Spring Island's Old Tabby Links Emerges Restored and Refreshed

The award winning Old Tabby Links in the South Carolina golf community of Spring Island reopened on October 27 following the successful completion of a seven-month restoration project. Headed up by the course’s original design firm, Arnold Palmer Design Company, the restoration overwhelmingly succeeded in “refreshing” the original design by restoring the natural character of the course and heightening the strategic interest of each hole.When Spring Island originally opened to critical acclaim in 1992, its natural aesthetic, environmental stewardship, and low impact development philosophy was a harbinger to the modern-day green movement. The main task of the 2012 restoration project was to restore and accent this natural beauty and rugged character that had diminished from the golf course over the years. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive restoration took place that included greens and greens surrounds, bunkers, fairways, roughs and enhancing the strategic value of each hole.Greens were re-contoured in the spirit of the old greens with emphasis on new, additional and exciting pin locations while remaining cognizant of recovery options and encroaching shade.Overall square footage of bunkers was significantly reduced while increasing visibility and enhancing the strategic value of the remaining bunkers.The total amount of irrigated turf was actually reduced even while widening fairways to offer more forgiving tee shots and open up alternate angles of play to the greens.Brandon Johnson, Senior Golf Course Architect with the Arnold Palmer Design Company summed it up, “The renovated Old Tabby Links has renewed strategic value. Width off the tee now incorporates alternative angles of attack as a way to navigate towards the variety of new pin locations. As a result, the majestic oaks and pines that surround the course may come into play should you be on the wrong side of the widened fairways. Classic risk-reward decisions will be encountered. Heroic shots will entice the player and a myriad of recovery options around the greens will challenge one’s decision making. Our intent is that all of this adds up to a fun and interesting golf course full of variety and shot options that will present new challenges and rewards in every round.”“This golf course restoration is another step in the continuous improvement of Spring Island to meet the needs and desires of current and future owners. Other recent steps include our state-of-the-art sports and fitness complex and ever-growing arts and nature programming,” said Spring Island General Manager Tom Noyes.Spring Island is a 3,000-acre island community in the South Carolina Lowcountry 35 minutes from Hilton Head and Savannah, and 30 minutes by boat from Port Royal Sound and the open Atlantic Ocean. Spring Island is limited to no more than 410 families on the 3,000 acres with 1,200 acres protected as nature preserve. Spring Island offers the finest amenities man and nature can offer: championship golf, world class fresh and salt water fishing, equestrian, tennis, croquet, quail hunting, nature center, fine and casual dining options, and a wide variety of educational and cultural pursuits. Spring Island's South Carolina golf course homes range from $500,000 to $4 million.