The Courses
The
Courses

The Island
Powerful, gracious, yet passionately competitive, Arnold Palmer’s playing style and personality revolutionized the game. These elements also made him a visionary designer—the Island Nine shares the personality of its architect, at once challenging and auspicious.

The Bluff
The Golden Bear’s acumen for
creating iconic courses rivaled his uncanny ability to win. Evident in his approach to the Bluff Nine course design, Jack Nicklaus used the natural tendencies of the land to amplify both its risks and rewards.

The Creek
“The Black Knight” nickname
speaks to Gary Player’s
gentlemanly demeanor and
intense approach to the game.
Built to challenge and to charm,
the Creek Nine is the vision of a
man who understands the worth
of both power and form.
Preview The Courses
Island Course | Hole 4
Island Course | Hole 9
Creek Course | Hole 7
Creek Course | Hole 4
Bluff Course | Hole 3
Bluff Course | Hole 6
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Three Distinctive Courses,
Designed by Three of Golf’s Greatest
“The Island Nine is flanked on one side by the broad Savannah River and on the other side by the Little River. The spectacular hardwoods and pines along the river bank have been saved and the fairways have been raised to take advantage of the beautiful vistas out in the rivers. There is not a better setting for golf in the South.”
- Arnold Palmer


“This is a nice, rolling piece of property
with mature pines throughout. Very little
dirt has been moved, which means the
course fits nicely with the existing terrain
and its surroundings. This is the kind of
site that provides you the opportunity
to design a golf course that on opening
day will appear as if it’s been there for 50
years. There is a great deal of variety in
the routing, with this nine featuring uphill
and downhill shots, as well as a balance of
right-to-left and left-to-right holes.”
- Jack Nicklaus
“The site for the Creek Nine at Champions
Retreat offered so many opportunities
for a wonderful golf course. The opening
four holes play a beautiful wetland area
while the remaining holes move upland
through native hardwood tress. The ninth
dramatically plays over and around a
large lake on the right. All level players
will finish the nine with a variety of shot-
making challenges.”
- Gary Player
