas from $1279 per person double occupancy in a 2 bedroom

Caddie gratuities not included.

The post 7th Annual Friendship Cup “Golf’s Fifth Major” February 28 – March 3, 2013 appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

Register online for a chance to win an unforgettable weekend package to The 2013 Friendship Cup Championship – February 28-March 3 – compliments of Ralph Lauren & Kiawah Island Golf Resort!

THE PRIZE – Not only will you and a lucky guest win a two-man amateur team at the 7^th Annual Friendship Cup Tournament, but you will also be outfitted by Ralph Lauren for the two tournament rounds and will be paired with the always competitive “RL X-Factor” Ralph Lauren team.

A two-man tournament for male amateur players, The Friendship Cup is contested on the world famous Ocean Course, site of the 2012 PGA Championship, and the Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Point Golf Course.

Thursday night begins with a Lowcountry oyster roast and BBQ at Mingo Point overlooking the Kiawah River where strangers quickly become friends.

Friday the tournament begins and the field is split between Turtle Point & The Ocean Course.  The evening concludes with a “Taste of Kiawah” dining experience.

Saturday it’s the final round and after competing on what Golf Digest touts as “the toughest course in America,” we will celebrate at our Awards Dinner in the Grand Oaks Ballroom.  The top ten teams will win fantastic trips.

The nightly hospitality suite and many more prizes keep the weekend very exciting!

Sweepstakes Package includes:

•      2 Ralph Lauren Golf Outfits per person

•      Private ocean view accommodations for three nights

•      Daily Breakfast (Friday and Saturday)

•      Thursday Night – Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ (includes alcohol)

•      Friday Night Dinner for all attendees honoring our Past Champions

•      Saturday Night – Awards Dinner and Reception (includes alcohol)

•      Hospitality room for three nights

•      Two golf rounds (One on the Ocean Course)

•      Two boxed lunches while golfing and alcohol on course

•      Tournament gift bag

•      All taxes and resort fees

*Must be an amateur golfer (no professionals).  A valid handicap index is required to participate in the tournament.  Accommodation upgrades and spouse/guest packages are available at an additional cost. Dining and caddie gratuities are not included.

Drawing will occur on December 31, 2012

The post Ralph Lauren & Kiawah Island Golf Resort Contest appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

Golf Digest, the world’s leading golf publication, and Kiawah Island Golf Resort, host of the 2012 PGA Championship, jointly released the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Flyover Application powered by Golf Digest, a free iPhone and Android companion application designed to enhance the experience of playing The Ocean Course.  The application, an extension of the existing business relationship between Golf Digest and Kiawah Island Golf Resort, allows users to virtually tour Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, site of the 2012 PGA Championship, through a virtual flyover experience of all 18 holes. The app allows golfers to use it when playing the Ocean Course themselves to gauge distances each hole.

“I have played at Kiawah Island Golf Resort many times and what is remarkable is how this app brings out every detail of the course. From the significant bunkers to the trees that guard the approach on the 3^rd hole, this app makes me feel like I’m playing the Ocean Course all over again,” said Golf Digest President & Publisher Peter K. Hunsinger. “The app is a tremendous example of what Golf Digest as a brand can execute on behalf of our valued partners.”

Through the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Flyover Application powered by Golf Digest, iPhone & Android users can:

• Virtually tour the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island through a moving aerial flyover from tee to green on all 18 holes, including undulations, hazards and permanent structures on the course

• Access complete hole information for all 18 holes, including GPS-enabled yardages from each set of tees and various points on the fairway, as well as close-up inset images of each green with depth readings

  Learn about the Ocean Course’s design, history, past events and critical acclaim

• Share course information and the application with fellow golf fans via Facebook, Twitter & email directly through the app

• See local weather conditions in real time

• Browse an exclusive Kiawah Island photo gallery

• Put the app to practical use when playing the Ocean Course via flyover technology

The free application is available now and can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/RsI1PY

The post Check out new Ocean Course App for Droid and iPhone appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

You won’t find better savings to play The Ocean Course for the rest of this year!!!

CHAMPIONS CHOICE PACKAGE
This package contains the ultimate in luxurious accommodations, golf on The Ocean Course, home of the 2012 PGA Championship, and award-winning dining options.

Includes your choice (1) of the following:
• Two rounds of golf per room, per night on ANY course (including The Ocean Course)
• Dinner for two at ANY restaurant (including The Ocean Room and The Atlantic Room)

The Sanctuary – Garden View Accommodations, only $400/night
The Villas – One Bedroom Scenic View, only $300/night

PLAYERS CHOICE PACKAGE
Continue saving with the Players Package!

Includes your choice (1) of the following:
• Two rounds of golf per room, per night on Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point or Oak Point
• Dinner for two at Jasmine Porch, Tomasso or Cherrywood BBQ

The Sanctuary – Garden View Accommodations, only $300/night
The Villas – One Bedroom Scenic View, only $200/night

LIMITED TIME OFFER ON THESE PACKAGES! CALL 800.654.2924

*Valid November 5, 2012 – February 28, 2013; subject to availability and blackout dates. Tax and villa resort fee additional. Accommodation options are a Garden View room at The Sanctuary or a one bedroom Scenic View Villa. Blackout dates include (but are not limited to) November 9-10, 16-17 and December 31. Cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Not valid for groups. Minimum length of stay may apply.

The post Golf or Gourmet? appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

17th Hole

Even as workers dismantle bleachers, break down hospitality trailers and disassemble broadcast booths, the Charleston community is already feeling an uptick from the PGA Championship.

The event produced close to $75 million worth of media exposure worldwide that included more than 150 hours of television coverage seen in 580 million households worldwide.  Since the Championship, the resort has seen a substantial increase in the number of inquiries from golf groups. Group leaders are no longer just kicking the tires.  After seeing Kiawah on TV, they’re anxious to bring their groups and play it themselves.

During the Championship, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) shared a suite with the Charleston Area CVB to entertain 14 companies looking to expand, consolidate or relocate.  Half of those firms were from outside North America.  According to David Ginn, President and CEO of CRDA, “You can’t do that with just any event; it has to be a world-class event and this is.”

Ginn explained the positive economic impact that the Ryder Cup and Senior PGA Championship had on the region when they were hosted at Kiawah and why CRDA hosted potential investors at the PGA Championship, “Historically, if you look broadly at guests who came to those two major events, half of them became investors here in our market.”

Gov. Nikki Haley said the event was a chance to bring CEOs to town and show them how a community can support a business venture – including events as large as a major sporting event.  “This is where we bring CEOs to see that this is who we are,” Haley said.  “When you come to South Carolina, you are going to be a big fish in a small pond and the people of South Carolina will wrap their arms around you.”

Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Bobby Harrell met with business leaders while enjoying the tournament.  He is confident that the region will see an expansion of business.  “I have watched the economic development folks take full advantage of this,” he said.  “I think we are going to see a positive increase for the next decade as a result of the experience of this week.”

Roger Warren, president of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and a large group of supporters are working to bring another major to the state — and sooner rather than later.

It took 21 years and plenty of tweaks for the PGA Championship to play The Ocean Course after the famed Ryder Cup matches here in 1991. Warren believes the course’s reputation and how it performed for a national audience will draw more of golf’s biggest tournaments, although he understands that’s not fully up to him.

The pros, PGA of America leaders, fans and media will all weigh in during the next few weeks on how things went. “If the consensus opinion is that it was a great experience, then I would expect we’d get more championships,” he said.

“We’re very happy and very appreciative of the support from everyone in the community and the state and the county who have supported the event,’ said Kerry Haigh, managing director of championships for the PGA of America.

Warren said the resort has asked the United States Golf Association to look at its facilities for tournaments, including a U.S. Open. In 2009, the USGA held its U.S. Mid-Amateur at a course just off the island’s main gate, Cassique at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The USGA “knows who we are,” Warren said.

Warren felt this past week should help Kiawah Island’s case. “It just raises the esteem of the golf course,” he said. “The goal is to see how the golf course is, and how well we were able to do as a community. I think that just bodes well for the future.”

The post PGA Championship’s economic impact appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.

On an extra-long Sunday at Kiawah Island, Rory McIlroy racked up an extra-big victory. McIlroy, at age 23, dominated the final round and won his second major by a PGA-record eight shots.

Published: Sunday, August 12, 2012 | 7:17 p.m.

McIlroy validated his record-setting U.S. Open win last year by blowing away the field Sunday at Kiawah Island. One last birdie from 25 feet on the 18th hole gave him a 6-under 66 for an eight-shot victory, breaking the PGA Championship record for margin of victory that Jack Nicklaus set in 1980.

The 23-year-old from Northern Ireland returned to No. 1 in the world, and he became the youngest player since Seve Ballesteros to win two majors. Tiger Woods was about four months older than McIlroy when he won his second major.

Just like the U.S. Open, this one was never seriously in doubt.

McIlroy seized control with back-to-back birdies Sunday morning to complete the storm-delayed third round with a 67 and build a three-shot lead. No one got closer than two shots the rest of the way, and McIlroy closed out a remarkable week by playing bogey-free over the final 23 holes of a demanding Ocean Course.

David Lynn, a 38-year-old from England who was playing in America for the first time, won the B-flight. He closed with a 68 and was the runner-up.

Woods, who shared the 36-hole lead for the second time this year in a major, was never a serious factor. He tossed away his chances Saturday before the storm blew in and never could get closer than four shots. He closed with a 72, failing to break par on the weekend in any of the four majors for the first time in his career.

If there was a signature shot for McIlroy at Kiawah Island, it might have been Saturday when his tee shot lodged into a tree on the third hole. He only found it with help from the TV crew, took his penalty shot and fired a wedge into 6 feet to save par. He was on his way, and he never let up.

McIlroy also won the U.S. Open by eight shots, the kind of dominance that Woods has displayed over so many years.

By winning the PGA Championship, he is halfway home to the career Grand Slam.

“It was a great round of golf. I’m speechless,” said McIlroy after hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy, the heaviest of the four majors. “It’s just been incredible. I had a good feeling about it at the start. I never imagined to do this.”

Winning the final major the year ends what had been a tumultuous season for McIlroy. Despite winning the Honda Classic in early March, he went into a tail spin by missing four cuts over five tournaments, as questions swirled that his romance with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki was hurting his game.

Instead, McIlroy put a big hurt on the strongest field of the year.

“He’s very good. We all know the talent he has,” Woods said. “He went through a little spell this year, and I think that was good for him. We all go through those spells in our careers. He’s got all the talent in the world to do what he’s doing. And this is the way that Rory can play. When he gets it going, it’s pretty impressive to watch.”

McIlroy finished on 13-under 275.

Ian Poulter put up the stiffest challenge, though not for long. Poulter, who started the final round six shots behind, made six birdies through seven holes to get within two shots. He made three straight bogeys on the back nine and had to settle for a 69. He tied for third at 4-under 284, along with Justin Rose (66) and defending champion Keegan Bradley (68).

In the final qualifying event for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, nothing changed.

Phil Mickelson was holding down the eighth and final spot, and he stayed there when neither Bo Van Pelt nor Steve Stricker could make a move on the back nine. Davis Love III will announce four captain’s picks in three weeks.

McIlroy was tied for the lead with Vijay Singh when he returned Sunday. Twenty-seven holes later, he had no peer in the final major of the year.

When he won the U.S. Open last year, Padraig Harrington suggested that perhaps McIlroy — not Woods — might be the one to challenge the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus. That looked like nothing more than one Irishman boosting another when McIlroy didn’t come close in the next five majors.

But now?

“I think winning his second major is going to make things a lot easier for him,” Harrington said. “I think last year he proved it, but there’s been ups and downs since his last major win because of the pressure and the expectations and the hype. Now he’s delivered again. It’s going to be a lot easier for him going forward. And he’ll get better.”

McIlroy went out in 33, saving par with a 10-foot putt on the ninth hole. That’s what Woods used to do in the majors.

Poulter’s birdie on the par-5 11th hole closed the gap to two shots, but not for long. From the sandy area short of the 10th green, McIlroy blasted out and closed his eyes when the wind blew sand into his face. He never saw the ball check a foot from the cup. And with a 10-foot birdie on the 12th, there was no stopping him.

The win ends a streak of the last 16 majors going to 16 different winners. McIlroy joined Woods, Harrington and Mickelson as the only players to win majors in consecutive years over the last two decades.

“It means an awful lot to look at the names on that trophy, and to put my name alongside them is very special,” McIlroy said.

Pettersson tried to put up a good fight, though he suffered a setback on the first hole without even realizing it.

The Swede drove just inside a red hazard line. He checked to make sure his club could touch the grass without grounding the club. That part was fine. However, PGA rules officials determined after scrutinizing a video replay that a small leaf that moved as Pettersson took back the club. That violates Rule 13-4c — moving a loose impediment while in a hazard — and three holes later he was informed it was a two-shot penalty. The par became a double bogey.

Pettersson responded with back-to-back birdies. By then, it was too late for Pettersson, really too late for anybody.

McIlroy might have won this major before breakfast.

He was among 26 players who had to return Sunday morning, playing the back nine to finish the storm-delayed third round. Tied with Vijay Singh at 6-under par, McIlroy missed two short birdie chances, and then made bogey on the 13th. He rebounded with birdies on the 15th and 16th, a tough bunker save on the 17th and a closing par for a 67 that gave him a three-shot lead.

Not once during the final round did the kid look like he was going to lose this one.

After going back to his island home for breakfast, a quick nap and a change of clothes — a bright red shirt, no less — McIlroy looked solid as ever. After pulling his approach on the par-5 second hole under a tree, he hit wedge off the wood chips to 6 feet for birdie. He came up just short of the green at No. 3, where the tees were moved up to play 293 yards, and hit an even better flip wedge to a tiny target on an elevated green. McIlroy holed a 15-foot birdie putt, and he was on his way.

Woods stepped into a cactus while hitting out of the dunes on the 15th hole in the morning, and his day got even more painful from there. He has gone 14 majors since winning his last one, No. 14, at the 2008 U.S. Open. He looks to be closer, with three PGA Tour wins this year and two 36-hole leads in the majors.

His regret when it was over — he tied for 11th — was all about attitude.

“I came out with the probably the wrong attitude yesterday,” he said. “And I was too relaxed, and tried to enjoy it, and that’s now how I play. I play intense and full systems go. That cost me.”

It might not have mattered.

McIlroy said earlier in the week that he only wanted to give himself a chance, to feel that buzz of being in contention in the final round. He wound up putting the buzz back into golf, a sport in which all the talk has been about parity. McIlroy’s name on the leaderboard means something.

“Rory is showing that his `A’ game, everybody else is going to struggle to compete with him,” Harrington said. “And Tiger needs his `A’ game to come up against Rory. … If Rory is playing as well as he is, Tiger is not going to pick a major off unless he’s got his `A’ game out there.”

The post McIlroy wins PGA Championship by eight shots appeared first on Kiawah Island Golf Resort Blog.