Greenville County is getting its first invitation-only, private golf club in ~30 years. Located near Simpsonville, Kawonu Golf Club will sit on ~294 acres bordered by the Reedy River, Highway 418, and Fork Shoals Road. We got a sneak peek of the course + spoke with founding partner Scott Ferrell + architect Andrew Green, who’s a pretty big deal in the golf world. He’s responsible for the reinvention of the Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course for 10 different PGA championships, among other accolades.
What’s in a name?
Kawonu is the Cherokee word for “duck,” and after taking a tour of the property, there’s no shortage of waterfowl. A portion of the ~294 acres will be used as a waterfowl sanctuary.
Beyond golf
Ferrell says this is a “private, golf-only club,” meaning it won’t be a country club. However, there will be:
- Overnight accommodations
- A “low-key” clubhouse
- Food + beverage options
Why here?
According to Green, the game of golf is “really defined by the ground on which it’s made.” He tells us there are no real rules to designing a course, but the land it’s built on impacts the way you play.
“We want to enhance and amplify the property, not destroy it,” Green told us.
What’s different about this course?
The area boasts several lakes, a hilly terrain, and plenty of green (no pun intended). He hopes to “create the most epic journey possible and the course will be totally unique, but the best principles of the game will be here.”
When will the course be done and how can I join?
Construction is set to start early next year, and the course should be complete by early 2027. Membership sales started in May, and although the club is invitation-only, you can fill out a membership inquiry form.
