Golf Travel News December 7, 2025

In golf travel news this week are items from Boyne Golf, Myrtle Beach Golf Trips, Harbour Town Golf LInks, Kohler and more.

BOYNE GOLF – Inn at Bay Harbor Begins New Chapter as Independent Luxury Resort

Luxury lakeside destination expands golf package offerings through BOYNE’s 11 golf courses

BAY HARBOR, Mich. — The iconic Inn at Bay Harbor has entered an exciting new era as an independent luxury resort within the Boyne Resorts family, marking a milestone in its nearly 30 years as one of the Midwest’s most celebrated lakeside destinations. This transition from Marriott’s Autograph Collection to independent operation enhances the property’s ability to integrate more directly with Boyne Resorts’ portfolio of amenities and experiences, including BOYNE Golf’s offerings and packages, blending the Inn’s signature lakeside elegance with one of North America’s premier golf experiences.

“Becoming an independent resort allows the Inn to offer greater flexibility and personalization for golf guests,” said Josh Richter, Senior Vice President of Golf for Boyne Resorts. “This is an amazing opportunity for golfers seeking a luxury experience to stay at the Inn at Bay Harbor while on a BOYNE Golf package. Combining exceptional quality, luxury, and scenic lakeside beauty with the Inn’s other distinguished amenities—including The Spa, Vintage Chophouse | Wine Bar, and championship golf—creates a getaway that rivals anything in the country.”

Guests can now seamlessly book BOYNE Golf packages directly through the Inn at Bay Harbor, choosing from luxury rooms, suites, or cottage accommodations while enjoying effortless access to some of the most scenic golf courses in the world. The flagship pairing of Bay Harbor Golf Club and the Inn at Bay Harbor—both located along the Lake Michigan shoreline—stands as the crown jewel of BOYNE Golf’s portfolio. Designed by renowned golf architect Arthur Hills, Bay Harbor Golf Club features 27 unforgettable holes spanning the Links, Quarry, and Preserve courses—each blending coastal vistas, dramatic rock quarry, northern Michigan hardwoods, with masterful design.

BOYNE Golf encompasses 11 golf courses across three resorts: The Highlands, Boyne Mountain, and Bay Harbor, with courses designed by legends including Arthur Hills and Robert Trent Jones Sr. Recognized as one of North America’s top golf destinations, BOYNE Golf combines course quality, natural beauty, and genuine hospitality—earning honors from Golf Digest, Golfweek, Golf Magazine, and USA Today as among the “Best Courses You Can Play in America.”

BOYNE Golf packages now available through the Inn at Bay Harbor include Stay & Play, Unlimited Golf, Super Five, and Michigan’s Magnificent 10, offering everything from weekend escapes to extended golf getaways across BOYNE’s award-winning courses.

For reservations and more information, visit innatbayharbor.com, boynegolf.com, or call 866-759-3427 .

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com is kicking off the holiday season with its biggest tee time promotion of the year. From December 1–16, 2025, golfers can save 20 percent on 2026 golf when they book four or more rounds at select Founders Group International (FGI) courses.

The holiday savings apply to rounds played February 15 – December 31, 2026, offering golfers nearly a full year to play some of the Myrtle Beach area’s premier layouts.

Golfers can book the offer exclusively at MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com or by calling 1-866-694-2448.

The 20 percent Black Friday discount is valid on rounds booked at the following FGI layouts: Aberdeen Country Club, Burning Ridge Golf Club, Colonial Charters Golf Club, Founders Club, Litchfield Country Club, Long Bay Club, King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, SouthCreek at Myrtle Beach National, West Course at Myrtle Beach National, PineHills Course at Myrtlewood, Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood, Pine Lakes Country Club, River Club, River Hills Golf Club, Tradition Club, Wild Wing Avocet, Willbrook Plantation, World Tour Golf Links.

To qualify for the 20 percent savings, golfers must book at least four rounds at participating FGI courses.

A blackout period runs from April 16 – May 2, 2026. Any rounds scheduled during these dates are not eligible for the Black Friday discount.

“Myrtle Beach continues to be golf’s most popular destination, and our Holiday sale provides players an opportunity to lock in premium tee times at exclusive offseason pricing,” said Justin Binke, FGI’s director of marketing, revenue & sales. “We can’t wait to welcome golfers to Myrtle Beach in 2026, and this offer will allow them to maximize the value on their next trip to the area.”

The only Founders Group courses not included in the promotion are TPC Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club and the Grande Dunes Resort Course.

For more information on the newest golf packages and latest news, visit MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com.

HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS REOPENS AFTER RESTORATION

Original Pete Dye strategy maintained by player-consultant Davis Love III; upgrading of agronomic infrastructure guarantees championship conditions year-round

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (Nov. 11, 2025) – After being closed for a six-month restoration project, Harbour Town Golf Links—currently ranked No. 27 among Golf Digest’s Top 100 Public Courses in the U.S. and No. 5 on its list of Best Courses in South Carolina has reopened.

Originally designed by renowned architect Pete Dye with his wife Alice, and assisted by Jack Nicklaus, Harbour Town Golf Links has been the home of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing since it opened in 1969. It’s also widely regarded as one of Dye’s best and most iconic creations, among the first masterpieces of his long and brilliant career. TOUR players and amateur golfers, including resort guests and members, also enjoy it.

Serving as player-consultant to the project was major championship winner and PGA TOUR legend Davis Love III, who won the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links five times. Love is very familiar with the region and the complexities of working here: He grew up on the Southeast’s coastal islands, and his company, Love Golf Design, designed another course at The Sea Pines Resort, Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III.

From the beginning of the project, Love and the team responsible for the restoration—including Allan MacCurrach from MacCurrach Golf Construction; Jon Wright, Head Golf Superintendent, Harbour Town Golf Links; John Farrell, Director of Sports Operations; The Riverstone Group, who own The Sea Pines Resort; and others—were committed to, as Love said, “protecting the strategy and integrity of Pete’s design.”

“We feel very fortunate to own such a historic and popular PGA TOUR tournament venue in Harbour Town Golf Links,” said Matthew Goodwin, representing The Riverstone Group. “We are fully committed to maintaining the golf course to the highest possible standard, while preserving the original design integrity of Pete Dye.”

Originally intended as an updating of the course’s infrastructure to ensure championship-caliber conditions year-round, it also presented an opportunity to restore many features from Dye’s original design and to ensure one of the country’s most recognizable layouts stands the test of time. Along with improvements to the agronomy and maintenance, all greens, bunkers, and bulkheads were rebuilt. The turf species—TifEagle on the greens; Celebration Bermuda on the fairways, tees, and rough—remain the same.

As for changes to the design, even the experienced Harbour Town Golf Links player will have trouble spotting them, explained Farrell. “Every ‘change’ we made had some documentation or images or video of what it was like previously.” Updates include returning some greens to their original shapes, which brought back some hole locations that were lost as the surfaces shrank over time. The same with some greenside bunkering, which, due to years of play and shrinkage, no longer abutted their greens.

Farrell added that while Love offered a TOUR player’s expertise, he was in tune with management’s desire to keep the course fun, exciting, and challenging the other 51 weeks of the year when resort guests, property owners, and locals celebrate it.

For more information about The Sea Pines Resort, visit www.seapines.com.

Steve Dresser Golf Academy Unveils Enhanced 2026 Golf School Packages at True Blue

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — The Steve Dresser Golf Academy at True Blue Golf Club is launching its 2026 lineup of one- to five-day golf school packages, complete with upgraded technology, personalized instruction, and access to a Mike Strantz-designed practice facility that is among the most compelling training environments in the Southeast.

Golf school sessions run Monday through Saturday, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., with short game instruction on Tuesdays and Fridays and full swing instruction on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Classes feature a maximum student-teacher ratio of 3:1, and multi-day students receive lunch included with their package.

“Our goal is to make the entire experience fun, comfortable, and really productive,” said Bart Romano, director of golf operations at True Blue and Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. “You get hands-on coaching in the morning, unlimited time on the range afterward, and then you can take what you’ve learned straight onto two incredible golf courses. It’s the kind of environment where people relax, enjoy themselves, and see real improvement.”

As part of the golf school experience, students have the opportunity to play True Blue and its sister course, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, two of America’s top 100 resort courses, in the afternoons to apply what they’ve learned on the golf course.

The Steve Dresser Golf Academy staff includes Class A PGA professionals and instructors with national teaching backgrounds. Students also benefit from before-and-after swing videos, optional voiceover analysis, and the ability to add club fittings or full bag assessments.

In anticipation of spring 2026, the Academy is installing a major technology upgrade, including:

● High-resolution swing displays on wall-mounted TVs

● 3D body-motion capture

● Launch monitor integration with on-screen data

● Instant digital video delivery to students’ mobile devices

Even with the upgrades, the Academy will continue to offer instruction at an excellent value, with the daily golf school rate set at $149 per person. Students also have the option of adding on-site accommodations at True Blue villas.

Perfect for golfers preparing for the upcoming season, especially those traveling from cooler climates, the SDGA offers ideal weather and premium course conditions at True Blue and Caledonia.

For more information or to book a 2026 golf school package, visit SteveDresserGolfAcademy.com.

About Steve Dresser Golf Academy
The Steve Dresser Golf Academy is one of the longest-running instructional centers along the Grand Strand, recognized for its comprehensive programs, expert staff, and commitment to making golfers better through clear, personalized teaching. The SDGA is headquartered at True Blue Golf Club in Pawleys Island, S.C.

Kohler, Wisconsin Resort Announces Additions of Purebred Farm Golf Course, The Serve Racquet Facility, and Carriage House Renovation

Latest Transformations Continue a New Era of Growth and Investment to Further Elevate the Guest Experience and Positively Impact the Community

KOHLER, Wis., Oct. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kohler, Wisconsin, the luxury hospitality offering from the globally recognized Kohler Co., continues a multi-year journey in the evolution of the resort with the announcement of:

Purebred Farm, a new 14-hole golf course just west of Kohler’s Blackwolf Run
The groundbreaking of The Serve, a premier racquet sports facility
The renovation of The Carriage House, part of The American Club Resort Hotel

These large-scale transformations, including the refreshed Kohler Waters Spa, and the ongoing renovation of Woodlake Market, highlight the resort’s investment in the region to elevate world-class hospitality, wellness, and luxury offerings.

“This next chapter in Kohler, Wisconsin’s evolution reflects our ongoing commitment to creating dynamic, memorable experiences for our guests,” said Stephen Beaumont, President – Hospitality. “With the construction of Purebred Farm Golf Course and The Serve, and the renovation of The Carriage House, we’re introducing spaces for guests and local residents that integrate wellness, community, and connection, while honoring our resort’s rich legacy of craftsmanship, innovation, and hospitality.”

Expanding its renowned golf offerings, Kohler is solidifying its position as one of the world’s premier golf destinations with Purebred Farm, a new 14-hole course located just west of the acclaimed Blackwolf Run complex. King Collins Dormer Golf Course Design of Chattanooga, Tennessee, will design the course, which is scheduled to begin construction in fall 2025 and open in fall 2027.

Spanning 47 acres, the walking-only, multi-loop layout will feature a mix of par 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s inspired by Golden Age golf architecture. The course highlights Kohler’s natural prairie and river valley landscapes, while avoiding all existing wetlands and preserving existing hiking trails. Kohler will transform the historic Tomczyk Cabin – a lodging option in the Kohler Cabin Collection – into a rest station. These features demonstrate Kohler’s commitment to sustainability, creativity, and the continued growth of the game.

“Kohler is committed to expanding access to more individuals at all skill levels,” said Dirk Willis, VP-Golf, Landscape & Retail for Kohler Hospitality. “Our golf business continues to steadily grow, and this new experience will offer an exciting and dynamic way to enjoy the game – further cementing our position as a global golf destination and elevating the region’s tourism profile.”

Building on this focus around active, experiential recreation and catering to the growing demand for recreational sports at luxury travel destinations—with the global sports tourism market expected to surpass $1.8 trillion by 2030 —Kohler, Wisconsin, is debuting The Serve, which broke ground earlier this month. The impressive facility will feature six indoor pickleball courts, two heated outdoor platform tennis courts, and an elevated social lounge. The new venue will host tournaments, lessons, and recreational play for guests of all ages and skill levels. Once open, The Serve will create a vibrant, year-round hub where the community and visitors can gather, compete, and enjoy racquet sports.

Complementing these new recreation experiences is the renovation of The Carriage House, the resort’s wellness-focused lodging option with direct access to Kohler Waters Spa. The Carriage House will close November 3, 2025, for a refresh of its 55 guestrooms, corridors, and lobby, with a planned reopening on May 1, 2026. The revitalized rooms will feature fully updated bathrooms, custom furnishings, curated artwork, and a brighter, contemporary color palette, reflecting the enhanced luxury wellness experience offered throughout the resort. Guests can continue to enjoy the full Kohler Waters Spa experience and amenities while the renovation is underway.

For more information and to follow the latest updates from Kohler, Wisconsin, visit https://www.kohlerwisconsin.com/.

Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa Announces $800,000 Bunker Renovation Project at the Ocean Course

Palm Coast, Fla. (Nov. 10, 2025) – Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, an oceanfront resort just south of St. Augustine, that extends along a mile of unspoiled, private cinnamon sand beach along the Atlantic Coast in Palm Coast Florida, announced plans for a major $800,000 bunker renovation at its renowned Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course, beginning December 1. The project will enhance playability, improve consistency, and elevate the overall golf experience for members and guests at the award-winning course.

The renovation will be led by MacCurrach Golf Construction, one of the industry’s most respected course builders, celebrated for craftsmanship and precision. Over approximately 10 weeks, the team will install Capillary Concrete technology, new bunker liners, and premium angular sand — upgrades designed to improve drainage, durability, and long-term performance. The result will be cleaner aesthetics, firmer playing surfaces, and an improved golfing experience across all 18 holes.

In tandem with the bunker enhancements, the resort’s practice chipping green will also undergo a full renovation. The redesigned area will feature upgraded turf and expanded short-game capabilities, offering a world-class practice environment that mirrors the conditions of the Ocean Course.

Throughout the renovation, the Conservatory Course will remain fully open. The Ocean Course will operate under a rotating 9-hole closure schedule to allow construction to progress efficiently while maintaining high-quality play. No work will occur on Sundays and select Saturdays will be construction-free. Additionally, all 18 holes will be open during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, ensuring uninterrupted play for holiday guests.

“This investment underscores our commitment to delivering a championship-caliber golf experience at Hammock Beach,” said Brad Hauer, Director of Golf at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. “With these upgrades, players can expect improved performance, consistency, and visual appeal throughout the course.”

The project timeline is subject to change based on weather and other operational factors, but the resort expects completion by early 2026. Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa remains dedicated to preserving the Ocean Course’s legacy while introducing modern innovations that enhance the game for players of all levels.

The grand resort presents an exceptional choice of culinary offerings, legendary golf – including the Jack Nicklaus Signature designed Ocean Course and the Tom Watson Signature designed Conservatory Course – additional resort play of tennis and pickleball and Yacht Harbor for boating excursions and wellness, fitness and spa selections, all among nine swimming pools with countless activities. The resort boasts coastal elegance among its 275 guestrooms and suites, spacious condominiums, signature homes and well-appointed public areas offering unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean.

For reservations or more information, please visit hammockbeach.com.

Rising Above the Storm: Augusta’s Forest Hills Golf Course is Back and Better Than Ever

September 26, 2024, was a day far-from-the-coast Augusta, Georgia, won’t soon forget. Hurricane Helene roared through, leaving in its wake a battered and devastated community, parts of which are still recovering today. The Bobby Jones Links-operated Forest Hills Golf Course – suffered its own unique misfortune.

The classic Donald Ross-designed course owned by Augusta University, and where Bobby Jones once won the Southeast Amateur in the same year he won the Grand Slam, had closed in June 2024 for a complete greens renovation and generated a lot of excitement for its planned October 1 reopening. Then just days before, the hurricane hit. At least 1,500 trees went down, with debris scattered throughout the property. The course staff, many whose homes were also damaged, worked overtime on the clean-up, two tree companies were engaged, and within six weeks, the course reopened. Today, with a few minor projects remaining, Forest Hills is thriving again.

“The entire team pulled together to get the job done,” says Joshua Deal, Vice President of Operations at Bobby Jones Links, and President of the Georgia Section PGA of America. “It was a collaborative effort. First and foremost, the team at the facility immediately got in contractors to assess the damage, particularly with the tree cleanup. That was the biggest hurdle and to make sure we could eventually reopen to members and guests when it was safe. Priority one was cleaning up debris, hangers and widow makers that were all over the course. Then we could turn our attention to the outlying areas and aesthetics. As you can imagine, the cleanup in those areas surrounding the course was about a six-month process.”

Extensive course damage was subsequently caused by the machinery needed to remove the trees. Cart path repairs quickly became prioritized, so that it was safe to travel around the property, while irrigation systems were temporarily put on the back burner because the course didn’t need to run water in the winter. Once it warmed up though, a lot of the irrigation damage was discovered. So, the course superintendent and crew have spent time isolating areas of need, repairing them, and playing “whack-a-mole” from there, according to Deal.  

“On the positive side, the community was incredibly supportive and happy to get Forest Hills back open and experience some normalcy of being out there and playing,” says Deal. “They love the new greens, and the course reopened in absolutely fantastic condition. We’ve had great feedback from both guests and members, and that’s helped provide a little spark of momentum as we continue to clean up from what was a scary situation. It was great to hear members of the community say they’re just so happy this place is back open and in great shape.”

With Masters week so important for the club’s annual revenues, Deal says there were a lot of eyeballs on Forest Hills in April – only adding to the pressure to offer great playing conditions. Plus, it’s home to Augusta University’s golf team, former back-to-back NCAA Division 1 national champions in 2010 and 2011, who also host a major college event on the course in April. “

Forest Hills Golf Course has been around a long time – its 1926 opening predates Augusta National, so it has a quite a history. “The golf course has been around a long time and is not going anywhere. Even a devastating hurricane can’t keep this great Augusta course down for long.”

And that’s more than evident now.