Sea Pines Resort
Atlantic Dunes
Hole 15, Par-3, 205 Yards
Architect: Original Ocean Course by George Cobb (1962)
Updated: Love Golf Design (Davis Love III, Scot Sherman and Mark Love)
Opened: October 3, 2016
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA
A fresh coat of design paint can be the pathway for real improvement and the par-3 15th at Atlantic Dunes at the renowned Sea Pines Resort has truly resurrected itself.
The first course that opened on Hilton Head Island was aptly named the Ocean Course by architect George Cobb. The layout was merely functional and over the years had generated less and less interest.
The course that skyrocketed Sea Pines to attention came into being in 1969 when Harbour Town Golf Links came into being thanks to the handiwork of renowned architect Pete Dye.
When the Goodwin family purchased The Sea Pines Resort in 2005 from the original owner the Fraser family, the challenge to bring back to life the property was certainly present.
“It was blatantly obvious that our assets were tired and needed a lot of work,” said Matthew Goodwin, chairman of the resort. In the years since they built two new clubhouses and a beach club, and renovated two of the three golf courses at the resort.
Their attention then turned to the Ocean Course, the first golf course ever built on Hilton Head Island — dating back to 1962. The George Cobb designed layout was choked with trees, its infrastructure dated, conditions marginal with a layout not fitting into its native Lowcountry surroundings.
The Sea Pines team selected Love Golf Design to assess the Ocean Course and specifically address the agronomic, infrastructure, playability, strategic and aesthetic shortcomings evident on the property. The obvious solution was to take advantage of plentiful land available and build a completely new course in place of the old layout.
So, the resort worked with Scot Sherman, ASGCA, Davis Love III and Mark Love to formulate a plan which was only limited by the course’s property boundaries. “As the first eco-planned destination in the US, Sea Pines has become known for its respect of the surrounding environment.
The resulting course, renamed Atlantic Dunes, included all new greens, tees (including a new ‘family course’), bunkers, irrigation, drainage, turfgrass, cart paths and bridges, all thoughtfully designed to evoke a seaside ambience.
One of the most imaginative involvements took place with the previously pedestrian 15th hole.
Scot Sherman outlined the thinking on elevating the nature of what the hole is now.
“We studied the dunes, native plants and native trees found in this area. Then carried this landscape theme throughout the rest of the layout. So, you could say that the 15th was not only improved but was the single greatest influence on improving the other 17 holes,” said Sherman.
“Needless to say, 15 is much more visually pleasing and clearly reflects the seaside setting. Strategically, the green has contour which separates the hole locations and dictates the shot played into it. Although we like to keep fronts of greens generally open, we are glad to build flanking hazards that catch wayward shots. The hazards and bunkers here defend various hole locations well.”
The visual dynamics of the hole were also improved – both at the green and teeing area.
“You may be able to see the small palm back and left of the new green. This palm was preserved and provides some reference. We raised the green just a few feet – maybe 2 feet,” said Sherman.
“Then we spent a lot of time at the tee making sure it was built at the right grade to see both the green surface and the ocean beyond. The tee was also raised perhaps 3 feet to accomplish this while still blending into the dunes there.”
The “new” 15th adds a clear connection to its setting. Atlantic Dunes is a refreshing new layout and Davis Love III, a five-time winner of the RBC Heritage event and lead figure from the design team involved with the project, succinctly summed up matters.
“Sea Pines is one of my all-time favorite places to play and visit, so we’re excited Atlantic Dunes will be in line with the great golf offered by Harbour Town and Heron Point.”
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Photos & Schematic Rendering courtesy Love Golf Design
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