Initially, Pete Dye and his son P.B. laid out the early plan for Secession. However, due to a disagreement with the developer, they departed. Bruce Devlin, a seasoned PGA Tour veteran who had collaborated with Robert von Hagge on previous projects, took over and completed the course, aligning with the prevailing Dye philosophy of subtle architecture. Ground-level greens, guarded by modest undulations and pot bunkers featuring stacked-sod faces, characterized his design. Notably, Devlin intentionally left the fronts of greens open to accommodate running approach shots. Situated on a marsh peninsula with some holes on isolated islands, Secession presents a challenging test requiring a versatile game, adept at both aerial and ground shots, particularly in consistent ocean winds.