Bulls Bay Golf Club: A Mike Strantz Masterpiece in the Lowcountry

There are rounds that stick with you not just for the golf, but for the people and the stories that unfold along the way. Our day at Bulls Bay—Mike Strantz's classic just outside Charleston—was one of those rounds.

Before a tee was even in the ground, we were greeted by unexpected guest. Two time winner on the PGA tour, Roger Glover. For those who don't know the name, Roger is a legend in his own right—a long time member at Bulls Bay, and a man whose career has woven through some of the most storied fairways in America. He couldn't have been more welcoming, greeting the Bucket List Series crew with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you've been a member for years.

Our group that day was rounded out by two local characters: Reed, a longtime member whose stories and laughter seem to be etched into the landscape itself, and his playing partner, a retired American Airlines pilot with tales so wild they'd turn your hair white. Golf is always about more than just the scorecard, and Bulls Bay delivered that in spades before we even reached the first tee.

But let's talk about the course. Bulls Bay is vintage Mike Strantz—bold, creative, and utterly unforgettable. This was his first attempt at a solo project, and he did not disappoint. What's most remarkable is that this rolling, dramatic landscape was once nothing more than a flat tomato farm. Strantz and his team moved mountains—literally—carving hills and valleys from the earth until the land itself felt as if it had always been destined for golf. The routing sprawls across the property, with wide corridors, heroic carries, and sweeping vistas that make you pause and soak in the magic. Every tee box offers a new perspective, and every green is a puzzle to solve.

What's wonderful about Bulls Bay is how naturally it all fits together. Despite the massive earthmoving, the course feels like it's always belonged to the Lowcountry. The views from the high points are breathtaking, stretching out over the marshes and winding back toward the iconic clubhouse perched high above the landscape.

Strantz's fingerprints are everywhere. It's said he would ride the property on horseback, his loyal dog trotting alongside, studying every nuance of the land. In fact, there's a huge portrait of him on horseback hanging alongside the winding staircase that leads upstairs to the member's bar - where late night poker games and stories of golf greatest moments (and biggest defeats) are the standard.

Before moving a single blade of grass, Strantz would sketch each hole in watercolor, bringing his vision to life on paper before a shovel ever hit the ground. He was a true artist, and Bulls Bay is a canvas that shows his genius. Strantz believed in giving each project his full attention, insisting on working one job at a time and spending countless hours on site to ensure every detail was just right.

Playing Bulls Bay is a journey through Strantz's imagination—a masterwork that challenges, delights, and inspires. It's a place where the stories are as rich as the turf under your feet, and where the spirit of adventure is alive and well.