Top-ranked resort to also add new guest cottages, golf performance center,
pool and putting course in 2018
SEA ISLAND, GA (December 13, 2017) – Sea Island, a Forbes Five-Star resort on the coast of Georgia, recently announced plans to redesign the facility’s Plantation Course and build new putting and practice areas. Love Golf Design, the golf course architecture firm founded by PGA TOUR professional Davis Love III and his brother Mark, will begin the first phase of this work in early 2018. The construction work related to the Plantation Course redesign will commence following the 2018 RSM Classic, an official PGA TOUR event held annually at Sea Island Golf Club. “We are very excited to play a role in the enhancements taking place at The Lodge,” said Davis Love III. “Mark and I have been redesigning Plantation in our minds for more than 20 years as we have played it.”
The Plantation Course redesign will be led by Golf Architect, Scot Sherman, who will assist the Loves with the project’s details throughout the design and construction phases. “We intend to draw on the history of the course and its original architecture,” said Sherman. “Using classic features, historic hardscape and landscape elements, we will infuse the layout with the timeless qualities golfers at all levels seem to enjoy.”
The Love team plans to create new and interesting strategic elements while restoring the course’s character and routing, passed on by previous architects, beginning with Walter Travis’ original 1928 design of the club’s first nine holes. The new course is expected to open in October 2019, ahead of The RSM Classic.
The golf course improvements are part of a $25 million enhancement program at The Lodge at Sea Island, which will include six new cottages, a new 17,000 square-foot Golf Performance Center, an oceanfront pool, and new pool house. Work on these new additions recently broke ground and are expected to debut in time for the 2018 RSM Classic.
Renowned for world-class golf and golf instruction, Sea Island is raising the bar even higher, beginning with the addition of the new Golf Performance Center. This state-of-the-art facility will replace the resort’s existing Golf Performance Center, widely recognized as one of the finest golf centers in the country. The new Golf Performance Center will feature six instruction and club fitting bays and a putting studio – both with industry-leading technology for teaching and club fitting – a full-service golf club workshop, a gym with locker rooms, spacious retail area and indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces. In addition to this new Center, a new putting course with an expansive, undulating green will be created on the ocean side of The Lodge, adding a fresh dimension to the golf experience during the day and evening. During redesign, the driving range closest to the ocean will also be expanded to allow for additional length.
“We are on the verge of another very exciting time at Sea Island,” said Scott Steilen, President and CEO of Sea Island. “The Lodge is proud to be consistently ranked among the top hotels in the country, and rather than resting on our laurels, we are taking steps to further enhance the overall experience and expand the appeal – making The Lodge an ideal destination for not only golfers but also couples seeking a romantic getaway.” Once complete, The Lodge will offer a total of 57 sleeping rooms and 11,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space.
About Love Golf Design:
Love Golf Design has over 20 completed projects in its portfolio and has garnered numerous design awards. Along with the Sea Island project, the firm is currently in the planning phase for a new course at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Their most recent project, Atlantic Dunes at the Sea Pines Resort, was completed in late 2016. The project was a complete redesign of Hilton Head Island’s first course, the Sea Pines’ Ocean Course.
Davis Love, III is a North Carolina native who played at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill before turning professional in 1985. He has won 21 times on the PGA TOUR, including the 1997 PGA Championship. Love was the winning US Captain for the 2016 Ryder Cup team and was inducted into to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017.
Mark Love is co-founder and President of Love Golf Design. He has guided the firm through all of its completed projects and handles the day-to-day business. Mark is also the Executive Director of the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic played at Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia.
Scot Sherman, ASGCA, serves as lead Golf Architect for Love Golf Design projects. He has completed over 35 designs during his 28-year career working on courses in the US, Europe and Pacific rim. Scot began his career employed by the Dye family where the value of designing in the field became a guiding principle of his work. He is a 14-year member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.
About Sea Island:
Since 1928, Sea Island has been known as an exceptional destination appealing to those who appreciate gracious service and heartfelt hospitality. With four Forbes Five-Star experiences – The Cloister at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island, The Spa at Sea Island, and the Georgian Room restaurant – Sea Island entices families, outdoor and activity enthusiasts, and those simply wanting to refresh and recharge. It is the only resort in the world to have received four Forbes Five-Star awards for nine consecutive years. Site of a G-8 Summit of world leaders, Sea Island provides exceptional settings and service for conferences and executive retreats. Located on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Sea Island features five miles of private beach, a Beach Club, tennis and squash centers, Yacht Club, Shooting School, and Camp Cloister. Sea Island is steeped in golf tradition and is home to three championship golf courses, including Seaside and Plantation, home of the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic, as well as the nation’s finest Golf Performance Center. Located on St. Simons Island, The Inn at Sea Island offers comfortable, casual accommodations with access to many Sea Island amenities. Guests may also enjoy nearby Broadfield, a Sea Island Sporting Club and Lodge, offering a variety of seasonal hunting, fishing, sporting and organic culinary opportunities. Those seeking adventures in the spirit of the American west may choose to visit The Broadmoor, the other member of the Sea Island family. Opened in 1918 and situated at the gateway to the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor is the longest consecutive winner of the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond awards. Like Sea Island, the resort offers guests a unique way to experience one of the country’s most beautiful settings, and is known for its history, tradition, and service excellence.
Contact:
Mark Love (912-617-7773)
markplove@mac.com
Scot Sherman, ASGCA (864-382-9062)
scot.sherman@hotmail.com
