In southern Greenville County, just south of state Highway 418 and slightly before the southern end of Fork Shoals Road, lies a golf course in waiting.
Blessed with rolling terrain, boulder-topped bluffs, woodland and ponds teeming with wildlife, it already displays contours and features familiar to anyone who plays the game. Those natural aspects led to a deal to craft an exclusive 18-hole course, as well as the recruitment of one of the country’s most in-demand golf course architects.
Kawonu Golf Club is planned for 294 acres to the west of Fountain Inn, along the Reedy River. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025, with the club opening in 2027. It will be private and golf only, open to a limited number of local and national members and their guests.
During an early September visit to the property, course architect Andrew Green described it as “a stunning piece of ground.”
“At the forefront of our mind is to enhance and amplify it, not destroy,” Green said. “It is such a magical place. There is so much that’s already inherently here that we can draw from.”
Green has been involved in several high-profile course renovations such as East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta — the site of the recent Tour Championship. Kawonu will be among his first entirely original creations.
“We’re really excited to something special here for the golf community in Greenville,” said Scott Ferrell, one of Kawonu’s founding partners and a Greenville resident with 35 years of experience in the golf industry. As president of Gary Player Design for 15 years, Ferrell was involved in setting up 85 course-design contracts internationally.
“Somebody said earlier it’s like nature’s already moved the dirt for us, and that’s a nice way to put it. It’s a tremendous site with tons of variety,” Ferrell said.
“It’s just really tailor-made for a championship golf course.”
Barton Tuck, a real estate developer who has built, owned and managed golf courses around the Southeast, is the other founding partner.
Looking downhill from what will eventually be the 11th tee, Green described plans to shape the course around the terrain. He was drawn to the project by the features already in place. While he plans to bring lessons learned working on other courses, his desire is for Kawonu to be one-of-a-kind.
“The principles that have guided the best golf in the United States are in place here,” said Green, who expects to be on the property at least one day a week during construction. “The idea (is) that we utilize the ground really well. We find unique ways to play over, around, across it. Those are critical.”
About 100 acres of the site will remain a nature preserve, including the portion of the land that hugs the Reedy River. Green said much of the water used to irrigate the course will be drawn from the existing ponds on the property, as well as harvested rainwater.
A clubhouse and cabins will be built for use by members and guests. The amenities will also include a restaurant and catered food service. About 500 memberships are planned, with a goal of 350 locally and 150 nationally.
For more information, visit kawonugolfclub.com.
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