In the NCGOA’s criteria, the spectacular reconstruction of Hilton Head Island’s first golf course was “recognized as a course that epitomizes exceptional course quality and management excellence, while making important contributions to their communities and the game.”

In other words, it’s the best-of-the-best for 2017. The Sea Pines Resort and Atlantic Dunes will accept the award at the Golf Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas February 8^th.

Even more remarkable is the fact that Atlantic Dunes was playable for all of 2017 after having to recover from Hurricane Matthew in October of 2016, just three days after the course opened.  

“Atlantic Dunes is not only the perfect complement to our Harbour Town and Heron Point layouts, it is also a ‘must play’ golf experience on its own,” says Cary Corbitt, Vice President of Sports & Operations.

Atlantic Dunes was the work of Love Golf Design. Victorious 2016 Ryder Cup captain (and 5-time RBC Heritage winner at Harbour Town), brother Mark and lead architect Scot Sherman entirely rebuilt many holes to accommodate modern shot values and frame scenic corridors to create a seaside ambience accented by coquina shells and seaside grasses. Atlantic Dunes incorporates elements of the surrounding beachfront along with native pines and oaks lining the fairways, with restoration of natural sand dunes blending into the fairways and green complexes.

The award marks the second time in three years that a Hilton Head Island course has made the Final Four (Palmetto Dunes’ George Fazio Course was a finalist in 2015) and the third straight year a Hilton Head course was named Course of the Year in golf-crazy South Carolina, the first hurdle in the quest to become National Course of the Year (Sea Pines’ Heron Point by Pete Dye was the #1 state course in 2016). 

The other finalists for the 2017 National Course of the Year Award were Manchester Country Club in Bedford, New Hampshire, Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana and the Resort at Eagle Point Golf Club in Eagle Point, Oregon.

Photo courtesy of The Sea Pines Resort.

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For the golfer who craves variety: The Hole-in-One Golf Gift Package.

Featuring a round on each of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort’s three unique layouts – the Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio and Arthur Hills Courses – the package also includes a Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort logo hat and two-ball sleeve of Palmetto Dunes logo golf balls. Price: $380.

For more information: www.palmettodunesstore.com/collections/golf-gift-packages 

For your favorite female golfer: Two-Day Golf School with Dana Rader.

Designed for fast improvement and fun, this golf school program features eight hours of instruction with LPGA Master Professional Dana Rader at The Sea Pines Resort. Featuring a small group setting for personal one-on-one instruction, this program also includes video analysis, an instruction manual and a customized practice program for continued improvement. Price: $795.

For more information :https://www.seapines.com/golf/instruction/ladies-programs/two-day-school.aspx

For the golfer who loves to fish: The Great Escape Fishing and Golf Package.

Hit the fairways and the ocean during this action-packed trip including four nights’ accommodation, unlimited rounds of golf on 99 holes, complimentary range balls prior to rounds and an offshore fishing expedition. Price: starting at $225 per person per night.

For more information: https://www.hiltonheadisland.org/golf/golf-package-offers/details/the-great-escape-starting-at-225pppn/

For the not-so-serious golfer: A Round of FootGolf.

It takes less than an hour to play nine holes of FootGolf, making it the ideal for a quick jaunt around the course. This trendy sport mirrors golf’s basic model, but instead of hitting a golf ball into a 4 ¼” diameter cup, players kick a soccer ball into a 21” cup. Experience Hilton Head Island’s first FootGolf course at Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club. Price: From $12.

For additional information: http://www.hiltonheadgolf.net/port-royal/recreation/footgolf/

For the golfer who has everything: A coupon for the pleasure of your company for 18 holes. With more than 33 area courses to choose from, Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s dream. The only thing better than playing one of these legendary courses? Playing with a friend. Cost: Varies.

For a list of courses and to request a custom golf vacation package quote, click here: https://www.hiltonheadisland.org/golf/golf-courses/

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An active traveler’s dream, HHGI has something for everyone. Keep reading for some of our favorite activities.

1. Play golf.

With a vast assortment of courses in and around Hilton Head Island, golf is a great way to see the area and to bond with your fellow travelers. Experience the charm of the Lowcountry including the natural landscape of live oaks, palmetto trees and wildlife – don’t be frightened if you encounter a gator or two. Check out this blog, “Five Fun Facts About Hilton Head Wildlife” for more on this topic. Plus, did you know walking 18 holes can burn up to 2,000 calories? Check out the infographic below from this year’s National Golf Day for more info on golf’s (many) fitness benefits. 

If you stay at The Sea Pines Resort or Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, you’ll have access to three championship courses on-site. However, we would recommend venturing out beyond your accommodations, as well. For those who want to take a day trip, why not visit The Legends Golf Course at Parris Island, Sanctuary Golf Club at Cat Island or one of Fripp Island’s two courses?  

2. Ride bikes.

There’s no better way to explore Hilton Head Island than on two wheels. Did you know Hilton Head has six miles of bike lanes and over 60 miles of paved shared-use paths? Check out this infographic for “The Biker’s Guide to Hilton Head Island.” In addition to being a wonderful (and healthy!) way to experience the island, biking is also great for the environment. An important part of Hilton Head’s culture, biking significantly reduces congestion and vehicular traffic. Take a leisurely ride along the beach, or easily bike to dinner and shopping. Combine the top two items on our list by renting a Golf Bike at Palmetto Dunes!

3. Do watersports.

There’s certainly no shortage of watersports around Hilton Head Island. Jet skiing, kayaking, waterskiing, standup paddle boarding (SUP), windsurfing and parasailing are just a few of the many available activities. You might even be lucky enough to get up close to one of the many dolphins that call the waters surrounding Hilton Head home.

4. Work out on the beach.

Something about the ocean breeze instantly makes any workout better. Run, walk, bike or do yoga by the water. Hilton Head’s wide, firm beach is perfect for pickup soccer games, paddle ball and fun with the entire family. Looking for more? Check out our the Lowcountry Life blog, “How to Stay in Shape on Vacation.” 

5. Hike.

What Hilton Head lacks in elevation, it makes up for in flora and fauna. The island is home to numerous trails, each of which leads to a point of interest and is accessible from sunrise to sunset. Also, just over the bridge is Pinckney Island, home to a 3.5 mile trail completely bordered by water that will make you feel as if you have been transported back in time.

The post The Active Traveler’s Guide to Hilton Head Golf Island appeared first on Island Vibe Blog.

As you can tell from the reviews above, Atlantic Dunes has been very well received. In fact, it was named South Carolina Golf Course of the Year by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association (SCGCOA). The SCGCOA chooses its course of the year based on a variety of criteria including exceptional course quality, exceptional quality of management, outstanding contribution to the community and significant contribution to the game. 

Atlantic Dunes features a pronounced seaside ambience and Lowcountry feel accented by coquina shells and seaside grass. It incorporates elements of the surrounding beachfront along with the area’s bounty of native pines and oaks lining the fairway. It benefits both visually and strategically from the restoration of natural sand dunes, as well as the creation of new dunes that blend seamlessly into the design.

Happy Anniversary, Atlantic Dunes!

The post Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III Celebrates One-Year Anniversary appeared first on Island Vibe Blog.

History of the RBC Heritage Classic

Today, Hilton Head Island is synonymous with championship golf – but this wasn’t always the case. In 1969, when Sea Pines developer Charles Fraser decided to host a PGA-level tournament at the brand-new Harbour Town Golf Links over Thanksgiving weekend, people were sceptical about its success. Why would the biggest names in golf want to travel to a new course on a little-known part of the country to play during a holiday weekend?

Charles Fraser’s plan turned out to be successful. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, two of the greatest golfers to ever play the game, both agreed to tee off at the inaugural Heritage Classic, and the rest was history. Palmer won the first Heritage Classic and generated a lot of publicity for Harbour Town Golf Links.

Since then, Hilton Head Island has become known as a premier golf resort destination, and the Heritage Classic has attracted the likes of Bernhard Langer, Johnny Miller, Greg Norman, Nick Price, Tom Watson, Davis Love III, and Payne Stewart. Throughout its 50-year history, the Heritage Classic has generated $36 million in charitable distributions and attracts as many as 130,000 fans annually.

What’s in store for the 2018 Heritage Classic?

This year, the RBC Heritage Classic kicks off with the opening ceremonies at the 18^th green on April 10. The legendary Arnold Palmer, winner of the first Heritage Classic tournament, will be honored with a moment of silence and a cannon shot. His grandson, PGA Tour pro Sam Saunders, will also be in attendance.

Other special events during this year’s Heritage Classic include Coca-Cola Youth Day on Tuesday, April 11, the annual Plaid Nation Day on Saturday, April 15, and an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 16, the final day of the tournament.

As always, the RBC Heritage Classic will be played on the stunning Harbour Town Golf Links, located at The Sea Pines Resort. The Harbour Town Golf Links course was designed by the legendary Pete Dye with design consultation from Jack Nicklaus. With a relatively short distance and tight fairways for a PGA course, as well as strategically placed oaks, pines, and palmettos throughout the fairways, Harbour Town is a one-of-a-kind course that challenges even the most experienced golf pros. As a result, the champion of the RBC Heritage Classic is often determined with play on the final few holes, and spectators are guaranteed an exciting tournament!

Want to be part of the 2018 RBC Heritage Classic?  

Spend the week at The Sea Pines Resort, the host resort of the RBC Heritage Classic. Sprawling over 5,000 oceanfront acres, The Sea Pines Resort has been a quiet Lowcountry retreat beloved by visitors from all over the world for more than 50 years.

With family-friendly activities and amenities onsite such as championship golf, tennis, biking trails, beaches, a spa, and so much more, guests will have plenty of ways to stay busy and make special memories during Heritage Classic downtime. Indulge in a luxurious room or suite at the Inn & Club at Harbour Town, or choose an elegantly-appointed vacation home that house two to sometimes more than 12 guests comfortably.

Tickets to the RBC Heritage Classic are available now. Purchase your tickets today, and join us on Hilton Head Island as we say “Cheers to 50 Years” of RBC Heritage Classic tournament play and spectator experience. View flight information for tournament week here, and, as always, don’t forget your plaid!

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Situated in the southernmost part of South Carolina, “Golf Island” is an easy drive from North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Check out the infographic below for details on mileage and average drive times from nearby cities.

Keep reading for a sample weekend golf getaway itinerary.  

Friday: Take the day off of work and make the leisurely drive to Hilton Head in the morning. Before you reach the island, stop off at Island West Golf Club in Bluffton for an early afternoon round. Designed by Fuzzy Zoeller, this track is just what you’d expect from the Major Champion: fun and entertaining. The rolling, tree-lined course was built around marshland giving you a lovely welcome to the natural beauty of the Lowcountry.

As you make your way to Hilton Head, you’ll notice it feels like you’ve entered a different world from the moment you drive over the bridge. Enjoy the short trip to the east side of the island and check into your accommodations at the expansive Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. You’ll likely want to make a game plan for the non-golf activities you want to enjoy at the resort. Tennis, kayaking and biking on the beach are just a few of the many options. After you’ve finished planning your weekend, reward yourself with a trip to Shelter Cove Harbour for dinner.

Saturday: Wake up early to prepare for your tee time at Palmetto Dunes’ George Fazio course. Hilton Head’s only public par-70 layout, the Fazio course was named the 2014 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year by the S.C. Golf Course Owners’ Association. This stimulating course is known for its challenging four finishing holes: three well-bunkered par 4s and the par-3 17^th over water with out-of-bounds creeping in from the left.

After lunch – there are many great restaurants at Palmetto Dunes – why not head to The Sea Pines Resort to play the 2017 S.C. Golf Course of the Year, Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III? (Fun Fact: The 2016 Course of the Year, Heron Point by Pete Dye, shares a clubhouse with Atlantic Dunes.) A complete reconstruction of the Ocean Course – the first layout on Hilton Head – Atlantic Dunes features a pronounced seaside ambience accented by coquina shells and seaside grass.

Following your round, continue with the ocean theme by enjoying dinner and drinks at the Sea Pines Beach Club.

Sunday: Fully embrace the area’s natural beauty with a round at Oyster Reef Golf Club. Carved out of 190 acres of breathtaking Lowcountry terrain, this championship course is surrounded by winding lagoons, lush vegetation and scenic views of the Island.

Take as many photos as you can to remember your wonderful golf getaway to Hilton Head before driving back home.  

For those not based in the southeast, direct flights to Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) are available year-round from 14 cities including Boston, New York, Cleveland, Chicago and Dallas. Nonstop flights from a handful of other cities including Toronto, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, are available seasonally.

Check out our Father’s Day itinerary for inspiration for your trip.

Hilton Head Airport (HHH) offers limited American Airlines flights and also features a private side. Additionally, those traveling by boat have plenty of docking options including Harbour Town Yacht Basin and Shelter Cove Harbour.

Whether you prefer to travel by car, plane or boat, Hilton Head is easy to reach. With wonderful weather and fewer crowds than in summer, autumn is an ideal time to visit. Why not plan a fall golf vacation to Hilton Head today?

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October

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is hosting a week of events the first full week of October including a golf outing and concert at the Jones Course, a tennis tournament and pickleball social for the competitively inclined, and a special wine dinner at Alexander’s to help local organizations like the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, Deep Well and Bluffton Selp-Helpwho helped locals cope with, and rally from, Hurricane Matthew and Tropical Storm Irma.

For more information, visit www.lowcountryreliefbenefit.com.

November

Then from November 10^th-17^th , the Heritage Golf Collection will host “Military Week” to raise awareness and funds for several military outreach programs like Operation Homefront, Birdies for the Brave and Tennis Thanks the Troops.

The highlight of the Heritage Collection’s involvement is free golf or tennis for Active Military members and their spouses all week long. Their guests, and Veterans and their spouses, will receive significant discounts on golf, tennis and food, and preferred military rates at partner hotels.

And mention “Military Week” and with a $5 donation, you’ll receive a complimentary appetizer at any of their three signature restaurants, the Robber’s Row Grille at Port Royal, LagerHead Tavern at Oyster Reef and the Brickyard Pub at Shipyard, with proceeds going to the military-focused charities.

As for events during the week, Friday, November 10^th, the tennis event includes clinics and a doubles exhibition featuring top Island tennis pros at the Port Royal Raquet Club.

Monday, November 13^th (Veterans Day)- Port Royal Golf Club will host a charity tournament benefitting Birdies for the Brave, with a military hero added to your foursome in the scramble format.

Wednesday, November 15^th, LagerHead Tavern at Oyster Reef Golf Club in Hilton Head Plantation will host a family-friendly oyster roast from noon until 5pm with all-you-can-eat oysters and wings with live music. Tickets for that are available at any Heritage Collection course.

Then Thursday, November 16^th, Port Royal hosts an Open House from 2pm until 6pm with signature hors d’oeuvres from each of the Heritage restaurants, live entertainment and drink specials. Active Military personnel and their families are admitted free.

For more information on the Heritage Group activities, visit www.Hiltonheadgolf.net.

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You’d have thought it might be possible the first week of October when the sparkling new Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III layout was christened in the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island. A week later, the thought of being South Carolina’s Golf Course of the Year was the farthest thing from anyone’s mind as The Sea Pines Resort worked seven days a week to recover from the blasting absorbed by Hilton Head Island from Hurricane Matthew. Yet only a little more than nine months after reopening, Atlantic Dunes has been named the state’s Course of the Year by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, making it eligible to be the National Course of the Year to be selected by the National Golf Course Owners Association.

It’s the second straight state award won by a Sea Pines course (Heron Point by Pete Dye was the 2016 Course of the Year), and third straight won by a Hilton Head Island course, following the George Fazio Course at Palmetto Dunes’ crown in 2015.

Many of you longtime Hilton Head visitors would know Atlantic Dunes as the Island’s original “Ocean Course”, but will recognize numerous changes in the layout since Love Golf Design came in and did a complete reconstruction of the layout to give it a more open, seaside look with more sand dunes, coquina shells and marsh grasses framing the holes on a course that is forgiving to the less-experienced player, while providing an opportunity for a challenging tournament-style setup. 

The course debuted at #7 in Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play in South Carolina,” and is a fitting culmination to a remarkable year for Love, who captained the victorious 2016 Ryder Cup team the week before the course opened. His brother Mark and lead architect Scot Sherman were nearly full-time Island residents while the year-long project was being completed. What they created is a remarkable compliment to Heron Point and the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links to give Sea Pines an award-winning trio of must-play courses. 

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Hilton Head Island Compass

The Hilton Head Island Compass is ideal for navigating around the island as you can search nearby activities and restaurants. You can also search for activity suggestions by categories such as Culinary Experience, Family and Art. Our favorite feature, though, is that you can build an itinerary within the app. If you’re not sure where to start, try the “Shake” option, which chooses random selections for you when you shake your phone. With an open mind and the Hilton Head Island Compass app, you’re sure to have an unforgettable trip!

Palmetto Dunes Golf – Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, George Fazio Golf Course, Arthur Hills Golf Course

Palmetto Dunes has an app for its three layouts, the Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, George Fazio Golf Course and Arthur Hills Golf Course. In addition to using the interactive scoreboard, you can also book a tee time, schedule a club fitting or watch an instructional video. The app also offers a course tour complete with playing tips to enhance your round. Other perks include golf and dining specials (pro tip: Big Jim’s at the Jones course has great daily specials). Download the Palmetto Dunes Resort app for info about the overall resort. 

The Sea Pines Resort

The Sea Pines Resort’s app includes information about its three tracks – Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III – and so much more. A handy map shows where the resort’s many amenities are in relation to one another. The Exclusive Offers section is ideal for viewing daily specials at Links, An American Grill, as well as golf and other specials. Those shopping in Harbour Town will appreciate the shopping info on each store complete with a call button for each establishment. We’re particularly partial to the Events section, which allows you to view all of the fun things happening at the resort including live entertainment.

Heritage Golf on Hilton Head

The Heritage Golf Collection on Hilton Head Island encompasses seven courses at three clubs. These include Port Royal Golf Club (Planter’s Row, Robber’s Row and Barony), Shipyard Golf Club (Clipper, Gallon and Brigantine) and Oyster Reef Golf Club. You can book tee times through the app as well as view a course tour compete with playing tips, food and beverage menus and club deals and specials.

18Birdies

Many golfers have already downloaded the 18Birdies app, but for those who haven’t, it’s a game changer. Once you create a profile, you can track your scores and stats and measure your progress over time. You can also add friends and use the app for live scoring. For extra fun on the course, the app allows users to track side games including skins, Nassau, wolf and several others. Additionally, 18Birdies’ GPS+ Rangefinder capabilities offer accurate, real-time distances to and from anywhere on the course.

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Every April, The Sea Pines Resort hosts the PGA TOUR’s only South Carolina event, the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, at Harbour Town Golf Links. This may be Hilton Head’s most well-known event – it’s been a Lowcountry tradition for nearly 50 years – but “Golf Island” also hosts a variety of other professional, amateur and junior tournaments throughout the year.

In February, The Sea Pines Resort and South Carolina Junior Golf Association hosted The Sea Pines Junior Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links and new Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III. The prestigious annual event attracted some of the nation’s top junior talent.  

On Sunday, September 10, the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes will host the Hilton Head Golf Invitational in support of Special Olympics. Open to singles, couples and foursomes, the event includes an afternoon scramble, evening cocktail reception and variety of other activities, all in support of Special Olympics. For more information, or to register, click here.

The oceanfront Robert Trent Jones Course is known for its open, inviting layout and challenging yet fair play. Named one of Golfweek’s “Best Resort Courses” for 2017, it is an ideal track for charity tournaments as it appeals to players of all abilities.

Sanctuary Golf Club at Cat Island will host the Cat Island Ladies Classic on October 29 – November 2. The National Women’s Golf Association (NWGA) event is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap index of less than eight and will bring some of the country’s best female golfers to Beaufort. The NWGA is the second largest women’s professional golf organization in the United States, second only to the LPGA / LPGA Symetra Tour.

As part of the event, Lady Island Country Club will host a Pro-Am Pairings Party and Dinner on October 29 followed by the NWGA / EggLand’s Best Pro-Am and Player & Sponsor Appreciated Dinner on October 30. For more information, or to register, click here.

Sanctuary Golf Club at Cat Island is a player-friendly layout that rewards good shots. Although a selection of elevated greens appear daunting, overall the course is an enjoyable fair test. Located on a 400+ acre barrier island, Sanctuary Golf Club encapsulates Lowcountry golf with statuesque oak trees draped in Spanish moss and splendid views of Port Royal Sound throughout.

Whether you’re drawn to Hilton Head as a spectator or player, be sure to set some time aside to explore all this remarkable island has to offer.

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