LATEST NEWS

Alice Chambers
/ Categories: News

Scotch Hall Preserve to reopen as Occano following renovation

The former Scotch Hall Preserve course in Merry Hill, North Carolina, will reopen at the end of November as part of the new Occano community following its acquisition by developer Dilweg and a $3 million renovation by Brandon Johnson of Arnold Palmer Design Company, the firm behind the course’s original design.

The course, which overlooks the Albemarle Sound, originally opened in 2008 and was acquired by Dilweg in 2021. Signet Golf began construction work on the revised layout in early 2022.

The new Occano course will provide golfers with an “entirely different aesthetic and level of strategic interest”. This has involved rebuilding bunkers – with Better Billy Bunker liners, new drainage and Zoysia sod around edges – restoring and expanding the shape of greens and surrounds, resurfacing cart path bridges, removal of ornamental plants and revegetation with native planting, and the addition of tee space and forward tees.

“The opportunity to revisit an already acclaimed golf course with fresh perspective is a special honour and we thank Occano for welcoming us to bring their vision to life,” said Johnson. “With these comprehensive renovations, Occano will present residents and guests with a brand-new look and feel, as well as a new strategic level of play.”

Michael Parah, general manager of Occano, said: “As we continue to make significant enhancements across the community, we’re excited about the golf course renovation and can’t wait to unveil the finished project to our residents and guests.”

Pete Dejak, owner of Signet Golf Construction, said: “The Occano property is breathtaking, and it has been a joy to be a part of this golf course renovation process. Brandon Johnson and the Arnold Palmer Design Company have brought a level of artistry to the bunker complexes that catch your eye as you travel throughout the Occano development. It’s a golf course that everyone will be talking about soon and golfers of all skill levels will appreciate the improved playability with the green complex revisions and tee additions.”

Previous Article Bergin focuses on visuals at Raynor’s Minnesota Valley
Next Article Wilczynski project at Killearn moves into construction phase
Print
5266 Rate this article:
No rating
Slideshow HTML
  • Occano
    Occano

    The former Scotch Hall Preserve course in North Carolina will reopen as Occano

  • Occano
    Occano

    Bunkers have been rebuilt with a new aesthetic and new liners and drainage

ADd Image Credit here for home page
Occano
Alice Chambers

Alice ChambersAlice Chambers

Other posts by Alice Chambers
Contact author

Contact author

x
The July 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!
Magazine, News | Thu 10 Jul, 2025

The July 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!

We visit Trump Aberdeen, Comporta and Baltusrol, speak with Rees Jones, and ask if anyone likes a long par three

Summer 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Magazine, News | Mon 09 Jun, 2025

Summer 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now

New release asks: ‘what inspired you to become a golf course architect?’

FEATURE ARTICLES

New course at Trump International Golf Links: Prepare to be dazzled
Jacob Sjöman
On site | Toby Ingleton

New course at Trump International Golf Links: Prepare to be dazzled

The construction of the second golf course at the Trump club in Aberdeen may have attracted far less attention than the first, but the final result is just as dramatic. Toby Ingleton reports

Royal Portrush: An interview with Martin Ebert
Mackenzie & Ebert
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Royal Portrush: An interview with Martin Ebert

The club’s consulting architect spoke with Richard Humphreys about changes to the Dunluce course since its return to the Open rota

Good Read: Great Golf Courses of the World
Gary Lisbon
Good Read | Gary Lisbon

Good Read: Great Golf Courses of the World

Gary Lisbon tells us about his new book, featuring over 100 courses he has photographed during his travels

Destination design
RTJ II
Opinion | Mike Gorman and Trent Jones

Destination design

Mike Gorman and Trent Jones explain how the Robert Trent Jones II approach to resort golf has evolved, driven by a resurgence in remote golf development

Dave Axland: From the ground up
WAC Golf
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Dave Axland: From the ground up

The shaper-turned-architect has worked alongside some of the most talented designers in the business, but what is his story? Richard Humphreys finds out

Playing firm and fast in France
Tahoma 31
Report | Stacie Zinn Roberts

Playing firm and fast in France

Golf de Cannes Mougins has regrassed its fairways with Tahoma 31 bermuda. Stacie Zinn Roberts spoke with agronomist Alejandro Reyes and superintendent Thibaut Perez about its performance

You shall go to the ball
Russell Kirk
Report | Toby Ingleton

You shall go to the ball

A Cinderella story has unfolded at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, within Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Toby Ingleton reports

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse
USGA/Fred Vuich
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey
Taku Miyamoto
Interview | Adam Lawrence

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

South course at Apogee Club: New scenery for second act
Toby Ingleton
On site | Toby Ingleton

South course at Apogee Club: New scenery for second act

Toby Ingleton reports on a design debut for the partnership of Mike Davis and Tom Fazio II, in the new course hotspot of south Florida

The art of golf
theberkshire.co.uk, The R&A World Golf Museum and National Galleries of Scotland
Feature | Adam Lawrence

The art of golf

Adam Lawrence profiles some of the best illustrators of golf courses in the game’s history – both full-time artists and architects who draw or paint

Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Thu 10 Jul, 2025

Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED BUSINESSES