As you walk into the foyer of the new Plantation Golf Club at The Sea Pines Resort you find yourself in a space where tradition has been perfectly refined, and the atmosphere is striking, yet timeless.
From its namesake to the artwork adorning the walls, the new facility has carefully and thoughtfully provided a glimpse into its rich history, while providing every modern, first-class finish you would expect in a golf clubhouse of its caliber.
Historical photographs are found throughout, intrinsically tying the new space back to its significant history as the clubhouse serving the first golf course on an island, which is now synonymous with the game.
The Savannah grey brick, which was previously on the exterior of the former Plantation Club, is now found on an interior accent wall and the fireplace in the foyer; originally reclaimed from a warehouse in Savannah, the brick dates back to the 1850s.
To create this elegant, historyminded setting, The Sea Pines Resort enlisted the professional design services of Kent Interior Design, Inc. from Atlanta. The company specializes in luxury hospitality interior design and has worked with several of The Sea Pines Resort’s sister properties.
The design implemented on both the exterior and interior of the clubhouse includes high-end finishes and incredible attention to detail. The exterior features pre-cast stone pillars, mahogany doors, copper accents, a cedar roof and siding, as well as handmade pavers.
Enhancing the interior and providing very-rich hints of style, Kent Interior Design utilized grass cloth wallcoverings, wainscoting throughout, tray ceilings, as well as custom cabinetry and millwork. One of the most notable features in the interior is the white oak floor, and ceiling beams in the foyer, repurposed from a tobacco barn in Virginia.
Completely rebuilt from the ground up, the 23,000 squarefoot facility was perceptively designed to blend with the existing architecture in the community and carry out a theme of understated grandeur. The building appears to be a single story, however actually sits a story higher than the former facility and provides beautiful, elevated views of Ocean Course and Heron Point by Pete Dye golf courses.
“The Plantation Golf Club is nothing less than exceptional and will definitely resonate with residents and guests,” said Steve Birdwell, President of The Sea Pines Resort. “We are very proud to unveil our first project as it really reflects our commitment to providing firstclass facilities.”
At the entrance to the building stands a prominent mossdraped oak; true to the resort’s green history, more than $10,000 was spent to ensure the longevity and health of the tree, in efforts that included consulting with a qualifi ed arborist and building a retaining wall around its base.
The tree provides a fitting welcome as guests and diners find their way into Live Oak, a fresh culinary experience showcasing Lowcountryinspired cuisine and locally sourced produce and products.
Completely redefining traditional clubhouse fare, the restaurant’s menu is infused with fresh, local offerings providing guests with an opportunity to eat healthily, while enjoying the tastes and flavors of the Lowcountry.
Boasting a 35-foot rotunda ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide an incredible, 270-degree golf view, the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating options.
The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as an impressive beverage menu.
Golfers and guests can sit alongside the copper-top bar and choose from an expansive selection of local craft beers, a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list, or a signature Bourbon collection.
In addition to the restaurant, the clubhouse includes an expansive pro shop, spacious locker rooms; and 2,000 square-feet of meeting and event space. The meeting space, named The Magnolia Room, offers a warm and inviting area for weddings and corporate groups.
Opening alongside the clubhouse, is the Golf Learning Center at The Sea Pines Resort. The 2,400 square-foot building features two hitting bays, a club repair work room, a viewing studio, indoor putting areas and a separate teeing ground for instruction only. The top-ofthe- line facility features the latest in technology and a learning environment geared entirely towards students.
Overseeing the new learning center is Tim Cooke, The Sea Pines Resort’s new Director of Golf Instruction. Cooke brings with him much notoriety and recognition as a “Master Professional in Instruction” awarded by the PGA of America, and a “U.S. Kids Top 50 Instructor.” He has also been recognized by Golf Digest as a “Best Young Teachers” and one of the top teachers in South Carolina for 2013 / 2014.
Cooke’s hire and the addition of the Golf Learning Center emphasize the resort’s commitment to enhancing the overall experience and remaining competitive with other four- and five-star properties.
The Plantation Golf Club is the first of many projects that The Sea Pines Resort has planned, and it will certainly be revealing of things to come.
“This project is particularly exciting because it certainly sets the tone for future projects, said Cliff McMackin, Director of Resort Development. “It is fresh and exciting, and certainly suggests the type of standards we have established as we continue to build new facilities.”
