Nestled on 575 acres of sandy soil and rolling hills surrounded by towering longleaf and loblolly pines, Old Barnwell is a private national club near historic Aiken, South Carolina opening in 2023.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel it. Warmth and welcome. Kindness. A spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition. A genuine curiosity and care for you — and your golf game.
Bringing People Together Through Golf
There are few activities that have the power to bring people of all ages, identities, genders, experiences, and origins together the way golf can. At its best, golf connects us with nature and each other. It feeds our competitive spirit, inspires our imagination, builds relationships, and gives us the opportunity to make unforgettable memories that enrich our lives.
Old Barnwell exists to celebrate all that’s exciting, affirming, and joyful about golf, with a modern approach that serves all kind of players, families, boon companions, and connoisseurs of the game.
We’re creating programs that empower, invite, and celebrate people and communities historically underrepresented in the game of golf – to create new traditions and a legacy that belong to everyone.
ANNIKA Development Program
HBCU Partnerships
Youth Caddie Program
Maintenance Apprenticeship
Local Kids Clinics
The first of three courses, Old Barnwell is designed to challenge and delight. The Kids’ Course will provide an ideal space for children and families looking to learn and enjoy the game together. The Gilroy, expected to open in 2027, will serve as a holiday course, presenting players with strategy and fun in equal measure.
Old Barnwell
Now Open
Par
73
Old Barnwell
Now Open
Par
73
This 18-hole gem requires strategy, shot-making, and a sense of humor. Culling inspiration from English heathland courses like Woodhall Spa and Swinley Forest, Old Barnwell presents top-flight players with an old-school challenge that invites craft and creativity, while still offering an enjoyable, non-intimidating experience for the high handicapper and beginner.
The Kids’ Course
The Kids’ Course
A joyful entry point for both kids and adults who simply want another reason to play.
The Gilroy
The Gilroy
Slated for a 2028 opening, The Gilroy will ask players to answer an entirely different set of questions over its “holiday course” layout. With shorter distances, funneling greens, and generous landing areas, The Gilroy promises a fantastically fun challenge and the perfect setting for beginner and family golf.
Are you game?
Old Barnwell’s design, maintenance, and professional team represent the skills, experience, knowledge, creativity, and passion that make the game great.
Brian Schneider
Course Architect
Brian Schneider
Course Architect
A devoted student of classic golf architecture, Brian Schneider has been in the course design, construction and maintenance business for over 25 years. He has visited over a thousand golf courses across the globe and been a member of maintenance crews at some of the very best, including Pine Valley, Augusta National, Merion, Shinnecock Hills, and The Old Course at St. Andrews. As Partner at Renaissance Golf Design, Brian led the on-site teams at modern classics like Barnbougle Dunes and Dismal River (Red) and most recently oversaw the resurrection of CB Macdonald’s Lido Golf Club in Wisconsin. He currently serves as the consulting architect to numerous classic clubs including Hollywood, New South Wales and Garden City Golf Club.
- Favorite golf course: The Old Course
- Latest obsession: Using contour and short grass as hazard
- Describe the first course at Old Barnwell in one word: Adventurous
Blake Conant
Course Architect
Blake Conant
Course Architect
Since meeting Brian Schneider in 2012 while serving as an intern for Tom Doak during the building of Dismal River (Red), Blake Conant has gone on to play a prominent role in projects as diverse and celebrated as Orlando’s Winter Park Nine, Houston’s Memorial Park, and the restorations of Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Oakland Hills outside of Detroit, and Dornick Hills in Ardmore, Oklahoma. A painter by training, Blake brings the sensibilities of an artist and the mindset of an engineer to the sandy terrain at Old Barnwell.
- Favorite golf course: North Berwick
- Latest obsession: Māori forts (pā) and alpinist routing maps
- Describe the first course at Old Barnwell in one word: Dramatic
John Lavelle
General Manager
John Lavelle
General Manager
John has spent his career at some of the finest courses and clubs in America, beginning with a five-year stay at Augusta National. Prior to joining the leadership team at Old Barnwell, John spent the last 16 years as the Director of Golf Course Operations at Diamond Creek Golf Club, and for the last seven years, serving in the same position at Congaree Golf Club, where he led the build-out and grassing of the course. John brings an incredible eye for the details that help define great golf courses and clubs, and a hands-on approach to ensuring an incredible member experience.
- Favorite golf course: Friars Head
- Latest obsession: Less is more
- Describe the first course at Old Barnwell in one word: Inspired
Chase Watson
Director of Agronomy
Chase Watson
Director of Agronomy
Chase Watson leads the agronomy team at Old Barnwell. He has a passion for the game of golf and its rich history, and his goal is to produce course conditions that not only maximize playability, but also match the style and vision of the architecture at Old Barnwell. Chase had the unique experience of growing up around the business, having worked for his father, who is currently the Golf Course Superintendent at Linville Golf Club in Linville, NC. Chase earned his Turfgrass Management degree at NC State, most recently worked alongside John Lavelle at Diamond Creek.
- Favorite golf course: Linville Golf Club
- Latest obsession: 80’s model square body Chevy pickups
- Describe the first course at Old Barnwell in one word: Bold
Kitty Nicastro
Head Golf Professional
Kitty Nicastro
Head Golf Professional
Kitty Nicastro has spent her career as a PGA Professional becoming a certified Golf Coach and creating Women’s Golf Programs. Prior to joining Old Barnwell, Kitty lived in Southwest Florida and had worked as an Instructor and Director of Women’s Golf at Club Pelican Bay and Miromar Lakes Golf Club. Her passion lies in helping promote the game of golf and creating a fun and inviting atmosphere.
- Favorite golf course: Milwaukee Country Club
- Latest obsession: Coming up with new/creative logos
- Describe the first course at Old Barnwell in one word: Thrilling
Lucy Webb
Director of Member Services
Lucy Webb
Director of Member Services
Originally from East Tennessee, Lucy spent the last 23 years in the Lowcountry, prior to relocating to Aiken in June of 2022. Since graduating from the University of South Carolina, Lucy has spent her career in the hospitality field, most recently serving as the Director of Membership at Congaree. There, she helped grow the Ambassador base exponentially while overseeing all aspects of member services. In her free time, you can find Lucy with her husband Jeremy, an Aiken native, and her two children, Bradleigh and Hendrix.
- Favorite activity in Aiken: Exploring downtown. There’s always a festival, farmers market, or some sort of entertainment for all ages.
- Latest obsession: My new puppy, Dolly
- Describe the desired OB member experience in one word: Welcoming
Morgan Purvis
Director of Partnerships
Morgan Purvis
Director of Partnerships
After years working in the finance industry, Morgan spent a year traveling across the world photographing golden-age golf courses once he recovered from back surgery in 2020. This year of travel only increased his passion for great golf course architecture and experiencing other cultures on and off the golf course. Originally from Aiken, Morgan is excited to use the game of golf and Old Barnwell as a vehicle to give back to his hometown.
- Favorite Course: Royal Melbourne (West)
- Latest Obsession: Smart Growth, Water Rights, and Obscure Racquet Sports
- Describe the first course at Old Barnwell in one word: Determined
Kadi Meldrum
Controller
Kadi Meldrum
Controller
Kadi Meldrum is a native of Estonia, where she lived before coming to play Division I tennis at DePaul University in Chicago. At DePaul she met her husband Chad (who was on the golf team) and graduated with a degree in Accounting/Finance. Prior to joining Old Barnwell, Kadi spent 17 years as the Controller at Sage Valley Golf Club. She enjoys a variety of sports, but most enjoys tennis, golf, court tennis, and anything involving her three daughters (ages 12, 12, and 10).
- Favorite Course: Augusta National Golf Club
- Latest Obsession: Staying one step ahead of my kids!
- Describe the experience at Old Barnwell in one word: Welcoming
Davis Verner
Superintendent
Davis Verner
Superintendent
Davis Verner joined Old Barnwell after spending four years working as an assistant superintendent at Augusta National Golf Club. He comes from a long line of family who have worked in the agriculture industry, so it’s not surprising that Davis enjoys his time outdoors, especially when he’s able to watch planted seed spring to life. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Davis is excited to put down roots in Aiken, and to continue building a career that combines his two great loves (golf and the outdoors).
- Favorite Course: Old Elm Golf Club
- Latest Obsession: Southern landscapes
- Describe the experience at Old Barnwell in one word: Invigorating
Camaraderie
and Community
Old Barnwell offers a warm, welcoming, secluded retreat on 575 acres of rolling hills, sandy soil, and soaring pines. From striking terrain, expert course design, and inviting clubhouse and lodge, to a novel approach to a building community of members, Old Barnwell nurtures a sense of belonging that honors the game – and all who love it.
Clubhouse
and Lodging
Partnering with Northworks Architects + Planners for the clubhouse and lodging architectural design, Old Barnwell draws on the creative minds that enhanced premier golf destinations like Sand Valley and Tributary, Idaho. In collaboration with Northworks, Old Barnwell selected Basic Projects, a hospitality-focused design and development firm founded by Kate and Ben Towill.
Together, these celebrated firms will craft an environment that reflects the beauty of its surroundings and creates an inviting, convivial experience. A clubhouse with library, bar, restaurant, locker rooms and guest suites, along with a host of designed spaces for gathering both indoors and out, provide and enhance a welcoming retreat unlike any other.
Policies and Guidelines
Get our latest news and updates
At Old Barnwell, we strive to create an environment where all feel welcome and comfortable. We expect everyone to treat OB staff, members, and guests with respect and kindness. We encourage guests to wear appropriate attire, keep cell phone use to a minimum, and enjoy themselves without impacting the enjoyment of others. Apart from our caddies, there is no tipping allowed at Old Barnwell.
2732 Andrews Circle Aiken, SC 29803 | 803-761-9040
