Wild Dunes has new finishing hole
Erosion forces alteration of famed 18th hole from par-5 to par-3
Erosion forces alteration of famed 18th hole from par-5 to par-3
In many respects, the "new" finishing hole on the Wild Dunes Links Course is just as spectacular and challenging as the one it has replaced says Jeff Minton, the resort's director of golf.
With the Atlantic Ocean still serving as a backdrop, the resort has built a new green complex and converted the final hole from a 501-yard par-5 to a 188-yard par-3. The changes were made because of serious erosion problems that have washed away half of the original 18th green and continue to threaten adjacent condominiums.
Grace Beahm
The Post and Courier
What used to be the 18th hole at Wild Dunes is being washed away by the high tide. The resort has changed the famed hole from a 501-yard par-5 to a 188-yard par-3 due to the serious erosion.
"The erosion cycle has been going off for some time, particularly on the northern end of the island," Minton said. "Last week, with the onshore winds and high tides we pretty much lost the existing 18th green."
The resort had already been working with the original architect, Tom Fazio, on a planned update of the tee and green complexes at the Links Course. So while the Fazio staff was on site, Wild Dunes asked for help with the famous seaside finishing hole.
In early August, construction began and in the last few weeks resort guests have begun playing the new green, which is situated in the original landing area of No. 18. The hole measures 188 yards from the back tees and 180 yards from the regular tees. The course now plays to a par of 70.
"It's pretty safe from erosion. We're playing the hole from the original tee boxes, and it's a pretty cool hole with the backdrop still being the Atlantic Ocean," Minton said, noting that dunes guard the left side of the new green and there are
some grassy, bunker-type areas to the right. Comments from golfers have been very positive, Minton said.
When it opened in 1980, the Links Course received worldwide recognition, much of it derived because of its seaside finish with the par-4 17th and par-5 18th holes. It was ranked in the top 100 for many years but began to fall from the rankings after being closed for ninth months in late 1989 and 1990 because of damage from Hurricane Hugo. The 17th hole and half of the 18th hole had to be rebuilt because of the hurricane and the resort took the opportunity to update the grasses on the course.
Minton said Wild Dunes is considering a number of scenarios, depending on how the erosion cycle plays out. Ideally, they eventually would be able to rebuild the 18th hole as a par-5.
There also is the possibility the hole could re-emerge as a par-4. And if it remains a par-3, the resort will have to to decide if it wants the course to finish with a par-3.
Most golf courses have shied away from ending on par 3s. However, East Lake Country Club in Atlanta, where this year's PGA Tour Championship was played, finishes with a par-3 hole.
"It all depends on when we get down and dirty into the redesign. If we can get enough yardage to make it a par-4, we probably would keep the routing as is," he said.
But there also is a scenario where golfers would leave the ninth hole and play the current 14th through 18th holes as 10-14, then play the current 10 through 13 as 15-18.
"Whatever Mother Nature deals us," Minton said. "If it's a par-3, then it's a par-3. The experience is not really going to change that much."
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