Golfing at Brays Island goes beyond the greens, fairways and tees. 300 acres beyond to be exact… where owners and their guests enjoy a winding course built into the nature that surrounds it. Sumner Pingree, the original owner of Brays Island, made sure the community was designed in harmony with nature and Ron Garl, the designer of Brays Island golf course, brought that to life. The course winds through thickets of oak, pine and magnolia, past woods and pastures. And with no tee times required, there’s never a wait to play.
THE COURSE
The routing of the course is unique where every hole has its own piece of real estate. A favorite of Mike Ingram, Brays Island’s Director of Golf, is hole 11 as he considers it a “risk-reward” hole depending how you decide to play your tee shot. As a dog leg right, you decide how much of the pond that guards the right side of the fairway you want to negotiate! The more risk on the tee ball the shorter your second shot to a well protected green guarded by bunkers and woods on the back of the green acting as your backdrop.
As you meander through the course, it may even feel that it’s an 18 hole nature trail when you see a flock of turkeys or a deer in the surrounding fields and woods. It’s not uncommon to see foxes or other wildlife on the course as it was designed to preserve the existing landscape and not disrupt any natural elements.
THE PRACTICE FACILITY
While some owners choose Brays because of the golf facilities, some owners may be picking up golf as a new hobby. The full, 14-acre practice facility with driving range, putting greens, sand traps and wedge range was designed for beginners learning a new activity or life long players honing their skills. Mike describes the practice area like its own fitness center where owners can get a workout from station to station and touch each part of the game. With individual and group instruction, there’s a relaxed introduction to the game for any beginner golfers.
ONSITE GOLF EVENTS
Outside of a 9- or 18-hole round, the golf program offers a full tournament schedule and countless onsite events at the course. From our annual triathlon to a 3-day golf school where we bring in instructors from around the country, there’s something for all levels of golfers. Events range from the Member-Guest Tournament, Brays premier golf event, to a 9 & Dine tournament offering food and drink stations throughout the round for golfers to taste dishes and wine from around the world.
The golf complex is also home to The Plantation Grill, serving daily lunches and weeknight dinners as well as a fully-equipped golf shop so owners can maximize their enjoyment of this distinctively scenic course. And with a Director of Golf such as Mike who has been at Brays Island for the last 30 years, there’s always something new to learn and enjoy.