Candyroot Lodge is 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.
Although the first of four planned golf courses, designed by Mike Koprowski, is not slated for a full opening until 2027, Candyroot Lodge, located an hour from Charlotte, N.C., and Columbia, S.C., is already generating significant anticipation and is considered one of the country’s most awaited golf destinations.
Adding to its allure, U.S. Women’s Open Champion and five-time LPGA Tour winner Michelle Wie West will be designing her debut golf course at Candyroot Lodge. This par-3 course, named Sweet Tooth, is being developed in collaboration with Koprowski.
Aaron Oberman, a former collegiate golfer and hockey player and software executive, shared insights into the origins and future of Candyroot Lodge.
When asked to define an “elevated golf retreat,” Oberman explained that it means delivering an exceptional golf experience that extends beyond the game itself. The aim is to provide the warmth and ease of a private club to public golf, ensuring every guest feels valued and cared for with a high level of hospitality.
The journey to acquiring the land began after Aaron Oberman sold his business in 2023. Inspired by his involvement with Broomsedge, a private golf club, he was presented with a nearby parcel of land by Mike Koprowski, who believed in the potential for an exceptional course in that specific Sandhills area. This led Oberman and his brother, Ethan, to acquire the surrounding 1,200-acre property that would become Candyroot Lodge. They identified a significant gap in access to high-quality public golf courses catering to the strong demand around Charlotte and Columbia.
Oberman hopes guests will remember Candyroot Lodge as a place that is seamless, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed. The focus is on creating a connected and informal experience, from course routing to the flow between golf, practice areas, and amenities. Candyroot Lodge is intentionally designed as a public golf destination that reflects the evolving nature of the game, offering a timeless retreat for relaxation, recreation, and memory-making for generations.
The vision for Candyroot Lodge began to take shape in 2025. The first course is set to welcome guests for preview play in November, with a more formal opening in spring 2027. The decision to make the golf courses public was driven by a long-standing vision to create an accessible, high-quality public golf destination led by a new generation of golf course architects.
Currently, plans are for the first three courses to be public, with the possibility of building more based on demand. Oberman expressed excitement for Mike Koprowski’s first course, anticipating that golfers will experience the natural character of the Sandhills through its routing and design philosophy. The course is designed to embrace movement and variety with serpentine fairways, ridgeline greens, and a strong emphasis on ground game shots, deeply connected to the land where terrain dictates strategy. It features small, intriguing greens, minimal bunkering, and natural landforms, creating a thoughtful and old-school style of golf.
The wellness component at Candyroot Lodge is envisioned as an integral part of the overall experience. Future plans include restorative amenities such as hot-cold therapy, strength training facilities, and interconnected trails, aiming to provide a holistic retreat balancing world-class golf with recovery, movement, and outdoor connection.
The first course is on track for preview play in November 2026 and a formal opening in spring 2027. Lodging is part of the long-term plan, likely to be developed in phases following the initial course opening, depending on demand. Construction of the second course is planned to begin by late next year, though the immediate focus remains on completing the first course and ensuring an exceptional guest experience from day one.
