A golden South Carolina sun cast shadows over the first tee as a group of Aiken’s local business owners gathered for their men’s day out at the beloved Aiken Golf Club. These gentlemen from all walks of life and professions came together at one of their local favorites for golf. Laughter and friendly banter quickly filled the warm southern air. Club owner Jim McNair Jr. joined right in, greeting each man by name and cracking a joke or two before they teed off and started their day. The Aiken Golf Club makes remarkable use of its 90 acres. It’s hard to believe this gem is within just a few swings of the heart of downtown Aiken. Surrounded by towering, stately pines and bordered by Hitchcock Woods, the course feels like a serene escape despite being so close to everything. With clubs in hand and grins on their faces, the men set out, ready for a day of camaraderie and competition.
As the group worked through the front nine, they admired the history around them. The Aiken Golf Club is over a century old, first opened in 1912 as Highland Park Golf Club. Over the years, it evolved into a Golden Age treasure and is now rated the 7th best classic golf course in South Carolina among public and private courses. “Hard to believe we have this kind of course right here in our backyard,” one golfer mused. McNair chimed in with a bit of club lore, sharing how his father bought the course and saved it from an uncertain future in 1959.
The 90-acre course offers a delightful throwback experience. At about 5,800 yards, the course isn’t long by modern standards, but it’s overflowing with nostalgic character. Small greens and strategic bunkers kept the men on their toes, leading to plenty of good-natured ribbing after missed putts. As they strolled down the tree-lined fairways, the old-world charm of the course was palpable. This was golf in its purest form, a walk through history that feels just as welcoming today.
After finishing the 18th, a picturesque one-shot hole with the clubhouse in view, the group first visited the pro shop and then climbed the recognizable stone staircase to the restaurant. The shop, filled with the echoes of golfers past and the latest gear, is as inviting as the course. Upstairs, The Legends Grille welcomed them with the smell of burgers and cold local brews. Open to the public, the clubhouse has become a favorite hangout not just for golfers but for anyone who appreciates a relaxed atmosphere and delicious food.
Over plates of food and glasses of beer, the men swapped stories, each one growing a little taller with every telling. McNair sat among them, grinning and listening, the perfect host. His pride shines through in every detail, from the immaculate greens to the welcoming staff. He has been a tireless steward, carrying on the McNair family’s legacy with passion and care. McNair often says, “We want people to come and enjoy the history of this golf course. We want this course to feel like a second home not only for our local golfers but our visitors as well.”
That spirit was unmistakable. As the stars dotted the sky and the final laughs echoed, the men left with more than memories of a great round, they carried with them the feeling of being part of something timeless, lovingly preserved by McNair and his team. At the Aiken Golf Club, it’s not just about golf, it’s about the friendships and memories made along the way.
The Aiken Golf Club is over a century old. Over the years, it evolved into a Golden Age treasure and is now rated the 7th best classic golf course in South Carolina.
We want people to come and enjoy the history of this golf course. We want this course to feel like a second home not only for our local golfers but our visitors as well.