Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Fazio Design returns to Belfair to renovate West course

Belfair, a private community in Bluffton, South Carolina, has reopened its West course following a renovation by Fazio Design.

The community is five miles west of Hilton Head Island and has two layouts by Tom Fazio – the West opened in 1996, with the East following three years later.

In May 2022, a $5.8 million project began to improve the West’s playability, aesthetics and drainage.

“Tom Fazio took a beautiful canvas and created a Low Country masterpiece,” said Chris Cento, president of Belfair. “With the help of the Fazio Design team and our partners at Troon, the West course has now been renovated, refined and is ready for the future.”

All 63 bunkers have been redesigned, reshaped and now feature new G-Angle sand. Fabric liners and drainage has been removed and replaced with a new polymer-based Capillary Concrete liner system to improve water flow, minimise washouts, reduce maintenance and improve playability.

Thirteen greens have been restored to their original size, with the other five expanded to allow for more pin locations. All putting surfaces have been regrassed with TifEagle ultradwarf bermuda.

Tees have been expanded, with Fazio Design also adding some new forward tees to offer rounds from as short as 3,800 yards.

Leibold Irrigation has handled construction for the project installed a new pump station and Rain Bird irrigation system, and has undertaken tree management to improve tree and turf health as well as improve sightlines. As trees were cleared, the short-game area was expanded and now includes a new green, fairway and bunker.

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    Belfair in South Carolina has reopened its West course following a renovation by Fazio Design

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