The Tree Farm - Batesburg, SC
The Tree Farm has been one of the most anticipated new golf courses in the country, and after my day spent there during The Masters week I understand why. The holes at The Tree Farm navigate you through a sandy soiled oasis of a golf course set in Aiken County, SC. There are no two shots that are the same here, which provides for an exhilarating day of golf. The undulation of the fairways and greens allow for a strategic ground ball in addition to well flighted approach shots. As mentioned, I got to play during the week of The Masters where many of the top private course in the area open up their course to public play for a handsome fee; to include Old Barnwell and Palmetto Club. Worth every penny for a day spent here taking in the tall pines and well curated details.
Roughly equidistant between Atlanta and Charleston, The Tree Farm was an excellent meeting place for one of my best friends and I for an unforgettable day. Starting with a hearty (is that how you spell healthy?) breakfast at Waffle House, we were fueled up for our walk among the rolling hills of midlands region of South Carolina. The clubhouse and other permanent buildings for the property are still under construction, so small “golf village” has been built from large storage shed units which serve perfectly as a hangout hut, pro shop and locker room. Don’t let that fool you, no details were missed and the pro shop had one of the best selections of any top course. The hospitality on site was incredible. You were treated like you were meant to be there that day, which can’t be said for all private clubs. Yeti coolers adorned with The Tree Farm logo were well stocked and plentiful around the course for any drink or snack you could need.
The Tree Farm was founded by Zac Blair who oversaw construction as well and even had a hand in the course design and routing. Kye Goalby shaped the course which was routed by Tom Doak. Zac is a PGA tour player who has seen some of the best courses around the world throughout his career and has drawn inspiration from these experiences, providing inspired samplings with his own twist with the Tree Farm.
Your round opens uniquely with a par three, and concludes with a drivable par four. The other sixteen holes in between are just as magical and exciting, leaving you ready to loop back for another eighteen as soon as you’re done. Two of my favorite holes on the course were the par four seventh hole and the par five ninth. At just 295 yards, paired with firm and fast conditions I was able to drive the green with a well place tee shot that left me with a long eagle attempt. Sending my putt from one tier to the next left a makable birdie attempt for and a confidence booster mid round. Eagles are not common, however I was able to add one to the scorecard on the ninth. After a booming tee shot that caught the downslope of the fairway, I then chase my nine iron approach to roughly seven feet for my eagle. The caddies were great and helped guide my round to some red numbers. Generally there is one cut of grass for the fairways which naturally spills into native areas which are not unplayable but do offer an added challenge for your approach.
The day spent here was one I will think back to for many years to come, anxiously waiting for the next opportunity to play here again. Prior to moving to Charleston while we were living in Birmingham, AL, I would pass The Tree Farm on my drive when driving to Charleston to visit family. It was fun to see the course construction progress from the road as I passed by and followed along on social media. The actual product far exceeded my expectations and was well worth the wait.
