Sea Island Golf Club, Seaside Course, St. Simons Island, Georgia - An Oceanside, Links-Style Golf Experience

The Seaside Course at the Sea Island Golf Club is an oceanside links-style course situated at the southern tip of St. Simmons Island, and is considered the more demanding layout of the two 18-hole, championship courses the club has to offer. The Seaside Course was originally designed in 1929 by famed golf-course architects Harry S. Cole and Charles Alison, and was later updated in 1999 by Tom Fazio.

During the renovation, Fazio successfully combined the orginal Seaside nine holes with the former Marshside nine, maintaining the look, feel and strategy of their originals, while updating the course to the modern game.

The course is located on the former site of the Retreat Plantation, and the remains of an old slave cemetery are still clearly visible. Sections of the course have the wild, windswept feel of an oceanside layout, winding through grassy dunes that back up against ocean breezes, while the rest of the course plays through the quiet solitude of Georgia marshland.

The par-70 course plays to 7,055 yards from the tips, with a USGA course rating of 73.8 and a slope rating of 141 on Bermuda grass. The front nine of the new Seaside Course plays along the Atlantic Ocean and is said to be a "warm-up'' for the back nine, which plays through the island's marshes, and the greens on the back nine are particularly beguiling. According to a local caddy, the greens are reminiscent of Pinehurst and tend to slope off on all sides. As a general rule, the break is often much bigger than what players tend to read.

As a testament to its quality, the Seaside Course has hosted a number of USGA events over the years. Golf Digest also ranks it among the "Top 100 Courses in the United States,'' and #27 among "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses,'' while Golf for Women rated the course #3 among its "Top 50 Courses for Women.''

The resort has also received numberous honors and accolades, including: #1 Destination for Business Meetings and Golf, by Golf Digest/USA Today, 2008; a ranking in the Platinum Category for "Premier Resorts 2008'' by Golf Magazine; and being acclaimed "Best U.S. Golf Community'' by Travel & Leisure Golf, 2007-2008.

Practice facilities include a driving range with grass tee areas, a sand and chipping area and putting green. A Golf Learning Center is also available, featuring clinic, private and group lessons.

The resort blends the style and tradition of southern hospitality with Georgia's scenic Atlantic coast, including five miles of private beach. In addition to golf, guests can choose from activities such as horseback riding, a shooting school, and massage services. At The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, there's even 24-hour butler service available.

Dining options include something for every palate, from casual to formal. The hallmark of the resort over the years has been a local partnership with area farmers, butchers and fishermen to ensure that ingredients are at their freshest. For upscale dining, Colt & Alison is best known for its wet- and dry-aged beef, while the Mobil Five-Star Georgian Room features "Refined Southern'' cuisine and an extensive wine list.