UpstateBizSC • June 9, 2026

Kawonu Golf Club reveals clubhouse designs by Architect Joel Newman

First renderings reveal timeless clubhouse architecture rooted in the land that has inspired Andrew Green’s championship course.


Kawonu Golf Club, the private golf-only club under construction near Greenville, South Carolina, has unveiled the first renderings of its clubhouse complex. Designed by architect Joel Newman, the facilities represent another milestone in the development of the club and offer members and prospective members a glimpse into the gathering spaces planned for the property.


“From the beginning, our goal has been to create a club that feels authentic to the land and true to the traditions of the game,” said Scott Ferrell, founding partner of Kawonu Golf Club. “While the golf course will always be at the heart of Kawonu, these facilities are an important part of the overall experience. Joel has designed spaces that feel timeless, welcoming and perfectly suited to the character of the property.”


Designed around the club’s golf-only philosophy, the clubhouse complex will be anchored by a dedicated Golf House positioned behind the practice area. The approximately 5,000-square-foot facility will include a golf shop, indoor teaching bays, a halfway house, golf fitness space and an outdoor patio overlooking the practice facilities.


Connected by a breezeway, the 9,500-square-foot main clubhouse will overlook the 18th green and the surrounding landscape, and will include locker rooms, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, a private dining room, and seven individual overnight rooms on the lower level. Together, the two structures are designed to offer a cohesive, purposeful arrival and fitting finish to a round of golf.


Among the additional amenities planned for the property is Tuck’s Cabin, a fishing cabin overlooking a 10-acre lake at the center of the front nine. The cabin is named in honor of Barton Tuck, who brings decades of real estate development experience to his role as Founding Partner at Kawonu Golf Club, and his son, Noel Tuck, who serves as the club’s Development Manager. The cabin will feature a fireplace, casual furnishings, an honor bar, and fishing gear, creating a relaxed retreat for members and guests.


To bring the clubhouse complex to life, Kawonu partnered with Newman, whose work is widely recognized for its thoughtful approach to club and hospitality design. Based in Beaufort, South Carolina, Newman is a partner at Thomas & Denzinger Architects and has designed facilities at Chechessee Creek Club, Spring Island Club, and Ohoopee Match Club, as well as projects at Kiawah Island and Palmetto Bluff. At Kawonu, he is leading the design of the clubhouse, lodging accommodations, training center, and golf course comfort stations.


“Every building on this property should feel like it belongs here – rooted in the land, not imposed upon it,” said Newman. “What makes Kawonu exceptional is that the land itself tells you what to do. The rolling topography, the varied tree species, and the way light falls across the Reedy River corridor – all of it informs how we approach each structure. Our goal is to create spaces that are purposeful and unhurried, where the architecture draws you deeper into the golf experience rather than pulling you away.”


Construction on Tuck’s Cabin is projected to begin this year. Construction on the Golf House is slated to begin in 2027, with the main clubhouse to follow.


Situated on more than 290 acres of rolling meadows, hardwood forests, and Reedy River frontage, Kawonu Golf Club is the first private golf-only club developed in the Upstate in more than 30 years. The club’s Andrew Green-designed championship golf course is under construction, with grassing underway, and is expected to open in spring 2027.

This article was originally written + published by UpstateBizSC on June 9, 2026 — shared here with full credit to the original source.

Grassing complete at Kawonu Golf Club

By Golf Course Industry • September 1, 2026
This final step brings course construction to a close as the private, golf-only club prepares for a spring 2027 opening.  Kawonu Golf Club has completed grassing across all 18 holes of its championship course, bringing major course construction to a close as the private, golf-only club moves toward its spring 2027 opening. The milestone comes approximately 16 months after Kawonu broke ground in April 2025. With sodding, seeding and sprigging finished, director of agronomy David Barrett and his team will guide the Greenville, South Carolina, course through the remaining grow-in period, establishing and maturing the turf ahead of opening. “This is a major milestone for Kawonu and represents more than a year of work across the entire course,” Kawonu Golf Club founding partner Scott Ferrell said. “To reach the point where all 18 holes are fully grassed is a tremendous accomplishment and a credit to Andrew, David and everyone who has had a hand in bringing the course to this stage. We’re incredibly pleased with where it stands today and look forward to watching the course continue to mature.” Course architect Andrew Green designed Kawonu to follow the natural contours of the land, routing holes through rolling terrain, open meadows and mature hardwood forest. That approach has guided each phase of construction, with an emphasis on preserving the character of the landscape while shaping a course that feels cohesive and enduring. “At this stage, the character of the course is coming through in a new way,” Green said. “You can see how the routing, shaping and natural features of the property work together from one hole to the next. The land has guided the design from the beginning, and seeing the course reach this point reinforces what made this property such a compelling place for golf.” Barrett and his team will spend the coming months gradually adjusting mowing heights and maintenance practices as the turf develops. Barrett brings more than two decades of experience at top-ranked clubs, including Congaree Golf Club, and has worked closely with Green throughout construction on decisions ranging from grass selection and irrigation to the maintainability of individual slopes and playing surfaces. “We can now begin to dial in the conditioning of the course,” Barrett said. “For us, that means developing firm, consistent playing surfaces and greens that are true, with the right balance of speed and firmness. Those conditions are built over time, and the coming months give us the opportunity to make incremental improvements every day as the turf matures.” Kawonu remains on track for a spring 2027 opening. In addition to the 18-hole championship course, plans for the property include a golf house, main clubhouse, on-site lodging and Tuck’s Cabin, a fishing cabin overlooking the 10-acre lake at the center of the front nine. Situated on more than 290 acres of rolling meadows, hardwood forests and Reedy River frontage, Kawonu is the first private, golf-only club developed in the Upstate in more than 30 years.

15 Minutes With Scott Ferrell of Kawonu Golf Club

By TALK Greenville • 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.