Sea Island’s Plantation Redesign a Labor of Love

SEA ISLAND, Georgia – Inspired by the traditional profile of Walter Travis’ 1928 original nine-hole course, the new Plantation layout at Sea Island reopened in time for the RSM Classic after a complete redesign by Mark and Davis III of Love Golf Design. It is truly a labor of Love-a vision and ongoing conversation between two brothers who have transformed the golf course they grew up playing more times than they can count.

Sea Island, the Forbes Five-Star Resort located in the ‘Golden Isles of Georgia’ on the Atlantic Ocean coast halfway between Jacksonville Florida and Savannah, has hosted the RSM Classic for 10 years. The Club hired the Love duo to reimagine the golf course, drawing on the history of the Plantation course and used unique architectural features in combination with historical hardscape and landscape elements to revitalize the property. You will now find the Principal’s Nose on #10 green and a few Travis chocolate drops here and there. In 2001 Davis III and Mark collaborated together to redesign the Retreat course, carefully blending player’s preferences(including their own) from the earlier design. The brothers devoted a lot of personal attention and created an original layout, that while a dramatic design, is very playable and interesting. They added 300 yards of length to give Retreat a more open feeling with a lower profile, stretching to 6,723 yards.

Over the past year, Sea Island has invested over $30 million to enhance the golf experience, including the addition of the new 17,000 square foot Golf Performance Center, with an extended practice facility, an 18 hole putting course, all overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Love Golf Design has been working since the beginning of 2018. The first phase of work included the construction of the Driftwood putting course which opened in 2018. There was an area of the property between the Plantation course and The Lodge which was underutilized and they decided to create a putting course as a way to immerse guests in the golf setting and give them another venue for play. The Driftwood sits right on the ocean, so there is no better setting for an evening putting contest with friends or family. Fun is in Full Swing at Sea Island, a member of the Georgia Golf Trail.

Since 1928 visitors have been drawn to Sea Island with its rich natural beauty, bounty of activities and endless charms. With its roots as “a friendly little hotel” on the southern coast of Georgia, this incredible place between the marshland and the ocean is something very special.

Founded on simple traditions, the treasures of family, friends, nature, and built on genuine warmth and hospitality, the essence of Sea Island has been steadfast while so much of the world has changed through the passing years.

Be it the gracious welcome of the Cloister, the distinctive warmth of the Lodge, the friendly comfort of the Inn, the diverse selection of Cottages, or the outdoor haven of Broadfield, Sea Island’s signature heart and soul is there for you every step of your day.

Visit SeaIsland.com for more information.