Tree Servicein Wild Dunes, SC

Wild Dunes Resort announced its two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses will undergo $8 million of upgrades and enhancements in 2024. Rebuilding and expanding greens and tees and improving the irrigation systems are among the projects scheduled for the courses located on the Isle of Palms near Charleston, South Carolina. Work is set to begin March 2024, with completion currently set for October 2024.

The resort and its partners have invested more than $150 million in property renovations since 2021, with the new signature hotel, The Sweetgrass Inn. The resort also has added five new pickleball courts.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the continued growth and investment in the resort,” Wild Dunes managing director Tom Nolan said. “After years of continued improvements to the property with our guests and members in mind, enhancing our overall golf product was the natural next step. We’re looking forward to delivering this elevated offering through both the Harbor Course – Tom Fazio’s original South Carolina gem – along with the Links Course, creating an exceptional coastal championship golf experience.”

After engaging with world-class consultants, researching golf trends and surveying The Golf Club at Wild Dunes membership, Wild Dunes established an enhancement plan including:

The Harbor Course

The Harbor Course has been a centerpiece of Wild Dunes for more than 40 years. Beginning in spring 2024, the greens will be rebuilt and expanded to meet the modern standards of the game to challenge and excite every level of golfer. Tees will be rebuilt and leveled, and in some cases, expanded while the irrigation systems will be replaced with improved turf conditions and a design that’s more efficient in water use. Greenside and fairway bunkers will be restored. Some bunkers will be repositioned to enhance the design features of certain holes. Multiple golf cart bridges will also be restored over the next 12 months, some of which have already been completed.

The Links Course

The resort teams are currently evaluating ways in which the Links Course’s 18th hole, which has been impacted by the threat of erosion and washout. Various options are being considered to improve play.

“Upon the completion of the Harbor Course restoration, golfers that are familiar with the course will experience newly designed putting surfaces that are sure to test their putting skills, smooth upgraded golf cart paths and several new strategically placed bunkers intended to complement the current hole designs,” director of golf Jeff Minton said. “For those who have not experienced golf at Wild Dunes, from the moment you step foot on property and are greeted by our friendly team, you will know you are somewhere special.”

The project demonstrates the ongoing commitment from the resort and its ownership company, Lowe and Dart, to further develop the Wild Dunes property, as well as its offerings, amenities and overall experience for visitors and locals.

“Lowe and Dart are incredibly grateful to be a part of the Wild Dunes Resort community, and we intend to continue to be part of what makes Isle of Palms great today, tomorrow, and for years to come,” said Terri A. Haack, senior vice president of Lowe, on behalf of resort ownership. “This major investment demonstrates our commitment to preserving both of our golf courses for the recreation and open space that all members of the Wild Dunes community treasure."

Nestled on the northern tip of Island of Palms, Wild Dunes Resort - a destination by Hyatt, has announced the hire of Damien Spizzo as its Director of Pickleball.

The ultimate tennis and pickleball vacation destination for those seeking to improve or learn new skills on the court, Wild Dunes Resort has been ranked 10 years in a row among the Top 10 Tennis Resorts in the U.S by Tennis Magazine, and currently holds the ranking of No. 2 best tennis resort in the world and the No. 4 best pickleball resort.

“Wild Dunes is thrilled to welcome Damien as our new Director of Pickleball,” said Wild Dunes Resort Director of Tennis, Clayton Langheim. “With Pickleball taking the world by storm, Damien will tremendously continue to enhance the Wild Dunes tennis and pickleball reputation.”

The sport has grown tremendously at Wild Dunes Resort over the last year, offering four newly added pickleball courts and various clinics for beginner and advanced levels, as well as private and group lessons and social and competitive open play for different levels along with an on-site pro shop.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Wild Dunes Team and a top 5 pickleball resort,” says Spizzo. “Our ever-present goal will be to continue to enhance our facilities and provide the best experience for our guests as we work toward becoming the No. 1 resort for both tennis and pickleball.”

As a tennis player, Spizzo was part of the NCAA 2002 Division 1 USC Trojans Championship tennis team at the Univ. of Southern California and later part of the 2004 ALL SEC 1st tennis team and 2004 All American at the University of Tennessee before switching gears to coaching. Having coached more than 100 Division 1 Athletes, his passion for tennis peaked his interest in pickleball. In 2021, Spizzo became a pickleball coach and in 2022 achieved a Top 25 Professional World Ranking as part of Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), while simultaneously coaching three of the top 10 Men’s Single Players in tennis. Spizzo is also a Tennis insider for ESPN Radio.

To learn more about Wild Dunes Resort, please visit www.wilddunesresort.com or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Wild Dunes Resort

Located 30 minutes from the charm and grace of historic downtown Charleston, Wild Dunes Resort occupies 1,600 acres of oceanfront paradise along the Atlantic shores offering various accommodations including the new, coastal-modern Sweetgrass Inn; the beloved AAA Four-Diamond-rated Boardwalk Inn; spacious Residences at Sweetgrass guestrooms, suites, and penthouses; and a collection of private condos and vacation home rentals. With 36 holes of Tom Fazio-designed championship golf year-round, internationally ranked tennis, bike rentals, a world-class spa, an on-site art gallery, resort pools and an array of restaurants and bars, Wild Dunes is an ideal retreat for families, couples, groups and more – offering a little something for everyone.

For more information, please visit www.wilddunes.com or visit Wild Dunes Resort online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand YouTube.

Everything you need for a relaxing beach vacation can be found at Wild Dunes Resort

Isle of Palms is 12 miles from Charleston, SC, but it feels like a different world. With a calm stretch of beach, a charming boardwalk, and winding bike trails, it gives off the feeling of relaxation and retreat. If you want to experience the tranquility of this island hamlet, the Wild Dunes Resort includes all the perks of island life plus the bonus of having everything you need right at your fingertips. With world-class dining, several lodging options, and plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, this sprawling resort is the perfect location for families looking for a low-key beach experience.

How to Plan Your Vacation at Wild Dunes Resort

The best part about Wild Dunes is that you can select lodging that’s perfect for your group. There are several options from which to choose. If you want an incredible concierge service, The Sweetgrass Inn, which opened in 2021, offers charming rooms, a spa, and several dining options. For larger groups and more space, check out the Residences at Sweetgrass. Located right above the Sweetgrass Plaza, you can choose from one-to three-room furnished rentals with all the hotel perks. For more privacy, Wild Dunes also offers private rental homes and condos.

Plan your itinerary

Whether you come to Wild Dunes during the off-season or the busy months, there’s plenty to keep you and your family entertained.

The PoolsKids will want to spend plenty of time in the pools. The Sweetgrass Inn Pools (they’re heated!) are the shining gem in the middle of the resort, with a zero-entry pool, a splash pad, and poolside Island Adventure programs. There is even live music by the firepit in the summer.

The Grand Pavilion offers two stunning beachside pools; it’s where you’ll find Beachside Burgers. If you want to swim laps or join in on the family friendly games and recreation happening in the warmer months, head for The Swim Center Pool.

The BeachOf course, the Isle of Palm beach is the main attraction for good reason. Wide, sandy beaches, mellow waves perfect for kids, and stunning beach homes to admire, it’ll be easy to spend all day enjoying the sun and surf. Wild Dunes has direct access to the beach, and they offer beach chair and umbrella rentals for guests.

The ActivitiesThere is so much going on at Wild Dunes! It’ll be tricky to find time to fit in all the fun like Sunday S’mores, Bingo Night, Minute to Win It Game Night, Dive-In Movie Night, Family Movie Night, a sunset sandcastle contest, guided beach walks, poolside crafts, and much more. Many of these events are complimentary, but some require reservations and a fee, so be sure to check. If you want to see the resort by bike, there are rentals available daily, including tandem bikes for parents with little kids.

If you feel like relaxing, there are many places to do just that! Enjoy the swinging hammock chairs at Sweetgrass Inn, the Adirondack chairs in Sweetgrass Plaza, and the beach and pool loungers just about anywhere.

Decide where you want to eat

Charleston is known for its world-class cuisine, and Isle of Palms lives up to the hype. Guests of Wild Dunes have access to all the restaurants on the property; the biggest challenge might be deciding where to go.

For breakfast, if you’re in the mood for something quick, head to Woody’s, where they serve all-day breakfast (this spot has many options for kids!). Wander into Hudson’s Market & Cafe and order a gourmet breakfast sandwich while stocking up on beach snacks and drinks. For something upscale, head for Coastal Provisions, where you’ll choose between fluffy pancakes, french toast, omelets, and plenty of sides like biscuits, bacon, mixed berries, and breakfast potatoes.

At lunchtime, the world is your culinary oyster! The Laughing Gull, located by the Sweetgrass Inn pools, has Caribbean-inspired fare like the must-try conch fritters, the Cuban sandwich, and chicken tenders for little ones. Beachside Burgers (open in the warm months) offers delicious burgers, fries, soft pretzels, popcorn shrimp, and more. If you’re looking for tacos, stop by the vintage airstream trailer in Sweetgrass Plaza. Choose from Carne Asada, Chicken Tinga, or even vegetarian options.

When it comes time for dinner, save one night for Coastal Crust. Offering Neopolitan-style pies made with locally-sourced ingredients, this will be a family favorite. If fine dining is what you want, Coastal Provisions is ideal. Chef Thalita Smith consistently presents a delectable seasonal-infused menu of seafood and chops. Her salads are a must-try, as are the beef and seafood dishes.

Things to Do Nearby

If you want to venture out of Wild Dunes resort, there are plenty of places to go and things to do.

Head to CharlestonThis cultural city is a mere 30-minute drive from the Isle of Palms. Spend some time admiring the historical homes, take a carriage ride, hit up the playground near Rainbow Row, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry!

Visit the South Carolina Aquarium or the Center for Birds of PreyWhether they love sea life or the Lowcountry habitat, there's a place for your little naturalists. The Sea Turtle Care Center at the aquarium is especially fun for budding conservationists.

Check out Shem Creek & BoardwalkThis waterfront area in Mount Pleasant is over two thousand feet long and offers panoramic views of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and Castle Pinckney.

A lot has been written about the port city of Charleston, South Carolina, with its southern charm, cobblestone streets and colorful pre-war architecture.

However, little might be known of the region's coastal offerings. Just a half hour's drive northeast of the city sits the Isle of Palms, Charleston's resort island and home to the Wild Dunes Resort, encompassing 1,600 acres of Lowcountry charm and vacation leisure.

This beachside vacation getaway includes hotels, condos and waterfront homes offering short stays or longer-term seasonal rentals.

With so many options, it is the perfect choice for weddings, corporate events and family getaways. Recreational opportunities include a 36-hole golf course, designed by Tom Fazio, tennis, pickelball, bicycling and seven miles of beaches on which to play or chill. Walking and jogging paths wind throughout the island and you might even run into a family of deer on your jaunt.

Within Wild Dunes, located beachside on the north end of the Isle of Palms, two adjacent hotels include the Boardwalk Inn and the, newly-constructed, Sweetgrass Inn. Just one year old, the Sweetgrass is a Destination by Hyatt hotel offering 153 guest rooms and suites, restaurants, spa and rooftop bar.

Sandals Resorts

Island Inclusive Dining

The Nest, with its colorful Andy Davis mural, offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic and surrounding property, while sipping signature cocktails. The Shoppes of Sweetgrass are located on an adjacent walkway, comprised of restaurants, market, shops, and even an art gallery. The Gallery at Sweetgrass features regional, as well as nationally recognized artists, some in residence.

Restaurants include the full-service Coastal Provisions, located at the Boardwalk Inn, as well as the more casual pool-side Laughing Gull at Sweetgrass. Both restaurants feature their signature 7 Mile Burger and Lager, named after the Isle of Palms 7-mile stretch of beach. The Oystercatcher, in the Sweetgrass lobby, offers smaller plates and shareable dishes along with signature cocktails.

For even more casual fare, Hudson's Café and Market provides food and drink to enjoy in your room, taking advantage of the views from your balcony. Next to Hudson's you'll find Coastal Crust for pizza and other Italian cuisine. Additional eateries are dotted throughout the resort, so no chance you'll be hungry on this trip.

Nothing beats a relaxing massage while on vacation and The Spa at Sweetgrass is the perfect choice to complement the laid-back vibe of this resort. With two plunge pools, beach yoga and even an optional meditation and sound bath experience on the sand, you can indulge and immerse yourself in a calm, yet energized, state of mind. Private spa cabanas are also available for a retreat with family and friends, and the gift shop provides beautiful examples of the region as a reminder of your stay.

The opportunities for exploration are abundant. Barrier Island Eco Tours offers your choice of boat junket to Capers Island Preserve, home of bone-yard beach. The natural erosion of the shoreline has created an eerie spectacle of trees with roots exposed in bizarre shapes. You'll glide through salt marshes with views of dolphins playing in the surf and stop to check the occasional blue crab trap, while Captain Shane describes the wondrous ecosystem.

And don't forget downtown Charleston, where you can stroll historic King Street with its boutiques and restaurants, loaded with Southern charm and housed in architecturally diverse buildings.

A local dining favorite, Hall's Chophouse, offers USDA Prime steaks from Allen Brothers of Chicago, as well as fresh seafood and signature cocktails. Family-owned, this gathering spot serves everything from wet-aged filet mignon to a 34-ounce Tomahawk ribeye. Of course, shrimp and grits are on the menu along with other options from the sea. A must-try is their signature Pepper Jack Creamed Corn Skillet, not to mention Whiskey Bread Pudding for dessert. Hall's is the place to see and be seen so get your reservation early.

Shopping options are diverse, and horse-drawn carriage tours and nighttime graveyard walks are a must. The iconic Pineapple Fountain on the waterfront park is Charleston's symbol of hospitality and an Instagram-worthy sight. Photo ops abound at every turn but don't forget to take in the ambiance and gentile essence of the city.

It's all about the Lowcountry culture in Charleston, Southern charm mixed with shrimp and grits and Virgil Kaine whiskey. The Gullah sweetgrass basket weavers throughout the city, the colorful houses on Rainbow Row and a hearty Lowcountry boil, all round out the vibe one gets when visiting this part of the south. The Wild Dunes Resort conveniently includes all of this laid-back charm in one sprawling location.

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Want a quick getaway practically in your own backyard? While Mount Pleasant and the surrounding beaches serve almost daily in that capacity, something else you might not have tried before, the brand-new Nest Rooftop Bar, is already proving hard to beat.

Opened April 1 atop the Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort on the far east end of Isle of Palms, The Nest, as patrons call it, offers up an array of colorful island drinks and an atmosphere that will make you want to stay forever on the South Carolina coast— even if you already live here.

“There is no hotel in our area that has a space truly like this nestled six floors above the beach,” said Nico Scherman, general manager of Wild Dunes Resort. “The new hotel opened with ample rooftop space…and we imagined a casual rooftop bar that mimics our Lowcountry lifestyle.”

Even if you don’t drink alcoholic beverages, the rooftop view alone is worth the effort, thanks to the surrounding dunes, hotel and pools, harbor golf course, and of course, everyone’s favorite, the Atlantic Ocean and shoreline.

“We focused on developing a space that feels tropical, from the colorful uniforms to the space that is engulfed in tropical plants,” Scherman said. “And The Nest is a mix of bohemian style, complemented by a curated beachside cocktail list.”

For a drink or two, Nest bartenders are ready to serve up lots of intriguing goodies, such as the Cucumber Mule Cocktail, the Passion Fruit Margarita, Tall Skinny Houses Pilsner, and Poke the Bear APA – all from Charleston breweries.

“We only serve local beer of the Southeast,” Scherman said. “You won’t find mainstream light beers here.”

But you will find bartenders who get to showcase their talents, providing a sort of unplanned-for entertainment to go with your drinks.

“My favorite part of the job is the on-the-fly cocktail creation and the creative freedom our leadership gives us,” said Veteran Bartender Mike Sweatte. “And having a bar overlooking the beach is not a bad day at the office.”

Interesting dishes also pair well with the signature drinks and one-of-a-kind view. This is where Chef Austin Blake will step in to offer you his favorite dish of Mason Jar Pickled Shrimp.

“It’s our most popular patron dish,” Blake said. “It’s a classic Lowcountry item, but we put our own creative twist on it— and use local shrimp to represent a staple of the South.”

After a day poolside or on the beach, when you’re not quite ready for dinner but you don’t want to hang it up just yet, a stop at The Nest will do the trick. Don’t forget to check out the custom mural, which serves as a great backdrop along with the full ocean views. You may never leave.

To learn more, visit destinationhotels.com/wild-dunes/dining/the-nest, or call 843-886-6000.

By L. C. Leach III

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