Course of the Week: King’s North to receive two-part renovation project

The first phase, focusing entirely on the front nine, will last four months, allowing King's North to reopen Oct. 1.

<p>The post Course of the Week: King’s North to receive two-part renovation project first appeared on Golfdom.</p>

King’s North at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) National closed June 3 to begin a comprehensive two-part renovation project with an anticipated two-year construction time. The course was designed Arnold Palmer and has long been one of the Grand Strand’s bedrock layouts

Appointed by Myrtle Beach National’s parent company, Founders Group International (FGI), Brandon Johnson Golf Course Design will oversee the project. Johnson was chosen to uphold Palmer’s vision for the King’s North since he worked for Arnold Palmer Golf Design for more than 17 years. Johnson aims to modernize the course design, which last enjoyed an overhaul in 1996.

The first phase, focusing entirely on the front nine, will last four months, allowing King’s North to reopen Oct. 1.

Project highlights

The greens will expand by 36 percent, reclaiming 30,000 square feet of putting surface and restoring King’s North to its original size. The renovation will re-add pin positions that were eliminated by encroachment throughout the course’s history. To accommodate the subtropical climate in Myrtle Beach, the updated greens will feature TifEagle ultradwarf bermudagrass.

Each bunker on the course will be renovated with Capillary Concrete bunker liners and premium bunker sand installed. The updates intend to eliminate washout and improve drainage to enhance playability on the course.

Johnson plans to lean into the rugged aesthetic of the course, showcasing waste bunkers and the naturally sandy soil present in the area. Hole No. 6, a well-known par 5 otherwise known as “The Gambler,” will receive a significant makeover in Johnson’s renovation. “The Gambler’s” three fairway bunkers will be replaced by a waste area which aims to improve the look of the hole and the overall challenge.

Honoring course history

“We are looking to honor some of the things Mr. Palmer was trying to achieve here,” Johnson said. “He always wanted his courses to be fun to play and pleasing to the eye and that’s what this course is, but there are some strategic and playability elements we can add to enhance the experience. We are looking to build upon what’s here by using the existing contours and landforms more effectively and incorporate them into everyday play.”

In the second stage of the project, beginning in the summer of 2025, the design team will overhaul the back nine and renovate the Myrtle Beach National clubhouse to enhance the dining experience.

“King’s North has long been one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular and recognizable courses, and we are look forward to working with Brandon Johnson to ensure that continues to be the case,” Steve Mays, president of Founders Group International, said. “Brandon understands Arnold Palmer’s architectural vision as well as anyone, so he is the ideal person to ensure King’s North maintains the architectural integrity of Arnie’s original design while delivering an even better experience going forward.”

Previously, the course was completely redesigned by Palmer in 1996 when it changed from being called North Course to King’s North.

The renovation of King’s North is the most recent investment by FGI within its family of courses. FGI lead a comprehensive greens, bunkers and clubhouse restoration project at Pawleys Plantation in the summer of 2023. The investments demonstrate the group’s commitment to creating the best golf vacation experience.

FGI owns 21 courses in the Myrtle Beach area and has undertaken significant capital improvement projects on 12 of them in recent years, including Grande Dunes, Pine Lakes and TPC Myrtle Beach.

<p>The post Course of the Week: King’s North to receive two-part renovation project first appeared on Golfdom.</p>