Invitation-Only Golf Club featuring championship course under development near Simpsonville

March 11, 2024

Photo credit: Kawonu Golf Club

Experienced Team Creating Unparalleled Experience for Golf Enthusiasts

An experienced team with more than a century of combined success crafting and marketing exceptional golf courses is creating an invitation-only private golf club near Simpsonville destined to redefine exclusivity and the playing experience for discerning golf enthusiasts.

Nestled on 290 acres of pristine landscape adorned with rolling meadows, serene lakes, and majestic hardwoods bordered by the Reedy River, SC 418, and Fork Shoals Road, Kawonu Golf Club pays homage to its historical roots as a hunting preserve with a name derived from the Cherokee word for duck.

Led by Scott Ferrell, a visionary with a background managing all aspects of the global golf course design business at the esteemed Gary Player Group, the enclave is set to enchant golfers of all skill levels with its championship 18-hole course, inspired clubhouse, top-tier practice facilities, and cozy four-bedroom cabins.

Photo credit: Kawonu Golf Club

Renowned golf course architect Andrew Green is shaping Kawonu’s course, marking a milestone as one of his premier designs from a blank canvas.

“I have spent time on this beautiful site and have no doubt that we can not only create a fantastic golf course, but also an exclusive club experience. My intent is to design 18 holes of golf that no one has ever played,” said Green, who has worked on renovations of Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio; Indian Creek Country Club in Miami; Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York; and Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, among others. Notably, he is charged with completely renovating Atlanta’s prestigious East Lake Golf Club in preparation for the 2024 TOUR Championship.

Photo credit: Kawonu Golf Club

Devoid of residential developments or extraneous amenities like pools, tennis courts or fitness facilities, Kawonu Golf Club focuses solely on delivering an unparalleled golf experience amidst a backdrop of natural splendor.

“We’re creating an enclave that will add a unique concept to the golf landscape of the Upstate,” Ferrell said. “Local members will not have to travel to “get away,” and national members will not only enjoy the relaxed club environment but take in the wonderful town of Greenville.”

Anticipated to commence construction later this year or early next year, with an expected opening in spring 2027 if not sooner, Kawonu stands as Greenville’s first private club debut in over three decades.

Photo credit: Kawonu Golf Club

Aspiring to foster a community of passionate golf aficionados who appreciate both the game and the camaraderie it fosters, Kawonu welcomes families and spouses. This exclusive retreat situated less than 30 minutes from downtown Greenville aims to cater to both local members seeking a round of golf or weekend escape and national members journeying from afar to indulge in its unparalleled offerings.

The selectively curated group of local and national members will be capped to keep down the number of rounds of golf played to preserve the course’s pristine condition.

With an unwavering commitment to creating inviting spaces that transcend traditional clubhouse design norms, Kawonu Golf Club promises an intimate and relaxed atmosphere where every detail is meticulously crafted to elevate the golf experience.

“Our members are going to be golf people who love the game and enjoy the camaraderie that it brings,” Ferrell said. “We have the pieces in place to make Kawonu one of the great clubs of America.”