Association names Arthur Hills state's top golf course

The Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island was selected as South Carolina Golf Course of the Year by the board of the S.C. Golf Course Owners Association.

The announcement was made late Thursday, making Arthur Hills the first Beaufort County course to receive the honor since the Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes earned the distinction in 2002.

After being named local course of the year last month, Arthur Hills beat out three other state finalists for the award: Shaftesbury Glen in Conway, Oak Hills Golf Club in Columbia and Dunes West Golf Club in Charleston.

Voting was based on quality of the course, management, contribution to the community and contribution to the game.

"They do so many things well on so many different levels," said Brett Borton, executive director of the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association. "A big part of it is the commitment that goes into it from the top. Greenwood Development's stewardship and involvement in this community has been significant for many years. It's not just about being a great golf course. It's being a very well-rounded operation."

Arthur Hills will now represent South Carolina in the national course of the year competition, an award given out by the National Golf Course Owners Association later this year. The winner will be announced Feb. 8-12 at the 2010 Golf Industry Show in San Diego. No Beaufort County course has received the national award, but Borton feels Arthur Hills could change that.

"I think it has a very good shot," Borton said. "I really do."