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The Byrd is the Word!

by Larry Hershoff Jan 2, 2025 South Brunswick, Tee Time with Larry

Photography by Matt McGraw

The newly revitalized Byrd Course at Sea Trail Golf Resort in Sunset Beach compares well to some of the best courses at Pinehurst.

Thirteen years ago, Sea Trail in Sunset Beach, under the ownership of Chinaway, was in bankruptcy and its golf courses were in disrepair. But thanks to a visionary group of investors, Sea Trail has undergone a remarkable transformation.

Sea Trail Investments, owned by Riptide Builders’ Robert Hill and Donald Bean, Golf Trek owner Parker Smith and Sandesh Sharda together form Sea Trail Resorts, LLC, the new owners of Sea Trail. This group made a multi-million-dollar investment in Sea Trail’s three golf courses and facilities and brought in East Coast Golf Management to handle day-to-day operations. To say they have succeeded would be an understatement.

The improved golf experience starts the moment you roll through the resurfaced parking lot, head to the bag drop and encounter professional staff throughout the check-in process. Sea Trail recently renovated the Jones Byrd Clubhouse, featuring an upgraded Golf Shop and the much-anticipated Sunset Prime, which will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, 55 Bistro Bar continues to be the go-to spot in the evenings, offering an upscale sports-bar vibe perfect for unwinding after a round.

Beyond the courses, Sea Trail offers newly renovated resort amenities, including accommodations designed for both stay-and-play and beach vacations and recreational facilities.

One beautiful afternoon, I had the pleasure of discussing this transformation with Director of Golf Jimmy Biggs, PGA and playing two rounds on the newly revitalized Byrd course, which has been significantly upgraded thanks to renowned golf course architect Tim Cate. The Cate-led, five-month-long renovation and redesign of the Byrd Course was completed in October 2024.

It is clear that Cate took the course’s challenges head-on. He read the reviews, fixed the problems and infused his signature touches throughout, with new waste area cart thoroughfares, strategically placed bunkers (with Better Billy Bunkers at that!) and risk/reward opportunities without senseless trickery. The Byrd offers five sets of tee boxes to suit players of all abilities, stretching from 6649 yards at the blues (72.6/129) to 3585 yards at the teals (61.7/101).

Head to the tee, and you will notice the care that has gone into the course itself — ample plantings include more than 100 palm trees and pine straw accents adjacent to the rough.

Teeing off on Hole 1, you must stay left around the fairway bunker and pay heed to the water behind the green. You will love the greens’ new Tif Eagle stimping at 11-12 and framed by a 2-foot Tahoma fringe. While nobody likes the drive over water on Hole 2, you will find the smaller bunkers and the removal of the front bunker have improved playability.

Hole 3 offers the chance for a birdie, as it is only 437 from the whites, 418 from the senior tees and 328 (!) from the reds, but do not trifle with the repositioned fairway bunker on this tight driving hole with out-of-bounds on both sides. Pat yourself on the back for arriving in three or less, but pay heed to the undulating and fast large green.

Holes 4 and 5 still have double bogey potential lurking, but smart tree removal — especially at the corner of 4 and the trees on the left of the long par 4 on Hole 5 have opened things up. Cheat left on hole 4 but favor the right on hole 5 — where you can safely go long on 5 without an embarrassing crooked number. With so many trees removed, the completely renovated restroom between holes 4 and 5 is a welcome visible improvement.

Hole 6 still requires you to go over water (unless you hit from the reds and salivate over a 221 yard par 4), but Cate has softened its challenge by removing the nasty bunker on the left. On Hole 7 it’s a green behind the large waste bunker, so you ought to make par.

The dogleg Hole 8 is the number one stroke hole and for good reason — a short approach shot won’t bounce on, but the green generally will not hold, absent a significant vertical drop.

Do not hit it too far left off the tee or you will be blocked out. Be careful on Hole 9 as a massive waste bunker behind the fairway’s central tree guards the left side, with well-manicured bunkers left and right of the green.

At the turn, swing over to Sunset Cove behind the Jones/Byrd Clubhouse for a snack and/or beverage. Then take a deep breath before you try to avoid the well-positioned waste bunker guarding the short way to the 10th green. The senseless former fairway bunker at 70 yards is thankfully gone, but the slanted green is still very tough.

Hole 11 seems short with birdie opportunities, but the waste bunker below the trees on the right will have you play it as a dogleg. Happily, the massive front bunker on the par 3 Hole 12 has been shrunk and repositioned, but I still suggest sending it right!

Hole 13 is one of the few forced carries on this course, and, again, revamped bunkers have made this more approachable — though it is still possible to make 7 or 8.

The greenside bunker on hole 14 has been shrunk and moved left, but take note — left, long or right approaches will still get you into trouble.

Are you surprised that a large waste bunker shows up on 15? My advice is to not fool with it — the green is tough enough. Holes 16 and 17 are where you can make up strokes, and again Cate has shrunk the front sand trap on 17.

When you come to Hole 18, thoughts of birdie again come to mind — but the temptation to go for it in two should have waned thanks to the diabolical pot bunker fronting the green (as if water to the left and the bunker right was not protection enough!). Think through it, make your birdie, and head on up to 55 Bistro Bar for a celebratory drink and dinner — and soon you’ll be able to enjoy a superb dinner overlooking Byrd 18 at Sunset Prime.

So 13 might be unlucky for some (it was for me when I went splash!), but it calls for celebration at Sea Trail Golf Resort after a long wait to have a course that compares well to some of the best at Pinehurst — without the long drive or hefty price tag.

SKIP THE DRIVE
Sea Trail Golf Resort
75 Clubhouse Road, Sunset Beach
For reservations: seatrail.com
(800) 764-6070

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About The Author

Larry Hershoff

I am an expert bogey-maker who has been suffering through the game of golf since 1987. I got the nerve to write about it starting in 2017, and my work has been published in various periodicals. I grew up in the Northeast and worked in the financial services industry and as a lecturer in finance at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. In 2012 I escaped Rhode Island for the Valhalla of Sunset Beach, where I live at Sea Trail with my wife, Eleanor, and cat, Rosie. I am or have been treasurer of the Sea Trail Men’s Golf Association, the First Tee-Coastal Carolinas and other charitable and civic associations. In my spare time, I play bridge, and fish.