The Royal family, who logged timber on the Island built its first seaside vacation homes, sold Kiawah to Kuwait Investment Company for $17 million. The new owner, in consultation with Sea Pines Company, completed an extensive environmental inventory and created a master plan for development.

Sea Pines Company Takes Over Management of Kiawah Island

• The Kiawah Island Community Association is Founded
• Marsh Point Golf Course Opens
• Real Estate Sales Begin

In May 1976, Kiawah Island Golf Resort officially opened with the Kiawah Island Inn. Perched atop a prominent beachside bluff, the Inn had two oceanfront swimming pools, the Charleston Gallery and Jasmine Porch restaurants, and the Topsider Lounge bar. The resort also opened a nine-court tennis complex and the Straw Market shops.

Turtle Point Golf Course was designed by the renowned Jack Nicklaus and features stunning oceanfront holes in the heart of East Beach Village. Nicklaus returned to Kiawah in 2016 to oversee a full renovation of the course.

• The Town of Kiawah is Incorporated
• Osprey Point Golf Course Opens

Kiawah Resort Associates Acquire Kiawah Island
In 1988, Kiawah Resort Associates (KRA) purchased the Island for $105 million from the Kuwait Investment Company. And so began the Island’s transformation into one of the top luxury communities in the U.S.

Hurricane Hugo
The “Storm of the Century” barrelled into Charleston on September 21, 1989. A Category 4 storm, Hurricane Hugo left a swath of devastation across the greater Charleston area.

KRA Sells Resort Assets to Landmark Land Co.

The First Issue of Legends Magazine is Released

The Ocean Course Opens

Kiawah Island Hosts the Ryder Cup
In 1991, the biennial Ryder Cup golf matches came to the shores of legendary Pete Dye’s newest creation, The Ocean Course. What was then a brand-new golf course draped at the end of a wild barrier island is now among the top golf courses in the world. A U.S. victory was secured in dramatic fashion on the final hole, all the while introducing the world to its next great seaside destination.

Virginia Investment Trust Acquires Resort Properties from Landmark Land Co.

Kiawah Island Club is Founded
The Robert A.M. Stern-designed Beach Club opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day to four hundred pioneering Members—and Kiawah Island Club was born.

River Course Opens

River Course Clubhouse Opens

Kiawah Conservancy is Founded

River Course Named Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

Little Bear Island Preservation

Cassique Golf Course Opens

Kiawah Island Club’s Cassique Clubhouse Opens

Kiawah Island Club’s Sasanqua Spa Opens

Freshfields Village Opens

The Sanctuary Opens

The Sports Pavilion Opens

The Ocean Course Hosts the Senior PGA Championship

Kiawah Island Club’s River Course Clubhouse Fire

Kiawah Island Club’s New River Course Clubhouse Opens

The Ocean Course Hosts the PGA Championship

South Street Partners Acquires Kiawah Partners

The Sporting Club Opens

Marsh House Opens

Golf Learning Center Opens at Cassique

Kiawah Conservancy Recognized as Accredited Land Trust

The Beach Club Renovations are Complete and B-Liner Opens

The PGA Championship Returned to Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island Club’s Two Meeting Street Inn Opens

The Cape Club Opens

MUSC Health Kiawah Partners Pavilion Opens

Seafields by Bishop Gadsden Opens

Orange Hill Golf Course