Overview
With five majestic holes along the Atlantic seaboard, Bobby Weed and Pete Dye co-built the Ocean Links Golf Course at Amelia Island Plantation. Named as one of the “Top 25 Golf Islands in the World” by LINKS Magazine, Amelia Island boasts beautiful beaches, natural marshes, abundant wildlife and stately oak trees.
In the summer of 1976, Weed was introduced to his mentor and future World Golf Hall of Fame architect, Pete Dye. This marked the beginning of their special 40-year relationship together.
During Weed’s internship, he helped Dye build the front nine of Ocean Links. After graduating in 1977, Weed returned to Amelia Island as assistant superintendent and designed the back nine.
Awards
Condé nast traveler
Top 5 Golf Resorts in Florida
Golf channel's big break
2013 Official Host
LINKS Magazine
Top 25 Golf Islands in the World
Challenge
On this barrier island off Jacksonville, Florida, which is just two miles wide and 13 miles long, oceanfront land was (and remains) an extremely valuable commodity. Within the boundaries of a new resort, Weed and Dye had to get extremely creative with limited land options.
More importantly, Amelia Island Plantation was being constructed next to the world’s largest ecosystem and source of livelihood for over three billion people: our oceans.
Approach
Following the successful master development of Harbour Town in Hilton Head Island, The Sea Pines Company broke ground on Amelia Island Plantation in 1971. Three golf courses were set to be constructed: Oak Marsh (1972), Ocean Links (1975) and Long Point (1987).
To balance this new development with its natural surroundings, strict deeded covenants were instituted to protect local tidal marshes, dunes, savannas and wildlife.
Solution
Though Amelia Island is easy to access, N. Florida’s coastal retreat is hard to forget.
Weed and Dye designed Ocean Links as a true shotmaker’s course. The par-70, 6,108-yard used the Atlantic Ocean’s constant winds as a natural defense, which produced three- or four-club winds. The seaside layout was as difficult as it was breathtaking.
Ocean Links also gained fame by hosting Golf Channel’s “Big Break on Amelia Island” in October 2013.
70% Increase in Course Bookings
At varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget. Risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus vel facilisis volutpat. Arcu cursus euismod quis viverra. Dignissim cras tincidunt lobortis Porttitor massa id neque aliquam vestibulum. Ac tortor vitae purus faucibus ornare suspendisse. Porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero. Donec et odio pellentesque diam volutpat. Lacus vel facilisis volutpat est.
