Interviews

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

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

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

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

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

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Olde Eight is on track to reopen in October 2025 with ‘new architectural identity’

Olde Eight Golf Club, formerly known as The Links at Stoney Point, in Greenwood, South Carolina, is set to reopen in October 2025 following a comprehensive renovation by Drew Rogers.

The architect is preserving the original Tom Jackson routing but completely redesigning every hole to deliver a new golfing experience. Rogers is working alongside Total Turf Golf Services, Leibold Irrigation, Mazzella Partnership and Better Billy Bunker. Work also includes the construction of a new short layout, practice facilities and a putting course.

“What attracted us to the Stoney Point site was its solid arrangement – it has a sequencing and fit that we felt could be improved upon within a typical renovation,” said Rogers. “The palette is strong, and the bones are good. The terrain here has nice variation and movement and the sequence through the site exposes its diversity, with both open and wooded areas, mixed vegetation, varied elevations and even some accented exposures along the banks of Lake Greenwood.

“First and foremost, we will be establishing a completely new architectural identity and experience. We do have the challenge of there already being a golf course here – so the positioning and sequence will not change – but the elements within the golf envelope will most certainly take on a more refined and purposeful character, and in most cases be presented in a much more dramatic fashion. The course is being lengthened to its limits and many holes will feature strategically angled elements that will define the holes visually and beg the skilled players to think, while the shouldering off line areas will be expansive and playable for the average golfers. I think players will immediately appreciate the balance in the way the course is ultimately presented.

“We certainly don’t play favourites when it comes to golf holes as we like to think about the course as more of a ‘whole’ than of pieces and parts,” continued Rogers. “But with Olde Eight, there is a desire and commitment by the ownership and team to make the course very distinctly unlike anything else, which we sometimes see a lot of today. What we liked about this property originally was just how well the course was originally visioned, so the routing does allow for solid variety and distinction. Our aim is to squeeze the very best out of each hole so that the entire experience comes together as something very distinctive and memorable.”

Construction of the short course and practice academy is slated to begin later this year on adjacent virgin ground that is close to holes two and three. There will be golf cottages in both of those areas as well as near the large putting course – to be named Piedmont – near the first tee.

“The vision for the short course is for it to be entirely bunkerless, with the ground contours to be the star of the show,” said Rogers. “The focus is on fun! The academy facility will accommodate members at one end and academy students at the other. The target area will be expansive, divided into two arcing fairways where players can practice draws and fades from those opposing tees. Both ends will also have putting greens and short game practice areas.

“What makes Olde Eight truly unique and appealing is its commitment to family and community. Designed as more than just a destination, Olde Eight aims to create a place where visitors feel compelled to stay – a community that seamlessly blends world-class golf amenities with the warmth and connection of a close knit neighbourhood. The creative and development team here at Olde Eight is probably the strongest I’ve ever been a part of, and we’re excited to create a unique golfing experience like no other, and we’re excited to welcome guests soon.”

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  • Olde Eight South Carolina Rogers
    Drew Rogers

    Olde Eight Golf Club, formerly known as The Links at Stoney Point, in Greenwood, South Carolina, is set to reopen in October 2025 following a renovation by Drew Rogers

  • Olde Eight South Carolina Rogers
    Drew Rogers

    Construction on the back nine is nearly complete

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Drew Rogers
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