Greenville Journal • March 11, 2024

Championship golf course, private club planned south of Greenville

A championship golf course and private club is planned for 290 acres in southern Greenville County. Kawonu Golf Club will be built near the intersection of S.C. Highway 418 and Fork Shoals Road. Provided by Kawonu Golf Club

A championship golf course and private club is planned for southern Greenville County.

Kawonu Golf Club would be built on 290 acres near the intersection of S.C. Highway 418 and Fork Shoals Road, west of Fountain Inn. The property borders the Reedy River.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with a planned opening date not later than spring 2027.

The team behind the project includes Scott Ferrell and Andrew Green, who have significant experience developing and designing golf courses at the highest level. Ferrell, who lives in the Upstate, spent 15 years at the Gary Player Group managing the golf course design business globally as president of the company. Green is a well-known course architect, and has worked on renovations at championship courses such as Inverness, Oak Hill, Congressional and East Lake.

“We’re creating an enclave that will add a unique concept to the golf landscape of the Upstate,” Ferrell said in a news release. “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.”

In addition to the 18-hole course, Kawonu is expected to include a clubhouse, practice facilities and four-bedroom cabins. It will not include residences or other athletic facilities such as tennis courts or pools. The focus of the club, according to the release, is on “delivering an unparalleled golf experience amidst a backdrop of natural splendor.”

The private club will be invitation-only. Membership will be capped to limit the number of rounds played and preserve course conditions.

“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.”

The name of the club is derived from the Cherokee word for duck. It is an homage to the property’s history as a hunting preserve.

Read the full article here.

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Kawonu Golf Club Is Creating Something New That Feels Old

By Club + Resort Business • February 10, 2026

The new South Carolina private club is under construction, slated to open in the spring of 2027, and will center its hybrid membership around golf. Scott Ferrell, Founding Partner of Kawonu Golf Club, has been in the golf industry for almost 40 years, which eventually led him to Greenville, S.C. He knew that a private club hadn’t opened in the area in over 30 years and started looking into land to open a private, golf-only club. After one piece of land fell through, Ferrell says the current land fell into his lap and he immediately got started by partnering with Barton Tuck who has developed other golf courses over the years. Now, two years into the construction of the project, the club has a little over a year until its grand opening.

Kawonu Golf Club architect Andrew Green receives Golf Digest award

By Upstate Biz SC • January 28, 2026

Green earns Best Renovation of the Year honors as Kawonu prepares for 2027 opening. Kawonu Golf Club, the private golf-only club under construction near Greenville, South Carolina, announced that course architect Andrew Green has been named Golf Digest’s Best Renovation of the Year for his acclaimed work at Chevy Chase Club in Maryland. The national recognition reflects Green’s growing reputation as a leading architect in traditional golf course design and comes as work continues on Kawonu’s 18-hole championship course, currently scheduled to open in 2027. Golf Digest’s annual awards recognize the most exceptional golf architecture projects across the country. Green’s renovation of the historic Chevy Chase Club was praised for its restoration of classic design principles, strategic interest, and thoughtful playability for today’s game. “Andrew has a rare ability to honor the history and character of a property while creating something that feels completely relevant for today’s game,” said Scott Ferrell, founding partner of Kawonu Golf Club. “That approach is guiding every decision at Kawonu. This award is a reflection of the talent and perspective our members can expect when the course opens.” Green is widely known for his sensitive restoration work at some of the most respected clubs in the country, including Inverness Club, Congressional Country Club, Oak Hill Country Club, and now Chevy Chase Club — projects that have earned national acclaim for their authenticity, strategy, and timeless design. At Kawonu, Green is leading the design of an 18-hole championship course routed across rolling terrain, open meadows, and mature hardwood forest. The course follows the site’s natural topography, creating a highly strategic and immersive golf experience that feels deeply connected to the land. “Working at Kawonu has been incredibly special because the land has such a strong natural character,” said Green. “Our goal is to let the property lead the design — creating holes that feel inevitable, timeless, and fun to play every day. It’s exciting to see that same design philosophy being recognized at Chevy Chase, and I can’t wait for golfers to experience what we’re building at Kawonu.” In addition to the Chevy Chase honor, Green received further recognition from Golf Digest in the Best Transformation category, including a Third-Place finish for his redesign of Vaquero Club in Westlake, Texas, and an honorable mention for his renovation of Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Kawonu Golf Club is a private, golf-only club currently under construction near Greenville, South Carolina. In addition to the championship course, the club will feature a clubhouse and on-site cottages designed by architect Joel Newman, offering dining, gathering spaces, and overnight accommodations for an immersive member experience. Construction is currently underway, with the club targeting a 2027 opening. To learn more about Kawonu Golf Club, visit www.kawonugolfclub.com.