Bryson DeChambeau has shifted his focus from the fairway to the blueprint, officially announcing his entry into golf course design. The two-time U.S. Open champion, 33, revealed on Friday that he will develop a new project in his hometown of Clovis, California, as he evaluates his competitive future following the collapse of the LIV Golf league. While his schedule for 2027 remains unconfirmed, the golfer has pivoted to a long-term venture that blends championship golf with local community development.
The proposed development, named The Orchard Golf Club, will rise on the historic McFarlane Ranch property. According to Golfmagic, the location lies directly opposite Clovis East High School, which DeChambeau attended as a teenager. DeChambeau, collaborating with the Cook family and Cook Land Company, intends to build a destination for both golfers and residents. The project encompasses a master-planned residential community, a world-class practice facility, and an 18-hole championship course. An on-site farmers market will also be part of the amenities, reflecting the agricultural roots of the Central Valley.
DeChambeau emphasized the personal nature of this undertaking in a statement shared on Friday. He noted that the course and practice facilities will be designed by his own team, marking the start of a broader design business. “The course and practice facilities will be designed by my team and will be the first of many fully procured DeChambeau Designs,” he wrote, per Heavy.com. This initiative represents a significant expansion of his brand beyond professional play. The design will feature fruit and nut trees surrounding each hole, a nod to the region’s history of growing almonds and citrus.
Access for local youth remains a core component of the plan. DeChambeau stated that the development aims to provide unprecedented access to golf for kids and schools in the area. Before turning professional, he won the California State Junior Championship at age 16 after attending Clovis East High School. “The Central Valley has always been a community built on hard work, character, and discipline,” he wrote, according to GolfMagic. He added that for those who grew up there, “there is a deep responsibility to give back to the region that provided us with so much.”
Design Philosophy and Community Impact
The Orchard Golf Club is a real estate venture designed to reshape how golf interacts with the local environment. DeChambeau has been working on securing the necessary approvals since 2022, as noted by Yahoo Sports. The project seeks to energize the area through investment while making the sport more accessible to those who might not otherwise have the chance to play. DeChambeau concluded his announcement by highlighting the vision for future generations. “We are dedicated to ‘Building Stars of the Future,'” he wrote, per Golfmagic. This sentiment suggests the design will prioritize player development and community engagement over exclusivity. The inclusion of a farmers market and residential options indicates a holistic approach to land use.
Timing and Strategic Shift
GolfMagic reported that the golfer has yet to confirm his playing schedule for 2027, leaving uncertainty about his next competitive steps. By launching DeChambeau Designs now, he secures a legacy path independent of tour membership status. The collaboration with Cook Land Company brings real estate expertise to the table, ensuring the project has a solid financial foundation. This venture allows him to apply his analytical mindset to course architecture, a field where his unique perspective on ball flight and physics could offer distinct advantages. The first of many fully procured designs will set the standard for future projects under his banner.
DeChambeau is building a facility across from his alma mater. The project will serve the local area and operate as a sustainable business. As the golf industry evolves, having a major player like DeChambeau enter the design space could influence how courses are built and managed. The focus on local agriculture and youth access differentiates The Orchard from typical luxury developments.
