We are thrilled to announce the grand reopening of the Willard Byrd Course at Sea Trail Golf Resort, following an extensive five-month redesign and renovation. This marks a significant milestone in the resort’s ongoing multi-million dollar revitalization. Renowned golf course architect, Tim Cate, led the renovation, enhancing the course’s playability, aesthetics, and sustainability while maintaining the original charm that has long made it a favorite among many golfers.
The renovation included several key upgrades designed to elevate the golfing experience:
- State-of-the-art Tif Eagle Greens deliver superior putting surfaces
- Golf Professionals have praised these as among the finest greens renovations in our competitive market
- Tahoma 31 sod grass collars installed around all greens, enhancing playability and aesthetics
- Better Billy Bunkers with improved drainage and playability
- Strategic removal of select bunkers for a cleaner, more intuitive course design
- Comprehensive solutions to significant drainage issues
- Enhanced turf conditions through extensive clearing, root removal, and irrigation upgrades
- Introduction of waste bunkers, adding a new strategic element to your game
- Fully renovated on-course bathrooms for added comfort
- Newly constructed golf cart paths
- Upgraded bag drop area
- Extensive landscaping with hundreds of palm trees, accent shrubbery, and ornamental grasses
- All bridges are replaced, ensuring safe and scenic passage throughout your round.
- Newly paved parking lots featuring new landscaping, enhanced entry signage, improved lighting, and better traffic flow
- Now Open: Sunset Cove turn house – conveniently located between the Byrd and Jones Courses, under the Jones Byrd Clubhouse, Sunset Cove is perfect for refueling during your round with various food and beverage options, offering convenience and quality throughout your game.
During the summer, improvements were also made resort-wide including:
- All courses (Byrd, Jones, and Maples):
- Golf course irrigation system upgrade
- New flags, flagsticks, and cups
- New tee box markers
- Updated signage throughout (completion in progress)
- Addition of underground trash cans every couple of tee boxes
- Jones Course:
- Restroom renovations set to begin next week
- Various cart path improvements, including expansions from bag drop leading to Byrd #1 and rerouting off Jones #18 leading to Sunset Cove
- Maples Course:
- On-course bathroom renovations nearing completion
- Parking lot and overflow parking resealed, coated, and striped
The Byrd Course, orginally designed by Willard Byrd and opened in 1990, has been a cornerstone of the Sea Trail Golf Resort. The new course enhancements have been designed to maintain its reputation while offering a more enjoyable experience for both casual and competitive golfers. “We are thrilled to reintroduce the Byrd Course to our members and guests,” said Jimmy Biggs, Director of Golf Operations at Sea Trail Golf Resort. “The improvements will not only enhance playability but also ensure the course’s longevity, offering a top-tier golfing experience for years to come. Next on our list is the Dan Maples course, which will be receiving significant updates in the next year to continue enhancing our overall golfing experience.”
The Sea Trail team would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Sea Trail community, local officials, and all who contributed to this project. Special recognition goes to Riptide Builders, East Coast Golf Management, and the Sea Trail Golf Resort team for their exceptional work and dedication in bringing this vision to life. The incredible transformation is a testament to the collaboration, expertise, and passion of everyone involved.
This transformation is just the beginning of Sea Trail Golf Resort’s exciting future. We invite you to be part of this new chapter.
To book a tee time on the new Byrd course or the Jones or Maples courses, click here.