Welcome to Cherokee Valley Club
864-689-3585
Cherokee Valley’s Beguiling Front Nine Features a Little Bit of Everything
Golf Course Architect P.B. Dye Weighs in on the Upstate’s Premier Mountain-Style Layout
The adage of “using every club in the bag” is often bandied about when it comes to describing thoughtfully designed golf courses with myriad strategic playing options.
But golf course architect P.B. Dye, son of the late Pete Dye, says the old axiom holds especially true at Cherokee Valley.
The layout’s rolling terrain and mountain-style design meld with the Blue Ridge region’s variable breezes to create a unique golf experience for every caliber player.
“You might hit one club off a tee one day and a completely different club off the same tee the next day,” P.B. told The Kee in recent interview from his winter home in the Dominican Republic. “And then there are the approach shots to those greens. That presents a whole other set of decisions to be made.”
And he should know – P.B. not only designed the course back in 1992 as part of his “Gauntlet” brand of championship courses, he and his wife, Jean, were married on the par-3 eighth hole.
“To say I remember Cherokee Valley fondly would be an understatement,” P.B. says. “You just don’t find many pieces of land like that in South Carolina. The views, the setting, it’s just incredible.”
P.B.’s famous father was known for his “diabolical” approach to golf course architecture, one that included such trademarks as vast waste bunkers, railroad tie bulkheads, small pot bunkers and all-out visual intimidation from tee to green.
While his father’s work no doubt impacted his approach to his craft, P.B. has always designed courses much like he approaches life – with a smile on his face and skip in his step.
“People always ask me what my design philosophy is,” he said. “Well, did you have fun? Did you want to come back? That’s my philosophy. You have to design courses that are enjoyable for men and women or you’ll never have a happy couple play your golf course.”
P.B., owner Matt Jennings and Associate Director of Operations Lauren Landreth took time out of their busy schedules to help with our hole-by-hole guide to playing Cherokee Valley.
So get ready to use every club in the bag, starting with the front nine.
Yardages listed are from the black tees.
No. 1 (Par 4, 461 Yards, No. 5 Handicap)
The 17th hole on the original layout was designed as a stout par 4 and as an opening hole, it’s all you want. From the black, blue and white tees, players are faced with a forced carry right out of the gate.
The forward green tees are on the other side of the lake, providing a more enjoyable experience for shorter hitters at 274 yards. No. 1 is center cut all the way – tee shot to the center of the fairway, approach shot to the center of the green.
No. 2 (Par 4, 422 Yards, No. 3 handicap)
As you’d expect, the original 18th hole is a strong finisher and brute of a par 4 as the second hole. The ideal line off the tee is down the left side over the ravine, providing the best angle of approach to the green and avoiding the stately oak tree on the right. The forward tees are on the far side of the forced carry to keep it fun for all at 237 yards. Hold the second shot on the front section of the green for the best shot at two-putting.
No. 3 (Par 4, 458 Yards, No. 12 Handicap)
With a 30-foot drop from tee to green, No. 3 plays shorter than its scorecard yardage. Especially if long hitters reach the downhill “power chute” approximately 270 yards from the black tees beyond the bunker on the right. Center-right is the optimal landing spot for the approach, which will often be from a slightly downhill lie. The green angles left-to-right, so a baby draw leaves more putting surface to work with.
Hole 1
Hole 2
No. 4 (Par 3, 143 Yards, No. 18 Handicap)
Time to exhale after a rigorous start to the round. This relatively short one-shotter features a peaceful, idyllic setting and a realistic shot at birdie. With only one bunker just short of the green, there’s not much trouble to be had. The ideal tee shot is to the right side of the green, leaving an uphill putt. The forward tees are conveniently situated just off the cart path and require only a wedge to get-on.
No. 5 (Par 5, 479 Yards, No. 6 Handicap)
The black and blue tee boxes are on the far side of the Pinerock Dr., creating a cool effect as one drives over the road out to one of the course’s most beautiful landing areas. The tee shot should favor the left center of the fairway, avoiding the hidden hazards to the right. The hole changes character midway, featuring a downhill second shot and uphill third shot. Putts move fast on this green, so be careful.
No. 6 (Par 4, 365 Yards, No. 8 Handicap)
If there was ever a hole to favor the left side of the fairway, this is the one. The par-4 sixth plays just 10 feet uphill but slopes subtly from left to right as it narrows toward the green. The first fairway bunker on the left is a good line if playing a slight cut. This is the first in a series of “don’t be long” approach shots, as the diminutive green sports a severe drop behind it down to the brush bordering Pinerock Dr.
No. 7 (Par 5, 500 Yards, No. 2 Handicap)
Golfers cross the road and make their way to The Summit section of the Cherokee Valley community as they tee off on No. 7. Climbing nearly 60 feet from tee to green, the seventh plays as a true three-shot par-5. The “A” position on the tee shot is the center of the fairway even with the second fairway bunker on the right.
This is a brute of a hole from the forward tees as well, and short hitters and beginners should employ as much course management as they can muster. There’s room to bail slightly left and right of the green on the approach shot, with thin strips of grass between the flanking bunkers and green. Again, “long is wrong,” here, as the green complex slopes severely down the backside.
No. 8 (Par 3, 226 Yards, No. 10 Handicap)
One of the most scenic holes in the Upstate, the par-3 eighth offers a panoramic view of Glassy Mountain an even glimpse of its famous chapel on a clear day. The drop from tee-to-green is nearly 70 feet, yet the prevailing wind is typically green-to-tee.
Club selection is everything, here. The forward tees don’t offer much of a reprieve in terms of distance, but golfers do get the benefit of the downhill slope. One of the largest greens on the course, center or center right sets up the best chance at par or birdie.
No. 9 (Par 4, 387 Yards, No. 4 Handicap)
The fun factor on this short par-4 rivals No. 8, with yet another 70-foot drop from the black tees to the fairway landing area below. From the blue and gray tees, a mid-iron is the prudent club off the tee, favoring the right side. Golfers playing the forward tees are again faced with a challenging tee shot over thick rough. The small, plateau style green’s best defense is it’s perch about 40-feet above Club Cart Road behind it.
Be sure and join us next week for the tour of Cherokee Valley’s unforgettable back nine finish.
For more information about Cherokee Valley’s affordable memberships, contact Associate Director of Operations
Lauren Landreth at llandreth@cherokeevalleyclub.com
or (864) 895-6758 x2
Hole 8
The Kee | Cherokee Valley Club
Excited about Venue improvements, including a new bar, kitchen, beautifully landscaped outdoor gathering space. Projected to be completed this, Summer! Stay tuned for more updates!
Please help us welcome our newest members to Cherokee Valley! Orciuolo Family Shannon Family Collins Family Brown Family Singer Family Singletary Family Wynn Family Matthew Hayden Bruce Thompson
Upcoming Events
Spring has sprung!!
“Our entire goal has been to make this a dream club experience for families".
Matthew Jennings
Owner
Visit
450 Cherokee Valley Way,
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
The Shop Hours:
Open Daily from 6:30 am - 6:00 pm
Core 450 Hours:
Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday - Saturday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday 10:30 am -2:00 pm