Led by Love Golf Design, the restoration celebrates nearly a century of golf course architecture while adapting the course for today’s game
SEA ISLAND, Ga. – October 19, 2026 – Sea Island has reopened its celebrated Seaside Course following a multi-million-dollar restoration. The restoration honors the course’s architectural heritage while enhancing its playability for everyday golfers and sharpening its competitive edge for tournament play. Led by Love Golf Design in collaboration with MacCurrach Golf Construction, the project included full turf replacement, improved infrastructure, restored dunes and other carefully considered strategic refinements.
Often considered one of the best courses in the country, the Seaside course at Sea Island brings together nearly a century of design history. Renowned Golf Course Architects, Harry Colt and Charles Alison, created the original nine holes in 1928. Today, those same holes are the back nine of Seaside. In 1999, Tom Fazio expanded the course to the 18 holes golfers know today. Love Golf Design’s latest work was guided by a commitment to preserve the course’s character while making adaptations for the evolving game and preparing the course for decades of play ahead.
“We used historic pictures and Google Earth as a guide to restore Tom Fazio’s original vision,” said Davis Love III. “This has been an incredible project to be a part of, and it’s been an honor to work alongside the Sea Island team to preserve this course’s legacy.”
The restoration team included Davis Love III, Mark Love and lead architect Scot Sherman of Love Golf Design, alongside Sonny MacCurrach and Dallas Bradley of MacCurrach Golf Construction. Guided by historic imagery and scans of the green complexes, the team reestablished defining design features while making selective adjustments that enhance playability and competitive nature.
Across the course, new turf and infrastructure are better suited for the coastal environment. Salt-tolerant paspalum replaces Bermuda grass on tees, fairways and rough, while upgraded irrigation and drainage support long-term playing conditions. The work also restored dunes that had shifted over time and introduced additional dunes where appropriate to the design.
For tournament play, the course has gained 152 yards, with the most notable changes on holes 10 and 15. On the 10th, the green was moved back 20 yards and lowered approximately two feet, with its contours preserved through scanning. On the 15th, a new back tee was added, and the green was shifted toward the water and slightly lowered. The left greenside bunker was removed, while the approach between the water and right greenside bunker retains the width of the previous opening between the two bunkers.
The restoration began in May 2026, following fairway bunker renovations and main-line irrigation installation completed during a monthlong closure in July 2025. The Sea Island agronomy team, led by Director of Agronomy Dylan Stafford, Seaside Superintendent Dan Blenkinsop and First Assistant Charles Berryman, played a central role in bringing the latest phase to completion in less than six months.
“Seaside holds a special place in the history of Sea Island and in the hearts of the golfers who return to play it year after year,” said Scott Steilen, President and CEO of Sea Island. “Love Golf Design, MacCurrach Golf Construction and the Sea Island agronomy team brought extraordinary care to that work, and we look forward to welcoming our members and guests back to Seaside.”
Seaside is part of the world-class golf experience at Sea Island. Golfers of every level can enjoy three championship courses, including Seaside and Plantation, which are host to the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic, as well as access to the Golf Performance Center and oceanfront practice areas. Beyond the fairways, the resort pairs golf with its longstanding tradition of luxury coastal hospitality, including The Lodge at Sea Island, The Cloister at Sea Island and The Spa at Sea Island, all Forbes Five-Star experiences.
Please find imagery here, courtesy of Sea Island.
For reservations, visit https://www.seaisland.com/reservations/ or call (855) 318-9768.
About Sea Island
Since 1928, Sea Island has been an exceptional destination appealing to those who appreciate gracious service and heartfelt hospitality. With three Forbes Five-Star experiences—The Cloister at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island and The Spa at Sea Island—Sea Island entices families, outdoor enthusiasts and those simply wanting to refresh. Located on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Sea Island spans 1,000 acres, with three distinct stay experiences, five miles of private beach, a Beach Club, tennis center, Yacht Club, Shooting School and children’s programs, as well as three championship golf courses, including Seaside and Plantation, home of the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic.
As the only U.S. resort to host a G-8 Summit of world leaders, Sea Island provides exceptional settings and service for conferences and executive retreats. Located on St. Simons Island, The Inn at Sea Island offers casual accommodations with access to many Sea Island amenities. Broadfield, a Sea Island Sporting Club and Lodge, offers seasonal hunting and fishing opportunities.
Those seeking adventures in the spirit of the American West may choose 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, it is known for its history, tradition and service excellence.
