CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. – South Seas, located on Captiva Island along Florida’s Gulf Coast, announces a refreshing and fun-focused addition to the world of golf opening for play later this year. The resort will proudly unveil its new Beau Welling-designed, 12-hole golf course aptly named The Clutch. Promising a captivating experience combining breathtaking coastal water and island views with world-class golf, The Clutch course is a family-friendly short course conceptualized by one of the game’s top designers. The new golf offering is part of the continued rebuilding process at South Seas, following the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
Nestled between serene beach views and lush native landscapes, the short course has been artfully designed with playability and enjoyment in mind, to offer both novice players and seasoned golfers an experience they will want to play again and again. A homage to the diverse and prominent wildlife found on the island, The Clutch is named after a turtle’s nest and seeks to foster a love of the game in all ages and skill levels.
“We are extremely proud of the course that we have created at South Seas and look forward to unveiling The Clutch,” said Beau Welling, President and Founder of Beau Welling Design. “The site is spectacular, and we were able to create a strategic and challenging, yet playable golf course that complements the beautiful surroundings with unobstructed water views on every hole. Working with South Seas, we were also able to create a unique and relaxed golf experience that promotes friends and families coming together through the game of golf to enjoy the stunning setting.”
Featuring interesting and undulating greens, The Clutch will present a challenge for experienced golfers, focusing on precision, preferred angles of play, and shot values. The course will also offer a multitude of options for those newer to the game, utilizing short-cut green surrounds and slopes that will allow players to even play with just a putter.
The course was designed by Beau Welling Design, overseen by Beau Welling and Senior Design Associate Chase Webb, and has been constructed by Clark Construction Company over the past seven months.
Key Features of The Clutch:
Innovative Design: With 12 holes, each designed with its own distinctive challenge and offering multiple routes of play, the course is a testament to modern golf design and the state of the game. It encourages players to employ a mix of skills while enjoying their surroundings and promotes optionality, even offering two unique choices on the nineth hole where players can opt to play two different holes, a 76-yard hole or the shortest hole on the course at 54-yards.
Water Views: Every hole offers stunning vistas of Pine Island Sound, Red Fish Pass, North Captiva and the Gulf of Mexico and the course is built around three ponds that beautifully serve as a highly functioning water drainage system while enhancing the views. The coastal breeze adds an extra layer of challenge and authenticity to the experience as wind direction will alter how many of the holes play in differing conditions.
Eco-friendly Initiatives: Keeping in line with the resort’s commitment to sustainability, The Clutch has been landscaped with native plantings, featuring palm trees rescued from Hurricane Ian, and nurtured at a tree nursery and replanted. The course was designed to help improve storm water management for the north end of the resort and can withstand 20” of rain in a compressed time – as evidenced by the recent effects of Hurricane Idalia. A state-of-the-art irrigation system ensures minimal water usage while South Seas follows the Florida Best Management Practices ensuring the care and upkeep of the course is handled in an environmentally-sound manner.
The Clutch Clubhouse: The course is complemented by the Clubhouse with outdoor seating and expansive putting course. This setting offers an ideal option for social gatherings pre- and post-round to enjoy the beautiful golf landscape and stunning ocean views.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our guests to this new golf experience,” says South Seas General Manager, Shawn Farrell. “Our goal is to offer more than just a game – it’s about enjoying the popular sport in the most beautiful setting imaginable.”
Available to resort guests and Club Captiva members, The Clutch is a walking-focused course, while golf carts are available for accessible play.
Only 45 minutes, yet a world away, Captiva Island is connected to Florida’s mainland via Sanibel Causeway and a small bridge over Blind Pass joining it to Sanibel Island. Tucked away at the northern end of the five-mile long, one-half-mile wide Captiva Island, South Seas is between Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico ensconced by two-and-a-half miles of powder-white beaches lapped by turquoise tides.
For more information, visit SouthSeas.com or call (800) 237-6000.
About South Seas
Presenting classic island charm, the 330-acre South Seas is nestled among mangroves with more than half of the resort a dedicated wildlife preserve and estuary. World-renowned fishing, boating, and yachting, and discovering storied barrier islands are among the unforgettable experiences of a South Seas guest. The resort has been a cherished destination for more than 75 years. A new chapter begins, one that has been inspired by the many past generations of guests, and thoughtfully recast for the future. South Seas has embarked on a phased reopening, an important milestone in efforts towards recovery and rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Ian, dedicated to delivering a resilient, world-class resort.
