King’s North Enters Final Stage of Major Renovation
King’s North at Myrtle Beach National closed its back nine on May 26, 2025, as architect Brandon Johnson returned to lead the final phase of a two-year renovation project that has drawn widespread acclaim.
King’s North has long been one of the most recognizable courses in the Myrtle Beach market. With its Arnold Palmer design pedigree and a history of national exposure, the course is now undergoing a transformation that will elevate it to even greater heights. Johnson, who oversaw the front nine renovation in 2024, has once again been given full creative freedom to reshape the layout.
“Brandon has free rein to shape this golf course as he sees fit,” said Steve Mays, President of Founders Group International. “What makes him so unique is that while he gives you a plan up front, he’s not bound by it. Once he gets on the ground, he and his team really work with the land and the shaping. That’s where the magic happens, and we saw that firsthand on the front nine.”
With an early October reopening on the calendar, the upcoming work will bring a series of high-impact updates to the back nine:
– The famous South Carolina-shaped bunkers on the par-3 12th hole will be reinterpreted.
– Hole 13 will feature a new forward tee and an updated shared waste bunker with Hole 3.
– The large waste bunker on Hole 14 and the full-length bunker on 15 will be redesigned.
– Holes 16 and 17 will see a creative refresh of their distinctive beach-style bunkers.
– The 18th hole, one of the area’s most talked-about finishers, will be completely reimagined.
“How Brandon chooses to reimagine 18 is something I’m really looking forward to,” Mays said. “It’s such a great finishing hole, and he’s got a blank canvas to make it even more memorable.”
The enthusiasm surrounding this phase of the renovation is rooted in the success of Johnson’s work on the front nine. With 17 years at Arnold Palmer Design Group, he approached the project with a deep understanding of Palmer’s design philosophy and brought it to life with modern shaping and strategy.
On the front nine, bunkers were elevated for improved visibility, and the rugged, natural look that King’s North is known for was enhanced. Greens and their surrounds were also updated, increasing shot variety and improving the overall playing experience.
“We are looking to honor some of the things Mr. Palmer was trying to achieve here,” Johnson said. “He always wanted his courses to be fun to play and pleasing to the eye and that’s what this course is, but there are some strategic and playability elements we can add to enhance the experience. We are looking to build upon what’s here by using the existing contours and landforms more effectively and incorporate them into everyday play.”
The two-stage approach allowed the course to remain open for part of the year while giving the renovation team the time and space to do the work at a high level.
“This is a significant renovation,” Mays said. “Breaking it into two four-month windows gave us eight months total to do this right – without rushing – and still keep the course open for part of the year.”
Once completed, the renovated King’s North is expected to reestablish itself among the top tier of Myrtle Beach golf.
“It’s always been a great golf course,” Mays said. “But when this is done, we expect King’s North to stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the region – places like Grande Dunes, TPC Myrtle Beach, and Pawleys Plantation.”
