PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The long-standing, enticing calling cards for northeast Florida are easy to spot.

Ocean. Beach. Sun. Golf.

Each on its own is an attraction. Altogether, however, you have a captivating foursome that is the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, a luxurious escape since 1928 that hugs the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the years, the resort has been touched up here and there, its most recent freshener a renovation of the historic Ocean Course.

Open to members and resort guests, one of the oldest golf courses in the Sunshine State reopened this fall and looks spanking new.

Designed by British golf course architect Herbert Strong, the Ocean made its debut in 1931 and was set to host the 1939 Ryder Cup before World War II intervened. The Ocean has also served as the site for U.S. Open qualifying on five occasions.

The first renovation came at the trusted hands of Robert Trent Jones in 1947. Renowned architect Bobby Weed led the renovation in 1998 and once again was called upon for the latest alteration that put some more shine on this jewel.

“We made some nice changes,” said Weed, 65, whose Bobby Weed Golf Design company sports an impressive list of newly designed and redesigned tracks including Grove XXIII, Medalist Golf Club, TPC Las Vegas, TPC Summerlin, TPC Tampa Bay, TPC River Highlands and the Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, as well as Timuquana, White Manor, the Slammer & Squire and the Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

Those “nice changes” are many significant improvements that came with a price tag north of $10 million. After consulting with the owners, Reed and his troops delivered upgrades that make the golf experience thoroughly enjoyable and equally challenging.

Before you hit the first tee of the Ocean Course, however, you run smack dab into one of the most substantial changes – the practice facility. The driving range used to be basically a warmup area with limitations. Now it’s a full-blown feature where one can work on all of their golf skills. The original teeing area has been tripled and anther teeing area was added on the north end of the range. A short-game facility has been added, as well.

The expansion brought forth routing changes to the course. The former 10th hole was jettisoned and a new, par-3 13th hole was born. The course now plays to a par of 71 and can be stretched out to 6,718 yards.

The 18 greens were rebuilt to meet current USGA standards. All tee boxes were rebuilt. The white sand bunkers were rebuilt and many moved to alter strategy, improve aesthetics and allow for easier upkeep. The irrigation system on the course got an upgrade.

Most every green was lowered, including at the iconic 9th hole, the island par-3 that easily passes as the course’s signature hole. From the tee, players can now see most of the putting surface – and plenty of water.

Water hazards are abundant, including an enlarged lagoon that borders the 17th. But one never gets the feeling that they are in jail standing on the tee. There is plenty of space to soothe concerns of finding trouble off the tee.

“The golf course plays differently with the spaciousness of the golf course,” Weed said. “The Ocean Course has wide corridors. And the wind and the ocean breezes really offer the challenge and the bite to the golf course on a day to day basis.

“The fact we don’t have any rough; we have a fairway and step-cut. That allows the course to play firm and fast. It’s set up to accommodate the wind. There is a good multitude of tees. Holes right to left, left to right. A good balance of golf holes. A great set of par 3s. It’s a very enjoyable golf course.

“We tried to build a fun and interesting golf course.”

They succeeded. The par-3s – the 211-yard 5th, the 135-yard 9th, the 156-yard 13th and the 123-yard 16th – are highlights. Shortish but testing holes, especially with the sloping greens, which are hallmarks on all 18 putting surfaces.

The 13th is new but looks like it’s been there for decades. Weed was in Scotland and Ireland a year ago, which inspired his thinking toward the new hole.

“I saw some golf holes over there that kind of triggered my thought process,” he said. “It’s set down between ridges and mounds. Looks hard, plays easy.

“I think it fit in nice. It’s a nice addition.”

Weed, who also renovated the resort’s sister course, the Lagoon, in 2008, jumped at the chance to remodel the Ocean Course a second time. One, he was obviously familiar with the course. Two, he embraced the challenge. And three, he loved his commute – Weed is a resort member who lives on the left of the Ocean’s 4th hole.

“Sleeping in my bed,” he deadpanned when asked what was one of the best reasons to take on the job. “I have to get on a plane to go to work more often than not. So it was a very fortuitous opportunity and job because of the coronavirus.

“I knew where we had issues. And I am very familiar with who is playing the golf course. That is very important to know when you decided what you’re doing.”

The resort also added 41 guest rooms and suites to its opulent destination. The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club now features the Ocean House, Peyton House and The Racquet Club. There are 262 guest rooms and suites, 1.5 miles of beach, three pools, a 30,000-square-foot spa, an 8,000-square-foot fitness center with direct ocean views, the Surf Club and outstanding dining options.

Ocean. Beach. Sun. Golf. And luxurious accommodations. Those are the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club’s calling cards, with one of the aces being the new Ocean Course.