Belfair, a private community in Bluffton, South Carolina, has reopened its West course following a renovation by Fazio Design.

The community is five miles west of Hilton Head Island and has two layouts by Tom Fazio – the West opened in 1996, with the East following three years later.

In May 2022, a $5.8 million project began to improve the West’s playability, aesthetics and drainage.

“Tom Fazio took a beautiful canvas and created a Low Country masterpiece,” said Chris Cento, president of Belfair. “With the help of the Fazio Design team and our partners at Troon, the West course has now been renovated, refined and is ready for the future.”

All 63 bunkers have been redesigned, reshaped and now feature new G-Angle sand. Fabric liners and drainage has been removed and replaced with a new polymer-based Capillary Concrete liner system to improve water flow, minimise washouts, reduce maintenance and improve playability.

Thirteen greens have been restored to their original size, with the other five expanded to allow for more pin locations. All putting surfaces have been regrassed with TifEagle ultradwarf bermuda.

Tees have been expanded, with Fazio Design also adding some new forward tees to offer rounds from as short as 3,800 yards.

Leibold Irrigation has handled construction for the project installed a new pump station and Rain Bird irrigation system, and has undertaken tree management to improve tree and turf health as well as improve sightlines. As trees were cleared, the short-game area was expanded and now includes a new green, fairway and bunker.