When evaluating the available ground at Kawonu, a range of decisions had to be made about how the property could unlock great golf, be epic in every way, and remain sustainable for the future. Many answers emerged naturally during the layout process, with holes aligning to the land as if destined to be there.
In studying the lower ground, it became clear that avoiding the floodplain was crucial. This decision minimized infrastructure needs, avoided forced transitions between elevations, and eliminated the risk of flooding course features. Floodplain courses, while common, often suffer from soil deposits, debris, and water damage, compromising strategic features and drainage.
Hurricane Helene caused these types of issues at several courses in the Upstate and also caused them to close for extended periods. By keeping Kawonu’s features out of the floodplain, we’ve capitalized on wonderful land features that will not only create dramatic and memorable golf, but also a sustainable course that will have minimal weather-related downtime.
