Haig Point Club & Community Association on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, has unveiled a comprehensive plan for its future known as Project Harmony.
This multi-year, multi-faceted investment initiative has received formal approval from the club, indicating a remarkable level of consensus among its members. Project Harmony is designed to guide the community through its next growth phase, encompassing advancements in golf, infrastructure, and residential development.
Located on Daufuskie Island and accessible exclusively by boat, Haig Point has long been celebrated as a unique golf destination, highlighted by its Rees Jones-designed Signature Course, which has previously been recognized among America’s Top 100 courses.
With a $40 million investment, Project Harmony aims to build upon the club’s established seaside lifestyle. The core objectives are to restore, refine, and modernize the club’s golf offerings, while concurrently ensuring that infrastructure and residential growth are strategically aligned to support long-term value.
“Haig Point already offers all the elements of an exceptional golf and club experience,” stated Don W. Hunter Jr., CEO/General Manager. “This initiative, supported by 77 percent of our membership, focuses on enhancing our already outstanding golf course and updating it for contemporary play. The goal is to create a more complete and versatile playing experience for our members and to elevate the distinctive island lifestyle that defines Haig Point.”
A significant aspect of Project Harmony is the commitment to elevate the Signature Course through ongoing investments in its infrastructure, agronomy, and playability.
The course is set to undergo a series of improvements, including:
- Continued investment in course infrastructure and agronomic systems.
- Integration of previously planned bunker restoration and enhancements.
- Long-term strategies for irrigation and turf sustainability.
- Strategic adjustments to better align with modern playing expectations.
Rees Jones has outlined several key revisions planned for the course:
- Reshaping, realigning, and laser-leveling all tee boxes.
- Partial rebuilding of all greens (except for holes 1 and 15), with a focus on regrading all approaches.
- Complete reconstruction of greens 1 and 15.
- Reshaping of all bunkers to a modern aesthetic.
- Reconstruction of bunkers using Bunker Solutions technology.
- Regrading of fairways.
- Re-grassing of greens with TifEagle turf.
- Re-grassing of fairways, tees, and roughs with Tahoma 31 turf.
- Vegetation management in and around wetlands to improve hole clarity and water views.
- Repair and maintenance of cart paths as needed.
Under the guidance of Director of Agronomy Randy Moody, the course conditions have already seen notable improvements, demonstrating strong winter performance and a disciplined approach to maintenance and planning.
“This is not about reinventing the course,” Hunter remarked, a respected leader in the club industry. “It’s about restoring and refining it to its full potential, ensuring it performs at a high level for years to come.”
Project Harmony also involves transforming the Osprey Course into a high-quality, nine-hole layout designed by Rees Jones. This new design will complement the Signature Course and expand playing options for members.
“The opportunity with Osprey is substantial,” Hunter noted. “We believe it can become one of the premier nine-hole experiences in the region, not only serving our membership but enhancing Haig Point’s overall golf offering.”
Key enhancements for the Osprey Course include a new irrigation system, 21 new forward tee options to create a new par-3 course, and a new short game practice area.
All work on both the Signature and Osprey Courses will be carried out in three phases over a three-year period:
- Phase 1: Osprey Course and Short Game Area – Late 2026 to November 2027.
- Phase 2: Signature Course Front 10 – Early 2028 to November 2028.
- Phase 3: Signature Course Back 10 – Early 2029 to November 2029.
Hunter stated that the objective is to maintain 18 holes of golf available to the membership throughout this three-year period, from 2026 to 2029.
Duininck Golf has been selected to manage the on-course construction for both courses.
A critical component of Project Harmony’s success is the establishment of a new barge company, which commenced operations in April. For a community accessible only by water, a dedicated materials transportation company is essential. The new barge operation will provide:
- Increased efficiency and reliability in material transport.
- Reduced construction timelines.
- Significant cost savings for builders and investors.
- Support for golf and infrastructure improvements on a large scale.
“This offers a significant advantage for how we build and maintain on the island,” Hunter commented. “It allows us to execute more efficiently with greater control over both cost and timing.”
Project Harmony is already yielding tangible progress in residential development. Haig Point has successfully expanded its builder network, with new partners actively involved and multiple homes currently in the permitting or construction phase. The community is aiming for a sustainable pace of approximately 25 new homes annually as part of its long-term strategy.
“These are actual projects in progress,” Hunter emphasized. “Not concepts or projections – these are homes being permitted and built right now. That’s a crucial distinction and a strong indicator of momentum.”
The 77 percent member approval for Project Harmony signifies a level of unity rarely seen in private club environments, and one that is increasingly vital in today’s market. This alignment facilitates clear decision-making, consistent execution, and enhanced confidence among prospective buyers and investors.
“Alignment enables us to move forward with discipline,” Hunter concluded. “It instills market confidence, demonstrating that this is a community with a clear vision and the capability to execute it.”