Golf expanding in Georgia’s Golden Isles
Designed by Mark Bennett of Augusta Golf Designs in Augusta, Ga., the 18-hole public facility stretches 6,803 yards.
But Coastal Pines is only one of a series of new developments in the area. The Retreat Golf Course, at the Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island, opened in August. The Retreat, designed by golf pro and course architect Davis Love III, is the final leg following an extensive makeover of Sea Island’s golf courses.
$140 MILLION INVESTED
More than $140 million has been invested by the Sea Island Company to make capital improvements and renovations aimed at improving accommodations, amenities and guest services.
The Sea Palms Golf and Tennis Resort also has completed a threeyear, $4-million renovation project on its three nine-holes courses: Tall Pines, Great Oaks, and Sea Palms West Work began in 1998 with the Tall Pines layout followed by Great Oaks in 2000. Sea Palms West was completed in August.
The Jekyll Island Authority has invested more than $500,000 for improvements on its three 18-hole golf courses and the historic Great Dunes 9-hole oceanside layout. Intermediate level gold tees have been added to the Oleander, Indian Mound and Pine Lakes courses. Other improvements include rebuilt bunkers and new cart paths.
The Pines Lakes layout, designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee in 1968, closed this fall for a one-year renovation. The $2.5 million project by designer Clyde Johnston will include new lakes and bunkers, new irrigation system and cart paths, redesigned greens and an upgraded drainage system.