Aiken Interests: Equestrian & Golf

Aiken Equestrian District
In Aiken County there is something for every horse lover, and with Aiken’s warm climate, equestrian activities can be held all year round.

Aiken’s equine culture has its roots in the Winter Colony, the community of wealthy Northerners who spent their winters here in the late 19th century, and who found that the sandy soil was perfect for conditioning their horses. Polo was first played in 1882 and is still played at Whitney Field, the site of the longest consecutive period of play in the United States. The members of the Colony also hunted fox, and the tradition continues at Hitchcock Woods, a 2,000-acre preserve virtually in the center of the city – the largest urban forest in the United States.

Then as now, the thoroughbreds take center stage during the winter months. The Aiken Steeplechase was founded in 1930 and was renewed in 1967. Their crowning accomplishment happens each March when Aiken hosts its own Triple Crown, starting with the Aiken Trials, continuing the following weekend with the Aiken Steeplechase, and culminating the third and final weekend with polo matches.

Aiken Golf
Another popular activity in Aiken is golf, and there are many fine courses nestled among the equestrian centers in the county. Golf enthusiasts play year round in the moderate southern climate of Aiken County and tournaments catering to both experienced golfers and novices flourish. Each April, the area bustles with activity surrounding the Masters Golf Tournament which is held just 18 miles away in Augusta, Georgia.

Two of the most historically significant golf courses in the United States are in Aiken County. The Palmetto Golf Club is the nation’s fifth oldest golf course and was designed by Herbert Leeds, then remodeled by Alister MacKenzie while he was building the nearby Augusta National. Another historic club is the Aiken Golf Club that was the first course in the nation to offer women’s tees.

Click Here for A List of Golf Courses In the Surrounding Area