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

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.”

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  • 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

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Occano
Alice Chambers

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