Candyroot Lodge is being described by its proprietors, Aaron and Ethan Oberman, as an “elevated golf retreat” designed for all golf enthusiasts. This ambitious public golf project is situated in the sandhills of Jefferson, South Carolina.
While the first of four planned golf courses, designed by Mike Koprowski, is not slated for a full opening until 2027, Candyroot Lodge is already generating significant anticipation as a premier destination. Located conveniently one hour from both Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, the lodge aims to provide a unique golfing experience.
Adding to its allure, U.S. Women’s Open Champion and five-time LPGA Tour winner Michelle Wie West will design her inaugural golf course at Candyroot Lodge. This par-3 layout, named Sweet Tooth, is being developed in collaboration with Koprowski.
Aaron Oberman, a former college athlete and software executive, shared insights into the origins and future of Candyroot Lodge. He defined an “elevated golf retreat” as an experience that extends beyond exceptional golf to encompass the entire guest journey, from booking a tee time to departing the property. The aim is to bring the warmth and ease of a private club to public golf, ensuring every visitor feels valued and well-cared-for, akin to a member.
The land for Candyroot Lodge was acquired after Aaron Oberman sold his business. Inspired by his involvement in the development of Broomsedge, a private golf club, he and his brother Ethan, along with designer Mike Koprowski, identified a significant gap in high-quality public golf offerings accessible to the growing populations around Charlotte and Columbia. This led to the acquisition of the 1,200-acre property.
Oberman hopes guests will remember Candyroot Lodge as a place characterized by seamlessness, warmth, and thoughtful design. The goal is to create a connected and relaxed experience, integrating golf, practice facilities, and amenities. The project is intentionally designed as a public golf destination that embraces the evolving nature of the game, offering a timeless retreat for relaxation and memory-making.
The vision for Candyroot Lodge began to materialize in 2025. The first course is scheduled for preview play in November of the current year, with a more formal opening in spring 2027. The decision to make the golf courses public stemmed from a desire to create an accessible and inclusive destination for all golfers, catering to the strong demand for quality public golf in the Carolinas.
Currently, the plan is for the first three courses to be public, with future developments contingent on demand. Oberman expressed excitement for Mike Koprowski’s first course, highlighting its natural Sandhills character, serpentine fairways, ridgeline greens, and emphasis on ground game shots. The design is deeply connected to the land, featuring small, intricate greens, minimal bunkering, and natural landforms that create strategic depth.
The wellness component at Candyroot Lodge is envisioned as an integral part of the guest experience, aiming to provide restorative amenities like hot-cold therapy, strength training, and extensive trails. The objective is to offer a holistic retreat that balances world-class golf with opportunities for recovery, movement, and connection with nature.
While the first course is on track for its spring 2027 opening, lodging facilities are anticipated to be developed in later phases, depending on demand. Construction of the second course is planned to commence by late next year, though the immediate focus remains on completing the first course and ensuring an exceptional guest experience from the outset.
English Translation:
“An elevated golf retreat” for everyone who enjoys the game – that’s how Candyroot Lodge proprietors Aaron and Ethan Oberman describe their ambitious public golf project in the sandhills of Jefferson, S.C.
Although its Mike Koprowski-designed golf course – the first of four on the drawing board – isn’t scheduled to fully open until 2027, Candyroot Lodge, located one hour from Charlotte, N.C., and Columbia, S.C., is already one of the country’s more anticipated destinations.
U.S. Women’s Open Champion and five-time LPGA Tour winner Michelle Wie West will design her first golf course at Candyroot Lodge. Named Sweet Tooth, the course will be a par-3 layout designed in collaboration with Koprowski.
Here’s a conversation with Aaron Oberman, a former college golf and hockey player (Wesleyan College) and software company executive (Omeda), on the beginnings and future of Candyroot Lodge:
Spike: How do you define an “elevated golf retreat?”
Oberman: “For us, an “elevated golf retreat” means delivering not only exceptional golf but an exceptional experience throughout, which starts the moment you secure your tee time and ends when you turn out of our property towards home. We want to bring the ease and warmth of a private club experience to public golf where every guest feels as valued and cared for as a member would, with a level of hospitality that elevates the entire experience.”
Spike: How did you find/acquire the land?
Oberman: “After I sold my business in 2023, I had time to step back and think about what I wanted to build next. Around that time, I became the second investor in Broomsedge (a private golf club in Rembert, S.C.). Being part of a project built from the ground up was inspiring. From there Mike Koprowski, who designed the course at Broomsedge, came to me with a nearby parcel of land. He felt strongly that he could build an incredible golf course in that specific area of the Sandhills. I agreed, and my brother, Ethan, and I began inquiring about parcels that surrounded Mike’s land, which ultimately led us to the 1,200-acre property that became Candyroot Lodge.
“More than anything, we saw a clear gap in access to high-quality public golf despite strong demand around Charlotte and Columbia.”
Spike: What do you want guests to remember about their experiences at the Candyroot Lodge?
Oberman: “We want guests to remember Candyroot Lodge as a place where everything feels seamless, welcoming and thoughtfully designed. From the course routing to the way guests move between golf, practice areas and amenities, the goal is to create an experience that feels connected and never overly formal.
“We’re intentionally building a public golf destination that reflects how the game is evolving. We’re excited to offer a timeless retreat where guests can play, recharge and make memories for generations to come.”
Spike: How long has Candyroot Lodge been planned?
Oberman: “The vision for Candyroot began taking shape in 2025, when Mike Koprowski came to us with this 350-acre parcel of land. After identifying the initial property, the concept quickly evolved, and we’re excited to welcome guests for preview play this November.”
Spike: When was the decision made to make the golf public?
Oberman: “Our vision has always been to create an elevated public golf destination led by the next generation of golf course architects. We wanted a place that could be open and accessible to all, so everyone could enjoy the experience.
“It also just happens that there is overwhelming demand for high-quality public golf in the Carolinas and we are excited to fill this void. “Located just an hour from both Charlotte and Columbia, Canyroot offers an accessible destination that supports regional golfers, as well as bucket-list travelers from around the globe.”
Spike: Will each of the four courses be public?
Oberman: “At the moment, our plans call for the first three courses to be public. Beyond that, we will see if demand can keep up and allow us to build more.”
Spike: What are you looking forward to most about Mike Koprowski’s first course?
Oberman: I’m looking forward to seeing golfers experience the natural character of the Sandhills through Mike’s routing and design philosophy. The first course embraces movement and variety through serpentine fairways, ridgeline greens and a strong emphasis on ground game shot-making. It feels deeply connected to the land, with the terrain driving strategy rather than needing to be overbuilt or manipulated.
“Mike has done a tremendous job of letting the site lead the design. The course features small, incredibly interesting greens, minimal bunkering and natural landforms that create both visual deception and strategic nuance. I can’t wait to see players navigate that rhythm and discover a style of golf that feels old-school, thought-provoking and uniquely suited to this destination.”
Spike: How do you describe the wellness component?
Oberman: “Wellness at Candyroot is designed as a natural extension of the overall experience. Over time, the destination will offer restorative amenities including hot-cold therapy, strength training facilities and miles of connected trails. The goal is to create a complete retreat where guests can balance world-class golf with meaningful opportunities for recovery, movement and connection to the outdoors.”
Spike: Is the first course on track to open in early 2027?
Oberman: “Yes, preview play for this first course is scheduled to begin in November 2026, ahead of a more formal opening in spring 2027.”
Spike: Will the lodging components -and how many – be in place when the first course opens?
Oberman: “Our long-term plan absolutely includes lodging although that will most likely be a phase 1A or 2 development, depending on demand.”
Spike: Any ideas of when groundbreaking might be on the second course?
Oberman: “Our current plan is to start construction of the second course by late next year. That said, right now our focus is on getting the first course completed and delivering the best guest experience possible from Day One.”
