When the Avocet Course at Wild Wing opened in 1993, it was ranked among the Top 10 New Courses in America by Golf Digest, and the Jeff Brauer-Larry Nelson design was immediately one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular layouts.

Over the years, the strength of the design has endured, even as three of Avocet’s sister courses closed and time began to take its toll. But in 2026 Founders Group International, Avocet’s parent company, is turning back the clock.

On May 18, Avocet will close for a four-month project that is less about reinvention and more about restoration, returning the course to its rightful place in golf’s most popular market through a comprehensive overhaul of its greens and bunkers. (See each hole’s design plan below)

“It’s just time,” said Wild Wing general manager Mark Andrews. “The course has gotten a little tired over the years. We want to restore it to its former glory and get it back to where it belongs.”

Bigger Greens, More Options
At the heart of the renovation is a restoration of Avocet’s green complexes. Over time, the greens have gradually shrunk, hiding some of the layout’s creativity, but this project will restore them to their original footprint.

“You’re going to see pin locations that haven’t been available in 20 years,” Andrews said. “There will literally be flags in places you didn’t even know existed.”

For Brauer, who is overseeing the effort, the work on the greens is central to the course’s long-term success.

“Like any older course, the greens have shrunk,” Brauer said. “Bringing them back helps balance the scale of the golf course the way it was originally intended.”

The greens will be rebuilt from the ground up, with new root-zone mix and TifEagle bermudagrass, ensuring consistency and improved conditioning.

More Playable Bunkering Awaits
While the greens are expanding, the bunkers are being strategically reduced in size to improve both playability and maintenance.

“The scale of that place was huge when we built it,” Brauer said. “But the market has changed. It was easy to reduce some of those bunkers while still maintaining the original design character.”

The result will be cleaner visuals, better-defined strategy, and fewer overly penal recovery shots, particularly for mid to high handicappers. While the smaller bunker footprint will mean golfers spend less time in the sand, the experience when they are in the trap will also be much improved.

In addition to reshaping, every bunker will have concrete capillary liners installed, providing consistent conditions across the property.

Where Will the Biggest Change Come?
One of the most notable changes will be the return of a long-lost feature on the ninth hole: the “Valley of Sin,” a collection area left of the green that disappeared years ago.

“It’s something most people don’t even know was ever here,” Andrews said. “But it’s coming back, and it’ll add a really cool element to that hole.”

For Brauer, restoring the Valley of Sin is about ensuring Avocet maintains its distinctiveness.

“The goal is always to put something on a hole that makes it stand out,” he said. “That was one of those features that gave the course its uniqueness.”

A More Enjoyable Experience
Another key upgrade is the addition of forward tee boxes on 16 holes, making the course more accessible for a wider range of players.

Combined with larger greens and more forgiving bunkers, the renovation is designed to appeal to both low handicappers and traveling golfers.

Brauer sees the renovation as a natural evolution.

“If Augusta National can change to meet modern needs, there’s no reason this course shouldn’t,” he said.

The goal, he emphasized, is not to create something new, but to rediscover what made Avocet special in the first place.

“Sometimes going back to the original is a pretty dramatic change,” Brauer said.

Beyond the Golf Course

The transformation won’t be limited to the course.

Avocet’s pro shop will be redesigned with a more upscale-casual feel, while the grill will evolve into a sports bar-style venue featuring an updated menu and golf simulators, positioning the clubhouse as a year-round destination.

On the course, other improvements will include new signage, refreshed natural areas, and upgraded amenities throughout.

“Everything is getting attention this summer,” Andrews said. “It’s going to be a completely refreshed experience from the moment you arrive.”

For longtime players, it will be a return to form. For newcomers, it will offer an introduction to one of Myrtle Beach’s most distinctive designs, restored to its full potential.

“We feel like we can compete with the best,” Andrews said. “This is how we get back there.”