Luis Rivero
4 minutes
This hole was created and designed by Pete Dye and it was created by accident...
The dredging operation that was working at that time, dumped sand along the edge of the proposed golf course property, enough sand to create enough land for both the 17th and 18th.
“There’s no doubt the 18th is the signature for the resort and the island and the state,” Cary Corbitt said, director of sports and operations for Sea Pines Resort.
The 18th hole is a par-4, that stretches almost 500 yards, with a generous landing area with the Calibogue Sound and marsh on the left and houses and out-of-bound on the right. Here, the second shot is the one that counts... a very demanding shot. It is a long iron shot into a very tiny green where water comes in play.
One of the most important factors to consider, not only on the 18th but around the course is the wind... When it blows, it BLOWS. Making this course very tough and with very delicate shots.
Ernie Els once had to play the 18th with driver and a 3-wood into the wind and a day later, with the wind at his back, used a 3-wood off the tee and an 8-iron to the green... this says a lot about the conditions players can have one day and the changes from one day to the next.
The original layout of this course was made by George Cobb. But then Charles Fraser contacted Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus said he should call Pete Dye as well.
“I do have their original design. Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Donald O’Quinn, my counterpart and also in charge of construction at the time, designed Harbour Town on his kitchen table. It’s a huge thing, done with an ink pen and colored markers. It’s as cool as it can be" Cary Corbitt.
If you want to read more about this great golf course, you can go to Jack Nicklaus website here.
