Wild Dunes Resort

Links Course #17 Beachside Fairway
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Follow the boardwalk to the ocean for a sweet sunrise over the water, as surfers get pumped to ride the waves at Wild Dunes, Charleston’s Island Resort in South Carolina. Along the grass-tufted beach, the Links Course’s numbers 17 and 18 kiss the sandy shoreline the length of their fairways, defining the Wild Dunes. On occasion a golfer might play their drive from that beach. 

It takes a pastel Village Plaza, 17 tennis courts, trails, pools, 6 restaurants, unending beach, and Tom Fazio golf to make this an ideal vacation spot. In addition to the Links course, Fazio finessed a crazy routing on the Harbor Course between homes, inter-coastal waterways, and gator lagoons. Disney’s jungle cruise comes to mind on the ride through the marsh. Both courses are esthetically enchanting from clubhouses to beach. 

At the Links Course Huey’s Southern Eats, whose décor immortalizes the namesake goose, serves as the 19th hole. The Dunes Deli by the Harbor Course serves food and brew next to the practice green and tennis court. For a beachside toast, head to the Grand Pavilion Bar and Grill. Stroll or bike the beach, or surf the waves. Rent the beach bikes at the Islands Adventure Center in the Village Plaza of Wild Dunes. They schedule water excursions, too. We went up Shem Creek with a paddle and ornithologist or self-proclaimed bird nerd, Eric with Nature Adventure Outfitters. Bottle nosed dolphins dove in and out of the water along restaurant row as we launched our kayaks, eye to eye with floating brown pelicans. It’s a party vibe at Tavern and Table and other dockside restaurants serving bar hopping boaters and sports revelers with laughter and music blaring. As we maneuvered the busy waterway, Eric pointed out royal terns with black hoods and returning ospreys that mate for life. He explained the plight of sea lettuce eating manatees and sea turtles that have a rehab center in Charleston. 

Charleston is just 30 minutes from Wild Dunes and is one of the oldest and most strategic seaports in the country. When flying in or out of the airport, take time for a tour. Hop on a horse and carriage ride or hoof it along the cobblestone streets of Charleston as local artisans weave their traditional sweet grass baskets. Colonial mansions converted to museums, galleries, and inns open for viewing lead down to the water at Battery Park. Canons that protected the city from attacks during the Revolutionary and Civil wars still stand in memorial. Today, sailboats float past the aircraft carrier with cruise ships and lots of yachts that pass back by Wild Dunes.  

The staff at Wild Dunes Resort dishes out all the southern hospitality y’all want, even though they migrate from all parts of the globe to live here. Why not? Situated on the isle of palms, the climate is temperate and this ‘Destination Hotel’ stands tall in the charming low country of South Carolina.  

For more information, visit www.wilddunes.com

Alice and Danny Scott are known as America’s Golfing Couple and travel the world writing for many publications. Visit their website at www.americasgolfingcouple.com.