Wild Wing’s Avocet Course begins major restoration and redesign in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Wild Wing’s Avocet Course recently closed to undergo a four-month restoration to restore its acclaimed Jeff Brauer and Larry Nelson design, while aiming to return to the top of the Myrtle Beach, S.C., market.

The project centers on restoring Avocet’s greens and overhauling every bunker. The course will reopen in late September for Myrtle Beach’s peak fall season.

Founders Group International (FGI), Myrtle Beach’s largest golf course ownership group and Avocet’s parent company, has contracted with Brauer to oversee the project. 

“This is about restoring Avocet to where it belongs,” said Wild Wing general manager Mark Andrews. “The golf course has always had great bones, and we want to bring back the features and playing characteristics that made people fall in love with it in the first place.”

Over the years, Avocet’s greens gradually shrank in size, eliminating many of the original pin placements and design features envisioned by Brauer and Nelson.

“You’re going to see pin locations that haven’t been available for years,” Andrews said. “There will be flags in places golfers didn’t even know existed.”

The greens will be rebuilt from the ground up using a new root-zone mix and TifEagle bermudagrass, providing improved consistency and conditioning throughout the property.

In addition to the greens work, every bunker on the course will be reshaped and renovated. While bunker square footage will be strategically reduced to improve playability and maintenance efficiency, the overall character of the design will remain intact.

The updated bunkering will create cleaner visuals, more defined shot values and a more enjoyable experience for mid- to high-handicap players. All bunkers will also receive concrete capillary liners to ensure improved drainage and consistent playing conditions.

Among the most notable architectural restorations will be the return of the “Valley of Sin” on the ninth hole, a collection area left of the green that disappeared over time.

“It’s something most people don’t even realize used to be here,” Andrews said. “But it’s coming back, and it’s going to add a really cool element to the hole.”

The renovation will also include the addition of forward tee boxes on 16 holes, making the course more accessible and enjoyable for a wider range of golfers.

In addition, Wild Wing’s clubhouse is getting a major overhaul. The pro shop will gain an upscale-casual vibe, while the grill will become a year-round sports bar featuring an updated menu and golf simulators.

“Everything is getting attention this summer,” Andrews said. “From the moment you arrive, it’s going to feel like a completely new experience.”

FGI has undertaken numerous renovation projects in recent years, including work at King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, Pawleys Plantation, Grande Dunes and Pine Lakes.