LATEST NEWS

Sea Pines Country Club selects Phil Smith to lead course renovations

Sea Pines Country Club selects Phil Smith to lead course renovations
Richard Humphreys
By Richard Humphreys

Sea Pines Country Club on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has selected golf course architect Phil Smith to create a master plan for renovations to its Club course.

Smith is analysing tees, fairways, bunkers, greens, cart paths, irrigation and the club’s practice facility. Once the plan is complete, renovations will begin on the practice facility, and then the 18-hole course.

“Our goal is to complement the existing Club course characteristics and enhance the world class golf experience already enjoyed by Sea Pines Country Club members,” said Smith. “Respecting the unique Lowcountry setting will be at the heart of any proposed renovations.”

The course was originally designed by Arnold Palmer in 1973 and renovated by Clyde Johnston in 2001. It has narrow, tree-lined fairways, doglegs and small greens, like nearby Harbour Town Golf Links. The layout features lagoons and marshes, with the par-four eighteenth located along Lowcountry tidewater.

“Phil Smith is one of the top names in golf course design, and we are thrilled to work with him on the master plan for our Club course,” said Robbie Ames, general manager and COO of Sea Pines Country Club. “Sea Pines is committed to maintaining a top-rated golf course and facility for our members.”

The private club features golf, tennis, multiple swimming pools and a fitness centre.

In 2016, club members approved a ‘Vision 2020 Facility Enhancement Plan’. The clubhouse was modernised in 2017 as well as the indoor and outdoor pool complexes. There fitness centre is scheduled to be renovated and expanded by summer 2019.

The July 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!
Magazine, News | Thu 10 Jul, 2025

The July 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!

We visit Trump Aberdeen, Comporta and Baltusrol, speak with Rees Jones, and ask if anyone likes a long par three

Summer 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Magazine, News | Mon 09 Jun, 2025

Summer 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now

New release asks: ‘what inspired you to become a golf course architect?’

FEATURE ARTICLES

Eschuri Vung Bau Golf Resort: From woodland to the water’s edge
Steven Halliwell
Report | Richard Humphreys

Eschuri Vung Bau Golf Resort: From woodland to the water’s edge

New resort course by IMG Golf Design winds through Vietnam’s Phú Quốc forest before reaching pristine white sand beaches

Camiral: Designed for the Ryder Cup

Steve Carr

Opinion | David Williams

Camiral: Designed for the Ryder Cup

Golf course architect David Williams talks about the Spanish resort’s origins and how the Stadium course was created to host golf’s biggest event

From golf hole to helipad: a dual-use design for a private client
Legacy Golf Architecture
Report | Laura Hyde

From golf hole to helipad: a dual-use design for a private client

George Philpott has designed a par-three hole for a vacation property in Costa Rica

Baltusrol Golf Club: Upper class
Evan Schiller
On site | Toby Ingleton

Baltusrol Golf Club: Upper class

Gil Hanse has completed the restoration of AW Tillinghast’s groundbreaking dual courses, as Toby Ingleton reports

New course at Trump International Golf Links: Prepare to be dazzled
Jacob Sjöman
On site | Toby Ingleton

New course at Trump International Golf Links: Prepare to be dazzled

The construction of the second golf course at the Trump club in Aberdeen may have attracted far less attention than the first, but the final result is just as dramatic. Toby Ingleton reports

Royal Portrush: An interview with Martin Ebert
Mackenzie & Ebert
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Royal Portrush: An interview with Martin Ebert

The club’s consulting architect spoke with Richard Humphreys about changes to the Dunluce course since its return to the Open rota

Good Read: Great Golf Courses of the World
Gary Lisbon
Good Read | Gary Lisbon

Good Read: Great Golf Courses of the World

Gary Lisbon tells us about his new book, featuring over 100 courses he has photographed during his travels

Destination design
RTJ II
Opinion | Mike Gorman and Trent Jones

Destination design

Mike Gorman and Trent Jones explain how the Robert Trent Jones II approach to resort golf has evolved, driven by a resurgence in remote golf development

Dave Axland: From the ground up
WAC Golf
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Dave Axland: From the ground up

The shaper-turned-architect has worked alongside some of the most talented designers in the business, but what is his story? Richard Humphreys finds out

Golf de Cannes Mougins: Playing firm and fast in France
Tahoma 31
Report | Stacie Zinn Roberts

Golf de Cannes Mougins: Playing firm and fast in France

French club has regrassed its fairways with Tahoma 31 bermuda. Stacie Zinn Roberts spoke with agronomist Alejandro Reyes and superintendent Thibaut Perez about its performance

Waldorf Astoria: You shall go to the ball
Russell Kirk
Report | Toby Ingleton

Waldorf Astoria: You shall go to the ball

A Cinderella story has unfolded at a golf club within Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Toby Ingleton reports

Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Thu 10 Jul, 2025

Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED BUSINESSES