After sitting idle for over a decade, Wellman Golf Club has roared back to life thanks to a full-scale redesign and renovation by legendary architect Rees Jones and associate Bryce Swanson. Located in Johnsonville, SC, just 45 miles from Myrtle Beach, the course has been transformed into a modern championship-caliber layout while preserving the spirit of its original Ellis Maples and Ed Seay design.

This isn’t just a reopening—it’s a rebirth.

Course Overview

Reimagined from tee to green, Wellman Golf Club now stretches over 7,200 yards from the tips and showcases strategic bunkering, bold green complexes, and improved drainage that makes it playable year-round. The renovation retained the traditional parkland feel but brought the course up to elite modern standards.

  • Architect: Rees Jones & Bryce Swanson (Original: Ellis Maples / Ed Seay)

  • Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

  • Yardage: ~7,214 yards from the back tees

  • Slope / Rating: Pending final USGA rating

  • Course Type: Public / Municipal

  • Greens: TifEagle Bermuda

  • Signature Hole: #18 – A dramatic finishing hole framed by water and bunkering, visible from the clubhouse veranda

The Golfer’s Review

The new Wellman is a serious course with championship bones, but it’s still accessible to everyday players. I’ve walked the new layout and played it since reopening—it’s big, fair, and thoughtfully designed. The wide fairways give you room to swing, but the real challenge begins on the approaches. The new greens are multi-tiered and demand precision. It feels like a private club, but with public pricing—and the setting is peaceful, rural, and beautiful.

Amenities

The course is now a municipally owned and operated facility, designed to serve the community while welcoming visiting golfers with Southern hospitality and upgraded amenities.

  • Clubhouse: Renovated with check-in area, grill service, and lounge

  • Pro Shop: Fully stocked with affordable gear and logoed merchandise

  • Practice Facility: Driving range, short game area, and putting green

  • Dining: Snack bar with casual food and drinks

  • Future Vision: Johnsonville is committed to making Wellman a regional tournament venue and a destination for Myrtle Beach visitors looking for a unique inland round

Location

  • Address: 1901 S Georgetown Hwy, Johnsonville, SC 29555

  • Distance from Central Myrtle Beach: ~45–50 minutes inland

  • Nearby Attractions: Lynches River, local diners and historic sites, Florence, SC (45 mins northwest)

Wellman Golf Club is a remarkable story of revival—a once-closed course now brought back to life by one of the greatest names in golf architecture. With its Rees Jones pedigree, championship layout, and peaceful rural setting, it’s quickly becoming a must-play inland escape for locals and Myrtle Beach golf travelers alike.

Pro Tip: Don’t rush the front nine—this layout builds in intensity and finishes strong. Save your best for the final five holes.