Timberlake Country Club

Timberlake Country Club sits along the shores of Lake Murray in Chapin, South Carolina, approximately fifteen miles northwest of Columbia. Designed by Willard Byrd and opened in the early 1970s, the course reflects the architect's regional approach to golf design during a period of significant residential development around the lake. Byrd, a prolific designer in the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast, created layouts that typically worked with natural terrain rather than imposing dramatic earthwork, and Timberlake follows this philosophy. The routing takes advantage of the rolling piedmont topography characteristic of this part of South Carolina, with elevation changes that provide variety without excessive walking difficulty. Several holes play along or near the lake, incorporating water views into the round, while others move through wooded corridors of pine and hardwood. The layout offers a mix of risk-reward opportunities and straightforward holes, suitable for a private club membership that includes players of varying skill levels. Timberlake functions as a traditional country club with golf as the centerpiece of member activity. The course serves as the home facility for members who live in the surrounding Lake Murray area, a region that has grown considerably since the club's founding. The setting provides a retreat from nearby Columbia while remaining accessible to the state capital's professional and business community.