AN INTRODUCTION
to Charlotte Country Club
Founded in 1910, Charlotte Country Club is steeped in rich history and tradition. Golf was in its infancy in the United States and there was not a golf course within fifty miles of Charlotte. Three local men came together to establish what is now one of the premier clubs in the United States. This tradition can be seen in the Club’s brand, the Donald Ross course, the neoclassical architecture of the clubhouse, and the many generations of families who are members of the Club. To this day, the Club is member-owned.
Situated just four miles outside the bustling city center, Charlotte Country Club is close in proximity to the top neighborhoods of Charlotte while remaining a peaceful southern sanctuary. An oasis of nature in an urban setting. Its facilities and standards rank high in every category. Our elegant clubhouse has been a perfect setting for wedding receptions, club dances, and family dinners at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It has been a place for friendships to grow and sportsmanship to be practiced.
Our tennis facilities have been nationally ranked and state of the art swimming pool complex serves the needs of all ages. Our award-winning golf course has been host to USGA, amateur, and collegiate tournaments. Charlotte Country Club takes pride in being a sponsor for the greatest in golf through generations.
The following outlines how tradition, excellence, and southern hospitality shape one of the premier clubs in the country; a bastion of pride, respite from the bustle of city life, and home away from home to generations of Charlotte’s finest.
UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION
Charlotte Country Club is recognized in the industry for it’s commitment to traditions while providing exemplary service, exceptional amenities, and innovative ideas.
Davis Love Jr. was a golf professional at the Club
CCC Debutante Ball was on the cover of the July 1951 issue of Life Magazine, with an accompanying feature article
Gene Sarazen invented the famous “Sarazen Grip” while working at Charlotte Country Club
USGA and the R&A met at CCC in 1972 to discuss and agree upon golf balls
Recent Publication Features
Club + Resort Business July 2024 Issue
Club Management May/June 2024 Issue
The Daily Tar Heel April 2024 Issue
PLATINUM CLUBS AWARDS
Consistently ranked in the top 20 clubs of America since 2009
Was rated #1 in the United States in 2016 for the Member Experience
Ranked #52 in the Platinum Clubs of the World in 2023
GOLF COURSE AWARDS
Currently ranked #5 in North Carolina by Top 100 Golf Courses
Listed in Business North Carolina’s Top 100 Golf Courses from 2017-2024
Named a Top 100 Golf Course by ncgolfpanel.com in 2024, ‘23, ‘22, ‘21, ‘20, ‘17
Golf Digest included Charlotte Country Club in their top 10 Best in State rankings for 20212024, and 2017
Ranked as Charlotte’s Toughest Golf Course in 2019-2024 by the Charlotte Business Journal
Voted Best Green Complex in 2020 by Business North Carolina
Ranked in GolfWeek’s Best Classic Golf Courses in the United States in 2019, ‘18, ‘17, ‘12, ‘11
Named a Best Practice Facility by Business North Carolina in 2019
Recognized by Rolex in 2012 as among the top 1,000 golf courses in the world
Golf Digest named Charlotte Country Club as the best remodel of the year in 2009
TENNIS
2012 national Tennis Facility of the Year by the United States Tennis Association
CLUBHOUSE
CMAA International Wine Society’s Award of Distinction 2012 - 2019
Golf Inc. recognized the Clubhouse restoration with the 2010 Clubhouse of the Year Award
Winner of the 2010 Eagle Award for Excellence in Architecture and Construction by the Association of Builders and Contractors
Since 1910 Charlotte Country club has a proud and storied history of promoting the game of golf and supporting amateur golf for all players, at all skill levels.
USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS
1972 | USGA Men’s Amateur Championship
2000 | USGA Men’s Senior Amateur Championship
2010 | USGA Women’s Amateur Championship
2018 | USGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
CAROLINA’S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The CGA was founded in 1909 and Charlotte Country Club was a founding member. Seven of our Club members have served as President of this distinguished association.
Since 1916, Charlotte Country Club has hosted 22 CGA Championships:
8 Men’s Amateur Championships, most recently in 2022
4 Women’s Amateur Championships
2 Junior Championships
4 Senior Amateur Championships
3 CGA Finals
1 Pro-Amateur Club Championship
CITY AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
1958 | Charlotte City Amateur
2008 | Charlotte City Amateur
2011 | Charlotte City Amateur
2012 | Charlotte City Amateur
2015 | Charlotte City Amateur
2021 | Charlotte City Amateur
ACC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
2024 | Men’s Golf Championship
EXCELLENCE IN AMENITIES & FACILITIES
From the minute members and their guests enter the gates, they are greeted by beautiful grounds, open vistas of the first tee, and a stunning view of the historical Clubhouse.
CLUBHOUSE
Our historic 68,000-square-foot Clubhouse was built in the 1930s and fully restored from 2008-2009. This was a historic restoration to bring to life the rich traditions of the Club’s historic past.
The Clubhouse includes a grand ballroom, seven private banquet rooms, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms with saunas, a member dining room, an adult bar, and office space.
OAK BAR
In the summer of 2021, the doors to the Oak Bar opened to our membership. This space was originally an underutilized family dining room which was completely renovated into a sleek, bistro-style bar where members would feel comfortable getting a cocktail before dinner or enjoying a light meal with friends.
The Oak Bar features a 12 seat bar and a mixture of soft seating and high tops. The seasonal Oak Bar offers a tapas-style menu with several small plates and appetizers, great for sharing and socializing with other members. The cocktail menu features high-end spirits, house-made mixers and bitters, and in-season produce.
The Oak Bar is a drop-in venue only and is highly utilized by members for pre-dinner cocktails, an impromptu date night, post-dinner cordials and dessert, and more.
THE PORCH
In February of 2023, the club opened the doors to a 133-seat casual dining restaurant called The Porch. This freestanding restaurant, separate from the main clubhouse, is the Club’s first take on “casual dining”. Members can come as they are and enjoy a menu of southern and family-favorite menu items in a relaxed environment. This space is drop-in style and does not take reservations.
The building has an indoor/outdoor feel with a central dining room, sunroom, fun bar, and a large, covered porch that overlooks our golf course. The Porch has been transformational for our club and membership and has made spontaneous trips to the Club possible. Since opening, the Club is serving an average of 2,000 more members every month between all of our dining venues.
TENNIS
Tennis shop with an outdoor deck overlooking the clay courts
12 clay courts utilizing hydrogrid technology
Four hard courts
Eight pickleball courts
Two indoor squash courts
State of the art, 28,000 sq/f indoor tennis facility with three clay courts is under construction and set to open end of 2024
THE GOLF HOUSE
The Golf House is a world-class indoor teaching/golf facility where our dedicated teaching professionals can teach indoors at all times of the year, negating any inclement or severe weather conditions. It provides our members with a more secluded and intimate teaching environment separate from the driving range.
This facility contains two indoor/outdoor hitting bays, a teaching bay, a club fitting bay, a club repair room, and a stretch lab. All bays are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as Trackman and SwingCatalyst. In 2024, the Club installed Sports Box, a 3D motion capture technology that allows instructors to virtually see what members’ bodies are doing when they swing a club.
In addition to teaching, the Golf House serves as the premier club fitting destination using technology and an abundance of demo products for our brands, both standard and exotic.
EXPANDING OUR LEGACY
The Club continuously strives to improve upon our golf facilities while honoring our past. In 2023, Andrew Green was hired as the Golf Course Architect to spearhead a full restoration of our historic golf course. Slated for 2025/2026, this restoration includes replacing our irrigation, incorporating new grasses, and installing cutting-edge hydronics, all while restoring the course to the original Donald Ross design.
A cart barn is under construction, which will help the general flow of golf operations and enhance the first-tee experience. This new facility will hold 72 carts, a new bag storage facility, laundry, and office space for our golf staff. This building has been named the Mack Ferguson Cart Facility in honor of Mack Feguson, who has been a beloved member of our golf staff for the past 69 years.
GOLF FACILITIES
Golf Shop and Golf Snack Bar conveniently located by the first and 10th tees. Our 18-hole championship course was designed by Donald Ross in the early 1920s
The yardage is 7,335 yards with a 75.9 rating and 146 slope
Practice Facilities consist of a range, short game area, and practice putting green
The range is 85,000 sq ft and contains a total of six tees. Members can hit from both ends simultaneously without the worry of hitting other players. Nets are unnecessary due to the layout and therefore not used in this facility
The short game area is 2.4 acres and includes two greens, six bunkers, and ample rough to practice shots
The practice putting green is 11,000 sq ft.
THE FAMILY CENTER
In October of 2022, the Club opened the Family Center building! The Family Center is a multi-generational gathering space adjacent to the pool complex and casual dining restaurant.
The Family Center includes:
A drop-in style Game Room equipped with a pool table, air hockey, shuffleboard, foosball, arcade games, soft seating, board games, books, and six televisions.
A child watch area called the Treehouse, where members can make a reservation for their children to be watched while they enjoy the Club. This space offers activities such as an interactive tree, eight-foot climbing wall, monkey bars, interactive train table, and so much more!
The Treehouse also has a special infant room with cribs, changing tables, developmental and sensory toys, and infant-appropriate toys.
THE POOL
Following three years of extensive renovations, the brand-new Pool complex opened in spring of 2023. The Pool consists of a zero-entry toddler pool, adult pool, diving well, and 25 yd competition pool!
Other amenities include a Family Cabana, a Welcome Cabana, new locker room areas, a kitchen to service the pool deck, and the installation of new/expanded pool decking and a sophisticated gutter and filtration system.
The improved Pool Snack Bar provides a place for members to order seasonal dishes from the kitchen and enjoy an extensive selection of sweet treats and refreshing beverages.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
The Club recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of our transportation services - a truly unique member amenity where members can book a 14-passenger Mercedes Sprinter to take them and their guests to and from the Club. This service just recorded the highest gross receipts in our 10 years - confirming the high demand for club transportation.
This service is utilized by our members for golf events, wine dinners, club events, date nights, and more. The Mercedes Sprinter is also utilized in the afternoons as the Junior Shuttle, transporting our juniors to and from the Club to a drop-off spot close to where a majority of our members live.
The Club also offers charters and day trips for the membership. Members can book the van for their party of 14 to go to wine tastings in the mountains, tailgating at a college game, attending concerts, etc.
CALIBER OF STAFF & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE LEVELS
Our mission is to provide a personal, unparalleled country club experience highlighted by superior facilities and highly skilled club professionals performing with gracious hospitality.
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality is more than just a service; it’s a heartfelt commitment to making every member feel valued and at home. It means having tenured staff who bring experience and dedication, offering warm smiles that create a welcoming atmosphere, and greeting people by name to show genuine care and recognition. At its core, hospitality is about building connections and ensuring every interaction leaves a positive, lasting impression.
A WORLD CLASS CULINARY EXPERIENCE
We are thrilled to have Chef Laurent Pillard as a part of our team. He joined us from the St. Regis Aspen, where he led their dynamic culinary operations. Chef Laurent has an incredible breadth of experience.
Beginning his career at Michelin-Starred Hotel du Lion d’Or, he then spent several years working alongside esteemed chefs at multiple Michelin-Starred restaurants. Chef Laurent’s wide range of experience has yielded many impressive achievements including earning a Michelin Star while Executive Chef at Hotel du Rivage and assisting Chef Hubert Keller in the finals for Top Chef Masters.
Chef Laurent and his team are committed to bringing our members the best culinary experience possible, valuing fresh ingredients and creative menus.
At CCC, our members have the option to dine in our steak house-style Grill and Patio or our casual-fare, family-friendly Porch. They can stop in for tapas-style bites and a craft cocktail in the Oak Bar, or a drink and a meal in the full service Men’s Locker Room Bar.
When a special occasion is in order we are proud to offer the services of our five event planners to host the perfect intimate (or large!) private event. Members can host a custom, multi-course dinner in our wine cellar or a cocktail reception on the event lawn. We pride ourselves on the ability to bring our member’s visions to life, whether at a family dinner with our a la carte services, or a full-scale wedding.
TENURED STAFF
What makes Charlotte Country Club truly special is the tenure of our staff. The average years of service of the CCC staff is 5.5 years! We have employees who have seen generations of families come through the club and are like family themselves.
Top Five Tenured Staff
Mack Ferguson | 69 years
Ed Walton | 51 years
Vanessa Sweat | 44 years
Lynn Grainger | 43 years
Julie Francis | 40 years
AWARDS
Eric Williamson, Director of Golf:
2025 PGA Professional Championship - Qualifier
2022 North Carolina Open Champion
2016 PGA Section Bill Strausbaugh Section Award Winner
2014 PGA Section Professional of the Year
2008 PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year
Jack Fields, Director of Instruction:
2024 Level 1 Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certification
2023 CPGA Professional Championship finalist moving on to compete in the PGA Professional Championship
2022 Yamaha CPGA Pro-Assistant Championship with Drew Perry, Golf Teaching Professional
Tyler Noske, Head Professional, was a finalist in the Carolinas Assistant Championship, qualifying for the 2023 National Assistant Championship
Wrennie Love, Fitting Professional, won the Ping Power Fitter of the Year Award in 2023 and 2024
CERTIFICATIONS
We are proud of our team members who are earning their certifications. To date, employees have certifications in:
Certified International Event & Wedding Planning Professional
Certified International Event Décor Professional
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Hospitality Account Executive
Level 1 TPI Certification
Masters in Human Resources Management
5 Certified Level 1 Sommeliers
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The club encourages staff to constantly learn and grow in their profession
The Club allocates over $26,000 in association dues and contributions annually. Every year, the Club reimburses over $45,000 in professional development
To host world-class internships in Clubhouse Operations, Agronomy, Golf, and other areas of competency, the Club budgets $5,000 for recruitment, programs, and professional networking opportunities
Every salaried team member is granted a block of time annually for professional development or benchmarking, separate from paid time off
ENGAGEMENT & COMMITMENT OF MEMBERSHIP
What makes Charlotte Country Club special is the unique bonds that members have with one another. Membership is a family tradition.
MEMBERSHIP CULTURE
The culture of the membership at Charlotte Country Club is truly unique. Our members all know one another, providing a family-like environment at the Club. Many of our members grew up together, attending the same high schools and colleges before returning to Charlotte. They are friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, church members, alumni, etc.
What makes Charlotte Country Club special is the unique bonds that members have with one another. Our new members typically already have established relationships with the membership, but the membership is always ready to welcome them not just to the club, but to their homes.
MEMBERSHIP & STAFF
When asked, the CCC members say their favorite aspect of the Club is the staff. The employees of Charlotte Country Club are like family to the membership. This can be seen on the CCC Instagram account; the highest-liked posts each year are always centered around our cherished employees.
When an employee is in need or facing a hardship, our membership often comes together to provide emotional and financial assistance without being asked. In fact, the treatment and respect of the CCC staff is a major point of discussion during the membership process. Our older members who are unable to use the club often will often state that they miss the staff the most.
MEMBERSHIP TENURE & LEGACY
Here are a few numbers as it relates to the quality of membership at Charlotte Country Club:
The 10-year average of membership attrition is 3%, including both resignations and deaths
Over 42% of members have been members of the Club for 25 years or longer
Current average membership tenure is 23 years
Our longest tenured member has held her membership for 76 years
In the past five years, 19% of our new members have been legacies
28% of our current applicant list is comprised of legacies
Competitive golfer and member Dorathy Thigpen, whose family are still members today! Apart from golf, her favorite part of CCC was the family atmosphere; However, she absolutely loved the golf.
GOVERNANCE & PRUDENT FISCAL MANAGEMENT
As a member-owned club, we strive to exhibit excellence through our committee led management and detail-driven operations to ensure a world-class experience for our members.
GOVERNANCE MODEL
Charlotte Country Club’s governance is a collaborative effort that includes members and employees. The Club’s leadership and Governance consists of the following:
A Board of Governors of 15 members who meet monthly
11 standing & ad hoc committees comprised of members and staff
92 different members total serve on these committees
A CCC Leadership team of 12 management-level employees at the top of their industry
The CCC By-Laws, which is updated yearly and serves as the Club’s governing document
ACCOUNTABILITY MATRIX
The Board, Committees, and Leadership enjoy working together to bring new initiatives to the membership while safeguarding our traditions and values. The balance of decision making is upheld by an accountability matrix, which details who is responsible for what.
CONTINUOUSLY REIMAGING OUR FACILITIES
The Club continuously reimagines our facilities to keep up with changing demands and added member amenities. One such change includes replanning the parking lot and the general flow of traffic, while still retaining the iconic views of our Clubhouse upon arrival to the Club.
STRATEGIC FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE
Membership engagement is paramount to successful capital planning. When the need arrives, a Strategic Facilities Planning Committee (SFPC) is assembled of various members to help drive the vision of the Club in terms of future projects. This committee consists of men and women of varying ages and life stages to ensure each member demographic is properly represented.
Before work on the current Campus Plan projects, a SFPC was created to pinpoint what member facilities and amenities were needed. They did this by facilitating a membership-wide survey, which was completed in 2023, on potential member amenities. From the data collected via the survey, capital needs were identified, a budget proposal was created, and a plan was put in place.
ADAPTING TO CHANGING TIMES
As the world outside our gates changes, we aim to advance everything from the way we communicate with members to the support we offer team members to be of the highest possible caliber.
CLUB MISSION STATEMENT
As more families and young members have joined the Club, the Board realized it was time to reaffirm the mission statement of the Club: Charlotte Country Club will be the premier family country club in the United States. To keep up with the needs of our families, we have added new facilities and amenities to keep Charlotte Country Club family-friendly.
We have expanded our Youth Activities department to include a manager and several staff members to help broaden our junior programming and family events
We host summer-long junior camps that include golf, tennis, soccer, swimming, arts and crafts, etc.
The Club hosts a multitude of family and youth-oriented events throughout the year including but not limited to, mother-son and father-daughter dances, holiday events, Family Night Fridays, field trips, and more
DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP
Our Senior Leadership Team exemplifies diversity across gender, race, and age. This team is comprised of 16 individuals and is led by GM/COO Priscilla Eich. We believe this diversity brings important perspectives that help to improve the leadership of our team members and the Club as a whole.
Recognizing our team members, who they are, and where they come from, is an important part of CCC culture.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN STAFF
In response to racial injustice, CCC created a staff-led committee called DIVE (Diversity, Inclusion, Voice, and Equality). The Mission statement of DIVE is “to be welcoming and connect our Club’s culture to contemporary times.” Charlotte Country Club is committed to promoting a positive culture that allows everyone to thrive and succeed. In addition, our Director of Human Resources ,Tracy Rivers, serves on the DIVE Committee of the National Club Association Board.
MIDNIGHT GOLF
CCC was honored to host the Midnight Golf Program. The Detroit-based organization is dedicated to equipping determined young adults through life skills training, proactive coaching, long-term mentoring, and the discipline of golf to succeed in college, in their careers, and beyond. This Spring CCC was a part of their “Roadtrip to Success College Tour” welcoming approximately 260 African American high school seniors, many of whom may be from low-to-moderate income or first-generation college families to see first-hand the possibilities for their future. We are thankful to have been a part of this event, which was featured in the African American Golfer’s Digest.
MAYOR’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
Charlotte Country Club also partnered with the City of Charlotte’s Mayor’s Youth Employment Program to offer high school students an opportunity to explore careers, hone skills, and gain exposure to the professional world of work through six weeks of work-based learning experiences.
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES
In 2023, Charlotte Country Club held the CIAA Southern Division Tournament. Approximately 65 players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) came out for the tournament consisting of practice rounds and two days of competitive play. This was the first time CCC hosted an HBCU, and we are thrilled to have been a part of this opportunity.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
What truly makes Charlotte Country Club remarkable is the people and the special relationships shared by our members and staff.
Overall, Charlotte Country Club can be defined as superior hospitality in a beautiful setting. We value personal interactions and wow factors that leave our members and their guests with a lasting impression. Each member of the CCC team goes above and beyond to provide an exemplary experience.
Although our beautiful buildings, breathtaking campus, and exceptional events speak for themselves, it is the thoughtful details that truly make the experiences.
We pride ourselves in all the moments in between,
the warm greeting with a seasonal beverage as you walk through the front doors
a cold peppermint towel after coming off the tennis court
dining supervisor Vanessa knowing every single member and their children by name
Mack, an employee of nearly 70 years greeting you with a ride to the driving range before a round of golf
Danny knowing a member’s drink order as soon as they take a seat at the bar
Complimentary treats from our Executive Pastry Chef for special celebrations
Our Members and their guests greeted by name as they pull up for our annual Member-Guest Tournament
The bustling first tee experience
What truly makes Charlotte Country Club remarkable are the people and the special relationships shared by our members and staff. To our eldest members, every room in the clubhouse brings back memories. History has been made here through fragments of sentiment, a tennis trophy, a silver golf cup, or the lace of a debutante’s glove.
To young people, the club is a challenge, a fantasy come true for a little girl who grows up to be a bride throwing her bouquet from the ballroom balcony, or a little boy who grows up to win the tennis or golf championship.
Members both of the present and past have made it what it is: a place of dignity, romance, and entertainment.
