By TALK Greenville
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August 12, 2026
Scott Ferrell has been shaping golf experiences around the world for 35 years. His newest project is the development and opening of Kawonu Golf Club, Greenville’s first new private golf club in more than 30 years. Located along the Reedy River, the club is named for the Cherokee word for “duck,” honoring the heritage of the people who once called these lands home. Billed as a course for true golf enthusiasts who value the simple joy and traditions of the game and the camaraderie that comes with it, Kawonu was designed by Andrew Green, one of the most prominent names in golf course architecture. The club will feature member lodging for extended stays, a clubhouse with food and beverage offerings and a state-of-the-art training facility. Scott took a few minutes to talk about his vision for Kawonu and the unique experience the club will offer its members. TALK Greenville: Thank you for taking some time to talk with us. You’ve been creating golf experiences around the world for the last 35 years. When did you know it was time to create something of your own in the Upstate? Scott Ferrell: Our family moved to Greenville 18 years ago when I was working with the Gary Player Group. The Cliffs brought us here to develop a golf course associated with a residential community. Living here for almost two decades and remaining close to the golf scene gave me a unique insight into the opportunity and I felt it would be a success. There hasn’t been a private golf club opened here in over 30 years. Coming out of COVID, golf is in a really good place, so the timing seems right. TG: Kawonu is already getting wide acclaim as one of the most significant private golf developments in the Southeast. What is your vision for this project? SF: The vision is to create a place that honors the traditions of golf and focuses on the experience of playing the game. At its best, golf brings people together over time, and that’s a big part of what we’re trying to create at Kawonu. We want it to be a traditional experience that respects the game. TG: Has an opening date been set? SF: We are targeting the opening for Spring of 2027. Our construction has made great progress. We could be fully grassed this summer, which will give us ample time for grow-in and to prepare for opening. By September, it should look ready for play. TG: The development’s land along the Reedy River has a rich history. How did the heritage of the property influence the course design? SF: Great golf courses come from working with the land rather than imposing on it. From the beginning, the property’s rolling topography, lakes, open meadows and hardwoods shaped the direction of the course. Our goal has always been to create something that feels native to the landscape — as if it has been here for generations. TG: Kawonu is being described as intentionally “golf‑only.” Why was this important to you? SF: We didn’t want the distractions of tennis, swimming, or pickleball. The goal is a singular golf experience – the best it can possibly be. TG: You’ve worked everywhere from the PGA Tour to Gary Player Design to the Cliffs. How are those experiences shaping Kawonu? SF: I’ve spent more than 50 years around the game and have been exposed to the world’s top golf courses. Those experiences teach you what truly matters and what doesn’t. At Kawonu, we are focused on the fundamentals: a great golf course, exceptional conditioning and an environment where relationships and traditions can flourish. The simplicity of the golf-only concept is one of the essentials that will make Kawonu great. TG: How would you describe the atmosphere of Kawonu? SF: Traditional and natural. The property allows the course to blend seamlessly into the landscape without feeling forced. From the beginning, the goal was to create something new that looks and feels as if it has always been here. TG: What kind of experience are you hoping members will have the first time they step onto the course? SF: I want them to feel like they’ve stepped onto a world-class golf course, both in design and conditioning. We’ve hired a highly qualified Director of Agronomy and he will prepare the golf course each day to world-class condition. We want every first impression to reflect the care and attention that has gone into each detail of the project. TG: This project is already drawing attention from across the country. What is it about Kawonu and the Upstate that makes it special? SF: We’ve done a good job of building a brand with a clear, disciplined vision that golfers respond to, and we’ve done a good job of communicating that brand across various formats and channels. Greenville is a huge asset to us because the city and the Upstate have drawn national attention. TG: What plans do you have for Kawonu’s opening? SF: I’m going to keep it simple. No fireworks. No balloons. We’ve spent years honoring this land and we don’t want to get in the way of that on opening day. After all the time we’ve put into dreaming about it and building it, what I really want is to bring a special group of people to a very special place and let the golf course speak for itself.
