Riverland Rentals

Located just 10 minutes from downtown Charleston, "The Muni" sits on James Island, situated between the Stono River and historic Riverland Terrace, one of James Island’s oldest neighborhoods. The Municipal Golf Course opened in 1929 on 120 acres of land, which was given to the City from Mr. C. Bissell Jenkins with the stipulation that the property always be a municipal golf course available for everyone. Today, nearly 90 years later, the Muni hosts over 50,000 rounds yearly, enjoying the company of men and women; boys and girls; residents and tourists; all who share a similar passion for golf and the company of good people. Simply put - The Muni is Everyone’s Course.

History of the Course

The Charleston Municipal Golf Course was built on James Island beside the savannas of the Stono River and adjoining a part of the historic Riverland Terrace neighborhood. The elegant course opened in 1929 on 120 acres of land generously given to the City in 1927 by C. Bissell Jenkins with a stipulation that it be used only a as a municipal golf course. Conversations about possibilities of a municipal golf course began two years or more before its opening in 1929. With other classic golf layouts popping up locally, those of the Country Club of Charleston and Yeomans Hall Club in particular, the demand for public golf became a clear opportunity. Members of these private clubs and City Council were soon on board to meet that demand. The City started with a budget of $25,000, and construction began in the fall of 1928. Leading the effort were Joseph M. Whitsitt and Johnny Adams, a respected former assistant to Donald Vinton. Vinton was the head professional at The Country Club of Charleston in the winter months and Plymouth Country Club, Plymouth, MA, in the summer months, where Adams was his assistant.

The course began with but 15 holes on its opening day, July 8, 1929. The remaining three holes were opened, along with its original Stono clubhouse, on May 5, 1930.

Integration Efforts

After WWII, the Golf Commission began to form plans for youth programs. In June of 1948, the Municipal Course’s first youth golf program was created and designed to revolve around local City schoolchildren. Regrettably, for the following 12 years these programs were offered only to caucasian players.

In November 1958 such segregation came to the forefront when 12 African American men signed a letter to Charleston City Council respecting their right to play the course. In 1961, the Municipal Golf Course was successfully integrated during Palmer Gaillard’s first term as the City’s Mayor. This day marked an important, new period in which the Charleston Municipal Golf Course was the only desegregated 18-hole public or private golf course in South Carolina.

Renovation Process

In an effort to continue to attract golfers with modern-day equipment, The Muni is nearing the end of a multi-million dollar extensive renovation project.

• Greens will be rebuilt to modern day standards and restored to their original size. Historic design elements will be reintroduced.
• Vistas will be opened along the Stono River.
• Ponds and wetlands will be created and this material will be used used to raise areas on the back side to alleviate drainage problems.
• Tees will be rebuilt to accommodate the 50,000 to 60,000 rounds played each year.
• Bunkers will be rebuilt and relocated to address modern day play.
• A short game practice area is to be built that will allow the golf staff to run more junior and adult golf programs.
• Work is scheduled to completed before the end of 2020.