Wild Dunes Resort has triumphantly reopened one of Charleston's most celebrated finishing holes, marking the end of a challenging chapter caused by natural beach erosion. The resort's iconic oceanfront 18th hole on the award-winning Links Course welcomed golfers back on June 12 following an extensive redesign project.
Renowned golf architect Tom Fazio, who originally designed the course, spearheaded the restoration effort after significant portions of the hole were lost to natural erosion. The redesign represents a collaborative effort between Fazio and resort management to restore one of the Southeast's most spectacular golf experiences.
"The 17th and 18th holes of the Links Course are two of the more spectacular finishing holes in the Southeast," said Tom Fazio, the course's original designer. "Playing on the ocean and amongst the dunes is as premier a location as you can get. It was true when the course was designed more than two decades ago, and it's still true today."
The restoration project comes after the City of Isle of Palms completed an extensive beach restoration initiative in May 2008. That project replenished shoreline that had been gradually receding over a decade, providing the foundation necessary for rebuilding the golf hole.
Golfers returning to the redesigned par-5 will discover enhanced features that elevate the playing experience. The new design incorporates strategically positioned bunkers and updated architectural elements that create more challenging risk-reward opportunities while maintaining the hole's signature ocean views.
The months-long construction project has restored the Links Course to its full complement of stunning oceanfront holes. Both the 17th and 18th holes now offer players breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, cementing the course's reputation as one of the region's premier golf destinations.
"We're ecstatic about the comeback of the Links Course's signature hole," said Jeff Minton, director of golf and sports at Wild Dunes Resort. "The course was Fazio's first acclaimed solo design, and working with him to update the famed finishing hole was a tremendous opportunity. I think players will be very pleased."
To commemorate the reopening, Wild Dunes Resort has launched an attractive golf vacation package. The All Day Unlimited Play special allows guests to play unlimited rounds from dawn to dusk on both the Links Course and Harbor Course. The package includes a two-night stay at the Village at Wild Dunes and starts at $190 per person per night based on four guests.
The reopening represents more than just the restoration of a golf hole—it marks the return of a signature experience that has defined Wild Dunes Resort for three decades. The oceanfront setting among natural dunes provides golfers with a truly unique coastal golf experience rarely found elsewhere along the Southeast coast.
Golfers planning to experience the renovated hole can find videos and playing tips on the resort's website. The combination of Fazio's design expertise and the stunning Isle of Palms location promises to deliver memorable rounds for years to come.