A Course with Rare Bite

Hilton Head, S.C. is a piece of tidewater real estate snugged up against the Atlantic coast near Savannah, where Yankee cannon harassed Confederate ships throughout the Civil War. Today it is the hottest recreational property east of Las Vegas, and at the core of its popularity is a golf course called Harbour Town, in Sea Pines Plantation, where this month's Heritage Golf Classic will be played. Here alligators and pelicans enliven a layout already rich with such novel touches as railroad ties buttressing the 4th green (right). More of Harbour Town's surprises are revealed in the pictures that follow and in the story on page 35.

Acres of white sand (No. 7, above) and languid veils of Spanish moss (beside 11) give Sea Pines' holes their character and challenge. Below, the clubhouse and green at No. 9.

The distinctive basket trap at 17 is designed to catch, but not reward, errant tee shots headed for Calibogue Sound. At the top is the fairway at the 18th.

Like the 18th at Pebble Beach, Harbour Town's closing hole offers ample opportunity for disaster.

SEVEN PHOTOS

JOHN G. ZIMMERMAN