04/09/2025
⛳️ The Masters are upon us - The legendary Augusta National will once again host the world’s top golfers, with tournament rounds running Thursday through Sunday, April 10–13. Expect green jackets, azaleas in full bloom, and the kind of drama only Augusta can deliver.
But did you know the roots of American golf actually trace back to Charleston, South Carolina? Long before Augusta National was even a vision, golf was being played right here in the Lowcountry. In 1786, a group of Scottish merchants founded the South Carolina Golf Club—the first golf club in America—right in downtown Charleston on a patch of land now known as Harleston Green, near the College of Charleston. 🇺🇸🏌️♂️
Unlike the manicured courses of today, Harleston Green was a natural landscape where golfers played on uneven terrain, using rudimentary clubs and balls. The “holes” were likely markers set up among natural features like sand dunes, shrubs, and grass. Despite the simplicity, the enthusiasm for the game was palpable, and Harleston Green quickly became a social hub for Charleston’s golf community.
Charleston’s deep ties to the game, its Scottish heritage, and Southern charm have helped shape golf in the U.S.—from casual weekend rounds to the most prestigious tournaments.
So whether you’re watching The Masters or planning your next golf getaway, know this: America’s love affair with golf began right here in the Holy City.