In South Carolina's booming golf development scene, Candyroot Lodge stands out as a public resort amid a trend of private courses. The project spans 1,200 acres in the Sandhills region and plans four 18-hole courses plus a lighted short course. Proprietors Ethan and Aaron Oberman aim to create an accessible experience focused on walking, wellness, and minimalist architecture.
South Carolina has seen a surge in new golf projects, mostly private, including 21 Golf Club, Kawonu, and Broomsedge. Candyroot, however, prioritizes public access. Located roughly an hour from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, the resort occupies rolling sandhills with pine forests and sandy soil.
The first 18-hole course, designed by Mike Koprowski—who also created Broomsedge—is two-thirds through rough shaping, with irrigation and drainage installation underway. Preview play is set for November 2026, followed by a full public opening in spring 2027. Koprowski describes the approach as 'extreme minimalism,' avoiding fairway shaping and relying on the land's natural contours. The site features excessively draining sand, and the routing follows a descending aeolian sandhill toward Buffalo Creek, creating visual deception on small greens under 4,000 square feet in some cases.
'The land just really wants to be left alone,' Koprowski said. 'All we’re doing is localized shaping around the tee boxes and greens.' Standout holes include the par-3 eighth over a gorge to a punchbowl green and the par-4 17th through a gully.
Ethan Oberman emphasized accessibility: 'There’s a lot of great private golf being built, but there’s not a lot of great public golf. Making this public was always the intention.' The brothers expanded from two courses to four after acquiring more land, with a second 18-hole course and short course in advanced planning. Future amenities include lodging, saunas, trails, and a simple clubhouse called 'The Hang.'
The name Candyroot comes from a native plant in sandy soil, chosen for its memorability and to signal a different approach. Aaron Oberman drew inspiration from relaxed Scottish golf experiences, aiming for a welcoming vibe where 'everyone is just having a beer together.' The project serves about 300,000 golfers in the Charlotte and Columbia markets, where public options lag behind demand.
