Plantation at Ponte Vedra

The Plantation Course at Ponte Vedra Beach opened in 1983 as the second course at what was then the Marriott at Sawgrass resort, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. The layout occupies land adjacent to the more famous TPC Sawgrass complex in northeastern Florida's coastal corridor, though it sits slightly inland from the oceanfront properties. The course was part of the broader development of Ponte Vedra Beach as a golf destination during the 1980s expansion period. Palmer and Seay routed the course through natural Florida terrain characterized by pine forests, palmetto understory, and wetland areas typical of the region's coastal plain. The design incorporates water features on multiple holes and makes use of the property's modest elevation changes, which are notable by Florida standards. The layout requires strategic positioning off the tee and approach play that accounts for the prevailing coastal winds and water hazards. The course has served primarily as a resort and residential facility, hosting members and guests within the Plantation community. It reflects Palmer's design philosophy from that era, emphasizing playability for a range of skill levels while maintaining challenge through strategic bunkering and green complexes. The property has undergone ownership and management changes over the decades but continues to operate as part of the Ponte Vedra Beach golf landscape, offering a more traditional parkland experience compared to the stadium-style TPC courses nearby.