West at Sawgrass Country Club

The West Course at Sawgrass Country Club represents an Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay design from the early 1970s, part of the original residential development that preceded the more famous TPC Sawgrass complex nearby. The course occupies land characteristic of northeast Florida's coastal plain, with relatively flat terrain punctuated by natural wetlands, pine forests, and the occasional elevation change created through strategic earthwork. Palmer and Seay routed the layout to incorporate these native features while establishing playing corridors through the property's wooded sections.

The design reflects Palmer's playing philosophy from that era, emphasizing strategic options from the tee and approach shots that reward aggressive play while offering safer alternatives. Water hazards appear throughout the routing, though not as extensively as on some later Florida resort courses. The bunkering style is traditional, with sand placed to define landing areas and guard greens. The putting surfaces feature moderate undulation suitable for daily member play while maintaining enough character to test skilled golfers.

Sawgrass Country Club operates as a private equity club serving the Ponte Vedra Beach community. The West Course functions alongside the club's East Course (a Mark McCumber redesign) as part of the member golf experience. The facility includes traditional country club amenities and dining, with the courses providing variety for regular play rather than serving as tournament venues. The West Course remains relatively unchanged from its original Palmer-Seay design, offering a straightforward example of their collaborative work during Florida's golf development boom of the 1970s.