Metropolitan Golf Group – located in Monroe Township, NJ – is well on the way to making a name for themselves in the Hilton Head Island area of South Carolina. In April 2023, MGG paid cash for Crescent Pointe Golf Club in Bluffton, SC, the only Arnold Palmer-designed publicly accessible golf course in the area. In September, they added the Davis Love III-designed Eagle’s Pointe Golf Club – also in Bluffton – to their portfolio.
Crescent Pointe originally opened for play in 2000 and quickly gained a reputation as one of the “Lowcountry’s best layouts.” In 2010 the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association named Crescent Pointe its 2010 Golf Course of the Year.
The course weaves its way around strands of towering pines, magnolias, and ancient oak trees. Wetlands and lakes enter the picture on several holes and need to be navigated as you make your way to Palmer’s large, well-undulated greens where slopes and breaks tend to be on the subtle side. There are several forced carries over water but, if you’re playing from the right tees, they shouldn’t be a problem.
This highly playable, strategic design rewards good shots but doesn’t over-penalize poor hits. You’ll find generous fairways, large, elevated greens, and a variety of bunkers. Palmer tended to build bunkers in areas where grass was hard to grow. This leads to large waste bunkers that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also define landing areas and can be somewhat penal in nature. You’ll find beach bunkers on three holes at Crescent Pointe with sand that stretches to the edge of the lagoon. The majority of bunkers have been designed in true Palmer style and follow the natural undulation of the land very closely.
Crescent Pointe also features something unique to the area: rolling terrain with noticeable elevation changes; an element that is missing from many Lowcountry layouts. Several holes play along the Colleton River with expansive marsh views.
Crescent Pointe offers golfers six sets of tees. The back (Palmer) tees play 6,773 yards with a course rating of 72.9 and a slope of 137. Move up to the White Tees (6,003/68.5/125) and you just might be able to keep a little dignity. For those who prefer the forward tees, you can choose from yardages of, 5,533, 5,005, and 4,126 yards. There truly is something for every level of golfer.
As you might expect, the course has a number of memorable holes. Number 2 is a 152-yard par 3 that is all carry. There’s a bunker short of the green and another in the back with a rock-walled pond guarding the entire right side. This hole is reminiscent of Number 17 at Bay Hill in Orlando. Bailout left of the green and you may find yourself hitting a chip shot from among the grass mounds.
The 6th hole is a risk/reward par 5 that plays 465 yards from the White tees. It’s a dogleg right around water, in fact, to get to the green, you’ll need to play over the water at some point. A good drive will leave a decision to either lay up short of the water or try and make it onto the island green. Beware of the large bunker left of the fairway should you choose to lay up. Apart from the water that surrounds the green, there are bunkers on either side.
Number 10 at Crescent Pointe is a fun par 4 that plays 387 yards and places an emphasis on accuracy off the tee. It’s a slight dogleg left with 5 bunkers in the landing area on either side of the fairway. Water comes into play on the right with more sand guarding the front right and entire left side. Anything left of the cart path will be in the trees and anything long can easily find the water.
The 11th hole is an interesting par 5 that plays 494 yards from the White Tees. Longball hitters need to be aware of the water that crosses the fairway in the landing area. Favor the left side of the fairway on your layup shot and hit something just short of the trio of bunkers. Success thus far will leave a short chip shot into a triangular green with two bunkers on the right side. Anything right of the cart path on this hole will again find the trees.
Eighteen presents a challenging way to end your round and has the distinction of being the only hole at Crescent Pointe that has no water hazards. The hole plays 387 yards from the White Tees and features large waste bunkers on either side of the fairway up to the dogleg. A good drive that carries the right-side bunker and cuts the corner will leave a mid-iron approach shot into a long, narrow green. A large bunker guards the left side and wetlands guard the right, so the emphasis is on accuracy once again.
Before your round, warm up on Crescent Pointe’s full-length driving range, where you can hit every club in the bag. You’ll want to because odds are you’ll use every one of them. There’s also a nice short game area and practice putting green.
When you head to the pro shop to check in, take a few moments and look over the great selection of golf equipment and logoed golf apparel Crescent Pointe has to offer. You’ll also find a wide assortment of polos, gloves, hats, shorts, and socks for both men and women. Remember, if you can’t dazzle them with your game, you might as well look the part!
The best way to take advantage of everything Crescent Pointe Golf Club has to offer is to become a member. You’ll have full access to the practice facility, dining room, and golf course, and be able to spend quality time with your family as you develop new friendships. Memberships are available for individuals, families, and corporations.
Metropolitan Golf is well on the way to returning Crescent Pointe to its original glory. I’m confident they will do the same thing with Eagle’s Pointe in the near future. For more information or to book your next round, give them a call at (843) 706-2600 or visit them online at www.crescentpointegc.com. They’re just a short, 3-mile detour from the bridge to Hilton Head Island!