Nine-hole layout will join the club’s reimagined 18-hole course and Himalayas-inspired putting green, with design work by Drew Rogers
By Laura Hyde |
Construction is complete on the Drew Rogers-designed short course at Olde Eight Golf Club in Greenwood, South Carolina.
The nine-hole layout has been built on a 10-acre parcel that has approximately 45 feet of elevation change. The highest point comes at the fifth, where players will be able to see all nine greens.
“This course reminds me of the backyard golf we used to play as kids,” said Rogers. “We have a designed the layout to be completely interpretive, especially when you have the place to yourself. It’s not reversible, rather, its flexible and adaptive to creativity… the teeing areas are not formalised, so there is a lot of freedom about where the origin of a hole can be initiated.”
The bunkerless course has holes ranging from 90 to 160 yards. Rogers says players will need to be creative as they will be faced with uphill and downhill shots. A few large trees also mean shot trajectories will need to be considered. Rogers says the absence of bunkers and forced carries further validates this nuance.
“The brand of golf is simple: it’s all about what the ball does on the ground and how players choose to create shots using contour,” said Rogers. “The wall-to-wall tight turf will present a course that complements that notion. The great thing about this experience is that it completely fits what Olde Eight is – an inclusive experience for players of all ages and abilities.”
The nine-hole short course is bunkerless and has holes ranging from 90 to 160 yards (Image: Olde Eight Golf Club)
Construction of the new layout marks the next phase of work at the club, with the main course, reimagined by Rogers, and the Piedmont putting course both opening in autumn 2025.
A teaching academy, referred to as ‘The Repair Shop’, is also being built. It is a partnership between owner Shane LeBaron and Callaway Golf, and includes an expansive practice area with double-ended tee options, practice greens, a short-game area, and accommodation for overnight stays.
Construction of the teaching academy is underway (Photo: Olde Eight Golf Club)
The Piedmont putting course is near the first and tenth tees of the main course and comes in at just over 25,000-square-feet. “The design has been inspired by the Himalayas green at St Andrews, Scotland, with some similarities, especially all the bold contouring,” said Rogers. “A pronounced ridge runs through the centre of the green, reminiscent of the foothills range that geographically identifies South Carolina’s Piedmont region, where Olde Eight is located.”
On the entire project at Olde Eight, Rogers has worked alongside Total Turf Golf Services, Leibold Irrigation, Mazzella Partnership, Kuo Diedrich Chi Architects, Rain Bird, Front Light Development and Better Billy Bunker.
Read more about the project team’s collaboration and insight from Olde Eight’s founders in the Summer 2025 issue of By Design magazine.
The Piedmont putting course opened in autumn 2025 (Photo: Olde Eight Golf Club)
Watch: The ‘Scenes From A Build’ video series, documenting the project at Olde Eight, with insights from those involved.