Location and History
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is nestled in the tranquil waterside town of Pawleys Island, South Carolina which is a short drive away from the bustling shores of Myrtle Beach. Established in 1994, this 18-hole course was carefully crafted by renowned golf course architect Mike Strantz, whose signature style involves molding courses into the natural surroundings, and Caledonia didn’t veer from this principle.
Course Layout and Design
Spread over 6,526 yards, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club offers a mix of par-3s, 4s, and 5s, making a par-70 course that entices players with a wide range of abilities. Each hole has a distinctive character, challenging you with strategic bunkering, undulating greens, sculpted fairways, and nature-integrated water hazards.
As you tee off at the first hole, you are welcomed with the sight of a generous fairway gently bending right, bordered by a captivating lineup of hardwoods. As you traverse the course, you encounter holes like the 8th, a spectacular par-3, featuring an island green that is both a challenge and a delight. The closing 18th hole is arguably the jewel in the crown; a dramatic par-4 with a lengthy carry over water to an angled green fronted by the stunning Antebellum-style clubhouse.
Scenery and Surroundings
Aside from golf, Caledonia’s breathtaking beauty is noteworthy. It is built on a 19th century rice plantation, and the course is enveloped in thousands of mature oaks draped in moss, providing a slightly haunted but peaceful feel. From blooming azaleas, crepe myrtles, and camellias enhancing the track’s visual allure in the spring, to the colorful canvas of fall foliage, the course delivers a picturesque round year-round.
Amenities and Clubhouse
Caledonia Golf & Fish club’s amenities include a pro shop stocked with an array of golfing necessities and souvenirs, and a capacious practice facility with a driving range and a chipping green. There’s also a large putting green near the first tee, allowing you to tune up your short game before you start your round.
The clubhouse, set in a beautifully restored old Southern plantation, brims with old-world character and southern warmth. The Grillroom serves a variety of food and beverages, where you can sit on the vast wrap-around porch overlooking the 18th green, and enjoy southern specialties while watching the groups finish their round.
Special Features
An added bonus for wildlife enthusiasts is the variety of animal and bird life that has made this coastal course their home, including alligators, turkeys, deer, eagles, herons among others.
Signature Golf Events
Besides daily rounds of golf, Caledonia also holds a variety of golf events annually including well-known charity tournaments, which allow golfers an opportunity to play the course under unique conditions while also contributing to a good cause.
Closing Thoughts
Playing at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club is not just about a day of golf, it’s about experiencing a piece of the South Carolina Lowcountry. The club merges exceptional golf, breathtaking scenery, wildlife viewings, and southern hospitality into a harmonious package that should rank high on every golfer’s wish list. It is a must-play course for those visiting the Myrtle Beach area, a place where beauty, challenge, and fun combine for an unforgettable golf outing.
Whether you are a scratch golfer, a high handicapper, or just a lover of beautiful places, the memories created at Caledonia will undoubtedly bring you back time and time again.