Ideally located on the northern tip of Island of Palms, Wild Dunes Resort – a Destination by Hyatt, is pleased to announce the resort’s two Tom Fazio designed golf courses will undergo various upgrades and enhancements in 2024, in excess of $8 million – including rebuilding and expanding of the greens and tees, irrigation systems and more. Projects are set to begin March 2024, with completion currently slated for October 2024.
Recently named among the top 20 resorts in the South by Conde Nast Traveler, the resort and its partners have invested more than $150 million in property renovations since 2021, with the new signature hotel, The Sweetgrass Inn. Featuring 153 rooms, The Sweetgrass Inn also includes a 10,000 square-foot state-of-the-art spa, 30,000s square feet of meeting and event space, a 3,000 square-foot rooftop bar, an expansive pool deck and more. Additionally, the resort added five new pickleball courts to support the sport’s growing demand and popularity.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the continued growth and investment in the resort,” said Tom Nolan, Wild Dunes Resort’s managing director. “After years of continued improvements to the property with our guests and members in mind, enhancing our overall golf product was the natural next step. We’re looking forward to delivering this elevated offering through both the Harbor Course – Tom Fazio’s original South Carolina gem – along with the Links Course, creating an exceptional coastal championship golf experience.”
After engaging with world-class consultants, researching cutting-edge golf trends and surveying The Golf Club at Wild Dunes membership, Wild Dunes established an enhancement plan including:
The Harbor Course
The Resort’s Tom Fazio-designed Harbor Course has been a centerpiece of Wild Dunes for more than 40 years. Beginning in spring 2024, the greens will be rebuilt and expanded to meet the modern standards of the game to challenge and excite every level of golfer. The tees will be rebuilt, leveled and in some cases expanded while the irrigation systems will be replaced with improved turf conditions and a design that’s more efficient in water use. The Greenside and fairway bunkers will be restored and, in some cases, re-positioned to enhance the design features of certain holes. Additionally, multiple golf cart bridges will be restored over the next 12 months, some of which have already been completed.
The Links Course
The resort teams are currently evaluating ways in which the Links Course’s 18th hole, which has been impacted by the threat of erosion and washout, may be restored in the near term. A number of options are being considered to materially improve play.
“Upon the completion of the Harbor Course restoration, golfers that are familiar with the course will experience newly designed putting surfaces that are sure to test their putting skills, smooth upgraded golf cart paths, and several new strategically placed bunkers intended to complement the current hole designs,” says Director of Golf, Jeff Minton. “For those who have not experienced golf at Wild Dunes, from the moment you step foot on property and are greeted by are friendly team you will know you are somewhere special.”
The project demonstrates the ongoing commitment from the resort and its ownership company, Lowe and Dart, to further develop the Wild Dunes property, as well as its offerings, amenities and overall experience for visitors and locals alike.
“Lowe and Dart are incredibly grateful to be a part of the Wild Dunes Resort community, and we intend to continue to be part of what makes Isle of Palms great today, tomorrow, and for years to come,” said Terri A. Haack, senior vice president of Lowe, on behalf of resort ownership. “This major investment demonstrates our commitment to preserving both of our golf courses for the recreation and open space that all members of the Wild Dunes community treasure.”
For more information or to learn more about Wild Dunes Resort, please visit www.wilddunesresort.com.
About Wild Dunes Resort
Located 30 minutes from the charm and grace of historic downtown Charleston, Wild Dunes Resort occupies 1,600 acres of oceanfront paradise along the Atlantic shores offering various accommodations including the new, coastal-modern Sweetgrass Inn; the beloved AAA Four-Diamond-rated Boardwalk Inn; spacious Residences at Sweetgrass guestrooms, suites, and penthouses; and a collection of private condos and vacation home rentals. With 36 holes of Tom Fazio-designed championship golf year-round, internationally ranked tennis, bike rentals, a world-class spa, an on-site art gallery, resort pools and an array of restaurants and bars, Wild Dunes is an ideal retreat for families, couples, groups and more – offering a little something for everyone. For more information, please visit www.wilddunes.com or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.