Milestone brings major course construction to a close as private, golf-only club prepares for spring 2027 opening
Greenville, SC – 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 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,” said Scott Ferrell, founding partner of Kawonu Golf Club. “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,” said Green. “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,” said Barrett. “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.
For more information about Kawonu Golf Club, visit www.kawonugolfclub.com.
