Rhebb & Johns

Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns have been at this for a long time. Most of it (more than a decade apiece) was spent alongside Coore & Crenshaw as shapers on masterpieces like Cabot Cliffs, Streamsong Red, and Sheep Ranch. More recently, they've proven to be incredibly skilled lead architects in their own right, winning acclaim for their designs at Winter Park 9, Forest Dunes, and others. They are, quite simply, two of the best and most sought after designers in the world, and we're absolutely thrilled to be working with them. Their style and approach (and personalities, for that matter) fit perfectly with our ethos, and we can't wait to see what they cook up at Old Charlie.

Clockwise from top left: Cabot Cliffs (with Coore & Crenshaw), Sheep Ranch (with Coore & Crenshaw), Winter Park 9 (original design), The Bootlegger at Forest Dunes (original design)

  • Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns complement each other’s skill-sets and make for one of the best young and talented teams in this era of modern golf architecture in which the focus has become “fun.” If I had land and wanted to build something for multiple generations and skill sets that had the best of what’s considered old and new styles, I’d hire Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns to build it for me. And not only would we all have a blast building it, I’d have no doubt it would be even better than I could’ve possibly imagined it could or should be.

    Matt Ginella - Firepit Collective

  • Riley and Keith are this generation's Coore & Crenshaw. Individually, they have a deep appreciation for artistry that comprises memorable golf. As a team their values and vision turn projects into bucket list experiences embraced by the golfing masses.

    Rick Young - President, GJAC

  • Through the years, Ben Crenshaw and I have been fortunate to work with exceptionally talented associates, none more talented than Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns. Our course designs have benefited greatly from Riley and Keith’s insights and talents; and we have watched with admiration as they have evolved from creative shapers producing artistic, interesting golf features, to becoming accomplished golf course designers with acclaimed designs of their own. Keith and Riley are gifted designers, able to envision imaginative, thoughtful and enjoyable golf concepts and have the experience to take those concepts to reality on the ground. I know of no better combination of abilities to produce distinctive, quality golf courses.

    Bill Coore

A lot of our excitement about the golf we owe to the land we've given Keith and Riley to work with. It's a dream canvas of sandy forest, with lots of natural internal movement and over 100 ft. of total elevation change. It is a rare site, in Florida especially, and it's a perfect match for Rhebb and Johns' work with the land you're given approach. Our property isn't as big as some others, so we'll draw a lot of inspiration from older, more intimate courses where tees are steps from the previous greens and you can see a lot of the rest of the course as you play. It will play fast, will be very walkable if you're so inclined, and will be an absolute blast to experience. We can't wait to see it take shape.

The Property

Destin coastline

The Location: Emerald Coast

Old Charlie will feel tucked away and secluded, but in reality it is anything but. We’re located less than an hour from some of the most beautiful beaches and vacation spots in the country. The region is called The Emerald Coast, and for good reason. The sand is sugary and the surf is a beautiful emerald color that you don’t see often in Florida. We’ve included links below for tourist information and spots we think are worth a visit. We’ll update these as we go along so this page can serve as a resource for our visitors.

Map of the panhandle coast

Old Charlie approximate location indicated by red star

Getting Here:

Old Charlie is about a four hour drive from Jacksonville to the east, Atlanta to the north, and New Orleans to the east. There are three airports that are each about an hour away (PNS, VPS, ECP), and between them direct flights can be had from most major US cities.

More about The Emerald Coast, 30A, and Other Regional Highlights:

We're close to Destin, Panama City, and the 30A corridor. There are several beach towns within an hour from Old Charlie, each offering its own character and charm. There truly is something for everyone here, whether you like your vacations laid back or full tilt. You can explore some of the best historic cities here, or take a look at more general area guides featuring The Emerald Coast, 30A Corridor, and Panama City Beach.

Area Golf:

There is a ton of good golf in the area. Watersound has three golf courses, including a recently opened Davis Love III design simply called The Third. Windswept Dunes is in nearby Freeport, there are several clubs at the Sandestin Resort, and there is even more golf further east near Panama City.

Finally, the newly announced Dream Golf development, Old Shores, will be approximately 45 minutes east. Their first announced course is being built by Tom Doak, and we expect they'll break ground around the same time we do at Old Charlie. We can’t wait to play it!