In many ways, the colorful history of golf at The Sea Pines Resort is directly intertwined with - and largely responsible for - the international prestige this distinctive resort enjoys today. Designed in 1962, the Ocean Course holds the honored distinction as the first golf course in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Following the completion of the Sea Marsh Course in 1964 and Harbour Town Golf Links in 1969, our Hilton Head golf resort became world-renowned as a mecca for purists. A reputation was soon forged by the presence of golf's two greatest luminaries.

In 1966, Jack Nicklaus squared off against Bruce Devlin on the Ocean Course - Hilton Head Island's first sporting event ever. And three years later, Arnold Palmer claimed the trophy in the first Verizon Heritage golf tournament ... known simply as The Heritage Classic back then. "Heritage." It's a word that's defined The Sea Pines Resort since our birth in 1957 - and remains just as important today.

Key Golf Highlights

The first golf course on Hilton Head Island, the Ocean Course, was designed by George Cobb in 1962.

The decision to build the par-72 Sea Marsh Course came in 1964, when Ocean Course reached capacity.

Hilton Head Island's first sporting event was held on the Ocean Course in 1966, when local pros Bruce Devlin and Jack Nicklaus competed in an exhibition match.

The Jack Nicklaus- and Pete Dye-designed Harbour Town Golf Links was completed in 1969.

Harbour Town Golf Links has been named the #1 golf course in South Carolina by publications such as Golf Magazine, GolfWeek, and Golf Digest.