Course of the Week: Little Sandy

Photo: Omni Amelia Island Resort

Omni Amelia Island Resort in Fernandina Beach, Fla., has opened Little Sandy, a 10-hole, par-3 course with an accompanying 18-hole putting course.

Open to resort guests and members of The Amelia Island Club, Little Sandy features holes ranging from 70 to 125 yards. The course seeks to provide a traditional yet fun-focused experience for all ages and abilities.

Photo: Omni Amelia Island Resort

The course was designed by Beau Welling Design, who is also working on other Omni projects, such as Omni PGA Frisco Resort, set to open in 2023.

“We are honored to have worked on Little Sandy with our partners at Omni,” Beau Welling, the golf course designer, said. “We have created a course where players could use just their putters on nearly every hole or use several clubs in their bag. The relaxed atmosphere and golf course strategy that includes multiple routes from tee to green will make Little Sandy a haven for fun and creativity.”

Nestled around Red Maple Lake, Little Sandy offers an idyllic setting as nearly all holes are played along the water amid sandy native grass areas, dunes and diverse wildlife habitats.

Photo: Omni Amelia Island Resort

“Our golf experience is more welcoming than ever for all who stay with us on Amelia Island,” Theo Schofield, managing director of Omni Amelia Island Resort, said. ‘We could not imagine a better compliment to our championship layout, Oak Marsh, and we look forward to all guests enjoying Little Sandy as an entertaining and unique alternative.”

Oak Marsh Golf Course was completed in 1972 and was designed by Pete Dye. The layout is noted for its tight fairways and small greens, meandering along serpentine salt marsh creeks and through moss-draped heritage oaks.

Photo: Omni Amelia Island Resort