“We want to empower and invite and celebrate people and communities who are underrepresented in golf…We want to help create new traditions and a membership of different groups where everybody feels welcome. That doesn’t just mean women and not just people of color, but also families, younger folks, people for whom golf feels like an extravagance.”
- Nick Schreiber, Founder of Old Barnwell Golf Club
Creating New Traditions
Coming from a blue collar background, I wasn’t exposed to golf until later in life. After playing for a few years, I felt the connection it fosters—to people, nature, and Self—and found joy in the game. The rituals. The camaraderie. The sense of patient progression that only occurs when you stop putting too much pressure on yourself. The feeling of aliveness and that presence of being in nature. Golf means connection. And these connections mean health; the benefits significant and life altering.
However, picking up golf is notoriously challenging and time consuming. It’s a game largely played (and learned) behind closed gates. For underrepresented communities, joining a club—or even picking up a club—seems like a pipe dream until someone opens the door for you, and you feel welcomed.
Aiken’s Old Barnwell and The Tree Farm have an ambitious vision to change that and open the playing field to opportunity. Their vision looks like the future of private golf clubs. When I played Old Barnwell last month, it was a clear reminder of why I loved the game. And it felt like I was a part of something bigger—a revolution changing private clubs in culturally significant ways.
What Makes Old Barnwell and The Tree Farm Special
20 miles outside of Augusta, just across the state line, lies fair Aiken, SC. The town has a storied equestrian history and a certain charm which led to the honor of being the South’s “Best Small Town.” It’s a town we love and have written about before.
With a warm climate, open land, and 20 minutes from golf mecca Augusta—it’s no surprise Aiken produces quality golf, they’ve been doing it for over a century.
Palmetto Golf Club opened in 1892, was partially designed by Allister MacKenzie (Augusta National, Cypress Point), and sits comfortably in the Top 100. The Tom Fazio designed Sage Valley is an ode to Augusta and as close as you’ll likely get to playing the real thing. Plus gems like Aiken Golf Club, the “best course you’ve never heard of” according to Golf.com.
But we’re entering a new Golden Age in Aiken, led by two clubs “hellbent on breaking convention”: Old Barnwell and The Tree Farm. Opening simultaneously in 2023, the clubs embody the evolving golf zeitgeist. They break convention and embrace the game in culturally meaningful ways, while relentlessly focusing on what matters—the game, social relationships, and a connection to the land.
The visionaries behind the clubs are two entrepreneurs from outside the South, Nick Schreiber (of Chicago) and PGA Tour player Zac Blair (of Utah). Perhaps their relative youth and inexperience facilitated trailblazing innovation. The ethos and architecture behind both are uniquely fresh and more purposeful.
Nick Schreiber found purpose in Old Barnwell after selling his software company and recovering from addiction. Caddying at old-line Chicago clubs taught him the importance of a seat at the table. “As a teenager, to see the interactions that take place on a golf course was eye-opening. I always say that as a caddie I didn’t see business deals being made, but I saw relationships being made. That really stayed with me” (Golf Digest). Schreiber founded Old Barnwell to help forge connections and expand “the room” to golfers who might not otherwise be exposed to it.
Key elements that make Old Barnwell and The Tree Farm special:
1. Off-script creativity and convention breaking:
Unconventional Course Design: Disregarding architectural norms in favor of a design with just three par 3s, three drivable par 4s, three par 5s in the span of five holes and a scorecard par of 73. This brand of creativity is what Schreiber was looking for when he enlisted architects, Schneider and Conant, against conventional advice. The Tree Farm design is rooted in the landscape, sense of place; embracing the rural, rustic beauty of the environment.
More of What You Want, Less of What You Don’t: Blair told Golf Digest in 2017 he wanted a “different” type of club with a “small pro shop, simple food menu, a grillroom but no dining room and a killer practice facility. We’re talking golf the way real golfers love it, a fun, relaxed place where you won’t get arrested for wearing your hat indoors.” And he kept his word. Old Barnwell’s mission statement is both simple and noble: “Bring people together through golf.”
Symbol of the Emerging Golf Zeitgeist: Golf, and society, are changing at a rapid rate. Though looser dress codes and cart speakers are fairly common now, these clubs embody the core values of golf’s new generation—the generation every club GM is trying to attract. Luxurious yet simple. Modern yet timeless. Connection, camaraderie, and nature over status symbols.
2. Mission-driven clubs embracing communities from all walks of life:
Diverse Membership: Old Barnwell’s membership (currently full at 292) is a community of diverse backgrounds who share a passion for developing cross-cultural relationships. Tree Farm also has a diverse member base from all over the world—just make sure you like to walk and play quickly.
Supporting Women’s Golf and HBCUs: OB hired Kitty Nicastro as its first head professional and is the exclusive sponsor of ambassadors for the ANNIKA Foundation Development Program. Recent ambassador, Katherine Muzi, finished seventh at The Ascendant LPGA tournament last October. The club partners with HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) to host practice rounds and tournaments while giving students a chance to connect with its members.
Caddie Connection & Evans Scholars: “That really brings it all back to where it started for me,” Schreiber says. “We view it not as a service our caddies provide for our members but more as a service our members provide for our caddies.” OB partners with the Evans Scholars Foundation to provide scholarships to its youth caddies. Currently 22 students ages 14 to 20 are learning to caddie at the club and developing meaningful relationships with members and mentors.
If Old Barnwell and Tree Farm weren’t enough, two more world-class clubs are planting their flag in Aiken’s loamy soil.
21 Golf Club: is a dedicated match play 36-hole private club. King-Collins, famed architects of Sweetens Cove, dropped "The Hammer" course. Their next design is inspired by a lost Allister MacKenzie design from Argentina. The club offers a tight-knit community with cottages for overnight stays. The renderings look super cool.
Cypress Shoals: though unclear when (or even if) it’ll break ground, this North Augusta destination club has been receiving a lot of attention. Masters champ Tom Watson designed the first course and its community offers far more than golf—fishing and hunting lodge, wellness center, equestrian, and even two private islands.
Keep reading for more on what the Private Club of the Future looks like and some of the other top new clubs...
The Private Club of the Future & Best New Clubs
Long-held stereotypes and paradigms are hard to change. Ask someone what they think about golf and country clubs—they’ll likely conjure scenes from Caddyshack, Fitzgerald literature, and 80s Brat Pack bullies with popped collars…Muffy & Tripp tinkling gin & tonics in a stuffy, elitist, homogeneous bastion of old-line conservatism.
Though most clubs have moved beyond the stereotype, they’ve needed a fundamental shift for a long time. Society has changed as have the needs of target members—now in the elder millennial demographic. The Private Club of the Future looks something like this, reflecting the changing values of golf and culture:
- Community & Connection: golf has always been about camaraderie and close-knit communities are more important than ever today. A club should be made up of its cross-cultural parts, where all belong. Grow the game with a mission to make golf more accessible
- Embracing Nature + Local Region: clubs have long undersold one of golf’s biggest differentiators: deep connection to gorgeous landscapes. In an era of phone addiction, emphasis on the land is something we desperately need. Local touches—such as regionally branded vendors and artists—strengthen club identity, community ties, and sense of belonging.
- Modern Yet Timeless: yes, this is not your grandfather’s club, but that doesn’t mean the modern club is anarchy. Revered traditions that cut to the soul of the game, and respect for icons (like Payne Stewart at Payne’s Valley; see more below), are kept alive—while erroneous rules are stripped down.
Clubs That Aren't Afraid to Think Different
Beyond Old Barnwell and Tree Farm, here are some other top clubs that are shaping the future:
Troubadour Golf and Field Club (College Grove, Tennessee)
- Opened: 2020
- Unique Approach: Designed by Tom Fazio, this Nashville area club offers not just a golf experience but a lifestyle community with outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.
- Membership: Offers flexible membership plans catering to families and individuals, emphasizing a comprehensive lifestyle experience.
- Community: Focuses on creating a family-friendly environment with extensive amenities beyond golf, fostering a strong sense of community among members. Part of the larger Discovery Land portfolio; world-renowned for unique golf communities across the globe.
Sweetens Cove Golf Club (South Pittsburgh, Tennessee)
- Opened: 2014
- Unique Approach: One of the nation’s most beloved 9-hole courses and a must visit for any golf adventurist. “This is not exactly Augusta National… nor does it claim to be. The clubhouse is a metal shed from Home Depot and the locker room consists of a port-o-let nearby. But this is pure golf, and was built with the imagination, sweat, hard work, and determination of two men… Rob Collins and Tad King.” (Top 100 Review)
- Membership: Actually public, though one of the toughest public tee times in the US. In addition, among co-founders are sports heavy hitters Peyton Manning and Andy Roddick.
- Community: If you know, you know. Anyone who has played Sweetens, or has the desire to, lights up just talking about it. Sweetens has become a modern golf icon. It also makes a fine whiskey, and it's tradition for players to take a shot before their round.
- Opened: 2020
- Unique Approach: Nobody else has pulled off this ideal combination of country club amenities, close-knit golf community, and modern convenience like Intown. Their model fills a huge gap to the chagrin of modern golfers everywhere. IGC is based in Atlanta but rapidly expanding.
- Membership: A private club with substantial demand and a waitlist thousands deep, members come from all walks of life—united in their love of golf (and the desire to play no matter the weather).
- Community: Exquisite food and drink options, club outings (such as Old Barnwell and Sweetens Cove), and theme parties throughout the year. Combined with their astute city location choices, a close community bonds Intown members.
The Sheep Ranch (Bandon, Oregon)
- Opened: 2020
- Unique Approach: Part of the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, featuring a minimalist design with no bunkers and sweeping ocean views.
- Membership: Operates on a semi-private basis, allowing limited public play while maintaining exclusivity for resort guests and members.
- Community: Focuses on providing a pure, unadulterated golf experience with strong ties to the natural environment, appealing to golf purists.
- Opened: 2020
- Unique Approach: Designed by Tiger Woods, featuring dramatic Ozark Mountain views and the unique 19th hole "Big Rock" with a natural rock outcrop.
- Membership: Part of the Big Cedar Lodge resort, offering various membership tiers and stay-and-play packages.
- Community: Focus on creating a family-friendly environment and honoring the legacy of Payne Stewart, with various outdoor activities and amenities.
The Brambles (Middletown, California)
- Opened: 2021
- Unique Approach: Features a rugged, natural terrain that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Architect James Duncan, who grew up in Denmark and Scotland, wanted to bring America something that resembled the UK’s best clubs.
- Membership: Limited and selective, focusing on those who appreciate the natural landscape and serene environment.
- Community: Emphasizes a retreat-like atmosphere, with an emphasis on relaxation and connection to nature.
Read More
Old Barnwell
Evans Scholarship Foundation (Magnolia League is a proud supporter)
The Tree Farm
Aiken
