Tom Fazio-designed Lowcountry classic honored for distinct quality and operational excellence.
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. – Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt on Isle of Palms, South Carolina, proudly announces its iconic Tom Fazio-designed Harbor Course has been named the South Carolina Golf Course Owners’ Association’s Course of the Year for 2026.
Just one year after the course underwent an expansive $9.5 million enhancement project, accolades are pouring in for par-70 course that winds through parkland vistas, native marshlands, and a dramatic Intracoastal Waterway coastline.
“We’re honored to accept the SCGCOA’s award singling out the Harbor Course as the 2026 Course of the Year,” Director of Golf & Sports Jeff Minton said. “So much — and so many valuable contributors — went into the redevelopment of the Harbor and to see, every day, how golfers respond to the quality, conditions and overall playing experience of the course is extremely gratifying. To have the industry take notice and shine a light on what a distinctive and special course this is, and what it means to the community, says so much about our ownership’s commitment to making Wild Dunes an extraordinary resort destination for generations to come.”
The SCGCOA evaluates Golf Course of the Year nominees on four criteria: the exceptional quality of the golf course, excellence in ownership and management, outstanding contribution to the community, and significant contribution to the game of golf.
The Harbor Course has been a centerpiece of the Wild Dunes 36-hole golfing experience for more than four decades. In 2025, the Fazio Design team, Heritage Links Golf Course Construction, and the Wild Dunes Resort Golf Course Agronomy team collaborated to rebuild and expand all 18 greens to improve the playability, variety, and unique challenge of each golf hole. Several of the course’s bunkers were reshaped and moved to accommodate modern driving distances and playing areas have been expanded on multiple holes to enhance shot values and strategy.
All of the Harbor Course’s tee boxes have been rebuilt, leveled and, in some cases, expanded while the irrigation system has been replaced to help optimize turf conditions and water usage. Holes near the Intracoastal waterway that runs alongside the course were raised several feet to curb flood risk and multiple golf cart bridges have also been restored.
“The golf courses at Wild Dunes Resort — and the high standard with which they are operated by our dedicated and expert team — are a source of pride and distinction for this special resort property, so we’re pleased to see the Harbor Course garner this deserved recognition,” said Wild Dunes Resort’s Managing Director Terri A. Haack. “We strive to make Wild Dunes an unforgettable experience for guests and members of the courses and getting to celebrate this honor is particularly meaningful to honor Jeff Minton and his professional staff and our peerless agronomy team who present a stunning product day after day and season after season.”
The Harbor Course is now eligible for national, industry-wide consideration in the 2027 National Golf Course Owners Association’s Resort Course of the Year category. The new award, added in 2026, honors a resort golf course that delivers an exceptional experience across all facets of operation — from turf management to guest engagement — while also contributing meaningfully to the growth and vitality of the game of golf. Recipients of this award exemplify excellence in resort-level golf experiences, setting the bar for service, design, and industry leadership.
Recognized as one of the top 10 resorts in the South by Conde Nast Traveler, the Wild Dunes Resort and its partners have invested more than $150 million in property renovations since 2021. These investments include the debut of Sweetgrass Inn, a stunning 153-room hotel featuring a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art spa, 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a 3,000-square-foot rooftop bar, and sprawling pool deck. Wild Dunes Resort expanded its sports offerings earlier in 2025 with the addition of two new tennis courts and six pickleball courts, catering to the growing demand and popularity of the sport.
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 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 Resort 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, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
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