Golden Isles Issue 1 | Page 52

treated to a glorious sunset over St. Simons Sound. While Sea Island was recapturing golf history, it also was looking to the future with the creation of the state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center (GPC). The GPC recently moved into its new home, a classically designed, 17,000-square-foot two-story building that sits along the expansive Plantation/Seaside practice facility. There are dedicated hitting areas outside and bays inside that open up onto the range with stunning views across the water. The new GPC brings all the elements of golf instruction together—long game, short game, putting, fitness, club fitting, and the mental game—with a staff of 10 full-time teachers, 4 club fitters, and 2 fitness trainers. From capturing a golfer’s motion in 3-D to specialized putting platforms, these expert teachers have the latest technology on hand—and even underfoot, where special plates in the floor measure pressure and weight shift during the swing. The GPC is set up to give every golfer a TOUR-like experience, from juniors and beginners up through professionals, offering coaching to club fitting. It should come as no surprise that many of the Golf Courses PGA Tour players who live nearby use the facility and work with the very same teachers to keep their games sharp. On Sea Island and throughout the Golden Isles, the game’s traditions and future exist comfortably side by side. Home on the Green I n recent years, a growing number of pro golfers have chosen to live, train or play in the Golden Isles. And the reasons are obvious. Exquisite courses. Incomparable training and instruction. A chance to learn from some of the game’s greatest instructors. Combine that with a supportive, family-friendly community, mild cli- mate with lots of outdoor activities, and a serene, laid-back lifestyle. That’s a perfect round. “For a pro golfer, this area has so much going for it, we don’t have to re- cruit anyone to live here,” said Brannen Veal, Sea Island’s Director of Golf. “Between the world-class instruction and playing so often with their peers, they can continue to raise their game. Plus, it’s a great family environment. People here are genuine and welcoming.” Did you know? There are 189 holes of golf in the Golden Isles. PRO STOP NUMBER OF HOLES ST. S I M O N S I S L A N D King & Prince Golf Course at the Hampton Club 912.634.0255 Sea Palms 912.434.5336 YARDAGE PAR 18 18 6462 72 6608 71 912.638.5118 912.638.5118 912.634.4460 seaisland.com/golf seaisland.com/golf seaisland.com/golf 18 18 18 6657 70 6671 72 6735 72 912.635.2368 912.635.2368 912.635.2368 912.635.2368 jekyllisland.com jekyllisland.com jekyllisland.com jekyllisland.com 18 18 18 9 6521 72 6700 72 6469 72 3229 36 912.280.9525 912.264.4377 heritageoaksgolfclub.com 18 brunswickcountryclub.com 18 5820 72 6802 72 SEA ISLAND Seaside Course (Private-Hotel guests only) Plantation Course (Private-Hotel guests only) Retreat Course (Private-Hotel guests only) JEKYLL ISLAND Oleander Pine Lakes Indian Mound Great Dunes B R U N SW I C K Heritage Oaks Golf Club Brunswick Country Club (Members Only) 50 hamptonclub.com seapalms.com More than a dozen touring pros live, train, and/or play at Sea Island, including: Jonathan Byrd Harris English Joey Garber Ben Griffin Brian Harman Zach Johnson Patton Kizzire Matt Kuchar Davis Love III Keith Mitchell Paul Peterson J.T. Poston Hudson Swafford Josh Teater Michael Thompson Scott Wolfes