After a 12-month restoration project, the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design at the Palm Coast, Fla., property will reopen for guests. The course has been closed since October 2016, when Hurricane Matthew caused damage across the majority of holes.
Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla., is on schedule to reopen its Ocean Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, on October 12, 2017 after a 12-month restoration project.
Renowned for its six Atlantic Ocean-hugging holes and closing stretch named “The Bear Claw,” the Ocean Course has been closed since October 2016 after high winds and storm surge from Hurricane Matthew caused damage across the majority of its holes. The resort’s owners and management team took a long-term view regarding conditioning and opted to conduct a complete course restoration in conjunction with Nicklaus Design.
Staying true to Nicklaus’ masterful design, the Ocean Course restoration has included the re-grassing of all fairways, greens and rough with the salt-tolerant Platinum Paspalum, as well as the reconstruction of each tee box, bunker and green complex. The course’s dune line, which is over a mile long, continues to be carefully restored to state conservational specifications. Newer and stronger dunes are forming, which offer greater environmental protection while also offering golfers some of the most stunning ocean views on the East Coast.
“By replacing Bermuda grass with the salt-tolerant Platinum Paspalum, we will now offer golfers one of the purest surfaces in the game,” said Brad Hauer, director of golf at Hammock Beach Resort. “And, in addition to improved playing conditions for golfers of all levels, the views of the Atlantic Ocean are simply incredible.”
As one of only a handful of courses in the Southeast to feature Platinum Paspalum, the Ocean Course’s new surface features thick, short grass blades. Tolerant of all seasons, the grass is able to withstand seasonal temperature changes yet maintain a beautiful verdant year-round look. The addition of new and bright white Angle-G sand has also significantly brightened the already visually appealing course.
The Ocean Course originally opened in April 2000. And, while the integrity of the original design has been retained through the recent restoration, new forward tees have been added to each hole, making six on each. This allows the par 72 course to play as short as 4,100 yards, but retain a challenging overall length of 7,201 yards from its back tees.
Throughout the Ocean Course’s restoration project, Hammock Beach’s other championship layout, the Conservatory Course (Tom Watson), has continued to accommodate guest and member play. Once the Ocean Course re-opens, the resort will be able to double its efforts to introduce young players to the sport through its Family Fairways Program. The daily program, designed to bring families together through golf, provides special rates for adults and juniors along with complimentary club rentals for children from 3:00 p.m. until close.
Guests are invited to be among the first to play the Ocean Course during the Grand Reopening Weekend, starting on October 12. It will feature several events, dining and entertainment. Golfers can also register to win a weekend at the resort by visiting the Ocean Course’s countdown page.
The restoration of the Ocean Course follows a number of previous enhancements at Hammock Beach Resort. The resort has recently renovated and refurbished its grand lobby, refurbished all 15,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting and event spaces and upgraded 75 of its one-bedroom suites. Most recently, Hammock Beach Resort announced the July 1 re-launch of its boutique hotel experience, The Lodge at Hammock Beach, and re-opened its signature restaurant, The Atlantic Grille.
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