MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Wild Wing’s Avocet Course closed on May 18 for a four-month restoration project designed to return the acclaimed Jeff Brauer-Larry Nelson layout to the top of the Myrtle Beach market.
The centerpiece of the project will be the restoration of Avocet’s greens and the overhaul of every bunker on the course. Avocet is expected to reopen in late-September, just in time for Myrtle Beach’s peak fall season.
Founders Group International, 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.
Beyond the golf course, Wild Wing’s clubhouse experience will also receive significant upgrades. The pro shop will be redesigned with a more upscale-casual atmosphere, while the grill area will transition into a sports bar-style venue featuring an updated menu and golf simulators to create a year-round entertainment destination.
“Everything is getting attention this summer,” Andrews said. “From the moment you arrive, it’s going to feel like a completely new experience.”
The renovation of Avocet further highlights Founders Group International’s commitment to providing the best golf vacation experience possible. 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.
With a dozen renovation projects completed and more planned, FGI continues to raise the bar for golf in Myrtle Beach, cementing its place as the region’s premier golf course operator.
For more information or to book a tee time at Avocet, visit PlayWildWing.com.