Fripp Island wraps up Ocean Point course renovation

A multi-million-dollar renovation of the Ocean Point golf course at Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort in South Carolina is finished. Dye Designs Group (DDG) led the modernization of the original George Cobb layout.

The course is now open again for member and resort guest play under the agronomic eye of superintendent Kevin Lashley and his team.

Since opening in 1964, Ocean Point Golf Links has stood out as a premier seaside course, featuring five holes with unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean and celebrated for its small, well-bunkered greens and sweeping Lowcountry vistas. To deliver an elevated playing experience, every hole on the course was significantly upgraded. The result has dramatically improved the visual appeal and playing experience, further elevating its attraction for members and resort guests.

The completed vision of the acclaimed mother-son architect team, Cynthia Dye McGarey and Matt McGarey involved the reshaping of more than 50 bunkers, including adding 11 new greenside bunkers. DDG also incorporated new fairway bunkers, added 5½ acres of waste area, and added and/or leveled multiple tee boxes and constructed native dunes to increase both play and visual appeal for members and Resort guests alike.

The final phase of the renovation will see more than 13,000 native plants added to the course — a testament to both the resort’s and DDG’s commitment to sustainable course design, a key driver in the selection of DDG for the project. 

The completion of the renovation marks another milestone for Seascape Hospitality Group since its purchase of Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort in 2023. 

“We are delighted to work with the world-renowned Dye Designs Group team to bring our shared vision for Ocean Point to life,” resort COO John Scappatura said. “The end result has exceeded our expectations and we are confident that our members and guests will enjoy this refreshed layout that offers a fun and rewarding experience through our beautiful Lowcountry surroundings.” 

“Ocean Point epitomizes the best of the Lowcountry golf, something my family knows well,” DDG senior design associate Matt McGarey said. “We enjoyed partnering with the Fripp Island Resort to bring about a more modern playing experience that capitalizes on the unique Lowcountry elements — all with an eye toward the intent of Mr. Cobb’s original design.”

Golf Course Services Inc., a leader in golf course construction and maintenance, served as construction partner on the project. The company has constructed some of the finest resorts, public, private and municipal golf courses and facilities in the Southeast and collaborated with architects such as Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones and Greg Norman. 

Fripp Island Golf & Beach Club Resort is also home to the Davis Love III-designed Ocean Creek course, host of the Big South men’s and women’s golf championships. The course features a modern design, with five holes edged by marsh, and another six holes incorporating interior wetlands, preserved and connected to the course through a network of wooden walkways and bridges.