Welcome to Cherokee Valley Club
New Hole Configuration at Cherokee Valley to ‘Ease’ Golfers into Their Round
Routing to Revert Upon Opening of Core-450 this Fall
Standing high upon the black tee box on the 461-yard par-4 first hole at Cherokee Valley, it is easy to envision this stout two-shotter being an essential hole amid a challenging finishing stretch.
And soon, it will be just that.
When Cherokee Valley opens its highly anticipated restaurant, Core 450, this fall, the golf course will revert to its circa 2017 hole numbers and routing. And when it does, what was one of the hardest opening holes in the Upstate will morph back into its previous role as the 17th hole.
And that’s just the beginning of a seismic shift that should have players of all skill levels champing at the bit to play the “new look” Cherokee Valley later this year.
“I think golfers are going to love it and the course is going to play true to its original P.B. Dye design,” says owner Matt Jennings. “We’ve received great feedback on the current configuration. Low handicappers have readily accepted the challenging of facing two of the toughest holes on the course right from the start.”
Jennings, his family and the Cherokee Valley team recently hosted Dye and his wife Jean for a tour of the course and club, with P.B. spinning yarns as only he can. One story detailed their nuptials on the (current) par-3 eighth hole the day before the course opened.
Dye, who inherited his quick wit and gift of gab from his famous father, Pete Dye, likes to say it was the best “score” he’s had on any hole.
“That is one of the most scenic holes you’ll find anywhere and when that tee shot soars then drops 70 feet with Glassy Mountain as the backdrop, it is sight to see,” says Dye. “I think it will be fun for golfers to experience that hole within the first 90 minutes of their rounds.”
Jennings can’t hide his excitement of the wow-factor golfers will experience playing into Core 450 on the ninth hole and 18th holes. Not just golfers, but also diners enjoying a meal or a drink on the expansive outdoor patio.
“Core 450 will be the centerpiece of Cherokee Valley from both a social and golf standpoint,” adds Jennings. “The golf shop will be relocated to the first floor and golfers will have everything they need in one convenient location.”
Other highlights include …
-The par-4 second hole becomes the 18th (how fun will that tee shot be over the ravine with a little bet on the line?)
-The downhill par-4 third hole (the No. 12 handicap) will take on the role of No. 1, allowing golfers to ease into their round by playing it, followed by the par-3 fourth hole, the No. 18 handicap.
-For those who want to play nine holes, and not 11, the par-4 11th hole (the flattest piece of land on the property) will switch to No. 9 and play into Core 450 and the golf shop
-If we’re ranking finishing stretches, how strong is the new-look 16 through 18 going to be at 1,404 total yards from the black tees and comprised of the third and fifth hardest holes on the course?
Below is a rundown of the “coming soon” hole lineup. For our course guide for the current layout, click here for the front nine, and here for the back.
No. 1
(Par 4, 458 Yards, No. 12 Handicap)
With a 30-foot drop from tee to green, the “new” opening hole plays shorter than its scorecard yardage. Especially for long hitters reaching the downhill “power chute” 270 yards from the black tees beyond the bunker on the right. Center-right is the optimal landing spot for the approach, which will be from a slightly downhill lie.
No. 2
(Par 3, 143 Yards, No. 18 Handicap)
This relatively short one-shotter features an 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.
No. 3
(Par 5, 479 Yards, No. 6 Handicap)
Note: black and blue tee boxes are on the far side of the Pinerock Dr. The tee shot should favor the left center, 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. 4
(Par 4, 365 Yards, No. 8 Handicap)
No. 4 plays just 10 feet uphill but slopes hard 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. 5
(Par 5, 500 Yards, No. 2 Handicap)
Climbing nearly 60 feet from tee to green, No. 5 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. There’s room to bail slightly left or right of the green on the approach shot. Again, “long is wrong,” here, as the green complex slopes severely down the backside.
No. 6
(Par 3, 226 Yards, No. 10 Handicap)
One of the most scenic holes in the Upstate, the par-3 sixth offers a panoramic view of Glassy Mountain and a glimpse of its famous wedding 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 mission critical. One of the largest greens on the course, center or center right sets up the best chance at par or birdie.
No. 7
(Par 4, 387 Yards, No. 4 Handicap)
The fun factor on this short par-4 rivals No. 6, with 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 its perch about 40-feet above Club Cart Road behind it.
No. 8
(Par 4, 363 Yards, No. 16 Handicap)
This vintage P.B. Dye hole replete with fairway and greenside mounding is one of the shortest holes on the course and plays just slightly uphill. The safe play is an iron off the tee, leaving a full second shot with a short iron. Anything short right into the deep, cavernous bunker will make par virtually impossible.
No. 9
(Par 4, 410 yards, No. 14 Handicap)
Featuring one of the most pleasing visual corridors on property, No. 9 plays slightly downhill and will offer an incredible view of Core 450. The ideal tee shot is down the center or right side of the fairway. The second shot should be played to the front center of the green to avoid the steep incline to the right. This placement leaves an uphill birdie putt to finish the hole.
No. 10
(Par 4, 410 yards, No. 15 Handicap)
This dogleg left two-shotter plays like a different hole from the black tees, where it calls for a driver and tee shot down the center of a flat fairway. From the blue and gray tees, a fairway wood or hybrid will suffice off the tee. A well-placed drive down the center of the fairway leaves a clear shot into the green. While hard to detect, No. 10 features 31-feet of uphill elevation change, a harbinger of what’s to come.
No. 11
(Par 5, 540 yards, No. 1 Handicap)
Simply put, No. 11 is one of the most challenging holes in the Upstate and must be seen (and played) to be believed as it rises 120-feet from tee-to-green. Position is everything on both the drive and second shot. The fairway widens on the right and a tee shot to this side allows for a clear path to the 150-yard marker. Allow for an extra club or two on the approach shot and breathe a sigh of relief once you’re putting.
No. 12
(Par 3, 190 yards, No. 13 Handicap)
This narrow, mid-length par 3 has out-of-bounds stakes down the left, right and behind the green. The ideal tee shot is slightly right and short of the flagstick. The slope of the green will allow the ball to release and feed to the back and left. Playing slightly downhill and between 158 and 170 yards from the blue and gray tees, No. 12 is a brief respite from the rigors of the 11th.
No. 13
(Par 4, 378 yards, No. 11 Handicap)
The Dye family is known for sprinkling in a few blind shots, and the tee ball at No. 13 is a case in point. This “one-of-a-kind” hole with 115-feet of drop has a range of 140-220 yards on the tee shot. A drive down the left side of the fairway is the ideal landing spot for a short iron into a green that slopes away from players.
No. 14
(Par 4, 143 yards, No. 7 Handicap)
As P.B. says, No. 14 just has a different feel about it. This stunning par 4 features a collection of streams and rocks not found anywhere else on the course. With only nine feet of slope, it is a flat hole amid a sea of hills. Water runs down both sides of the fairway and fronts the green. A mid-iron tee shot to the right of the bridge is “A-Position” leaving a nice 100-yard wedge into the green.
No. 15
(Par 3, 166 yards, No. 17 Handicap)
This manageable one-shotter is the best remaining chance of birdie, especially from the 120-yard gray and 156-yard blue tees. Play left of the flagstick for the best putt at birdie on this sloping green. At 97 yards from the green tees, No. 15 is well-designed for beginners and short hitters who can run the ball up the front of the green onto the putting surface.
No. 16
(Par 5, 521 yards, No. 9 Handicap)
What goes up, must come down, and the 16th sends players back down the hill they came up on No. 11. Long hitters can take a gamble on getting home in two, but patient players willing to layup often end up with better scores. A tee shot to the left side of the fairway leaves a mid-iron shot to a narrow, dangerous landing area. The approach to the green must be precise and keep to the same side as the flagstick.
No. 17
(Par 4, 461 Yards, No. 5 Handicap)
A stout par-4, this two-shotter will give you all you want from the black tees. The forward green tee is on the other side of the lake, offering a more enjoyable experience for shorter hitters at 274 yards. No. 17 is center cut all the way – a tee shot to the center of the fairway, approach shot to the center of the green.
No. 18
(Par 4, 422 Yards, No. 3 handicap)
The 18th hole is a strong finisher and brute of a par 4 as well. 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.
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.
The Kee | Cherokee Valley Club
“Our entire goal has been to make this a dream club experience for families".
Matthew Jennings
Owner
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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