Tiger’s Eye Ranking Leaps to 41st On List Of Nation’s Best Public Access Courses
Tiger’s Eye at Ocean Ridge Plantation moved up to #41 on Golf Digest’s prestigious list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses” as reported in its May, 2005 edition. Tiger’s Eye was #83 when the biennial list debuted in 2003. The magazine defines those on the prestigious list as “the greatest courses accessible to everyone.”
The May edition also includes Golf Digest’s “Best in State” rankings which lists Tiger’s Eye as the 6th best course in the entire state of North Carolina, up from #14 in 2003. This ranks Tiger’s Eye above all the Pinehurst Resort courses except the legendary Number 2 course, which is ranked first in the state. Tiger’s Eye is ranked just below Wade Hampton Golf Club (Cashiers), Grandfather Golf & Country Club (Linville), Diamond Creek (Banner Elk) and Eagle Point Golf Course (Wilmington), all of which are private courses.
“We are honored to be on the Top 100 list, and to move up more than 40 places in one rating cycle is extremely gratifying”, said Tom Plankers, Director of Golf for Ocean Ridge Plantation. “It’s a real thrill to have the Golf Digest raters — who play courses all over the world — recognize the merits of this design and the care we put into keeping the course in top condition. It’s also a pleasure to find that eight other Grand Strand golf courses are on the list. No other single destination in the country can claim as many of “America’s Greatest Public Courses.”
“America’s Greatest Public Courses” and the state-by-state rankings can be found online at www.golfdigest.com, as well as in the May edition of the magazine.
Since opening in 2000, Tiger’s Eye has received numerous accolades, including ”Most Scenic Golf Course in Coastal NC” by North Carolina Magazine. The course first appeared on the list of “America’s Top 100” in 2003. Tiger’s Eye is an upscale daily-fee, 18-hole golf course carved from a virgin pine and hardwood forest. Several green complexes reminiscent of Pinehurst Number 2 and dramatic elevation changes combine to make Tiger’s Eye a thinking-man’s course, requiring precise shot-making and an experienced, creative short game. Visually stunning, the course has vast natural waste areas, abundant native grasses and wild flowers, pine and oak trees, and 40 acres of water — including a preserved Carolina Bay and a coquina-bouldered waterfall.
(Originally written on April 15, 2005)