Hammock Beach resort was slammed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the wind and water damage from the storm rendered the Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course a shadow of its former self.
Instead of rushing to reopen the course, which features six holes on the Atlantic Ocean, resort ownership and the Salamander Hotels group decided to use the storm as a reason to bring Nicklaus Design back on board for a renovation. That renovation opened up Nov. 2.
The Ocean Course restoration included the re-grassing of all fairways, greens and rough with the salt-tolerant Platinum Paspalum. Each tee box and green complex was reconstructed. Bunkers were redone and filled with bright white Angle-G sand. Mounding and other features were created to better protect the course, which opened in 2000, from severe weather.
In September, Hurricane Irma offered a test of the strain's tolerance for lots of salt water on it, and the grass withstood well and recovered as expected, adding a few weeks to the restoration timeline.
The Palm City, Fla., resort has undergone a transformation in recent years to update facilities and modern accommodations. Later in November, the resort will open The Lodge at Hammock Beach, with 20 guest rooms overlooking the Ocean Course, all with direct beach access and a VIP concierge experience.
Now with a newly refreshed Nicklaus course and the esteemed Watson course, Hammock Beach is starting its next chapter.
