Eligible courses were those that had undergone renovations or restorations in the past decade. While most of the panel's listings were private clubs, here are the "Most Improved Courses" that are public-access:
Pine Lakes Country Club, Myrtle Beach: Built in 1927 by Robert White, "The Granddaddy" (the Grand Strand's oldest course) was renovated in 2009 by Craig Schreiner- a job that was rated in the area's top three by the golf panel.
Founders Club, Pawleys Island: Also a top finisher in balloting for "Most Improved" in the Grand Strand, the former Sea Gull course was totally redesigned in 2008 by architect Tom Walker, whose style is similar to that of the late Mike Strantz, of Caledonia and True Blue fame.
Furman University Golf Club, Greenville: The Upstate home of golf teams that produced Hall of Famers Beth Daniel and Betsy King, plus Dottie Pepper and Brad Faxon, was restored in 2008 by another Pinehurst architect, Kris Spence.
Heron Point by Pete Dye, Hilton Head Island: The renowned designer of Harbour Town (with Jack Nicklaus) and Kiawah's Ocean Course returned to The Sea Pines Resort in 2014 to soften and upgrade his original design- work deemed among the Lowcountry's best.
