Fazio-designed Harbor Course to reopen Oct. 26 with reimagined greens and bunkering
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. – Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt set on Isle of Palms, South Carolina, proudly announces the completed transformation of its iconic Tom Fazio-designed Harbor Course.
With a $9.5 million investment in strategic golf-course-design enhancements and sustainable infrastructure, the project, which began in March 2025, will be complete in late October.
The Harbor Course has been a centerpiece of the Wild Dunes 36-hole golfing experience for more than four decades. 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 have been 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 nearest the intercoastal waterway that runs alongside the course were raised several feet to curb flood risk and multiple golf cart bridges have also been restored.
“We’re thrilled about the enhancements to the Harbor Course which have elevated the overall experience for our players,” says Director of Golf, Jeff Minton. “When the Harbor Course reopens in late October, golfers can look forward to newly designed putting surfaces that will challenge their skills, smoother upgraded golf cart paths, and strategically placed bunkers thoughtfully integrated into the existing hole designs.
“When you factor in the 2015 renovation of our Links Course (Tom Fazio’s first solo golf course design and, to this day, his only seaside design), Wild Dunes Resort is now a must-play 36-hole coastal golf destination. This was the first property to bring top-tier resort golf to the Charleston area in 1980, now a whole new generation of golfers is about to fall in love with this captivating golf vacation experience.”
Wild Dunes leadership, golf and hospitality staffs will host a grand reopening event at the Harbor Course on Nov. 13, with tee times resuming for the renovated par-70 layout on Oct. 26.
This project reflects the ongoing commitment of Wild Dunes Resort and its ownership partners, Lowe and Dart Interests, to continuously enhance the famed oceanfront property. By elevating its amenities, member and guest experiences, the resort reaffirms its commitment to delivering an exceptional destination for both visitors and the local community.
“We cannot wait for golfers to experience the improved character of the Harbor Course with the expanded and redesigned putting surfaces and a golf course that fits the land beautifully while presenting a playable, approachable design that can test golfers of every skill level in fun and intriguing ways,” said Fazio Design Associate Bryan Bowers.
“Wild Dunes is meaningful because it represents the early era of Tom Fazio’s design career and stands the test of time with an enduring and quintessential Lowcountry golf experience.”
Recognized as one of the top 10 resorts in the South by Conde Nast Traveler, the resort and its partners have invested more than $150 million in property renovations since 2021. These investments include the debut of The 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.