Broomsedge: S.C.'s Newest Course

Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

Dear reader - I’m too worn out to assemble a quippy intro today, and while I may be lacking in jokes, I’m certainly not lacking in Carolinas golf stories.

Take my word for it that we have a content-heavy newsletter in store for you this week, filled with a first-hand review of South Carolina’s newest course, college golf updates from across the region, U.S. Open qualifying news, and more! Check it all out below and, if you’re enjoying your weekly 2DP, share it with a friend. Without further ado…

COURSE REVIEW

Broomsedge Golf Club: The South Carolina Golf Boom Continues

I recently had the chance to visit Broomsedge Golf Club, a destination only 100 miles from Charlotte and the latest in the series of new golf courses popping up in the sandy stretch between Aiken and Pinehurst. The course, co-designed by Mike Koprowski and Kyle Franz, is an intriguing blend of unique and familiar - while it shares some aesthetic qualities with its slew of newly built neighbors (Tree Farm, Old Barnwell, and Pinehurst No. 4/10, etc.), it showcases some bold and original design features that give it a distinct identity.

Here are a few takes on my visit to South Carolina’s newest golf course:

The land: Contrast is a word that springs to mind when reflecting on the Broomsedge site, as opposites abound across the property. The lack of trees and large-scale land movement make the property feel big, but the golfing terrain only covers about 160 acre, making the course quite small by modern standards. Sections of the course feature severe slopes and abrupt landforms, while others flow over flatter terrain. The routing feels like an adventure taking you far from the “clubhouse,” but each green flows right into the next tee, creating an intimate routing. Variety is the spice of life, and you’ll get plenty at Broomsedge.

The layout: If there is one compliment I can give the design, it’s that I can easily remember every hole a few weeks later. There are many features and hole concepts at Broomsedge that make it difficult to forget - 20 unique, interesting greens (including one that can be used on multiple holes), a diverse set of par 4s, par 3s ranging in length from 100-300 yards, and attractive, artistic bunkering throughout. Combine these elements with ample width, tons of short grass, and strategies that will require repeat play to master, and you have a facility that will likely attract attention as one of 2025’s best new courses.

One other thing I enjoyed about the layout was the way holes 1-5 sit apart from the rest on a separate section of the property. Critics may say this creates disjointedness, but I say it creates the perfect twilight loop for those craving a few extra holes.

The vibe: The course is currently open for preview play and running a fairly bare-bones operation, which gives the place an extremely relaxed feel. A pink, two-story wooden building (affectionately known as “The Pig”) serves as the property’s central hub, with a hitting net and turf mat serving the warm-up needs of visiting golfers. While permanent facilities are on the roadmap, I have a feeling 2025 visitors will look back fondly on the current setup - it’s all you need and nothing more.

While Broomsedge is private, they are accepting requests for visitor tee times during the week, a model commonly seen in the U.K. but less so this side of the pond. Kudos to the club for opening their doors - they don’t have to do it, but I’m glad they are excited to share this place with the world!

Standout holes:

#7 - 409/384 Par 4

This is the first driver you’ll hit as you enter the expansive back section of the Broomsedge property, and the change of scale makes picking a target challenging. The uphill tee shot obscures your view of the generous fairway that sweeps left-to-right over some of the course’s more subtle terrain. You’ll be tempted to take a direct path to the green, but bunkers and sandy waste loom if you bite off more than you can chew. The orientation and shape of the green, which is wide and shallow, emphasize the need to position your tee shot up the left, as players who do so will be rewarded with a favorable angle to green that falls off steeply on the back and right sides.

#13 - 410/392 Par 4

While 3 holes at Broomsedge feature multiple green options, this design flourish stands out most prominently at the mid-length par 4 13th. We played the high-right green during my recent visit, which invited players to attempt a long tee shot up the right side in order to gain a flat lie and a clear view of the green. Heading left may be the move when the lower green is in play (assuming you miss the centerline bunker), but finding the left fairway results in an uphill, semi-blind approach to the right green, which is guarded by a series of bunkers cut into a steep hillside.

TOURNAMENTS

College Golf Roundup: Two First-Time ACC Champions + Charlotte’s Dramatic W

Virginia Holds Off UNC at Men’s ACC Championship

The Cavaliers won their first-ever ACC Golf Championship this past weekend at The Club at Olde Stone in Kentucky. The top 2 seeds from the stroke play portion met in the championship match, with UVA taking the final match 3-2 over the Tar Heels. Notre Dame Sophomore Jacob Modleski won the individual title, shooting -9 for 54 holes to finish 1 shot ahead of Florida State’s Tyler Weaver.

Lottie Woad and Florida State Capture Women’s ACCs

Led by current WAGR #1 and former Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Woad, the Seminoles defeated Wake Forest in the championship match to secure their first ACC title in Greensboro at Sedgefield Country Club. While ACC newcomer and perennial powerhouse Stanford tied a conference scoring record in stroke play, the Cardinal suffered a surprising defeat to the Demon Deacons in the semifinal match. Stanford did leave their mark on the event, howver, with freshman Andrea Revuelta capturing the individual title with a score of -14.

Charlotte Prevails in Playoff Over South Florida

The 49ers took home the American Athletic Conference title last week at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club in Sarasota, Florida. Charlotte overcame a 5-stroke deficit to overtake South Florida on Day 3 of the 54-hole, stroke-play-only event in a sudden-death playoff. It was a team effort from the champions, as Charlotte had 3 players (Seb Cave, Daniel Boone, Jr., and Justin Matthews) finish inside the individual top 10.

STORIES TO TRACK

U.S. Open Qualifying Begins Across the Carolinas: Qualifiers for both the Men’s and Women’s U.S. Open took place this week across North and South Carolina.

• Men’s Local Qualifying - Pinehurst No. 6: 5 advanced with scores of -3 or better.

• Men’s Local Qualifying - Solina Golf Club: 5 advanced with scores of E or better, with Nathan Franks of Roebuck, South Carolina surviving a 7-man playoff for the last spot.

• Women’s Final Qualifying - Duke University Golf Club: A pair of ACC players secured their place in the field at Erin Hills, with Wake Forest's Carolina Lopez-Chacarra earning medalist at -4 and Duke’s Andie Smith shooting -3 to finish solo second on her home course.

Carolinas Four-Ball Begins Today at Camden Country Club: The 74th playing of the CGA’s premier two-man event begins today with the first of 2 stroke play rounds. Follow live scoring here.

HOUSEKEEPING

Our friends at the First Tee - Greater Charlotte Young Professionals are hosting a Happy Hour at Carolina Golf Club on Thursday, May 15th to kickoff PGA Championship Week! Register here ($10) to attend and support a great cause.

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