Leopard's Chase at Ocean Ridge

Big, bold, and beautiful is the best way to describe the new Tim Cate course at Ocean Ridge. Leopard’s Chase is an architectural accomplishment of gigantic proportions. Every twist and turn presents unparalleled challenges and bountiful scenery. This par 72 layout is a pleasure to play and is already receiving rave reviews. It certainly deserves to be a part of the Big Cats family at Ocean Ridge.

It was difficult to top the highly acclaimed Tiger’s Eye, but the Leopard has done just that. The 7100+ yard layout features TifSport Bermuda fairways and perfectly manicured bent grass greens. The level of detail for this spectacular layout with its natural elevations, scenic landscapes, native grasses and that beautiful white coastal sand used for the waste areas, creates a series of flowing picturesque holes. Each one is different and demands the best shot making possible. Natural wetlands are used in such a way to enhance each holes beauty and playability.

A magnificently placed waterfall on number the 18th green can make an approach shot seem menacing but adds to the total golf experience. Cate’s latest accomplishment was flawlessly designed on more than 220 acres of prime coastal land. The large lakes, significant mounding and elevation changes make it visually awesome. The course incorporates a big bold design with very distinctive features including the outstanding island green fourth hole. The finishing holes on each nine are brilliant. The “wow” factor is everywhere. It’s the perfect combination of all the land’s natural elements and Cate’s unique design.

Hole # 1 par 4, 303 from the white tees.
Large lake on left, great visual with traps on right. Short but dangerous hole. Fade it to about 80 yards to the green. Sand wedge to a small undulating green that banks from left to right.

Hole # 2 par 3, 141 from the white tees.
Again plenty of large tees. Can be difficult depending on the pin placement. The large undulating green is very receptive. It can play anywhere from 120 to 160 yards.

Hole # 3 par 5, 503 from the white tees.
A beauty, dogleg to the right. Waste bunker with that white sugar sand runs all the way down the right. Keep it away from the bunker on the right. If you stay in play it’s an easy par. Large receptive green.

Hole # 4 par 3, 156 from the white tees.
Water, water everywhere. Classic par three. Plenty of big tees, big bunker in front, small undulating green, make sure you hit enough club.

Hole # 5 par 4, 365 from the white tees.
Rock and roll, great tees, tons of nicely placed mounds and native grasses frame out this impressive par 4. Green is huge – over forty yards long.

Hole # 6 par 4, 382 from the white tees.
Lake and trap on left, great set up. Must keep it on the right of the fairway. Once again a large receptive green.

Hole # 7 par 4, 385 from the white tees.
Straight and long, plenty of dangerous traps. This is a tough par 4 with undulated green. Be careful, this green is easy to three putt.

Hole # 8 par 3, 157 from the white tees.
Great long par 3 water left, draw it into the hole, and hit plenty of club to avoid the trap butting the green on the front right. Nice hole.

Hole # 9 par 5, 532 from the white tees.
Killer hole, with wetlands running all the way down on the left. This will take all of your best shot making to par. Keep it in play is a must if you expect to par it.

Hole # 10 par 4, 345 from the white tees.
Slight dogleg left with gigantic waste bunker down the right side, heavily trapped on the left with a small green. Place your drive between the two traps where you have about 120 yards into the green.

Hole# 11 par 5, 485 from the white tees.
Breathtaking hole, with plenty of forced carries over the wetlands. Accuracy and superb shot making are a must. One of my favorite holes, a real challenge.

Hole # 12 par 4, 356 from the white tees.
Plenty of big elevated tees, which is one of the great characteristics of this golf course. Rolling fairway, small undulating green, a sweet hole

Hole # 13 par 3, 151 from the white tees.
Down hill, the green is in the middle of the wetlands. Whatever you do, don’t hit it right into the deep bunker like I did. Bail out to the left if necessary.

Hole # 14 par 5, 486 from the white tees.
Big dogleg left, visually awesome, my favorite hole. Elevated tees give you a great look. Traps and wetlands everywhere. Play it smart, this not a hole where you want to take any chances.

Hole # 15 par 4, 381 from the white tees.
A brief relief, straight away with a huge green that you can’t miss.

Hole # 16 par 3, 147 from the white tees.
The perfect little par three, another beauty. Stay clear of the big bunker on the right and you should pick up an easy par.

Hole # 17 par 5, 527 from the white tees.
Another one of those big bold holes, huge mounds left, at all cost keep it play.

Hole # 18 par 4, 369 from the white tees.
What can I say, great finishing hole. Elevated green on top of this magnificent waterfall. Huge lake on the left frames out this wonderful signature hole. The perfect ending to a terrific golf experience.

My congratulations to Tim Cate for another job well done. He has certainly made his mark at Ocean Ridge with Panther’s Run, the highly ranked Tiger’s Eye and now the much heralded Leopard’s Chase. Leopard’s Chase is certainly destined to be one of the highest ranked courses in the Myrtle Beach area. We look forward to his next effort, Jaguar’s Lair, presently under construction in Sunset Beach for a opening in 2008 It is sure to be another great addition to the Big Cats family.

Ocean Ridge Plantation is located in Sunset Beach. It features 90 holes of superb golf. Conveniently located between Wilmington N.C. and the exciting Grand Strand of S.C. this community offers the best in coastal living. Numerous amenities include: walking /biking trails, a private oceanfront beach club, two grand clubhouses, with two more planned, spa and fitness center, swim and tennis centers, nature parks and more. It is a unique master planned community and one of the Carolinas’ most exclusive and luxurious golf and beach communities.

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