Getting To Know: Shipyard Golf Club

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Ken McNerney who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Shipyard Golf Club features 27-holes of spectacular golf, nestled within Hilton Head Island's natural setting of majestic Carolina pine trees, flowering magnolias and moss draped oaks.

The three courses, Brigantine, Clipper and Galleon, offer four tee positions to accommodate all levels of play, and there are ample risk and reward situations to allow optimal scoring opportunities. Accurate tee shots and well-measured approaches are a must on this championship course. The Diamond Zoysia greens are large and well bunkered, and their undulating surfaces demand a delicate, yet determined touch.

The beautiful clubhouse including outside covered patio is available for lunch. A full service practice facility featuring: driving range, practice green & practice bunker is available to fine tune your game. We invite you to experience our PGA Professional instruction, including private lessons, group lessons, camps and clinics for golfers of all skills levels.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Shipyard Golf Club is a must play in Hilton Head because it offers something for everyone. The layout is challenging enough to test the most skilled golfer. The Diamond Zoysia greens offer a fantastic putting surface all year round. The three courses make it a perfect choice for those groups that often find the need to play an extra "emergency nine." The abundant wildlife along the lagoons and trees captures every golfer's attention. Our summer afternoon family programs promote junior golf by shortening the course and allowing for "family friendly" pace of play. Our ambassadors will do everything they can to make your Shipyard Golf Club experience something you will remember.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
The best advice to a golfer about to play Shipyard for the first time is to watch their club selection off the tee. Driver is not always the best play, especially on some of the shorter doglegs. We always advise players to aim for the 150 poles, and make sure you hit it in the fairway. Navigating the many lagoons and wood lines off the tee gives you the best chance to score well.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
One of the things we are most proud of is our decision to renovate our greens in 2008. We had struggled to provide a consistent putting surface for our guests due to some shade issues that could not be addressed through tree trimming or removal. We made the decision to change our Champion Bermuda greens to Diamond Zoysia. We were one of the first courses in the South East to use this on greens, and have greatly benefited ever since. The most common feedback from our guests is that it is like putting on carpet. We no longer have to overseed our greens in the winter, and can provide a great putting surface year round.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
The most talked about and photographed spot at Shipyard tends to be wherever the biggest alligator decides to hang out that day. It is not uncommon in the course of 18-holes to see several alligators sunning themselves on the various lagoon banks. Although we have several memorable holes, the alligators generally receive the most camera attention.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It? I would consider #2 of Brigantine my favorite hole, and as well as the most scenic. Your tee shot must be carefully executed to navigate water that hugs the entire right side of the hole, while trees guard the left side. This hole sets up well for a 3-wood aimed at the 150 pole, even though the layout tempts you to hit driver and cut off some of the water. If you successfully position your tee shot in the landing zone, you must again carry water to the green, while avoiding two greenside bunkers.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Be sure to check out one of Chef Elvis' daily lunch specials. Originally from Jamaica, Elvis has been known to make a killer Caribbean jerk chicken wrap with sweet potato fries. For those hot summer days you might try the Elvis fried chicken salad with raspberry vinaigrette, fresh berries, mandarin oranges, toasted pecans, and dusted with parmesan cheese. If you are in a hurry or at the turn, our Halfway House serves the best hot dogs in town.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
Ron Cerrudo and Bob Spence share the course record with a 63.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 6880
Slope: 74.0
Rating: 133

More Information
Shipyard Golf Club
45 Shipyard Drive
Hilton Head, SC, 29928
843-681-1750
www.shipyardgolfclub.com