Ocean Forest - St. Simons/Sea Island Ga

[Dan Byrnes]

At one time this course was highly tauted?  May have mostly been due to hosting of the Walker Cup and the resort holding the G8 summit.  How is the course and the club?

Has the changes in the ownership of Sea Island after the bankruptcy impacted the club?  Is it still very difficult to obtain membership?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dan

[Cory Lewis]

Played there yesterday.  New owners are two investment groups.  They also own Sea Island Resort.  I really enjoyed the course.  The bunkers are more understated then most Rees Jones bunkers IMO.  The fairways on some of the par 4's were surprisingly narrow.  Course is in fantastic shape.  Club and clubhouse are both still spectacular.

[Carl Nichols]

Have played there several times over the years and will be there next week.  Always enjoy it a lot -- it's a very solid members' course.  But, IMHO, it's not so extraordinary that it deserves a very lofty ranking.  [The par 3 17th is a really cool hole, however.]  Would love to be a member. . . .

[Chris_Hufnagel]

I am actually planning on spending Thanksgiving weekend at Sea Island with the family and may be able to get one round of golf in - between the two Sea Island courses and Ocean Forest - for those that have seen them, which one should I play?

[Tom Ferrell]

Chris,

I grew up just an hour from the Golden Isles and have played all of the Sea Island courses many times.  Ocean Forest is a wonderful club - the movement of the property is very nice, and the natural setting makes for a memorable day.

That said, I believe the Seaside course at Sea Island the best of the bunch.  It's got Colt/Alison bones, and the Tom Fazio renovation is among his very best work.  The lines and clean.  The angles remain excellent.  Firm and fast is generally the order of the day.  And the Lodge/Clubhouse provides an outstanding beginning and end to your golf day.

If I had just one round to play, I'd play Seaside.

[Carl Nichols]

Chris:

I agree with Tom, except for two caveats:  (1) I haven't played Frederica or the renovated Brunswick [and would be curious for his views about them]; and (2) there are some pedestrian holes at Seaside, and one could argue that the worst hole at Ocean Forest is better than the worst hole at Seaside.

One other thing:  there are actually three Sea Island courses -- Seaside, Plantation and Retreat (which is an inland course designed by the Loves). 

[Robert Emmons]

Seaside and Frederica for me...RHE

[Tom Ferrell]

Brunswick Country Club is FANTASTIC.  The renovation work - with enhanced green sites and re-sized greens - has brought a lot of interest back to the old Ross design.  And greatly enhanced drainage.  Really good.  Played it in January and look forward to playing it again.

I am ambivalent about Frederica.  It's pretty, and the experience is very nice.  Great residential community course, but not on par with Seaside and Ocean Forest, IMO.

I like Plantation a great deal, but Seaside just has all the visual and strategic thrills of the classic Sea Island.  I'm not sure I agree that the worst hole at Seaside is better than the worst at Ocean Forest, and my knock on OF is that, while the natural setting is magnificent, the golf course is not really integrated into it that well.  It simply unfolds beside it.  Nitpicking, I know.  The most prestigious round on the island, to be sure.

Retreat is a fun little course.  Used to be called The Island Club and was originally laid out by Joe Lee - I played tons of high school tournaments and rounds there.  Has benefited greatly from Love Golf Design.

[Jamey Bryan]

I've played Ocean Forest twice in the past 3 months or so (it's been a good bit longer since I've seen the other Sea Island courses), and a finer course and golfing experience is rare indeed.  Even the oft-criticized first is, IMHO, a pretty good short par 4.

Having said that, you can't go wrong with any of the courses.  Both Seaside and Retreat are a blast to play and offer more of the "Old World" feel that many of us like.  I haven't yet played Frederica (rained out last visit) but have friends who are members and they love it.

One thing......   Thanksgiving is a popular time for owners at Sea Island.  Access to Ocean Forest is likely to be difficult to impossible unless accompanied by a member.  Seaside and Retreat are accessible to resort guests, but are likely to be very crowded.  If access to Frederica can be arranged, that well may be the best option.

Jamey

[Chris_Hufnagel]

Thanks very much for the feedback, that was exactly what I was looking for...best, Chris.

[Carl Nichols]

Just got back from Sea Island.  The only thing I'd add is that Ocean Forest may be the best conditioned course with warm-season grasses that I've ever played.  The tees were immaculate, the fairways were tight and reasonably firm, the rough was just long enough to be difficult but not impossible, and the greens were perfect -- true and fast but not absurd.  (Seaside was also in great condition.)

[Brett Heffes]

Did you play Frederica?  How did it compare to Ocean Forest and Seaside?

[Chris_Hufnagel]

Thanks for the advice everyone...I have a 9a tee time with my father-in-law on Thanksgiving morning on the Seaside course.  I am really looking forward to it and my whole experience on Sea Island. I will report back on my weekend...

[Howard Riefs]

Thanks for the advice everyone...I have a 9a tee time with my father-in-law on Thanksgiving morning on the Seaside course.  I am really looking forward to it and my whole experience on Sea Island. I will report back on my weekend...

Chris,

Be certain to reserve Tom McLaughlin as your caddie for your round on Seaside. He's definitely one of the best caddies at Sea Island. I played two rounds with him back in March 2011 and would highly recommend him to anybody.

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