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BUILDING CLUBS OF THE FUTURE
"Every day, there is an opportunity to make a difference."
Double the Joy: Jessica Storm Welcomes Twins
JESSICA STORM - TENNIS PROFESSIONAL AT PROVIDENCE COUNTRY CLUB
We are thrilled to share the joyous news that Jennifer and her husband, Nick, have recently welcomed not one but two beautiful babies into their family! On August 16, the Storms celebrated the birth of twin girls, Skylar and Alayna Please join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to the Storm family.
26 Years of Service as Wilson Country Club’s Head Golf Professional
Reid Hill To Retire
My sincere thanks to McConnell Golf for allowing me the opportunity to be part of the transition after the sale of the club last June It’s great to see the positive direction Wilson Country Club is taking, and I am proud to play a small role in this success I will not be a stranger, as I will continue to live in Wilson, which I call home, and you will most likely see me at the club on occasion. You have an amazing team running the club, and it will continue to improve in the years to come
I will continue in my current role as Head Golf Professional through this fall’s MemberGuest, with my official last day being Sunday, October 20
I certainly can’t thank each of you individually with this letter, but I hope to be able to express my thanks to each and every one of you in person in the coming days and months
Wakefield Welcomes New Arrivals
Kasey Outen, Member Services
Join us in congratulating Kasey and Stewart Outen on the birth of their baby boy, Hayes Thomas Outen Hayes was born on June 7, weighing 7 lbs, 5 oz Baby Hayes is doing well, and Mom and Dad are overjoyed with their new bundle of joy, loving him dearly. We are thrilled for Kasey and Stewart; please join us in wishing them all the best!
Bobby Dowgiallo, Chef de Partie
Bobby and his wife, Erin, are overjoyed to announce the arrival of their newest family member, Rowan Dean Dowgiallo, a beautiful baby girl adopted with love and open hearts! Rowan was born on July 30 at 2:25 p m , weighing 5 lbs, 3 oz After a long journey, the Dowgiallo family’s dream of expanding their family has finally come true. She has already brought so much love and joy to their home Congratulations to the Dowgiallo family as they celebrate their new bundle of joy!
Wilson Country Club Spotlights Employees of the Month
RICK NORVILLE
"Rick Norville has been on our outside golf staff for seven years now Rick retired from a distinguished career with the city of Tarboro and still lives in Tarboro He is married and has two children and two grandchildren Rick has proven to be an extremely valuable team member who is never late and always willing to go the extra mile " -Reid Hill, Head Golf Professional
GINNY LAMM
If you have dined with us at club in the last 8 years, you surely have been greeted warmly by Ginny Lamm. Ginny has been a pillar of the service staff here at Wilson Country Club, always going above and beyond with an impeccable attention to detail. Whether it’s your usual cup of tea or you're seeking ways to enhance your dining experience, Ginny anticipates our members’ needs without having to ask With an unwavering dedication to hospitality, she has more than proved herself to be a deserving recipient for the Employee of the Month
JAMES SUTTON
"James started working with us in 2016 as a full-time employee, so he has served Wilson Country Club for over 8 years now I’ve known him for quite a few years as he worked for Batts Tree Service, which I had used for various projects early on in my career Garry Batts passed away, and James called me looking for a job It was a no-brainer, as I knew the type of person James was, and I really liked not only his work ethic but also the fact that he always had a great attitude Early on, he mowed fairways and helped maintain the outer edges of the course. And of course, James would help with tree work during the winter Once Moses Hinnant (a 35+ year employee) retired, James was a shoe in for taking over the rough mower. These days, James mows the rough, which is about 84 acres of the 120 acres that we maintain He then turns around and works on blowing up and cleaning up the course. Once mowing slows down in the fall, James is a big part of the leaf cleanup effort And of course, we still get him to help us out with tree work from time to time I have been blessed to work with a few people who have a great work ethic, truly own their jobs, and have really been a joy to work with I can honestly say that James is among that group and one of the best!"
-Craig Clemmer, Golf Course Superintendent
MARY KRUSE, BREAKER BAR & GRILLE MANAGER AT THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION
Mary and her fiancé, Keith, got engaged on August 23 at Wrightsville Beach Congratulations to Mary and Keith!
KEVIN CRILL, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AT RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB
Kevin and his wife, Keri, welcomed their daughter, Olivia, into the world on August 4. Congratulations to the Crills!
21 Years of Service at Old North State Club
Robin Bowers to Retire
WRITTEN BY DAVID WILSON, GENERAL MANAGER
It is with a mix of gratitude and sadness that I announce the retirement of Robin Bowers, who has been a cornerstone of Old North State Club for 21 years She made an indelible mark on our organization through her unwavering dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence Robin has not only been a leader but also a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to many of us. Her contributions have played a significant role in shaping the success of our club, and her presence will be deeply missed As we celebrate Robin's well-deserved retirement, we also take this opportunity to reflect on the legacy she leaves behind a legacy of hard work, integrity, and a passion for making a difference We are all grateful for the many years of service Robin has given and the positive impact she has had on our team. Please join me in wishing Robin all the best in this next chapter of her life. May she enjoy a future filled with happiness, relaxation, and all the pursuits that bring her joy Thank you, Robin, for everything You will be greatly missed
CONGRATULATIONS
MIKE POWELL, CLUB MANAGER AT TREYBURN COUNTRY CLUB
Mike Powell and his wife, Jasmen, welcomed their second daughter, Raleigh Powell, on May 23, weighing 7 lbs Congratulations to the Powell family
TRAVIS HUDDLESTON, CATERING & SALES DIRECTOR AT SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB
Travis Huddleston and his wife, Lauren, recently welcomed a son into their family Caden Levin Huddleston was born on September 1, weighing 6 lbs, 12 oz. Congratulations to the Huddlestons!
Newest Members of the CCA Family
LEFT: Congratulations to Joshua Ponder, son of CCA Membership Director Debbie Ponder, and his girlfriend, Rachel, on the birth of their daughter, Ava Lee Ponder. Ava was born on August 8, weighing 9 lbs 1 oz
RIGHT: Congratulations to Mitchell Cook, CCA Outside Cart Staff Manager, and his wife on the birth of their second child, Savannah, at the end of June
COMING SOON: CCA Head Golf Professional Ross Lally and his wife, Morgan, are expecting their first child in December
AARON “AJ” JAMES, GENERAL MANAGER AT o s
Former PNCC and SCC cook wins Food Network’s “Chopped”
Nicholas Chavez, who has worked in the kitchens at both Porters Neck CC and Sedgefield CC, was one of four competitors featured on the Death is Not an Option episode of the popular Food Network show on August 27 The challenge involved creating dishes from baskets of mystery ingredients, all of which were dangerous in some way ranging from everyday items like bagels and hotdogs to more hazardous ingredients such as rattlesnake and cassava. The local chef's success earned him the $10,000 prize. “Being on Choppe ' Chavez said. “It was always a dream of mine to be on that show.” Read the full article here
Miles of Dedication
Maverick Williams recognized as PNCC's June Employee of the Month
Maverick’s attitude towards his job at Porters Neck is ‘whatever it takes and whatever we need ’ In just one year, Maverick Williams has proven himself to be a treasured member of the Porters Neck Culinary Team. A line cook and dishwasher, he always volunteers to stay late and work extra shifts Maverick is so dedicated to his job that he rides his ebike 29 miles to work every day (14 6 miles, each way) Considering that he typically works six days a week, that equals 174 miles a week in the rain, heat, and crazy Wilmington traffic! He was awarded Employee of the Month during the month of June, and when he found out, he kept saying, “It feels so good to be appreciated ” We appreciate YOU, Maverick!
Riders on the Storm
Chris, Scott, and Josh Worked Day and Night to Prevent Flood Issues on the Course, Adjacent Homes
Just one day after Tropical Storm Debby, Porters Neck CC experienced a torrential downpour, receiving 6.6 inches of rain in just a few hours. We are truly grateful to Josh Rowell, Porters Neck’s Head of Maintenance, and Scott Sutton, Assistant Superintendent, for staying overnight to operate the pumps and prevent flooding on the course and in adjacent homes Porters Neck members and staff showed their appreciation with homemade cookies and cupcakes Superintendent Chris Parham left the Wyndham Championship early to rush back to the club. He called his wife and told her he wasn’t going home; he was going to the golf course! For the next several days, he essentially lived on the golf course, working diligently to pump out the remaining water and protect the course, which reopened one week later.
EMPLOYEES IN ACTION
Footprints on the Green
OliviaStrong Golf Marathon
The Providence Country Club golf operations team of Kevin Reardon, Zack Maybank, Craig Black, Matt Lay, Brendan Loomer, and Adam Schmidt raised over $32,000 for the OliviaStrong Foundation and played 108 holes of golf through wet and rainy conditions.
Pledge the Pink: Racing to a Cure
Wilson Country Club’s Ashley Odom will be participating in Pledge the Pink’s fundraising walk on October 17-20 Each year, the 30-mile and 4-day walk is held in a different location This year, the event will be in Amelia Island, Florida.
“This is my 8th year walking for Pledge the Pink and fundraising for breast cancer,” Odom said “For every $100, a mammogram is donated to a person who is tackling a scary time in their life. We have all been affected by cancer or breast cancer, and I have family and friends surviving and going through treatments now I truly appreciate any support through prayers and monetary donations "
This annual fundraising event attracts thousands of people every year from around the world to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.
Chef Todd Jackson Hits the 20-Year Mark
"It has been a privilege to work with Todd Jackson for the past 20 years. While he has total command of the kitchen with high expectations, he is quick to allow his staff to express their creativity, which in turn allows them to learn and grow Staff turnover in his department is basically nonexistent, with the average tenure being 13 years. While I consider him to be the best in business, he is an even better dad to his two children "Michael Thomas, General Manager at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation
RECENT REVIEWS
THE CARDINAL GOLF CLUB
First time playing here. The condition of the course was great Fairways and greens in excellent condition. Will be back
Nelson Haden
HOLSTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
New golf carts this week Bunkers in couple months Nice
Mike Landon
MUSGROVE MILL GOLF CLUB
One of the most picturesque and challenging golf courses I’ve ever played Shoutout to Jeff Tallman, Director of Golf, Will Holroyd, Superintendent, and their crew
Ralph Polson
THE WATER’S EDGE COUNTRY CLUB
Great place to golf
Glenn Taylor
SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB
Best and hardest greens I've ever played!
Jim Claire
TREYBURN COUNTRY CLUB
What a treat! McConnell Golf doesn't miss! This place is awesome and one of the few bent grass green layouts left Can't wait to return!!
Darrell Toomer
PROVIDENCE COUNTRY CLUB
Lovely pool and Bar Attentive service
Denise Hauser
COUNTRY CLUB OF ASHEVILLE
Great Donald Ross-designed golf course, good food, and very nice people Not your traditional really tight hilly mountain course and a great back nine with great views. Excellent condition, both fairways and greens
Mark Bonner
PETE DYE RIVER COURSE OF VT
Fantastic course, great condition and friendly staff!
Sue Klekner-Alt
WELCOME ABOARD (PROMOTIONS + ADDITIONS)
EVAN
MORRIS
FOOD AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
WILSON COUNTRY CLUB
EMORRIS@WILSONCOUNTRYCLUB COM
Congratulations to Evan Morris, who recently moved from Sedgefield CC to Wilson CC Evan’s dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, and his new role is a testament to his abilities As he transitions into his new position, we want to express our heartfelt congratulations His leadership, expertise, and warm presence will be greatly missed at Sedgefield However, we take pride in having played a part in his professional journey and are confident he will excel in his new role Please join us in congratulating Evan on this exciting new chapter in his career, and let us continue to support him as he embarks on this next adventure.
TRAE SMITH
DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB
TSMITH@SEDGEFIELDCC COM
With a career deeply rooted in the hospitality industry, Trae brings a wealth of experience and innovation to the Sedgefield CC team, having honed his expertise across North Carolina and Georgia For over 12 years, Trae has served as a trusted private consultant, navigating the intricate landscape of hospitality with finesse and vision His dedication to excellence and commitment to delivering an unparalleled guest experience are truly remarkable. Beyond his professional achievements, Trae finds his greatest joy in his family Alongside his beloved wife, Britany, of nine years, Trae is a proud father to Harper and Kingston. When not immersed in the culinary world, he can often be found coaching his children’s sports teams or savoring moments with his extended family in Charleston, South Carolina
MARYANNE KENNA
FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER COUNTRY CLUB OF ASHEVILLE MKENNA@CCOFASHEVILLE.COM
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Maryanne moved to Asheville 10 years ago to attend college at Mars Hill University She has been with the Country Club of Asheville for the past four years, starting as a cabana server in 2020 and working her way up to Food and Beverage Manager, exemplifying motivation, leadership, and dedication Maryanne truly loves this club, and the main reason she has been with us for so long is the membership; they have become like family to her. She is very excited about this new position and eager to further her career with McConnell Golf Be sure to congratulate her the next time you see her at CCA!
RYAN O’NEILL
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL PORTERS NECK COUNTRY CLUB
ASSISTGOLFPRO@PORTERSNECKCOUNTRYCLUB COM
Ryan is an experienced golf professional with nearly two decades of experience, including over 14 years as a Class A PGA member. He has always had a passion for teaching the game of golf and communicates effectively with a wide range of students Whether working with a golfer who has played for fifty years, a low handicapper aiming to break par for the first time, or a junior golfer just starting out, Ryan finds joy in helping them improve their game Previously, Ryan was at Porters Neck CC, where he created a thriving junior golf program and made significant contributions to women’s golf. We are thrilled to have him rejoin our team as the Assistant Golf Professional!
WELCOME ABOARD (PROMOTIONS + ADDITIONS)
ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB NTHOMPSON@SEDGEFIELDCC COM
Nicole Thompson joined the Sedgefield CC team as the Activities Manager in June She has been working on summer camp programming and has loved getting to know the members and their kids Before joining Sedgefield, Nicole was a 4th grade teacher in Durham, North Carolina, for five years At her elementary school, she served in various roles, including as a self-contained classroom teacher for all content areas, 4th grade lead teacher, tutor, and STEM club advisor Nicole graduated from East Carolina University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. During the pandemic, while teaching virtually, she continued her studies online and completed a Master’s Program in Science Education In her free time, Nicole enjoys swimming, drinking coffee, reading at the library, and trying new restaurants with her family. One fun fact about her is that she is a triplet! Nicole looks forward to working with and getting to know all the staff at McConnell Golf properties
DIRECTOR OF TENNIS WILSON COUNTRY CLUB JMCCARTNEY@WILSONCOUNTRYCLUB COM
Jake McCartney, a native of Thames, New Zealand, had a distinguished collegiate tennis career at Barton College from 2013 to 2017 He earned all-conference status three times, including Freshman of the Year in 2014, and led his team to a Conference Carolinas Championship in 2017 With over 100 combined singles and doubles victories, he served as team captain and MVP.
McCartney began his coaching career as an assistant for the Bulldogs' men’s and women’s tennis programs and worked in athletic operations. He briefly served as head pro at Lake Wilson Tennis Club and helped the Bulldogs achieve consecutive 14-win seasons before the pandemic After earning his master’s degree, he returned as head pro at Lake Wilson and later volunteered as an assistant coach for NC Wesleyan’s men’s and women’s teams, which ranked eighth in the ITA in 2021-22 McCartney also worked at Seven Oaks Swim & Racquet Club
He holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and business administration with a finance concentration and an MBA in strategic leadership from Barton College.
NICOLE THOMPSON
JAKE MCCARTNEY
CHANCE PUCKETT
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB
CPUCKETT@SEDGEFIELDCC COM
Chance graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Sport Management in May 2024. During his time there, he served as a three-year Student Alumni Association Ambassador, oversaw the largest student-led homecoming in the country, and worked in the Athletics Communications office as a sports information assistant, focusing primarily on the gymnastics and women’s golf programs He joined the Sedgefield team in July as the Communications Manager and is excited to expand his role and start working with members around the club. In his free time, Chance can typically be found either playing golf or passionately rooting for his beloved NC State Wolfpack
FRONT OF HOUSE & CATERING MANAGER
PETE DYE RIVER COURSE OF VIRGINIA TECH
Kari was born and raised in Chesterfield County, just south of Richmond At 17, she started working as a maintenance crewperson on a 9-hole golf course across the street from her grandparents' home Her tasks included watering the greens with a garden hose, digging crabgrass with a butter knife, and edging the sand traps with a spoon. The course was close to her gym, where she trained year-round as a competitive gymnast Kari has worked in food and beverage for 30 years, with nearly 20 of those years focused specifically on country clubs, golf, and eventrelated roles Naturally, both of her daughters grew up playing in the Jr PGA league while learning how to operate restaurants Her oldest is a sophomore at Virginia State University, and her youngest is a high school freshman.
KARI KENDALL
WELCOME ABOARD (PROMOTIONS + ADDITIONS)
DANNY CAIRO
SOUS CHEF COUNTRY CLUB OF ASHEVILLE SOUSCHEF@CCOFASHEVILLE COM
In July 2024, Danny Cairo joined Country Club of Asheville as Sous Chef. Originally from Miami, Florida, Danny was raised in a vibrant culinary environment influenced by Latin and international food cultures He graduated from Florida State University in 2018 with degrees in biology and education, both of which shape his approach to working in kitchens Danny has been part of the food industry since the age of 15, working in kitchens throughout university to support his education Most recently, he served as both Sous Chef and Executive Chef at Wolf Laurel Country Club over the course of four seasons Danny is eager to make CCA his culinary home and collaborate with Chef Michael to foster a culture focused on delivering consistently delicious food.
MORGAN GRIFFIN
ASSISTANT MANAGER, F&B DEPARTMENT
THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION MGRIFFIN@CCWAKEFIELDPLANTATION COM
Morgan Griffin has been promoted to Assistant Manager of Wakefield’s food and beverage department. She is currently attending Western Carolina University and plans to graduate in June 2026 with a degree in hospitality management and a minor in business Morgan has a strong passion for taking care of others, which she has loved most about her time at Wakefield Congratulations, Morgan!
HUMAN RESOURCES + MARKETING UPDATES
Empower 401(k)
Connect with McConnell Golf on LinkedIn
Connect with us on LinkedIn to stay at the forefront of the latest news, events, and more at McConnell Golf Follow for a behind-the-scenes look at exciting developments and initiatives, and engage with other employees across our footprint. Visit LinkedIn.com/Company/McConnell-Golf-LLC
McConnell Golf, The Magazine Fall/Winter Issue Coming Soon
Scheduled to be published in mid-October, this issue promises to be a must-read, with highlights including a recap of the Wyndham Championship and engaging member and employee spotlights Expect a collection of compelling stories from across our entire portfolio of clubs
WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS
WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS
WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS
WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS
WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS
WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS
