McConnell Golf, The Magazine - Fall/Winter 2022

McConnell Golf the magazinc

a letter from John McConnell

They got me good. I am certain many readers of my previous letter were curious as to why the picture displayed was one of my 3-year-old childhood photos. Our No. 1 goal at McConnell Golf is to have fun each day. When my communications staff requested an updated photo for my letter, I sent them the one mentioned above as I saw an opportunity to have some fun. Little did I know that they would run it in our magazine, so the joke was on me! I must admit, however, that my bowtie looked a lot better in that photo than the ones I tie now watching YouTube videos on “how to tie a bowtie,” hoping to make a wedding event on time.

This year’s Wyndham Championship was a great success. Our staff proved once again what a talented team we have in place to host such a large event that is seen around the world each August. I especially feel goosebumps when I see that Goodyear blimp flying overhead, beaming some fantastic views of the course and clubhouse at Sedgefield Country Club to viewers. This year we placed a plaque on our Wall of Champions honoring Sir Nick Faldo who retired from golf broadcasting. It is fitting that Sir Nick, winner of 41 PGA events including six majors, began his pro career in the U.S. competing in the Greater Greensboro Open tournament in 1978, and ended it all at Sedgefield in 2022. We will miss him but thousands of fans attending the tournament each year can read his plaque and remember his historical greatness in this sport.

We are pleased to report that the severe water damage we experienced at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation in early spring has now been repaired and the clubhouse looks amazing. Special thanks to our general manager, Michael Thomas, our contractor and our designer, Rebekah McConnell, for remaking the downstairs floor into one that members can be proud of when they visit the main clubhouse. While it took several months to complete this redesign, the outcome seems to be worth the wait and effort.

Another major project that was recently completed was the rework of the cart paths at Raleigh Country Club as the original components did not function as planned. We knew this new technology was experimental when we installed it in our course restoration in 2020. In life, when things do not go as planned it is best to admit your mistake and move quickly to correct the flaws. Hopefully, this new application will prove to be more permanent than the old and members can enjoy a smooth ride on these surfaces. So far, the product is working as promoted and I love the natural look the paths create on our course.

Thomas Wolfe was wrong in his infamous novel “You Can’t Go Home Again.” I became intrigued with the game of golf when I was in college at Virginia Tech. They had a ninehole campus course, and we would place our golf balls in a rack that lined up your tee time based on the next ball up. Players would wait patiently for the group’s ball to be at the bottom. There were no tee times or tee sheets and you better be on the first tee when your ball came up or the next group would toss it aside and start their own play. It was a good little course and some of my best times in college involved playing there and learning the game.

In addition to this campus course, Virginia Tech now owns one of the Top 20 college layouts in the nation along with being ranked seventh in the state of Virginia. It is called the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech and was designed by the legend himself. It lies along 2.5 miles of the New River in Radford, Virginia, and is one of the most scenic courses you can play that is not located in the mountains. McConnell Golf has been requested by the university to manage this course for several years. As a long-time Hokie I am thrilled to be able to add this outstanding course to our portfolio and give back to the school. While it will remain semi-private, we will offer discounted rates to all McConnell Golf members who want

to play it when they visit the New River area. You will not be disappointed.

The two most common questions I am asked from members are as follows: John, which is your favorite course or what is the next club you are adding. The first question reminds me of our kids. They all have their assets and shortcomings; each can be the favorite depending on the day. The second question in sincerity is that I most often do not know as we wait for the phone to ring from other clubs that may want to be part of our network. Out of the 14 clubs we own, 12 contacted us first and most of those were initiated from our members or their friends. So, if you know of clubs that may want to be part of our network, your referrals are welcomed and appreciated. Have a great end to your year.

Warm regards, John McConnell, CEO & Founder

n GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT: Pete Dye

n LOCATION:

Nine miles northwest of downtown Greensboro, 17 miles northeast of High Point and 25 miles east of Winston-Salem

n OUR COURSE:

“Since joining in December, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know some of the members, partaking in Men’s League and weekend tournaments, and enjoying the challenge that each round brings. No two rounds are ever the same and Pete Dye has designed a course that definitely keeps you on your toes. The staff has been excellent, accommodating and the course is always in pristine condition. It’s just an all-around great place to enjoy the game with friends and family.”

— Chris Neal, member at The Cardinal

n INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOTS:

The No. 11 tee box has quite a view, which looks down the fairway to the thin green, and is surrounded by a bunker with the lake on either side.

Next is the left-hand turn to No. 12 with a sign displaying a quote from Pete Dye about the upcoming par 3. The sign reads, “Hardest par three I ever designed,” and once you get to the tee box, you will understand why. The hole plays 220 yards all the way back with water on both sides of the thin fairway all the way up to the green. Two bunkers on the right side of the green are your bail-out spots if you can get your ball to stay within the brush creek on the right with a lake on the left. Pete Dye’s signature railroad ties also surround the green on the left leading to the water.

n DID YOU KNOW?

In 1997, Tim Clark shot four rounds of 65 in the Cardinal Am without making a bogey.

BY CLAIRE BILLINGSLEY

Culinary

Creativity

Joyce Roach brings an artful approach to Brook Valley Country Club’s cuisine

by Abby Moore Keith

Links Life

Until last year, longtime golfer Bob Adams walked the entire course at Country Club of Asheville. Now he only walks the front side, which is still quite a feat, considering he just celebrated his 91st birthday and is out on the green four to five times a week.

Adams is more than a familiar face at the club. A member for 55 years, he’s held various leadership positions. He’s served as a board member and club president, during which time he maneuvered the sale that moved the club from The Grove Park Inn to its current stunning location in north Asheville. He’s participated in more than 50 member-guest tournaments, and he and Margaret (Peggy), his wife of 67 years, even have a house on the 18th fairway.

“I used to be pretty good, but now I shoot in the middle 80s,” says Adams, who holds 20 aces and has shot his age almost two thousand times. “Last Sunday I shot 79.”

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Adams attended the University of Alabama, and after graduation pursued a career in industrial engineering. Work took Adams and his family (he’s a father

Bob Adams says enduring friendships, challenge of play have marked his 55 years of golfing at Country Club of Asheville

of six) from Pennsylvania to Florida, and eventually Asheville, where they settled in 1967. Though he played golf sporadically before, his game truly took off when he joined Country Club of Asheville, especially when he retired in 1991.

“When we were having kids, I didn’t have a lot of time for golf,” Adams says. “I played once a month, maybe. But then I got decent at it, and started playing in the single digits.”

As Adams talks about the highlights of his golfing tenure, it becomes clear he’s a competitive player who still enjoys the technical challenges of the game. He’ll never forget the day he shot his age for the first time at 67. Or when he won the club championship on his 60th birthday. And most importantly, he’ll never forget April 27 of this year, the day he finally aced hole No. 17, the longest par 3 on the course and the final step in fulfilling his quest to eagle on all 18 holes.

But the special moments aren’t just on the green. “Bob is one of about six members that still play gin rummy in the Men’s Card Room,” says Debbie Ponder, Country Club of Asheville’s membership director. “It was standing room only in the Men’s Card for many years. Now attendance has dwindled to an

Adams shot his 20th hole-in-one on April 27, 2022, at CCA. He shot it on No. 17 at 180 yards using a 3-wood.

occasional 4-top, but he still shows up for gin rummy with his long-time friends.”

Though many of his golfing buddies throughout the years have passed on, Adams speaks fondly of The Connor Group, a competitive crew that plays together four days a week.

“This group of men are a fun, warm and talented bunch that keeps me and all the others coming back again and again to enjoy the competition and the fellowship,” Adams says.

When talking about Adams, Ponder considers him synonymous with Country Club of Asheville. But perhaps Bob Adams is also synonymous with the untold golfing greats, the everyday players who’ve spent a lifetime trying to best the game and still enjoy the battle. Because odds are, this great grandfather, devoted husband, and passionate golfer, will be out on the green as long as he’s able.

Bob Adams

“I used to be pretty good, but now I shoot in the middle 80s.

Last Sunday I shot 79.”

Facelift

Golfers are enjoying the benefits of renewed bunkers, paths and more at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation

BY STEPHANIE TROTTER

Vijay Singh had barely buttoned his Masters jacket in 2000 when The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation opened for play in North Raleigh. The Hale Irwin course uses rolling terrain, elevation changes and bent grass greens to challenge players at every level, while marrying seamlessly with the landscape.

McConnell Golf took control of Wakefield Plantation in 2011, but by 2022, the former TPC course needed some TLC. “It’s one of the bigger properties to maintain in the McConnell system,” says Adam McLaughlin, Director of Golf at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation.

“With both the championship course and the nine-hole course, it’s a big piece of property and hosts a lot of programming. This was the first renovation of any kind and it keeps us toward the top of the list in The Triangle in regard to conditioning.”

After two-plus decades of professional and recreational tournaments, in addition to member day play, it was time for a facelift, specifically some nip, tuck and restructuring of the sand traps. “We had 75 bunkers in the beginning,” says Director of Golf Course Maintenance Todd Lawrence. “That number has gone up and down some, but over time, bunkers become contaminated with debris and underlying soil. We had at least 20 bunkers that no longer drained well. It could take up to three days after a rainfall to pump them out and make them playable again.” With a new, capillary concrete system in place at each bunker, and clean sand, the traps are now playable by lunch.

The bunker re-build used roughly $650,000 of the $1.1 million capital improvement project, which shut down nine holes at a

time on property. Replacing sod, removing trees and repaving cart paths used the remaining funds. “It’s been really exciting,” says Lawrence. “We were able to fix the cart paths. You know, the ones that would make you spill your coffee all over the cart? And we did selective tree removal that opened up holes, improved flow and sight-lines, while making the course more scenic.”

Members say it’s made a huge difference in quality of play. “The sand traps are so much better now. They remind me of Augusta National,” says 15-year member Larry Hutchison. “During this year’s REX Hospital Open, several players personally told me that Wakefield was in the top three of all courses played on the Korn Ferry Tour. Wakefield is in the best shape I have ever seen.”

Jim Weathers joined Wakefield around the same time as Hutchinson. He agrees the course is better than ever. “I recently played

with three other members and all four of us remarked how good the course looks with the new white sand in the bunkers, and also how green the course is right now,” Weathers says.

McLaughlin says with the renovations, it’s the best conditioned course he’s worked

at across his 17 years as a golf pro. “I’m so proud of this team,” the golf director says.

“The overall enhancement has been a big improvement. I feel it gave our course that boost. The renovation was right at 20 years. and now we’ll have a great course for the next 20 years. I love it.”

Core Lessons to Last a

Lifetime

Footprints on the Green gives back to people with special needs through watersports and tennis

Making Wakes for Good on Badin, Smith Mountain Lakes

In 2008, soon after taking over as Marina Manager on Badin Lake at Old North State Club Marina, Chris Bechtler read an article about Greg Hodgin and a charity Hodgin had started called “Wake the World.” A former U.S. Masters wakeboard champion, Hodgin had started taking young people from area children’s homes out to the lake for a day of fun and boating. One morning in the spring of 2009, Hodgin walked up to Bechtler at the dock house and attempted to make an introduction.

“He reached out his hand and before he could introduce himself, I said, ‘I know who you are and what you do. What can I do to convince you to do it here?’ A shocked look came over his face and he told me the marina he had been doing it at on High Rock Lake had closed,” says Bechtler. “He needed to find a new home for his annual event. That was the beginning of the relationship between McConnell Golf and Wake the World.”

Wake the World (WTW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides watersports opportunities to abandoned, abused and neglected children, as well as handicapped and wounded warriors.

Bechtler has a handicapped son named Jeffery who attended the WTW events and watched participants from afar in his wheelchair. “Greg told me he was going to get Jeffery on a ski. I laughed and said ‘OK,’” says Bechtler. During the winter of 2011, Hodgin went to a boat show in Florida and met Anne Satterfield - a world-class adaptive skier. “She brought her entire team with their equipment to Old North State Club in June 2012 and taught us how to set up an adaptive program. Wake the World Adaptive was born and, yes, Jeffery got the first ride. There was not a dry eye on the lake that day.”

In 2013, McConnell Golf acquired Crazy Horse Marina. John McConnell asked

Bechtler to relocate to Smith Mountain Lake to turn things around and enhance operations at the marina. “How could I say no?” Bechtler says. “Of course, one of my goals was to bring Wake the World Adaptive to Smith Mountain Lake.” The following year, enough improvements had been made to the marina to give Wake the World a try. Bechtler teamed up with Ken Hayes of Smith Mountain Wake Co. to introduce WTW to the area.

“My heart was still with Wake the World Adaptive, so I continued to venture back to Badin Lake each year,” Bechtler says.

“During one of those trips, I met Scot Mills who was participating in the event and lived on the lake in Virginia. Together, we successfully brought Wake the World Adaptive to Smith Mountain Lake.”

Each year, WTW hosts its adaptive event on Badin Lake at Old North State Club during the Thursday and Friday before Father’s Day, and a children’s event the

Monday and Tuesday after Father’s Day. “Unfortunately, since 2020, rules were put in place in Virginia that have prevented the Wake the World children’s event from happening,” says Bechtler. “However, our adaptive event has continued and grown into a two-day event in June, and then a smaller one-day event in August at Smith Mountain Lake.”

The SML adaptive events host 26 participants, each riding an average of three times each day. Volunteers number approximately 45 to 50 with a similar number of spectators made up of family and friends. This year was a first, as a paralyzed canine named Oreo participated in the fun.

On Badin Lake, WTW hosted 50 children with eight boats during the two-day period. While WTW Adaptive hosted 24 participants with 35 volunteers and two boats over the two days. Badin Lake also had 20 participants on a wait list and will be adding a second event later in the year.

Jeffrey Bechtler learns how to ski on Badin Lake.

,

McConnell Golf’s Tennis Pros Make Time for Special Guests

Earlier this year, several McConnell Golf clubs joined forces with Special Olympics North Carolina to bring students to their tennis courts. In various capacities, The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation, Providence Country Club, Porters Neck Country Club and Sedgefield Country Club hosted students for three different field trips. Wakefield High School students visited WP, McClintock Middle School students visited PCC and North Brunswick High School students visited PNCC to partake in clinics hosted by their tennis professionals. Ben L. Smith High School students also visited SCC to watch members play in the Gate City matches.

“The tennis staff at each of our properties loved having students from local schools visit our courts. It was a blast seeing the team dynamic form as they shared laughs and learned tennis fundamentals,” says

time. I am excited for our team to grow this partnership with Special Olympics North Carolina for years to come.”

Kyle Thortsen, Corporate Director of Tennis at McConnell Golf. “The smiles were contagious, and everyone had a great

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for Good Golfing

BY JOHN JETER

Mom Christie Meyers shares some special time with daughter Olivia in their backyard hammock.

Making par at Providence Country Club’s 72-hole championship course makes for a splendid round of golf. Scoring around 430 in a single day … wait, what? Four hundred strokes? That’s got to be a typo. Well, no, in fact, that’s what Kevin Reardon shot, more or less, at the end of McConnell Golf’s OliviaStrong Golf Marathon fundraiser.

The director of golf at McConnell Golf’s club in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kevin joined 50 other pros from across the company’s 14 communities for the charity event that stretched over 104 holes from sunup to sundown.

The marathon benefited the foundation named for Olivia Reardon, the daughter of Christie Meyers and Kevin, who’ve been married 12 years. Olivia turned 10 on Aug. 4. She has survived an incredibly rare cancer.

Shortly after Thanksgiving last year, doctors diagnosed Olivia with a six-syllable form of sarcoma, a type that strikes only 400 to 500 Americans a year. Most are teens and children and more than half are younger than 10, according to the American Cancer Society.

Cancer hasn’t been Olivia’s only medical adversary. She was born 10½ weeks early, with a heart condition that sent her in and out of the hospital over her first six years. Fast forward to her latest life-threatening diagnosis. In December, Olivia and one or both of her parents started making regular trips to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, the site of a proton-beam machine, one of only a few of the highly precise radiation devices in the U.S.

Olivia had to undergo 28 rounds of proton therapy, which also meant staying for four or five days at a time in the city called “the Home of the Blues.”

(TOP) Olivia poses as a thank you to McConnell Golf for donating gift cards and a special Easter meal to St. Jude patients. (BOTTOM) Olivia, left, on her 10th birthday with an OliviaStrong Foundation check to St. Jude, with her dad, Kevin Reardon, and mom, Christie Meyers, along with sister Bradleigh Reardon, 7.

Golf marathon for OliviaStrong Foundation raises more than $100,000 for St. Jude, others

But you won’t hear this trio singing blues — par for the course for Team Olivia-Christie-Kevin.

McConnell Golf had played host the year before to a similar golf outing that benefited Folds of Honor. The nationwide charity provides educational scholarships

(LEFT) Mother and daughter celebrate Olivia’s last day of radiation at St. Jude in Memphis after Olivia completed 28 rounds of proton radiation. (BELOW) Olivia takes front and center at the OliviaStrong Foundation Marathon Golf event at McConnell Golf’s Providence Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, with pros (from left) Kory McElvaney, Kevin Reardon, Michael Leah Baxley and Zack Maybank.

to spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members.

Then this year, the Raleigh, North Carolina-based company of private clubs teed up the opportunity to score one for the home team.

“As a company and the membership as a whole, we just wanted to do whatever we could to support them,” says Brian Kittler, Vice President of Golf Operations at McConnell Golf. “The golf marathon was something that we came up with as a group.”

Christie, a vice president at TIAA Bank, started the OliviaStrong Foundation to raise money for, among others, St. Jude, which provides free medical care for children, and places like Ronald McDonald House or Tri Delta Place on the St. Jude campus, where Olivia and her parents stayed. Funds also go to the St. Jude’s clinic in Charlotte, where Olivia has undergone 66 weeks of chemotherapy, Christie and Kevin say.

“We want to be a part of helping families who are going through what we’re going through,” Christie says. “Yes, St. Jude is free, but it takes money to run St. Jude, it takes money to be able to give those families a free place to stay while they’re there. It takes money to fund the research that goes to try to find a cure for these kids.”

Needless to say, playing six to eight rounds of golf in a single day can be more challenging than, say, a couple of hours enjoying Providence’s lush 7,021-yard course.

Kittler recalled an instance from the marathon when someone chose to persevere thanks to Olivia’s example. “That last day of May was hot and humid, and after speaking with each of our pros about their experience, one story stood out to me the most,” says Kittler. “Our director of golf at Porters Neck, Robert Loper, told me he asked his assistant Jordan Tennant, ‘Why don’t you take a break, join us when you

can?’ To w hich Jordan replied and said something along the lines of, ‘Look, I’m a little tired, I’m a little dehydrated, but this is nothing compared to what Olivia goes through on a daily basis, so if she can tough it out, by golly, so can I.’”

Throughout the day, Kevin says, community members gathered on the course to watch, offering Gatorade, snacks, and, of course, donations.

“You don’t think much about the pain when you see the kids out there and the families coming to support you,” Kevin says. “It’s a piece of cake.”

And Olivia says, “It was cool to see my dad playing in it and to see how much money was raised to give back to other kids like me.”

As for the little fighter’s prognosis, Christie says her daughter’s most recent PET scan showed “no evidence of disease anywhere in her body.”

Kittler, meanwhile, offers his gratitude for McConnell Golf’s 7,000-plus members, spread across communities in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia, for raising more than $105,000 to support the inspiring little girl and her namesake foundation.

“Olivia’s faced a lot and she’s overcome everything,” he says. “To see her going through this now is definitely challenging, but at the same time, when you talk to her and listen to her, she has nothing but positive messages, and there’s no doubt she’s an inspiration to all of us.”

Yields approximately: 4 servings

GRITS

Use fresh grits, not instant

15 oz whole milk

7 oz heavy cream

5.5 oz Boykin Mill Grits (Yellow)

Tbsp unsalted butter

2 oz mascarpone cheese (or use cream cheese as a substitute)

Kosher salt to taste

1. In a medium sauce pot, combine the milk, cream, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil.

2. Using a whisk, slowly mix the grits and continue to stir, reduce heat to very low.

Black pepper (freshly ground) to taste Dash of tabasco

3. When grits thicken and become tender (about 30-40 minutes), add the butter and mascarpone cheese.

4. Add Tabasco and adjust seasoning if needed.

5. Grits can be wrapped in plastic wrap and kept in a hot water until ready for use.

CORN CREAM

7 oz yellow sweet corn kernels

5.5 oz heavy cream

4 oz chicken stock

Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a medium saucepan, combine corn, stock and cream.

2. Cook on medium heat until the liquid begins to thicken and corn is vibrant yellow and tender.

3. Place in a bar blender and puree until smooth, adjust seasoning.

4. Strain through fine mesh, and reserve for plate up.

Note: you may need to add a little chicken stock to adjust the corn cream consistency.

CORN SAUTÉ

1 cup yellow sweet corn kernels

2 oz red and green peppers, small dice

1 oz chicken stock

1 oz heavy cream

2 oz bacon bits, cut bacon into ¼-inch dice and render until crisp, drain and reserve bacon grease for cooking and bacon bits for the corn sauté

1. In a large sauté pan, on medium high heat, add 2 tbsp of bacon grease.

Pinch freshly chopped thyme

Pinch freshly chopped flat leaf parsley Salt and pepper, to taste Sugar, if needed, to taste

2. When grease is hot, add red and green peppers, corn and bacon. Cook for about 2 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon.

3. Add chicken stock and heavy cream, continue to cook until liquid forms a tight sauce around the corn (there should be very little liquid in the pan).

4. Season corn sauté with salt and pepper, add chopped herbs, reserve (keep warm).

CAROLINA SWEET SHRIMP

8 oz South Carolina white shrimp, peeled, deveined and split in half lengthwise

1 oz clarified butter or vegetable oil (for cooking)

.5 clove garlic (peeled and crushed)

Salt and black pepper for seasoning

1. Cook in a large sauté pan or cook in a couple of batches. Season shrimp with salt and black pepper, reserve.

2. Heat clarified butter in sauté pan until butter begins to smoke, remove pan from heat source and add the shrimp. Return to heat source, add garlic cloves and cook until shrimp are pink in color.

3. Per serving, place 3 ounces of grits in the middle of the bowl, 3 tbsp of corn sauté and 5 shrimp on top then drizzle with corn cream. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Rhett Sorg, Executive Chef at The Reserve Golf Club

Ace at ONSC

BY BRAD KING

Tennis Director Garcian D’Cruz brings energy and passion

The tennis program at Old North State Club received a jolt of energy with the recent arrival of Director of Tennis and Fitness Garcian D’Cruz.

A native Tar Heel who was born and raised in Chapel Hill, where he played high school tennis — and later club tennis at Elon University — D’Cruz has made his way up the industry ranks as both an instructor and a high school coach. He earned his USPTA Tennis Professional Certification in 2018 and has worked at several high-end tennis facilities around the state, before McConnell Golf’s Corporate Director of Tennis Kyle Thortsen hired him to head up the program at ONSC.

At ONSC, which has four Har-Tru tennis courts as well as four pickleball courts, D’Cruz has created, run and managed lessons, clinics, socials and all other tennis activities for adults and juniors, while also running United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) tennis events, including leagues, tournaments and match play.

“Programming-wise, we started with a small, youth program,” he said. “Then we started with adult programs. We’re doing our drill and play clinics on Friday mornings. We’re doing socials at least once a month. We’re trying to do them twice a month. We’ve got member-member events. We’ve got a pickleball league that just started, which will be awesome. The passion and the fun have just been in getting people out on the courts and planning events for them to play.”

ONSC member Kate DeVoe says she believes the club’s tennis program has strengthened with D’Cruz at the helm.

“Garcian has a great way of connecting with his students no matter if they are 11 or 75 [years old]. We all enjoy his energetic, optimistic and friendly personality.”

Kate DeVoe, ONSC member

Kate and her husband, Marc, purchased a lot at ONSC in 2010 and joined the club as social members in 2011. They moved to Uwharrie Point, North Carolina, from New Jersey in 2017 and rented a house at the club while they built their home. They upgraded to a sports membership in 2018, which was when Kate decided to take up tennis. Marc is a golfer, as well as a tennis and pickleball player.

“I am a retired horse trainer/owner/show exhibitor, so tennis and now recently pickleball are the only sports I take part in at Old North State,” she said. “Garcian is the first full-time pro since I picked up a racquet. I think he’s been a huge improvement with his enthusiasm and dedication to growing the tennis program here.”

She said D’Cruz’ enthusiasm is infectious.

“Garcian is on the courts or in the tennis office five days a week from early morning to evening,” she said. “It’s so nice to Garcian with members at a pickleball social

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have a happy face to greet me if I need anything. He is so very willing to spread his knowledge of the game to me and others in the form of lessons, drill and play clinics and socials. His willingness to welcome pickleball into the club is also refreshing and smart business as it’s getting very popular. Garcian has a great way of connecting with his students no matter if they are 11 or 75 [years old]. We all enjoy his energetic, optimistic and friendly personality. He’s a breath of fresh air for the program.”

Katie Hicks and her husband, Stuart, have been ONSC members since 2010. Katie has played tennis and golf her entire life. “I am thrilled to have Garcian here as a full-time pro,” she said. “I have enjoyed my tennis drills with him and have found him to be adept at adapting the drills to any given number [of participants] that sign up. He was very kind and patient while giving lessons to two underprivileged children

Katie Hicks, ONSC member

that I hosted earlier in the summer. He made a lasting impression on them.”

Katie said the couple’s adult children enjoy coming to ONSC to play tennis, golf and pickleball as well.

“Pickleball has exploded here at ONSC,” she said. “Garcian has organized a pickleball league. We are hopeful that we can give Garcian the tools he needs to expand this program as well as sports memberships.”

Kim Salata and her husband, James, are recent additions to Old North State having purchased a home in March with plans

to relocate within the next year. She said a tennis program was absolutely critical in their decision and added that she was thrilled to learn of D’Cruz’ employment.

Kim, who is an avid recreational golfer and enjoys running and biking, started playing tennis about eight years ago in her late 40s. She said she quickly became addicted to the sport.

“I am so excited to watch the progression of this program,” she said. “I’ve had private lessons and participated in drill sessions and socials every time we have visited. I’m thrilled with Garcian’s enthusiasm. I’ve

“Pickleball has exploded here at ONSC. Garcian has organized a pickleball league. We are hopeful that we can give Garcian the tools he needs to expand this program as well as sports memberships.”

“I’m thrilled with Garcian’s enthusiasm. I’ve already scheduled a girl’s weekend at Old North with eight members of my current Winchester tennis team and have arranged for Garcian to do two clinics for us.”

Kim Salata, ONSC member

already scheduled a girl’s weekend at Old North with eight members of my current Winchester tennis team and have arranged for Garcian to do two clinics for us. This is something I previously did regularly when I had a home on Kiawah and I’m confident the experience will be just as good here.”

“I really appreciate that Garcian treats me as if I were an athlete trying to maximize my tennis skills. He pushes me to do more as opposed to running a purely resort approach to tennis.”

“Tennis has been a fabulous way to become integrated into the community,” she said. “I was added to a tennis text group before I even moved into our house. The women have been lovely and immediately accepting of a newbie. In a remarkable coincidence, I discovered my neighbor across the street (Cathy Gajewski) is actually a lovely woman I knew from Winchester and with whom I had played tennis before she moved. It has been great to reestablish old friendships while making such great new ones.”

MEMBER-SUBMITTED PHOTOS

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Jamie & Haydn Golob, SCC

Hannah, Madalyn & Myer Broughton, WP (visiting ONSC)

Josh Ratcliff, Barron Dekalb, Chris Fitting & Matt Smith, MM

Rachel Jamroz & Austin Ash, ONSC

Adam Thompson & Lesley Nance, WP

Jason Zabriskie, Tim Werner, Jamie Allen & Ken Werner, WE

Kenneth Anderson, Tyler Dugan, John Foster Dail & Santi Alzate, PCC

Lindsay Blake & Sharon Gargano, PNCC

Chung Yi with his mother Karen , RCC (visiting ONSC)

Sunset by Kathleen Riordan, WE

Chef Campos with Ania, SCC

Colton & Leslie Liebert with Range & Megan Pont, WP

Kathy Hirsch, Marilyn Rieker, Linda Lapiejko, Carrie Koontz, Vernie Durdan, Sherry Tarnok & Carole Faulk, RES (visiting WE)

Mel Markowski, BVCC

Nancy Patefield, Carolyn Hopper, Nadine Hooks & Vickie Lambeth, CG

Abigail Harper, HHCC

Levi, Gwen, Sarah, Roman & Mark Losby, MM

Geoff Alexander, JiM Claire, David Boatman & Eric Weaver, PCC

Brian Harris and & Myers, TCC

MEMBER-SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Share your moments and memories from the club! Use #McConnellGolf in your social posts and email Faith Inman at finman@mcconnellgolf.com to submit photos for McConnell Golf, The Magazine.

Mini-ray Felicity Shaw, RCC Mark Saharski & Randy Screen, WP

Bill Ferrucci, SCC (visiting WE) Carter Gray, CG

Matt Steele with son Ben, BVCC

Haley & Ryland Taylor, SCC

Stephanie Cizinsky, Shawnett Krantz & Ashley Vanstory, SCC

Jenny Flinchum, WE Ron & Kari Gaffé with Charles Posey, SCC

Campbell, Ross, Samantha & Emory Nevins, PCC

Natalee, Eli & Thomas Wyatt, SCC

Jackson Davis, Emerson Shandley & Addison Davis, WE

Nancy Benton, Judy Fahl & Linda Lawlor, PCC

Larry Fleece, ONSC

Carter Queen & Parker Jordon, SCC

Skylar & Dan Durand, CCA

Addison Davis & Emerson Shandley, WE

Sherry Tarnok & Marilyn Rieker, RES

Raúl & Begona Zamudio, PCC

Levi Pino, CCA

Michael Perkins, RCC

Drew & Meredith Turner, RCC

McConnell Golf Courses

Power Rankings

In Golfweek's prestigious “Best Classic Courses 2022” — the top 200 golf courses built before 1960 — Holston Hills Country Club ranked No. 101 in America. In Golfweek's “Best Private Courses 2022” — a state-bystate ranking of private courses — Holston Hills ranked No. 2 in Tennessee behind the Pete Dye-designed Honors Course in Ooltewah. In the 2021-22 Golf Digest state-by-state rankings of all courses, public and private, Holston Hills was ranked No. 6 in the state. As it approaches its 100th anniversary, the Donald Ross design is consistently ranked among the country’s top 100 by Golf Magazine.

“Holston Hills takes great pride in its consistent recognition as one of the most well-preserved Donald Ross courses in the country,” said Chris Dibble, General Manager and Director of Golf at Holston Hills. “We believe this philosophy is the reason the golf course continues to be recognized as one of the country’s top classical designs.”

HOLSTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

No. 2 No. 6

No. 101

Golfweek’s Best Private Courses 2022: State-by-state rankings of private courses

Golf Digest’s Best Golf Courses in Tennessee

Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses 2022: From Pebble Beach to Pinehurst, the top 200 golf courses built before 1960

COUNTRY CLUB OF ASHEVILLE

No. 49 No. 10 North Carolina (NC Golf Panel)

Western region (NC Golf Panel)

PROVIDENCE COUNTRY CLUB

No. 80 No. 12 North Carolina (NC Golf Panel)

Charlotte Metro region (NC Golf Panel)

SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB

No. 9 No. 1 North Carolina (NC Golf Panel)

Piedmont Triad region (NC Golf Panel)

ASHEVILLE

McConnell Golf’s courses are once again making headlines in Golf Digest, Golfweek and respective state golf panel rankings.

HOLSTON

SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB

McConnell Golf Founder and CEO John McConnell said he knew Holston Hills was a special place from the moment he set foot on the property. “It immediately reminded me of Shinnecock Hills,” McConnell recalls, referencing the storied eastern Long Island golf club that was a founding member of the USGA and has hosted five U.S. Open Championships.

NORTH CAROLINA COURSE RANKINGS

The North Carolina Golf Panel ranked all 10 of McConnell Golf ’s North Carolina courses in the state’s top 100 with Sedgefield Country Club, Old North State Club, Raleigh Country Club and Treyburn Country Club leading the way. The Golf Panel was founded in 1995 and is considered the most authoritative statewide source of golf course rankings.

The 135-member organization comprises golf media, club professionals and general managers, accomplished amateur players and college golf coaches, and others who play a role in promoting North Carolina golf.

SOUTH CAROLINA COURSE RANKINGS

In recent rankings from the South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel, Musgrove Mill Golf Club checked in at No. 18, followed by The Reserve Golf Club at No. 41. The objective of the South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel is to promote excellence in the state’s golf course design and operations through competitive rankings, education and public advocacy. The panel consists of up to 128 members. Approximately 32 panelists are chosen from each of the

following geographical regions in S outh Carolina: the Upstate, Midlands, Low Country and Grand Strand.

McConnell Golf members can truly experience golf at its best with courses designed by international legends such as Donald Ross, Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Arnold Palmer, Hale Irwin, Greg Norman and Ellis Maples.

“Our courses continue to merge history, beauty and opportunity for our avid golfing membership and their guests,” said McConnell Golf President & CEO John McConnell. “With numerous recent enhancements at McConnell Golf courses and other projects planned, I am proud of what we have accomplished and eager to see how the rankings play out in the future.”

OLD NORTH STATE CLUB

THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION

OLD NORTH STATE CLUB

No. 10 No. 2

No. 126

North Carolina (NC Golf Panel)

Piedmont Triad region (NC Golf Panel)

Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top 200 Residential Golf Courses in the U.S.

THE CARDINAL BY PETE DYE

No. 55 No. 10

North Carolina (NC Golf Panel)

Piedmont Triad region (NC Golf Panel)

TREYBURN COUNTRY CLUB

No. 32 No. 6

No. 114

North Carolina (NC Golf Panel)

Triangle region (NC Golf Panel)

Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top 200 Residential Golf Courses in the U.S.

THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION

No. 86 North Carolina (NC Golf Panel)

RALEIGH

RALEIGH

BROOK VALLEY COUNTRY

PORTERS

MUSGROVE MILL GOLF CLUB

No. 18 No. 19

South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel’s Top 50 Courses

Golf Digest’s Best Golf Courses in South Carolina

THE RESERVE GOLF CLUB

No. 41 No. 199

South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel’s Top 50 Courses

Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top 200 Residential Golf Courses in the U.S.

THE RESERVE GOLF CLUB

“Our courses continue to merge history, beauty and opportunity for our avid golfing membership and their guests.”

— McConnell Golf President & CEO John McConnell

it goes on your floors, it’s in our stores!”

The WayWyndham

BY BRAD KING

Members, scholars and familiar faces shine at Wyndham

Joohyung “Tom” Kim stole the show at Sedgefield Country Club during a memorable 83rd edition of the 2022 Wyndham Championship.

His 61 in Sunday’s final round, including a frontnine 27, was among the PGA Tour’s most clutch and impressive 18 holes played all year.

The 20-year-old South Korean sensation with a classic American nickname concluded a historic, five-shot victory at Sedgefield, becoming the second-youngest PGA Tour winner since World War II and the first born after 2000. His 8-under par front nine Sunday tied for the second-lowest nine-hole score in tour history.

Kim wasn’t the only Wyndham competitor who enjoyed his walk in the park at Sedgefield; two of them were with McConnell Golf pedigree. Sedgefield member Alex Smalley and Wakefield member Chesson Hadley both shot 6-under-par 64 in the final round. Hadley finished tied for eighth place while Smalley finished tied for 13th, and both players advanced into the seasonending FedExCup Playoffs.

McConnell Golf CEO John McConnell knew Hadley when he was growing up in Raleigh in junior golf circles with his sons. When Hadley won the 2010 ACC Championship at Old North State Club, McConnell offered him practice privileges at his company’s portfolio of courses to help him prepare for the eGolf Tour. Then in 2012, McConnell secured an entry for Hadley into the Wyndham Championship. Two years later, Hadley was named the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year.

As for Smalley, who has lived in Greensboro since 2017 and been a Sedgefield member since 2020, his Wyndham performance added to the rapidly ascending arc of his professional career.

The 25-year-old Duke University graduate wrapped up a successful rookie season ranked 63rd in the FedExCup, which assured him of keeping his Tour card for next season and got him in his first

Joohyung “Tom” Kim

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN GILLOOLY/WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Chesson Hadley

playoff event. His year included a runner-up at the Corales Puntacana Championship and top-10s at the Genesis Scottish Open (T10) and Mexico Open (T6).

Sedgefield is the place where it all started for him. During the 2021 Wyndham, thanks to a sponsor exemption from longtime tournament director Mark Brazil, Smalley introduced himself to the world of golf by starting with rounds of 68 and 64 to make the cut.

After a disappointing 2-over 72 in the third round, Smalley delivered on Sunday with birdies on the final four holes — all of them on putts of 15 feet or less — to finish T29. His clutch performance ultimately moved him from the world of Monday qualifiers and mini-tours to the PGA Tour.

Brazil told PGA Tour.com’s Helen Ross that Smalley’s successful run last year was “one heck of a story. It’s guts and determination and he’s a grinder. He’s got a lot of grit to him.”

Smalley’s 64 on Sunday in 2022 was one of his best rounds of the year. He admitted he entered Sunday’s final round a little hot under the collar.

“I had a good first day at the Wyndham (when he shot 65) and I didn’t have a very good second (70) or third day (71),” Smalley said. “We had that rain delay Saturday afternoon and we had to come back Sunday morning to finish the third round and I had a pretty bad finish to the third round.

“I was pretty upset after that. I was a little bit hot. So, I went out there and played mad, I guess you could say,” he said. “My goal (on Sunday) was to get to double digits under par, and I was able to shoot 6-under to do that. Obviously, I wish I would’ve played better on Friday and Saturday, but if you had told me I would finish tied for 13th before I teed off on Thursday, I probably would’ve taken it.”

Smalley paid tribute to Sedgefield member Jeff Womack who passed away unexpectedly

Alex Smalley

just weeks before the tournament by writing his initials on his hat. He said he received plenty of support from the home crowd.

“It’s a lot of fun to be able to play a PGA Tour event in your home state, let alone in your home city and on your own golf course,” he said. “I certainly had a lot of people out there rooting for me, which was really, really special.”

One of the best stories from the 2022 Wyndham Championship was that of recent McConnell Golf Scholarship recipient Blake McShea, who grew up in Zebulon, North Carolina, and played college golf at University of North Carolina Wilmington. He was the Colonial Athletic Association player of the year as a senior in 2021 and holds the second-lowest career scoring average (72.32 strokes) in UNCW program history. Since graduating and turning professional last year, he has been competing mostly on the GPro Tour.

McShea’s qualifying story alone was a doozy. As one of 23 players competing for four available spots in the Wyndham, he

“It’s a lot of fun to be able to play a PGA Tour event in your home state, let alone in your home city and on your own golf course. I certainly had a lot of people out there rooting for me, which was really, really special.”

— Alex Smalley

finished eagle-birdie on the final two holes, holing his pitch shot from just off the front of the green on 17 and nearly jarring his approach shot on 18 to record a 6-under 65 and secure his qualifying breakthrough. Three days later, McShea teed it up in his inaugural PGA Tour event.

“That’s when I knew I could play well during the Wyndham,” he said. “I also proved to myself that I can get it done under pressure. Being able to chip in for eagle then to hit it to a foot on 18 showed a lot about how I was feeling out there. I was confident and ready.”

He continued his hot play at Sedgefield, firing a 5-under-par 65 during the second round to find himself momentarily tied for seventh place. He easily made the cut ahead of names like Webb Simpson, Kevin Kisner and Harold Varner III.

“The experience was unreal, something I’ve always dreamed of,” he said. “I was able to meet and play with guys during the practice round that I see playing on TV. The whole week was a learning experience, and I loved every second of it.”

Another McConnell Golf Scholarship recipient, Nic Brown, the 2022 Carolinas Amateur champion, served as McShea’s caddie at Sedgefield. “Having Nic on the bag was a lot of fun,” McShea said.

“We’re good friends and we were out there having a good time. We try to keep it pretty simple. I’m not a guy who likes to overthink it and he knows that. That’s why we made a good team. He respected my energy and kept me laughing. We had one goal in mind and that was to have a good showing and have a good time while doing it.”

McShea enjoyed the support of numerous family members and friends rooting for him among the Sedgefield spectators, including many McConnell Golf members … and even his former kindergarten teacher.

“Because of everyone’s support, my PGA debut will be unforgettable,” he said.

McShea said the McConnell Golf Scholarship was a major difference-maker in his life.

“I can’t even begin to explain how much the McConnell Scholarship has helped me grow into the player that I am,” he said. “I had the privilege of playing and practicing on top-notch facilities that I wouldn’t have had access to, which elevated my game tremendously and helped me achieve one of my lifelong dreams.”

“One of my main goals throughout high school was to play Division I golf. Being allowed to practice at Raleigh Country Club was the only reason I was capable of reaching that goal. Not only was it beneficial

“I can’t even begin to explain how much the McConnell Scholarship has helped me grow into the player that I am. I had the privilege of playing and practicing on top-notch facilities that I wouldn’t have had access to, which elevated my game tremendously and helped me achieve one of my lifelong dreams.”

— Blake McShea

to be able to practice out there but I was also able to meet a lot of good people that molded me along the way.”

McShea recalled the first day he applied for the McConnell scholarship, sitting down to talk with VP of Golf Operations Brian “Boomer” Kittler about his goals and why he thought the scholarship would be beneficial.

“I told him I had goals of playing on the PGA Tour,” McShea said. “Eight years after getting the McConnell scholarship, I was able to compete in my first PGA

event on a McConnell Golf course and one of the first people I saw on the putting green was Boomer.”

“Talk about a full-circle moment. This was one of the coolest things to me because the first time I met Boomer I was just trying to break 80 my freshman year of high school. Fast forward eight years later and I’m standing on the PGA putting green with the guy who was able to make my dreams come true. I am so grateful for the scholarship and the opportunities it has given me along the way.”

EXPECT GREAT FOOD. AND A MENU THAT SIZZLES.

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MI

Setting a Rare Table

Decanting the story behind a star-studded series of wine dinners

By J Morgan McCallum

Pairing wine is an art form — one that can delight the novice diner and still surprise the most seasoned sommelier. Pinot and duck? Classic. Champagne and potato chips? Deliciously fun. And the most perfect match of all? A passion for handcrafted wines and the sport we love: golf.

This epicurean alchemy made for a star-studded series of wine dinners that could only have happened at McConnell Golf. In early March, three properties and their chefs teamed up with LPGA Champion and awarded Vintner Cristie Kerr of Napa Valley’s Kerr Cellars to produce Beyond Rare Vintages, a series of three wine dinners that invited members to experience some of Kerr’s most exquisite, toprated wines paired with multiple creative courses.

We all love a good story. It’s why we flip over the bottle to read the back of the label, or lean in to hear how the underdog player fought their way to the top. And the best part of this story began long before the wines were poured, the tables were set or the dishes plated.

“It all started when I received a beautiful handwritten note from Cristie,” reflects Christian Anastasiadis, COO at McConnell Golf. “It said, ‘hello, I’m watching what your team is doing, and it’s awesome. Have you seen my wine collection?’ I knew that she’d won the Women’s Open Championship at Pinehurst in 2007, but hadn’t followed her career since that closely.”

It felt like no small coincidence that Anastasiadis had already started developing McConnell Fine Wines,

a distributorship that solely focuses on partnering with boutique vineyards and winemakers to produce private labels for members. “When I looked Cristie and her winery up, I thought, ‘Wow! She’s so impressive—this could be the perfect match.’”

In fact, the first of these exclusive wines, called the M Signature Series, had only just been released—starting with a cabernet produced in partnership with Juslyn Vineyards, and followed by additional varietals that all proved to be a huge hit. Kerr Cellars couldn’t have come calling at a more perfect time.

“At only 4,500 cases a year, they’re a relatively small winery, with a really interesting and well-known winemaker, Helen Keplinger,” says Anastasiadis. “Her wines are hand-picked and beautifully

crafted. Her passion for what she does mirrors ours, from a very selective sort of experience and approach.” Named a “Winery to Watch” in 2016, Kerr and Kerr Cellars were also featured on the October 2021 Wine Spectator cover— so it’s no surprise that her first M Signature Series red blend sold out quickly. “We only sell these private label wines to the members at our clubs. You won’t find them on shelves at grocery stores,” adds Anastasiadis.

Like sharpening your swing, when you find something that works well, you pursue it to perfection. “After the wine was such a great hit, I pitched the idea of a wine dinner to Cristie—bringing together other varietals she produces, and the talented chefs at three of our clubs—like a traveling event series. She said she’d love to,” says Anastasiadis, who oversaw the procession from Raleigh Country Club to Porters Neck Country Club, and finally to Providence Country Club. “We kept it fairly small in size, and Cristie was there to tell her story and introduce the wines. We’ve done wine dinners before, but never like this—

with such a high-caliber, single winemaker as the focus, and on such a scale.”

The result? An opportunity to be part of something completely one-of-a-kind — and three memorable evenings that members are still talking about. “Nothing was spared. The Kerr wines lived up to expectations, and the cuisine was marvelous,” says Mike Rowe, a member at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation. “Cristie was so warm, welcoming and excited — her passion for wine was shining through. It was an extraordinary event to say the least.”

Hal Averette, a member at Raleigh Country Club, was just as impressed. “Cristie and Kelli Kuehne were very gracious with their time, chatting with members and discussing their wines. When you combine the excellent pairings of Kerr Cellars with the wonderful food from the McConnell

chefs, you can’t have a better evening. We especially enjoyed the Kerr Cellars Pinot Noir paired with the duck breast as well as the Reserve Red paired with the beef short rib.”

Beyond the chic indigo tablecloths, fresh flowers and glittering glassware, the McConnell culinary team was making the most out of this rare opportunity in the kitchen. “My favorite part of the Kerr wine dinners was getting the chance to work with other executive chefs from McConnell Golf. We don’t get the opportunity to get together very often, but when we do, we all have a great time,” reflects John Crawford, Executive Chef at Raleigh Country Club. “Cristie Kerr and her team have done a tremendous job crafting exquisite wines, which makes it very easy for us chefs to create a nice dinner to pair with them.” Whether you’re reliving the moment from

March or dreaming of the next event, you’re in luck: Kerr herself enjoyed the experience so much, she’ll be back for more dinners at three different clubs yet to be announced. “We loved sharing our wines and our story with members. The overall experience was truly unique, and it was fun traveling to three different McConnell Golf courses,” says the LPGA star. “The staff was wonderful with details and consistency from venue to venue, and the chef pairings were exceptional. We are looking forward to coming back to North Carolina and visiting additional McConnell Golf properties in the near future.”

“Working with McConnell Golf was wonderful! The members were fun and engaging,” adds Kelli Kuehne, Kerr Cellars’ Events Director, also on hand each night. “The staff was a pleasure to work with and the chefs paired the food and wines

beautifully. Cristie and I genuinely enjoyed our time at each McConnell club.”

Beyond Rare Vintages was just the beginning, and Anastasiadis’ team is already hard at work getting the next series ready to be poured and enjoyed. “This year, we’re coming out with the Artist Series, produced in partnership with Chris Corley’s Monticello Vineyards — look for

beautiful labels inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Deco.” The exclusive line will only include 150 cases from the boutique winery, and three different varietals: cabernet, chardonnay and a Chris Corley 2006 caskaged red blend. “We’ll likely do a special wine dinner with Corley at some of our properties as well,” adds Anastasiadis. Every wine series, every bottle, every dinner to come intends to tell a unique story — one that members won’t find anywhere else. All good reasons to look for tastings and new releases later this year and into next.

“These dinners are a great opportunity to find a new level of appreciation for wine. After an event like this, you almost have trouble going to a store and picking out a

cheap bottle,” laughs Anastasiadis. “The private label wines McConnell is producing — from the M Signature Series to the new Artist Series — are truly fantastic. These winemakers, like artists or painters, can see the final product in ways that we can’t. They know how to blend wines to create something unparalleled — just like how our chefs pair ingredients to create an unforgettable menu. Collaborating with these boutique vineyards, seeing their ideas and their craft come to life…it’s led to fantastic experiences for our members, and we’ve all had fun.”

“This is a great way to experience what the art of crafting wine really means.”

— Christian Anastasiadis, McConnell Golf COO

Beyond Rare Vintages

MENU

Passed Hors d ’Oeuvres

Todd Jackson, Executive Chef at Wakefield Plantation

Serrano Ham Fritters with Goat Cheese, Garlic Chive, Piquillo Pepper Aioli, Coriander Cured Yellowtail, Basil, Preserved Lemon, Avocado Mousse

Kerr Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

1st Course

James Patterson, Executive Chef at Porters Neck Country Club

Pan Seared Maine Diver Scallop, Romesco, Mint-Grapefruit Gremolata, Pancetta, Parsnip Crisps

Kerr Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

2nd Course

Brandon Mullis, Executive Chef at Providence Country Club Roasted Halibut, Brown Butter Corn Puree, English Peas, Sunchoke Chips, Chive Oil

Kerr Cellars Rued Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

3rd Course

John Crawford, Executive Chef at Raleigh Country Club Sous Vide Duck Breast, Butternut Squash Puree, Fondant Sweet Potato, Sautéed Rapini, Oven Roasted Pistachios, Raspberry Fig Sauce

Kerr Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

4th Course

Bruce McIntosh, Executive Chef at The Country Club of Asheville Meyer Natural Angus Shortrib, Saffron Risotto, Roasted Mushrooms, Haricot Verts, Buttermilk Shallots, Veal de Glace

Kerr Cellars Reserve Red Napa Valley

5th Course

Chefs Curated Cheese Course – Featuring Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill, Cranberry & Pistachio Bouchée Mignonne Asher Blue, Thomasville Tomme

Kerr Cellars Curvature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Artist Series

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Less is More

by Stephanie Trotter

Operation 36 is bringing thousands of players into the sport, by working backward from the pin

Family time at Amy Godiwalla’s home looks totally different, now that she and her sons have become obsessed with golf through Operation 36. “It’s a great way to learn the sport,” the busy mom says. “For someone like me, who was not exposed to the game that much growing up, it can be intimidating. But I love it, and when my boys saw me having so much fun, practicing like crazy, and getting motivated, they got engaged too.” In just one year’s time, all three are heading to the course on a regular basis, with newfound confidence and lower scores.

Born in the Carolinas, Operation 36 is the brainchild of Ryan Daily and Matt Reagan. In 2010, the duo designed a long-term golf development program in Buies Creek, North Carolina, after recognizing some 12 million people were interested in learning the sport, but far too many tried it and left frustrated. In a nutshell, Operation 36 instructors start golfers 25 yards from the pin. Players don’t tee off further back on the fairway until they can shoot 36 across nine holes. “We met with Ryan and Matt about a decade ago

and liked the concept,” says McConnell Vice President of Golf Operations Brian Kittler. “It’s a game-changer. It’s the first program where there’s a really good transition from golf instruction to getting on the golf course. We now run Operation 36 at 10 of our 14 facilities.”

“It’s bonkers!” exclaims Fergal O’Shea, Head Golf Professional at Providence Country Club. “Since last August, we’ve had almost 200 juniors and 168 ladies join the program. It makes the game manageable and removes all the intimidation when you’re first learning. You’re in a clinic-type setting, you learn visually from your peers, verbally with the pros.” Players move another 25 yards out with each new “division,” picking up new clubs, new swings, and new techniques along the way. O’Shea was steadfast that men would not want to start just off the green, with only a putter. Was he wrong! “The wives kept talking about it, so I set up a small class for 12 men,” the pro says. “I ended up with 30! We’ve even had intermediate players enroll in the program to improve their game, especially their short game.”

“We met with Ryan and Matt about a decade ago and liked the concept. It’s a gamechanger. It’s the first program where there’s a really good transition from golf instruction to getting on the golf course. We now run Operation 36 at 10 of our 14 facilities.”

Brian Kittler, Vice President of Golf Operations for McConnell Golf

At The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation, Teaching Golf Professional Erica Britt has been recognized as an Operation 36 “Top 50 Golf Coach” the past two years running. “I think the big difference the program offers is the ability to see your growth,” she says. “A lot of

PROVIDENCE’S RANKINGS IN GLOBAL OP 36 CHALLENGE

August 2021 — Top 10

September 2021 — Top 5

October 2021 — Top 3

November 2021 — No.

December 2021 — No.

March 2022 — Top 3

April 2022 — Top 4

June 2022

July 2022

times students have tremendous growth, but not in a way that they realize it, so they struggle with confidence and believing in themselves. Op 36 builds confidence and motivates you to continue to work on your game so you don’t feel defeated.”

The program features weekly instruction and the use of an app to track progress. McConnell instructors have found golfers frequently visit the range and course to play on off days, even providing updates to them through the app. “They text me what they’ve practiced and the results they see,” says Britt. “The app shows them how their number of putts-per-round has improved, or the number of greens they hit. Students are so hard on themselves and don’t give themselves

credit for their accomplishments. They can’t ignore what the app shows them.”

Wakefield Plantation is so serious about Operation 36, crews have installed permanent markers on the fairways, noting each division. “They’re colorcoded cement circles,” explains Britt. “Twenty-five yards out is orange, 100 is green, 150 is blue. We wanted the students to be on the course to play and practice, not just on the days we test.”

O’Shea says Providence’s short-game practice area was underutilized. He now regularly sees up to 15 people squeezing into it to work on their strokes. Operation 36 founders have a goal of introducing

“A lot of times students have tremendous growth, but not in a way that they realize it, so they struggle with confidence and believing in themselves. Op 36 builds confidence and motivates you to continue to work on your game so you don’t feel defeated.”

Erica Britt, Teaching Golf Professional at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation

one million new golfers to the game and get them to shoot even par (36) for nine holes by 2025. “Proof is in the pudding,” says O’Shea. “The rapid movement from class to class is fantastic to watch. It’s great to see so many people coming out and sticking with the sport we all love.”

After only two sessions, Godiwalla is now playing in division four, teeing off 150 yards from the hole. Her oldest, Landon, is playing in division three, after a session and summer camp, while Armin plays in division one after four days at camp. “The way the program is set up, your goal is totally attainable. You can see it,” she says. “I’ve found myself totally addicted and very passionate about it. Every day, I can’t wait to play.” And that’s what we like to see.

Operation 36 runs in six to eight week sessions, depending on the course, and usually costs between $250-300.

GOLFERS CAN JOIN OPERATION 36 PROGRAMS AT THE FOLLOWING MCCONNELL GOLF COURSES:

The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation

Providence Country Club

Brook Valley Country Club

Raleigh Country Club

The Cardinal by Pete Dye

Country Club of Asheville

Holston Hills Country Club

Treyburn Country Club

Porters Neck Country Club

Sedgefield Country Club

families

students have

program

earned

O’Shea, Head Golf Professional

Official Employee Benefits Broker of McConnell Golf

your business manage

been

by Abby Moore Keith

Going to the

Chapel

When Virginia developer Ron Willard began clearing property around Smith Mountain Lake in 1985 for the course that would become The Water’s Edge Country Club, he had little idea he’d uncover a piece of history. It wasn’t until one of his crew came upon an old building that Willard knew they’d found something special.

“He got off the bulldozer and noticed it was an old church,” says Willard. “He refused to tear it down, because it was God’s house.”

The old church, now a beautifully restored chapel used for wedding ceremonies at The Water’s Edge, hadn’t shown up on the land survey when Willard purchased the property. Curious, he decided to dig into

its history, and ultimately rerouted the course to avoid tearing down the church.

Having grown up in the area, Willard soon discovered the building was the old Rising Sun African American Church. After talking to his father, Walker Willard, Willard uncovered a wealth of stories about the church, including some Willard himself can remember. Off an old state gravel road, the church used to be surrounded by big trees with picnic tables spread out underneath the branches. Willard can remember driving down the road as a boy and catching sight of revivals at the church, with all the members gathering around the tables in the yard.

“My father can remember when it was a two-horse wagon road,” Willard says.

“They’d come that way before the lake was built, and people would have their horses tied up to the trees in front.”

After purchasing the church from the Rising Sun congregation, Willard used the building for storage until he was able to restore it in the late 1990s. After adding a copper roof and redwood siding, along with new floors, electric, and some support, the old church transformed into a lovely chapel. Willard celebrated the restoration with a christening, inviting the grandchildren of the old Rising Sun congregation. And in 2010, his own daughter Heather was married there, complete with a gospel choir.

Since the church’s restoration, many have tied the knot at this beautiful venue. While the interior can be used for smaller ceremonies, couples tend to utilize the chapel as an altar background with guests seated outside on either side of the walkway. Kasey Outen, stepdaughter of McConnell Golf CEO John

McConnell, and her husband, Stewart, held a destination wedding at The Water’s Edge in the fall of 2020. Outen grew up swimming at Smith Mountain Lake with her family, and as it quickly became a special place for the couple while they were dating, she knew the property would make an ideal spot for their wedding.

“Having a chapel on-site at a beautiful property with all of the other event amenities is rare,” Outen says. “This made our experience particularly special. The chapel is chic and rich in history, it’s such a neat addition to the property.”

A former country club employee, Crystal Dofflemyer worked at The Water’s Edge in high school and through college on her breaks. Hosting her wedding at the property was incredibly special for her.

“The chapel entrance was our altar, and the walkway to it was the aisle,” Dofflemeyer says. “Our family and friends sat on each side of the aisle under the shade provided by mature trees. There was a slight breeze

coming off the water so despite having a late August wedding, it was absolutely perfect.”

The chapel continues to create special memories for countless newlyweds at The Water’s Edge Country Club. And to think

it’s all thanks to a crew member in 1985 who refused to tear down an old church.

For more information on The Water’s Edge Country Club, or to book your event on-site, visit watersedgecountryclub.com.

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Offices in Cary, NC (919-388-3901) and Wendell, NC (919-365-9060) Contacts: Alan King (RCC Member) and Olivia Nichols www.cpacarolina.com

Offices in Cary, NC (919-388-3901) and Wendell, NC (919-365-9060) Contacts: Alan King (RCC Member) and Olivia Nichols www.cpacarolina.com

Offices in Cary, NC (919-388-3901) and Wendell, NC (919-365-9060) Contacts: Alan King (RCC Member) and Olivia Nichols www.cpacarolina.com

Offices in Cary, NC (919-388-3901) and Wendell, NC (919-365-9060) Contacts: Alan King (RCC Member) and Olivia Nichols www.cpacarolina.com

make

of

The average McConnell Golf course is 120 acres.

Between Memorial Day and Oct. 1, McConnell Golf clubs hosted over 2,700 events.

Of those events, over 550 were organized for children’s programming such as activity camps, golf camps and tennis clinics.

Club of Asheville cooks each holiday season.

pounds of turkey

From June 2021 to June 2022, Holston Hills Country Club sold enough chicken wings to go from tee box to green on holes 7 and 8 on their Donald Ross course.

cases of apples a year.

On average, The Reserve Golf Club goes through Sides of fruit are the number one requested side item at The Reserve.

quesadillas

shrimp baskets

Over the last year and a half, have been ordered at Brook Valley Country Club.

RALEIGH

n GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS:

Donald Ross / 2020 Kyle Franz

n LOCATION:

2.5 miles northwest of downtown Raleigh, 14 miles east of Cary and 30 miles southeast of Durham

n DID YOU KNOW?

The seventh green was designed roughly 30-40 yards back than its current location. The green had to be moved during construction as it was being built on someone else’s property. The property owner was supportive of the course construction. However, when he was notified of the issue, he politely asked if the green could be relocated to avoid being on his land.

n OUR COURSE:

“I’ve played my fair share of rounds since the course renovation, and this gem of a course keeps getting prettier. Since joining in 2019, I’ve gotten to know more and more people at RCC. The camaraderie of the membership [across skill levels] is tremendous. The staff — both in the club, in the shop and on the course — continuously make Steph and I feel welcome and have proven to be top-notch. Lastly, the network of clubs to enjoy within the McConnell portfolio is a perk that must be

taken advantage of. All seem to enjoy seeing ‘the guys from Raleigh’ come in for a round or two. One of the members who joined around the same time I did will often look at me and say, ‘have I told you how much I’ve enjoyed this membership?’ We will laugh, and then he’ll give me that four-footer for double.” — Jay Flowe, member at Raleigh Country Club

n INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOTS:

Thanks to upgrades from the 2020 course renovation project, there are limited areas at Raleigh Country Club that offer inadequate views. On the front nine, the No. 4 fairway is eye-catching with its well-bunkered green and rolling hills. Next is the view from No. 5 which offers variety and contrast between its bunkers, the meandering creek and RCC’s clubhouse. Starting on the back nine, No. 10 greets players making the turn with a straightway view that includes a pond to the right of the fairway and bunkers lining both sides. Next in line comes the dogleg left No.13 which presents a unique shot when viewed from the right angle as the green complex slopes from back to front. Finally, No. 18 presents a long and winding view 498 yards from the tee. Its greenside bunkers also provide depth with their variety of angles and placement.

Member

CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING SERVICES

THE COOK & BOARDMAN GROUP

Bob Settle

336.768.8872 cookandboardman.com

CRM

Doug Cowan 888.502.5203 crmservices.us

PELLA WINDOWS & DOORS

Chad Chimiak 336.379.8550 pellabranch.com

USA FLOORING

Molly Craig Cordell 910.528.1879 mollycrag@usaflooringnc.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

CAPITOL FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

William D. Smith, CFP®, AIF®, AEP®, RICP®, LUTCF, CLTC, Advanced Planning Advisor 919.858.2209 willsmithfinancial.com

GCG WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Shell York 336.303.4592 gcgwm.com

FAMILY WEALTH

COUNSELORS, INC.

Eddie F. Hearp, ChFC 540.989.4600 ehearp@hb.roacoxmail.com

HB MORGAN

Alan King 919.388.3901 cpacarolina.com

MAIN STREET FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

Kerrie J. Debbs, CFP 910.585.1848 msfsolutions.com

PRACTICAL SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC.

Dylan Fulk 704.721.6800 intacct.practicalsoftwaresolutions.com

DARYL MCCARTHY

TRINITY WEALTH

MANAGEMENT

Jim Wilkie

336.814.3328 trinitywealthmgt.com

FOOD & BEVERAGE

US FOODS

Contact 919.404.4100 usfoods.com

FURNITURE & INTERIORS

FURNITURELAND

SOUTH INC.

Blair Ingle 336.822.3000 furniturelandsouth.com

Member Directory

MEDICAL, HEALTH & WELLNESS

CHARLOTTE OPTOMETRIC CLINIC, PA

Dr. Masherrill Koonce 704.341.7676 charlotteoptometricclinic.com

INSURANCE

ASSURED PARTNERS

Eric Stevens 919.781.0200 336.375.0600 828.258.2663 assuredpartners.com

HARTSFIELD & NASH

INSURANCE AGENCY INC.

Donald Stroud Jr. 919.556.3698 hartsfield-nash.com

THE SORIN GROUP

Rand Williams 919.719.5375 thesoringroup.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

CANTER POWER SYSTEMS

Kevin Stringer 336.891.3014 canterpowersystems.com

CAUDLE’S COMFORT

Jacob Caudle 336.601.8784 caudlescomfort@gmail.com

TELEPATHIC GRAPHICS

We provide fast, expert printing for brochures, banners, sales kits, signage, vehicle wraps, etc.

Mark Gauley 919.342.4603 telepathicgraphics.com

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

IVESTER JACKSON

BLACKSTREAM CHRISTIE’S

Anna Grace 828.273.5052 annagrace.ivesterjacksonblackstream.com

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

HOMESERVICES SMITH

MOUNTAIN LAKE REAL ESTATE

Jane Sullivan Horne 540.493.1690 janeatthelake.com

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

HOMESERVICES SMITH

MOUNTAIN LAKE REAL ESTATE

Ron Willard II 540.721.8659 smithmtnlake.com

MurphyEmily Murphy

Emily@propspecific