McConnell Golf, The Magazine - Spring 2020 by McConnell Golf

SPRING 2020

The Magazine

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Raleigh CC No 5

Brendon Todd

The 20s Are Already Roaring A NEW DECADE was ushered in recently, and we look forward to enjoying our Roaring 20s in the years ahead — especially without prohibition. McConnell Golf enjoyed its bestever financial performance in 2019 and we appreciate, and are thankful for, our thousands of members who have been instrumental to our success. In 2012, I stated to our team that our long-term company goal would be to become a $100 million-revenue business. It is my belief that before the end of this decade, we will certainly exceed that target. Other than my family vacations, my most fun times are being with our managers at our annual company symposium. Each year, the McConnell Golf team comes together for a few days to review operations, share and seek new ideas to improve as leaders, and develop new strategies and programs to take our organization to the next level. Seeing the enthusiasm and yearly growth in their efforts and talents is why I continue to lead our company instead of finding a beach or mountaintop to retire to. Hopefully, I still have some great years left to enjoy being part of the fun times that we create for our staff and members. This year will be very busy for us, with many projects underway. The largest one is the total restoration of Raleigh Country Club and I predict that it is going to be an impressive golfing gem when the course reopens in October. As Donald Ross’s last creation it deserves to be recognized as one of his best, and it will be a historical asset for the Triangle. A new short game area is being built at Sedgefield Country Club that will benefit members and pros. This new amenity, located down the hill from the clubhouse, will offer an

impressive look for fans exiting shuttle buses at the Wyndham Championship. We are thankful to be part of the tournament and for such a great partner in the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation that runs this event and has invested heavily in the Sedgefield community to take this PGA tournament to a lofty level. Many golf tournaments will be held at our clubs including the ACC Men’s and Women’s Championships in April at Old North State Club and The Reserve Golf Club respectfully. Two Korn Ferry Tour events will be held in May at Holston Hills Country Club and The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation. Then, of course, the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship in August at Sedgefield CC. There’s no doubt McConnell Golf has become the national leader for top amateur and pro events, and we enjoy hosting these each year. The experiences that our team members gain is truly beneficial to our daily operations throughout the year at all clubs. Life and sports can be challenging at times. Those pro golfers are always a hot putter away from victory or, when it goes cold, they can lose their playing status and job. This year’s comeback kid award has to go to Brendon Todd who played locally in Cary and then at the University of Georgia. I remember playing with him at Pebble Beach several years ago and thought that his driver and putter would carry him a long way. He won a tournament in 2014 and then struggled on Tour as his game faded. In 2017 he won $15,000 and in 2018, he missed all cuts and made $0! This year, however, he has won twice and currently is in third place in FedEx points. Brendon and Chesson Hadley are two of the nicest players on Tour and I hope you cheer for them as much as I do. As I finish this article there is one big question

that I hope you can answer for me. Why do tennis players take so many more lessons than golfers? It amazes me that in our company the tennis pros give double the lessons as our golf pros, and our number of tennis players is less than half of our golfing members. My wife who enjoys the court game gave her opinion and said that tennis players (especially the females) are more competitive and always strive to get to that higher USTA ranking. And, unlike most men, they listen to expert advice! Perhaps she is correct and therefore I have made a personal decision to take more golf lessons this season. With this being an election year, getting away from all the political ads and commentator bluster will be a blessing. Enjoy your spring and visit your club often. May 2020 start your best decade ever.

John McConnell, CEO & Founder

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

August 4 - 9

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Contents

MAP 7 EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Dalton Rich, Treyburn Country Club

CLUB COMMUNITY Latest happenings

FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN McConnell Golf encourages members of all ages to give back

FROM THE VINES TO THE PINES A new partnership brings members boutique wines

FUEL YOUR FITNESS What to eat before, during and after working out

PLAYING POOL PCC family grows up immersed in swimming

SEDGEFIELD SEIZES THE ADVANTAGE A new coach pushes players to new levels with a no-fault game

THE BACK 9 Chesson Hadley stays on the bright side, and keeps winning

MEMBER BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Features PRETTY FLY 18

The Country Club of Asheville, Hole No. 15

HOME COURSE HEROES

‘WHAT’S NEXT?’

FITNESS: IT ALL WORKS OUT

CULINARY: MIXING IT UP

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Spring 2020

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Spring 2020

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT by Brad King

DALTON RICH

keeps career on course

Serving up Serving up

DALTON RICH IS ON A ROLL. The Treyburn Country Club Assistant Golf Professional teamed up with fellow Treyburn Professional Adam Stephenson to shoot 8-under and win the 2019 Carolinas PGA Assistants Association Pro-Pro at Palmetto Golf Club by one stroke. He and Tag Wylie, Treyburn Director of Golf, finished tied for fourth in the Pro-Assistant Championship at River Landing. Rich, who won the 2013 Durham Amateur, also finished tied for sixth place at last year’s 68th PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com South Carolina Open. At Treyburn, Rich is in charge of the majority of tournaments. The 30-yearold is the head professional of the Treyburn Ladies Golf Association; he plays a major role in the Junior Golf Program and captains the club’s growing PGA Junior League Teams. Led by Rich, Treyburn’s Ladies Solheim Cup Team was victorious in 2018 at Grand Dunes Members Club. “It was my first year playing in the event and as I understood, the team had finished second multiple times prior,” he says, “so it was nice to finally get over the hump and get the ‘W.’” WILLIAM NOBLITT KNOWS TENNIS. EARNING ALL-ACCN.C., HONORS Rich grewNOBLITT up just 15 minutes north of Treyburn in Rougemont, where he WILLIAM KNOWS TENNIS. EARNING ALL-ACC HONORS during his time at N.C. State University, the record-holder is considered played golf sunup to sundown during the summer and weekends with a large during his time at N.C. KNOWS State University, record-holder is HONORS considered WILLIAM NOBLITT TENNIS.the EARNING ALL-ACC one of the greatest tennis players in school history. But beyond his one during of greatest players in school history. But beyond his group ofthe buddies at Lake Winds Golf Course. his time attennis N.C. State University, the record-holder is considered talents as a player, he understands the needs of his members and has talents player, understands needs ofday,” his members and “It was nice to greatest havehe friends to compete every he “We had oneas ofathe tennis playersthe inwith school history. Butrecalls. beyond hishas ambitious goals for his tennis program. ambitious for hishe tennis program. talents as a player, understands needs his members has some pretty goals strong talent out there, whichthe helped meofalways push to and get better Inambitious his current current rolefor athis Providence, Noblitt oversees oversees the the club’s club’s 14 14 tennis tennis goals tennis program. his role at Providence, Noblitt and In better.” courts,Inincluding including 12role clayatcourts, courts, and and the the pro shop. shop. His the largest duty howhismembers current Noblitt oversees club’s 14 tennis courts, 12 clay pro His largest duty howAlongside of thatProvidence, same group, Rich competed for four years ever is tennis instruction, at which he indeed excels. The thrill of comcourts, including 12 clay andindeed the shop. largest duty howis tennis instruction, atcourts, which he excels. The thrill comatever Durham’s Northern High School, helping leadpro the team His to the stateof petition was certainly a factor in his success as a collegiate athlete and ever is tennis instruction, at which he indeed excels. The thrill of competition was during certainly a factor in his success as a collegiate athlete and championship their seniornow season. “Having grown up inspire playing the game thatpetition same competitive competitive spirit helps him teach teach and others. was certainly a factor his success as a and collegiate athlete and that same spirit nowinhelps him inspire others. with everyone on the team, I enjoyed the team atmosphere,” he says. “That was Noblitt’s favorite part of his job? Doing what he loves every day. that same competitive spirit now helps him teach and inspire others. Noblitt’s favorite part of his job? Doing what he loves every day. when had mygo most fun aspart a golfer.” “IIget get to to work and share my knowledge knowledge and passion forday. sport Noblitt’s favorite of his job? Doing whatand he loves every “I to go to work and share my passion for aa sport Richhas then headed to Barton College inmy Wilson, N.C., where hehe played golf for that been a part of my life since I was six years old,” says. “I love “I get to go to work and share knowledge and passion for a sport that has been a part of my life since I was six years old,” he says. “I love two years andbeen qualified to play inlife aalways half-dozen After thatmembers has aimprove part of my since hope I wastournaments. six years old,” he Barton, says. “I he love seeing and to instill that same lifelong seeing members improve and always hope to instill that same lifelong gave professional golf aimprove go, joining EGOLF Tour earlythat 2010. He played in andthe always hope toininstill same lifelong loveseeing of the themembers sport.” love of sport.” Caption TK majority of love of the sport.” four An tournaments and for improved his play inone. eachHe outing. average day Noblitt is a full spends the Caption TK majority of An average day for Noblitt is a full one. He spends the Caption TK majority of Anon average day for Noblitt is aand full it one. He spends the “Unfortunately, funding became slim wasbusy a short-lived effort,” Rich says. his time the courts. In the morning, he’s with private lessons, his time on the courts. In the morning, he’s busy with private lessons, his time onclinics, theof courts. In morning, he’s with private lessons, “But the experience being onthe a professional golfbusy tour opened my eyes to cardio tennis and ladies’ team clinics. In the afternoon, he’s cardio tennis clinics, andand ladies’ team clinics. InInthe he’s cardio tennis clinics, ladies’ team clinics. theafternoon, afternoon, he’s working with junior players through private lessons and clinics. how much effort, time and dedication is required to perform at the professional working withwith junior players through private lessons and working through private lessons andclinics. clinics. Looking back junior on his hisplayers first year year at Providence, Providence, two events events stand out. out. In In level.” Looking back on first at two stand Looking back on his first year at Providence, two events stand Stand out. In 2018, the Make-A-Wish Pro-Am fundraiser and Alex’s Lemonade In August 2010, Rich joined Treyburn as an outside cart attendant. “I knew 2018, the the Make-A-Wish Pro-Am fundraiser and Alex’s 2018, Make-A-Wish Pro-Am fundraiser and Alex’sLemonade LemonadeStand Stand Foundation’s Ladies Member/Guest were held at PCC. Noblitt was what a special place Treyburn was from playing the golf course a few times Foundation’s Ladies Member/Guest were held atatPCC. Foundation’s Ladies Member/Guest were held PCC.Noblitt Noblittwas was fortunate tohework work alongside members for these events, enjoying enjoying fun growing up,”to says. Two years members later, whenfor offered a events, position assistant golf fortunate alongside these aaafun fortunate to work alongside members for these events,as enjoying fun day of tennis while raising funds and awareness for important causes. professional, “I jumped on the opportunity to move inside and learn the ropes. day day of tennis while raising funds and awareness of tennis while raising funds and awarenessfor forimportant importantcauses. causes. Looking Noblitt hashas big plans for the future ofofPCC’s PCC’s thriving Shortly after, Iahead, entered the Professional Golf Management program, which I will Looking ahead, Noblitt big plans for thefuture future PCC’s thriving Looking ahead, Noblitt has big plans for the of thriving tennis program. tennis program. complete this year.” tennis program. “My goal isofto to create fun, enjoyable atmosphere where people “My goal is to create a fun, enjoyable atmosphere wherehosted people The highlight Rich’s golf career came in 2014, when Treyburn one “My goal is create aa fun, enjoyable atmosphere where people want to come out and play, and participate in what we have going on,” want to come out and play, and participate in what we have going on,” to come out play,Open and qualifiers. participate in what wewas have going ofwant the Web.com Rex and Hospital “The qualifier a lot less on,” he says. “The junior program in particular is something I want to build. he says. “The junior program in particular is something I want to build. he says. “The junior program in qualifiers particularand is something want to build.so expensive than the normal Monday it was at myI home course, I believe believe thatthat with thethe facilities wewe have and the staff ininplace, place, we could I believe with facilities have and the staffin place, wecould could that with the facilities we have and the staff we I Ifigured, why not?” he says. “I entered with no real expectations of winning the have one of the best junior programs around.” have one of the best junior programs around.” have one of the best junior programs around.” one qualifying spot.” A vision vision for program program enhancements, coupled with the addition of A vision for program enhancements, coupledwith withthe theaddition additionof of A for enhancements, coupled Nevertheless, 18 holes later Rich had fired a bogey-free 67isthat was good new clinic offerings, social events, and tournaments, arecipe recipe for the the new clinic offerings, social events, and tournaments, is a for new clinic offerings, social events, and “By tournaments, is aI hit recipe for the enough to get him intoand a and two-man playoff. some miracle, the fairway continued success growth of the tennis program atProvidence. Providence. continued success growth of the tennis program at continued success and growth ofpar thetotennis program at Providence. and the green able to make winNoblitt the qualifying he says. Heading into his second year the club, Noblitt servesspot,” upaawinning winning Heading intoand hiswas second year at at the club, serves up Heading into his second year at the club, Noblitt serves up a winning A few weeks later, Rich was playing in the biggest tournament of his life at program no sign of slowing down anytimesoon. soon. program withwith no sign sign of slowing slowing down anytime program with no of down anytime soon. Wakefield Plantation. “I had a great gallery full of friends, family and Treyburn members,” he says. “The support was unbelievable. I am very fortunate to be a part of McConnell Golf.”

Success Success

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William Noblitt Noblitt has has big big plans plans William Noblitt has bigClub plans forWilliam Providence Country Club for Providence Country for Providence Country Club

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Spring 2020

CLUB COMMUNITY

Club Happenings GRANDE DUNES MEMBERS CLUB WHITE OUT PARTY Dancing, drinks and delicious fare were enjoyed as members donned fabulously elegant all-white outfits for the occasion. Live music kept the dance floor packed and chef’s crab cakes, beef tenderloin and caprice chicken wowed the crowd.

BROOK VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB OYSTER ROASTS Eastern North Carolina enjoys their oysters and seafood when they can get them. With the fire pit blazing and oysters roasting on the patio, members celebrated fun and delicious winter nights!

HOLSTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB BEER PAIRING Members tried new local brews and farm fare at this sold-out event. The pub-themed menu featured a Next Level burger, with IPA Onion Jam and Sweetwater Valley Farms’ aged white cheddar, paired with the brewery’s flagship Big Boi Map IPA. 10

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB PIE EATING CONTEST It was all about “keeping your eye on the pie” for families who stepped up to the challenge of a traditional pie eating contest. These kiddos got down and dirty to take home the win!

THE RESERVE GOLF CLUB GREAT SCOTT The Braveheart Dinner hosted by Mr. Scott has been an ongoing event for years and years — and a night everyone looks forward to. The men play golf in kilts and then enjoy a candlelight dinner with their wives.

THE CARDINAL BY PETE DYE SHORT GAME FUN Not sure if it was the wine talking, but extending the annual team competition from the course to the club’s traditional putt-putt experience during the Ladies Member-Guest yet again sparked rave reviews!

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Spring 2020

APRIL 23-26, 2020

THE RESERVE GOLF CLUB | PAWLEYS ISLAND | SOUTH CAROLINA

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FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN

Little Footprints, Big Impact McConnell Golf encourages members of all ages to give back MCCONNELL GOLF IS A DRIVING FORCE in all its local communities, hosting a variety of charity events and donating to many more. Footprints on the Green is a company-wide effort that encourages membership and staff to give back in fun, creative and, of course, meaningful ways. Many of these service programs are designed to be kid-friendly – because it’s never too soon to nurture a giving spirit. “McConnell Golf is a family that wants to give and serve others. We help our children learn those values through service programs throughout the year,” says Kym Reed, Director of Fitness and Activities at Providence Country Club. “It is an honor to help our Providence Playhouse Kids understand what they have, and how much they can give to others, at every age.” Activities that instill the spirit of philanthropy in young children help set the stage for their future. “They learn the importance of being able to help others who are less fortunate,” says Natalie Clemens, Corporate Director of Member Activities and Wellness. “They learn that whether we are helping our planet, people or animals, it’s a good feeling knowing that you can make a positive impact.” 14

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

POLAR BEAR PLUNGES at Wakefield Plantation and Porters Neck made a splash with January jump-in-the-pool fundraisers to protect polar bears via World Wildlife Fund. WWFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to conserve nature and reduce threats to the diversity of life on Earth. RED NOSE DAY was filled with fitnessfocused events at Wakefield Plantation and Providence. Red Noseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to end child poverty by funding programs that keep children safe, healthy and educated.

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Spring 2020

FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN

MILITARY APPRECIATION EVENTS at McConnell clubs support active, retired and fallen military personnel and their families. Retired Army Lt. Colonel Tim Hoch and Navy Commander Scott Desmond spoke with children at Providence Country Club, who then assembled care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan and patients at their local VA hospital. The kids were excited to receive a “thank you” picture from the soldiers.

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

SUMMER CAMP PROJECTS at Sedgefield and Old North State gave kids plenty of opportunities to give back. They made cookies and thank-you cards for local firefighters; created blankets for Project Linus, a nonprofit that provides homemade blankets to children in need; built birdfeeders for use around the golf course; and expressed appreciation for staff by writing thankyou notes and serving ice cream.

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Spring 2020

GOLF by Chad Flowers

Pretty Fly Jerry Jones goes above and beyond for a game of golf 18

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

RICK WESTON

Holston Hills Country Club

A ROAD TRIP on any highway around North Carolina undoubtedly showcases the iconic state license plate phrase “First in Flight.” While there may be a mostly friendly competition from the state of Ohio as to the origins of the first airplane, make no mistake that the first flight was indeed in our skies. Fast-forward a century or so and head a couple hundred miles west from that historic first flight in Kitty Hawk and you will find another aviator just as passionate about the skies as those first to fly them in the early 1900s. Jerry Jones began his aviation

“We would fly in the mornings and play golf or go fly fishing in the afternoons, but more golf than anything else.” – Jerry Jones

career as a hobby, and has enjoyed it for both business and pleasure for more than three decades. The businessman and long-standing member of Raleigh Country Club first fell in love with the idea of flying while hanging out with some of his wife’s business associates in the early 90s. “My wife worked for AT&T and some of her co-workers were pilots,” Jones recalls. “They were always enthusiastic about it, so I decided to take flying lessons to see what would happen.” While there are pros and cons to both flying commercially and in smaller private aircraft, Jones is committed to the experience of being in control of his own plane. Being part-owner of a plane for the past 30 years has opened many new opportunities for himself and his family, friends and business associates as they have traveled the continent. Multiple trips to Alaska and Mexico, across the Rocky Mountains and beyond have

allowed him to see the world from a vantage point few get to experience. Flying at an average of 5,000-8,000 feet above sea level, he stays well below commercial traffic and enjoys incredible views throughout his travels. He was even able to see the space shuttle being ferried back to Florida midair on the back of a 747, which must have been a sight to behold, especially from the air! “Sherman Yeargan was my first partner in airplane ownership, and he is the one that actually got me started at Raleigh Country Club,” says Jones. “We each owned half of the plane, and for about 15 years we would throw our clubs and fly rods in the back of the 182 (plane) and we would just go for two weeks. Our wives would give us a pass every year — and we would just head west toward the Rockies. “We would fly in the mornings and play golf or go fly fishing in the afternoons, but more golf than anything else,” recalls Jones. www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

“Jerry’s flying skills are similar to his golf game. He is always prepared, down the middle, and chips it close.” – Steve Russell

View of Treyburn Country Club from Jones’ plane.

GOLF “We would also fly to Mexico, into Baja — tour that area — then up through Canada and British Columbia, the Yukon, and up into Alaska three or four times. But not much golf in Alaska! Mostly fishing, and we had a great time.” Throughout the McConnell Golf footprint, Jones has had the pleasure of flying to three properties: The Country Club of Asheville, Holston Hills Country Club and Musgrove Mill Golf Club. While each course is an incredible experience, the trips are each unique in their own right. “There is a really cool airport in Knoxville,” says Jones. “The South Holston River and French Broad River meet to form the Tennessee River, and there is a small island there with a municipal airport. You can see the golf course and the mountains in the background. It is

“There is a really cool airport in Knoxville. The South Holston River and French Broad River meet to form the Tennessee River, and there is a small island there with a municipal airport.” – Jerry Jones

very unique.” Jones is referring to the Knoxville Downtown Island Airport as it is known to locals. Only a ten-minute drive from the club, it is very convenient for those choosing to arrive to the area via private aircraft.

Regarding Holston Hills, Jones will first tell you how enamored his group, The Plus Fours, is with the course’s wide open vistas and beautiful, rolling landscape. He also mentions how playable the track is and that it’s kept in excellent condition. The latter point is underscored by the club’s recent recognition as “Private Course of the Year” by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Jones’ affection for the famed Donald Ross design was only further solidified when The Plus Fours stumbled into a winning situation. “We happened to arrive around lunchtime on a Friday, which is when the senior men have a regular Dog Fight. They asked if we would like to play and we were happy to join,” he recalls. “Well, my fellow Raleigh

Jerry Jones cruises over the Triangle.

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

CC members Steve Russell and Dan Hughes happen to have their best rounds at Holston that day. Steve won low net with Dan coming in second. You should have heard the Holston members howling about the RCC Ringers coming in! It was fun and we got to meet some really nice members at Holston.” Meeting great people is a common theme from travel tales across the sister properties – whether that’s hospitality from fellow members or McConnell Golf staffers. “Musgrove Mill is so fun and Jeff is always so good to us,” Jones says regarding Director of Golf Jeff Tallman. “He picks us up at the airport, takes us to the club, and then takes us back when we are ready to leave. CC of Asheville is cool as well. They have a larger airport that is easy to get in and out of.” Heading back out across the country, Jones has had some other great experiences flying the friendly skies with his golf clubs. Trips to Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Pete Dye’s Sawgrass in Florida are among the highlights. “My wife and I both got it on the green on the 17th at Sawgrass,” quips Jones. “I thought we would be in the water for sure!” While Jones is a talented and experienced pilot, landing the ball on the infamous island green at Sawgrass may have come even more natural than landing his plane on the island airport in Knoxville. Sporting a handicap index of 6.7, Jones, who turns 70 later this year, won the Super Senior Club Championship at Raleigh Country Club in 2019 shooting 74-76=150 for a two-shot victory. A frequent travel companion, Russell would agree. “I’ve flown with Jerry to Musgrove Mill, Holston Hills, and CC of Asheville,” he says. “Jerry’s flying skills are similar to his golf game. He is always prepared,

Jerry Jones at Musgrove Mill Golf Club No. 7.

down the middle, and chips it close. I was very tentative the first flight, but soon realized how careful and professional he was as he completed his pre-flight checklist.” It all comes down to having fun for Jones. Whether on the golf course or in the air, he makes the most out of his experiences. “It’s a lot of fun to learn to fly and I think a lot of people would really enjoy it,” he says. “It’s not that expensive to learn how, and it’s just a lot of fun. Especially that first

time you go up solo … everyone ought to get a chance to do that once. It’s a real thrill to realize it’s all up to you.” To help illustrate this story, Mr. Jones was kind enough to pick writer Chad Flowers up in his aircraft on a mild fall afternoon. They flew over Treyburn Country Club during the Men’s Member Guest golf tournament and captured photos of the course and grounds, pictured. Thank you Mr. Jones for your generosity and willingness to share your story. www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

DRINK

From the Vines to the Pines New partnership brings boutique wines to members FINDING A BOUTIQUE vineyard that could produce, bottle and also distribute a privatelabel wine was no easy task. The search, several years long, led McConnell Golf COO Christian Anastasiadis to an up-and-coming private estate on the acclaimed slopes of Spring Mountain in Saint Helena, California. Juslyn Vineyards proved a perfect partner, and the McConnell Signature Wine Series was introduced in 2018. It’s now a favorite on the clubs’ wine lists. A recent bump in the road might’ve disrupted the flow, but instead became an avenue to expand the wine offerings at clubs in the Tarheel State. That’s because Will McConnell brought a wine distributorship into the family, maintaining the Signature Series partnership and providing access to additional boutique labels from across the country. Sedgefield Country Club’s Food and Beverage Director Maya Panayotova — a true oenophile — shares the details of this bountiful, new partnership:

What can McConnell Golf members expect to see in the coming months regarding boutique wines? Participating clubs will be revamping their wine lists to take advantage of the expanded access we now have to small vineyards around the country. These boutique operations produce some of the best wines, but they’re not otherwise available in North Carolina. 24

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

“These boutique operations produce some of the best wines, but they’re not otherwise available in North Carolina.” — Maya Panayotova

Juslyn Vineyards is launching another McConnell Signature Series wine this year — fill us in! The new wine is a red blend with fruit selected entirely from the Spring Mountain Estate — the same as used for the 2016 varietal. It’s 59.3% Cabernet and 40.7% Merlot; a lush, medium to full-bodied wine with beautiful aromatics, a well-balanced structure and a silky finish.

Last fall, Juslyn Vineyards hosted special wine dinners at our clubs. How did members react to the vintner’s full portfolio? As a small, boutique winery located in a highly acclaimed mountain appellation, Juslyn quickly gained popularity amongst our members. With this new partnership, our clubs in North Carolina can include more of Juslyn’s varietals on their wine lists in addition to the McConnell Signature Series.

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

GOLF by Brad King

“Not all courses give you the opportunity to hit all 14 clubs in a round of golf, but RCC does and that is something that I have always appreciated about the layout.” – MARK GAULEY

Home Course Heroes Former ACC stars still shine at RCC MARK GAULEY FIRST STARTED playing golf at Raleigh Country Club while a student at NC State University, where he was an Academic AllAmerican in 1998 and 1999. His roommate at the time was current RCC Head Professional Paul Dickens. The two played at NC State on teams featuring future PGA Tour stars Carl Pettersson and Tim Clark, among others. “RCC was one of the places we played on a weekly basis,” recalls Gauley, who won the high school state championship in 1993. “I fell in love with it then. Obviously, it has changed a lot since 1995, but the charm and feel have always been a part of it.” Intrigued by Donald Ross designs, Gauley appreciates how many ways he can play the RCC course. “What I love so much is the ability to try different things on any given day, depending on how your game is feeling,” he explains. “Not all courses give you the opportunity to hit all 14 clubs in a round of golf – but RCC does.” Since joining RCC in 2001, Gauley has captured four club championships. Another outstanding college golfer, UNC’s Bill Smith, won the club championship the year he joined RCC, in 2006, and again in 2010. For 12 consecutive years, Smith finished in the event’s top 3. Now, former Wake Forest standout Cyrus Stewart has captured a pair of consecutive RCC titles. Stewart and longtime member Jerry Mangum are the only members www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

GOLF who have won both the Junior Club Championship and Men’s Club Championship. “Cyrus is one our young guns out here at the club,” Dickens says. “Talk about moving the golf ball. He hits it forever. Cyrus makes that tour sound, that click, when he makes contact with the ball. I can walk out on the range and not actually see Cyrus hit a golf ball, but just by the sound of it, I know he’s the one who struck it — just makes a different sound. And a super kid.” After Gauley graduated from NC State, where he was part of the Wolfpack’s 1996 East Regional Championship team, he went

on to play in three U.S. Amateur Championships and a pair of British Amateur Championships. He and his older brother, Brian, also an RCC member, have won the North Carolina Four Ball twice, the Eagle Point Four Ball twice and made the semifinals at Winged Foot Golf Club during the 2015 Anderson Memorial. “Golf has given me a lot of opportunities in my post-playing days,” says Gauley, who is co-owner of Telepathic Graphics, a commercial printing company in Raleigh. He and his wife, Molly, have two boys, Bryson and Charles. “Both of my kids have played for the RCC Junior League teams, so that has been

Cyrus Stewart

“The number of scratch players and former college players out there is staggering. ‘Really good golf ’ is a theme at Raleigh Country Club. It’s a golfer’s club.” Mark Gauley

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

– Bill Smith

Bill Smith

fun to watch them grow up in that program over the last six years.” Gauley, who made consecutive eagles on RCC’s ninth hole last year in back-to-back days, says he appreciates McConnell Golf for allowing the club to prosper when it faced some serious challenges. “But not just RCC, golf in general, from North Carolina to South Carolina and now Tennessee,” Gauley says. “I grew up at The Cardinal in Greensboro and saw firsthand the changes McConnell Golf put in very early to help that club. I played every ACC championship at Old North State, so to have that in the rotation means a lot to me as well. It is just great to go back to places where you have fond memories from your playing days. The ability to travel around to all the clubs is such a wonderful perk.” Bill Smith agrees: “I play Treyburn a lot; I play Sedgefield a few times a year. I love Musgrove Mill. The whole (McConnell Golf) network makes up some of the best courses in the Carolinas.” The son of a golf and basketball

coach at Campbell University, Smith was also a North Carolina state high school champion in 1987, when he was a junior. During his redshirt sophomore campaign at UNC, the Tar Heels ranked first and second in the country all year, and ended up coming in second at the NCAA Championships. As a senior at Chapel Hill, Smith was the team’s only returning starter. UNC had two true freshmen, a transfer and a redshirt freshman, but the talent eventually clicked. In their final three tournaments, the Tar Heels won at Duke, finished second in the NCAA East Regional and came within two shots of winning the NCAA championship. After graduating from UNC, Smith turned professional and won five golf tournaments, including three times on the Hurricane Tour in 1994, when he was the tour’s Player of the Year. Now an established financial advisor in the Raleigh area, Smith says that since regaining his amateur status in 1999, the main outlet for his competitive desires has been Raleigh Country Club.

“The best tournament of my year, every year, has been the club championship,” he says. “As members at Raleigh, all the guys who play in the club championship are lucky, because it’s like having normal guys with playing conditions that are commensurate to a U.S. Open. You just can’t imagine the way it’s run and the way it’s set up — and we have a lot of great players at Raleigh.” Though he often finds himself “exhausted and mentally frazzled” following the event, Smith says it’s the most fun he has all year long. “The challenge of it is so extreme,” he explains. “In the purest sense of competition, it’s you versus the course — and the course is going to win that weekend-long event. It shows the brilliance of the Donald Ross greens, which are great and are getting ready to be even better.” Smith is “an extremely straight driver of the golf ball and putts the eyes out of it,” according to Dickens. “If I had a four-man captain’s choice team, (Gauley and Smith) would definitely be on it.” Smith and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. Smith says his most enjoyable moment at RCC was caddying for their son, Parker, during one particularly memorable junior club championship. “He was locked in a really classic battle against Wells Armes in 2017,” Smith recalls. “I gave him a bad read, but he still birdied the first playoff hole to win. I was a nervous wreck compared to him.” In addition to all the members who are great golfers, Smith lauds the talent of the staff. “Brian Kittler is a great player; Paul Dickens is a great player,” he says. “The number of scratch players and former college players out there is staggering. ‘Really good golf’ is a theme at Raleigh Country Club. It’s a golfer’s club.” www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

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Spring 2020

HISTORY by Mike Purkey

‘What’s Next?’ ACC Championship showcases tomorrow’s PGA stars

Glenn Miller

GLENN MILLER CLAIMS TO BE NO SHREWD JUDGE OF TALENT. But when he saw Cameron Tringale during his years at Georgia Tech, Miller says, “He just had that look that he would be a PGA Tour player.” And he was right. Miller has seen literally hundreds of the best college players in the nation in his 15 years as starter for the ACC Championship at Old North State Club. Every year, on the first tee for the final round of the tournament, he’d ask each senior the same question: “What’s next?” 32

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Given the rich history and the unqualified success, the ACC Championship is undoubtedly part of Old North State Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lasting legacy.

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Webb Simpson

Spring 2020

HISTORY

Brooks Koepka with the 2018 U.S. Open Trophy. (Right) Koepka as a Junior at Florida State University.

“Some would be going to law school or medical school,” says Miller, who has been a member at Old North State for 20 years. “Some would say they were giving pro golf a try.” When Brooks Koepka played his last year at Florida State in 2012 and was conference Player of the Year, Miller asked the question. “You gotta give it a go, don’t you?” Koepka replied. And four major championships later, we know the rest. 34

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Old North State Club has hosted the ACC Championship every year but three since 1995. When the club opened in 1991, it was already being hailed as one of the best courses in the region and certainly one of architect Tom Fazio’s finest designs. In 1994, the ACC came calling and the Women’s Championship was conducted at the club. After that first year, the women went elsewhere, including nine times at Sedgefield

Country Club and twice at the Reserve Golf Club, including 2020. The men’s contest held its first championship at Old North State in 1995. “The original developers and owners of Old North State had

Bill Haas

Jonas Blixt

Coach Jerry Haas & Bill Haas

a good relationship with the ACC,” says Brian Kittler, Vice President of Golf Operations for McConnell Golf. “It was a central location and the coaches liked it because there were accommodations on site. For us, it was a great partnership. Any time you have some of the best college amateurs playing at your facility it benefits all

parties involved, and the game of golf. That’s what we’re all about.” Over the years, Old North State members have been treated to a very high level of college golf. In 1998, Matt Kuchar came to the ACC Championship with Georgia Tech, having just made the cut and was the low Amateur at the Masters. The

previous summer, Kuchar won the U.S. Amateur, which created quite a bit of attention around the ACC. “We had people from CNN and ESPN calling,” recalls Kittler, who was an assistant pro under Director of Golf Tom Ducey. “The main form of communication was the old-school fax machine. We’d get faxes from all www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

HISTORY these different media outlets, to get daily results from Kuchar’s round.” From 1997-2007, Georgia Tech and Clemson dominated the ACC, with the Yellow Jackets and Tigers taking five titles each. Georgia Tech was led during those years by Kuchar, Bryce Molder, Troy Matteson, Nicholas Thompson, Roberto Castro and Tringale — all of whom have had various degrees of success on the PGA Tour. Clemson’s stars during that decade-plus were Charles Warren, Jonathan Byrd, John Engler, Lucas Glover and D.J. Trahan. Warren, Byrd, Trahan and Glover played the Tour, Glover having won the 2009 U.S. Open. Beginning in 2009, Georgia Tech dominated the conference, with eight team titles in 11 years. The Yellow Jackets also won five individual titles during that span, including one in 2010 by Tech’s Chesson Hadley, who is from Raleigh. Hadley went on to win the Rex Hospital Open at the Country Club at Wakefield Plantation in 2013 on the Korn Ferry Tour and was that tour’s Rookie of the Year. Bill Haas was Wake Forest’s star in the early part of the turn of the century, named to the all-ACC team from 200104 — all four years he was at Wake — and was consensus national player of the year in 2004. Haas, who was born in Charlotte, is the son of PGA Tour and Champions Tour star Jay Haas, who is a member 36

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Cameron Tringale

Chesson Hadley

at the Reserve Golf Club. Bill has won six times on the PGA Tour, including the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup in 2011. Webb Simpson, who is from Raleigh, was Wake’s star around the next decade and he was the individual champion for the Deacons in 2010. Simpson, who now lives in Charlotte, has had a brilliant career on the PGA Tour, having won five tournaments, including the 2012 U.S. Open and the Players Championship in 2018. Members at Old North State embraced the ACC Championship during its tenure and in later years, it took 40-45 member volunteers

Matt Kuchar

each day to make certain the tournament was run properly. “There’s a lot that goes on that people don’t see,” says Miller, who gives a great deal of credit to Ducey, who retired from Old North State in 2019. “A lot of little details have to happen that you might take for granted if you’re just a spectator.” Besides the operational contributions McConnell Golf has made to the ACC Championship, it has also contributed a few players. Steven Franken played at N.C. State, while Parker Gillam and Cyrus Stewart played at Wake Forest. All three have passed through Raleigh Country Club. Additionally Drew Johnson, a member at The Cardinal by Pete Dye, and Carter Jenkins, a member at Raleigh CC, were McConnell Golf scholars. Johnson played at Virginia Tech and Jenkins played at UNC. Given the rich history and the unqualified success, the ACC Championship is undoubtedly part of Old North State Club’s lasting legacy.

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

USO of North Carolina the force behind the Forces

Patriotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Outpost at the REX Hospital Open

This hospitality venue will provide the opportunity for those who serve to connect with family, home and country at the REX Hospital Open. On Sunday, May 31st service members, veterans and their families will gather for refreshments, shade and an amazing view of the 18th green at the Country Club at Wakefield Plantation. The USO of North Carolina will host the outpost, and as part of that tradition serve lunch to all outpost patrons. This is just one example of the 600,000 service connections the USO of NC will provide to the military and their families in 2020. Admission to the REX Hospital Open is FREE this year to service members, veterans and up to two family members by simply presenting your military or retiree ID card.

Learn more on how you can support our troops and honor their service. https://northcarolina.uso.org/support/ways-to-give McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

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Spring 2020

FITNESS by Diane Jackson

Sue Casey

It All Works Out

The Country Club of Asheville offers members a one-stop shop for wellness 40

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

JUST AS A HEALTHY lifestyle is eating well, the fitness center at the Country Club of Asheville is exercise. Here, a team of personal trainers, massage and physical therapists, fitness instructors, and golf and tennis pros work together to bring members all-encompassing wellness. “There’s definitely a lot going on here,” says Laine Kovac, CCA Director of Activities & Wellness. “Our staff has a wealth of experience to share and a broad range of specialized training. This allows members to explore different methods and find what works best for them individually.” At the fitness center, members can take things a few weeks at a time through a rotating series of specialty classes.

TOP OF CLASS Formatted into four- and six-week sessions, specialty classes have included QiGong, taught by massage

therapist Natalie Veres; Yoga for Back Pain, taught by physical therapist Dr. Kristen Veres; Restorative Yoga, taught by yogi Paula Hanke; and a Posture Workshop, taught by personal trainer Rae Lee. “These specialty series enhance our group fitness classes and have been very well received,” Kovac explains. “They bring a well-rounded, holistic approach to our fitness offerings.” David Hamilton, for example, attends Paula Hanke’s weekly yoga classes on a regular basis. “If she’s teaching, I’m there,” says the long-time yoga enthusiast, who’s been a member for 17 years. “Paula is something special. She’s genuine and she knows what she is doing.” So when he heard she was offering a Restorative Yoga series, “My wife and I were the first ones to sign up,” Hamilton says, explaining that this alternative version of yoga has practitioners hold poses for extended

“These specialty series enhance our group fitness classes and have been very well received. They bring a wellrounded, holistic approach to our fitness offerings.” – Laine Kovac, CCS Director of Activites & Wellness

periods, up to ten minutes or more. “If you just lay in the pose and concentrate on your breathing, letting your muscles relax a little more each

Gail Miller works out with CCA Personal Trainer Dennis Owenby.

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

FITNESS

Gail Miller

“Following this very comprehensive program, at the tender age of 71, I have successfully regained my mobility on the tennis court, distance on my golf shots and ability to walk 9 holes of a golf round.” – Bill Winkler, member since 2008

time you exhale, you’ll be amazed at how productive it is.” As a golfer whose yoga practice enhances his game — “you’d be amazed at the difference it’s made in my backswing!”— Hamilton is positive on the fitness center’s specialty classes. “The more you do within a set period of time, the more beneficial the process is,” he says.

PERSON TO PERSON While some members attend group classes on the regular, others prefer one-on-one attention. Dennis Owenby has been a personal trainer at CCA since 2014 and the membership is stronger for it. “We enjoy working out with Dennis and we’ve gotten good results,” 42

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

says Gail Miller who, along with her husband Mike, regularly accesses a variety of wellness programs and services at the club. “People love him, and he stays booked,” says Kovac. Members sing the praises of the rest of the staff, too: “Natalie, the massage therapist, is also wonderful,” says Miller, who appreciates her special touch in promoting a healthy back. “She has strong hands and knows what she is doing.”

YOUR ROAD TO RECOVERY Health and wellness isn’t just about getting fit. When injuries happen, the fitness team at CCA helps members get back in the game. The club partners with Concierge

Physical Therapy to offer onsite appointments. Unlike some highvolume clinics, Concierge employs hour-long, one-on-one appointments with a physical therapist who specializes in manual techniques complemented with neuromuscular re-education and exercise to help patients heal. “Our personal trainers and onsite physical therapist work really well together,” Kovac says. “They team up to make sure clients have an effective, comprehensive plan back to their fitness path.” The team helped Mike Miller rebuild following rotator cuff surgery, for example, and when Gail Miller was seeing the physical therapist for tennis elbow, “We went together

“Mindful Yoga” with Paula Hanke.

to meet with the tennis pro, who reviewed my stroke to be sure I wasn’t doing anything to exacerbate the issue,” she says. “The members really benefit from the synergy between everyone at CCA.” Bill Winkler agrees. A member since 2008, Winkler says the onsite addition of Concierge PT is an ideal complement to the club’s personal training services. After suffering a severe groin injury, he consulted with Dr. Kristen Veres, who developed a progressive program of both acute and long-term, sustained therapy and exercises. “Kristen paired well with Dennis, my personal trainer, and the two of them worked collaboratively and extremely effectively to address not only the

groin pull but also the associated glute weakness and lower back stiffness,” Winkler says. “Following this very comprehensive program, at the tender age of 71, I have successfully regained my mobility on the tennis court, distance on my golf shots and ability to walk 9 holes of a golf round.”

STAYING ON COURSE The golfers who work out at the fitness center are excited about the new TPI program. A screening process developed by the Titleist Performance Institute, the program includes a series of functional movement tests to analyze mobility, stability and power generation. The results are used to outline a comprehensive plan to address any

physical weaknesses or limitations that may be impacting the golfer’s swing. “The club is a real asset to all of us who are members,” says Hamilton, noting golf course upgrades in addition to the revamped fitness center. “The staff is competent and collegial — they’re good folks. I am very positive about my membership here.” Gail Miller echoes that thought. “It’s so perfect having everything in one place,” she says. “At the fitness center, we can take group classes, use the weights and cardio equipment, work out with a personal trainer, even get a massage or have physical therapy, all under the same roof.” www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

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Spring 2020

WELLNESS

FUEL

YOUR

FITNESS What to eat before, during and after working out WHEREVER YOUR FITNESS journey takes you — to the gym, the pool, the road or course or court — it always comes back to one place: the kitchen. No matter the sport, what you put in your body for fuel is as important as how you move your body for fun. “Choosing the right foods before and after exercise boosts your overall results,” says McConnell Golf Corporate Director of Activities and Wellness Natalie Clemens. “Smart nutrition improves not

only how well you perform but also how effectively you recover — and that’s the key to getting stronger while staying healthy and injury-free.” Every body is an experiment of N=1, of course, so there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. In general, our bodies need carbohydrates to burn as fuel during exercise; a combination of protein and carbs to replenish and rebuild muscle afterward; and adequate hydration throughout.

PRE-WORKOUT SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE: • PB&J sandwich

• Trail mix

• Whole grain pasta

• Whole-grain cereal with milk and fruit

• Banana or apple • Low-fat yogurt • Whole-wheat toast

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

• Fruit-and-yogurt smoothie

BEFORE YOUR WORKOUT Have a healthy snack 1-2 hours before your workout. Aim for at least 30 grams (100-200 calories) of carbohydrates plus a little protein in order to maintain blood glucose concentration while exercising. Avoid rich, greasy foods or even too much protein. Fats take longer to digest, therefore diverting energydelivering blood away from your muscles. Many people find it best to avoid pre-exercise fiber as well. Be sure to include at least 8-12 ounces of water, coffee or tea with your pre-workout snack.

DURING YOUR WORKOUT Begin every workout wellhydrated and maintain it throughout. If you’re training for less than one hour, water is sufficient — aim for about one

POST-WORKOUT SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE: • Ready-to-consume protein shakes • Protein bars • Low-fat chocolate milk • Kefir • Fruit smoothie with 20 grams of whey protein • Eggs and whole-wheat toast • Greek yogurt and fruit • Oatmeal with milk and fruit • Turkey and avocado wrap • Tuna on wholegrain crackers

cup every 15-20 minutes. For longer workouts, consume 30 grams of carbs per hour in order to replace electrolytes, which is easily achieved via sports drinks; take small, frequent sips and aim to consume 24-32 ounces per

hour. Another metric is 50-100 carbohydrate calories every 60 minutes, through sports drinks or easily digested fruits such as raisins and bananas.

AFTER YOUR WORKOUT Always re-hydrate right away with several cups of water, followed by proteinrich recovery nutrition. Some experts recommend a postworkout snack or mini-meal within 60 minutes; others suggest the window is open for up to four hours, but most agree the sooner the better. To replenish and rebuild muscle, aim for 20 grams of healthy protein plus a serving or two of clean carbs. Keep it simple – you want something that’s easy to make

and easy to grab; skipping protein now may lead to sweet cravings or overeating later in the day.

REMEMBER: nutrition is only one part of the overall fitness equation (adequate sleep is another) but fueling your body before, during and after a workout is essential to optimize training and promote overall health.

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

CULINARY by M. Linda Lee

Executive Chef Todd Jackson

Mixing It Up Creativity is always on the menu at CC Wakefield Plantation WHAT TO DO WHEN you’re executive chef at a country club in a city renowned for great restaurants? Put creativity on the menu. That’s a winning strategy for Executive Chef Todd Jackson and his culinary team at the family-friendly Country Club at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a dining program that comprises The Tavern for casual meals before or after a round of golf, family dining in the Plantation Room and The Reserve for monthly upscale dining – not to mention annual golf tournaments and myriad special events – they’re always on their game, serving up creative cuisine

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with an extra side of Southern hospitality. “It’s great to go somewhere where the people know your name, kind of like the show ‘Cheers,’” says Jim Weathers, a member at Wakefield

“The average tenure of Chef Todd’s team is 11 years. That’s almost unheard-of in this business.” – Club Manager Michael Thomas

for 15 years. “When you walk into the club, the wait staff is so friendly; they know your preferences and they know the other members of your family, so it’s a really personal experience.” Club Manager Michael Thomas believes the culinary team at Wakefield is the best in the business. “The tenure of our staff and their desire to work here shines in what they do,” he says. “Quality and consistency are big, but the creativity and imagination of this group as a whole is pretty special.” What makes Wakefield’s dining program so good? “The average tenure of Chef Todd’s team is 11

The Duncan Family

“It’s great to go somewhere where the people know your name... it’s a real personal experience.” – Wakefield member Jim Weathers www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

CULINARY years,” Thomas explains. “That’s almost unheard-of in this business. The staff works long hours – nights, weekends, holidays – yet Todd strives for a work-life balance for himself and his culinary team and that makes his staff want to stay.” Longtime member Jay Eggenberger, a big fan of Chef Todd’s fried chicken and smoked beef brisket, agrees: “As in any business, having the same people for many years is an indication of good management and work environment. This leads to the high quality of food that is served at Wakefield.”

“I’m all about local, but I want to give the members the best product, whether it comes from France or from right down the street.” – Executive Chef Todd Jackson

Raised in a farming community in Eastern North Carolina by a mother who loved to cook and a father who excelled in whole-hog barbecue, Chef Todd is now renowned for his barbecue. “I grew up staying up all night to cook a hog,” recalls the chef, whose barbecue repertoire reaches beyond pulled pork to slow-smoked Texas-style brisket and even wild boar. He and his staff smoke pastrami, bacon, and sides of salmon in-house, with the help of the club’s large, stainless-steel smoker. “Todd’s pulled pork and his brisket are true Southern delicacies done right, with love and care,” Thomas asserts. While member favorites can always be found on the Tavern menu, in the Plantation Room the offerings get switched up daily, giving the cooks the opportunity to flex their culinary muscles. “This enables us to focus on what we have available to us, according to the season,” Chef Todd explains. “We get the availability of the products and then build the menu.” Small plates run the gamut from oysters and tuna tataki to crispy pork belly with house-made kimchee, while entrées might feature a Hickory Nut Gap pork loin chop with shoyu-ginger

‘GLOBAL WITH A SOUTHERN TWIST’ Chef Todd’s passion for his work is evident as he talks about his dining program. “We make our own pickles and hot sauces, and as much as we can from scratch,” he says, explaining that while he buys produce from local farms, he doesn’t limit his larder. “I’m all about local, but I want to give the members the best product, whether it comes from France or from right down the street.” “Global with a Southern twist” is how Chef Todd describes his cooking style, featuring everything from killer fried chicken to tamales, pupusas, and a New England clam bake – dishes that reflect the diverse backgrounds of his kitchen crew.

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The Tavern

glaze or pan-seared redfish dressed with black-eyed pea vinaigrette. Owing to the way the menu is structured, members can design their own meal from a list of entrees, grilled items and sides. “I’ve adopted a philosophy at the club that, while we can’t please everyone, we don’t look for ways to say ‘no,’ we look for ways to say ‘yes,’” the chef declares. “The phrase we constantly hear from the members (describing the club’s cuisine) is ‘off the charts,’” reports Thomas. “We don’t compare ourselves to other clubs, we compare ourselves to other restaurants.” That sets a high bar, given that Raleigh’s acclaimed chefs include James Beard Award-winner Ashley Christiansen and Beard nominee Scott Crawford. “We recognize that the Raleigh area is buzzing,” Chef Todd says, “and we constantly challenge ourselves to give our members value.”

FINDING WAYS TO SAY ‘YES’ In keeping with McConnell Golf’s initiatives on sustainability, last year the Wakefield culinary team participated in a composting trial.

Executive Chef Todd Jackson & Sous Chef Greg Lyons

Chef Todd sees this as coming full circle in terms of the club’s efforts to be good stewards of the earth — he was already sourcing clean proteins and sustainable seafood, and the club uses only biodegradable paper products. “It just felt natural to add composting to the list of things we’re doing to focus on sustainability,” he says. The composting program they piloted was so successful, the club is continuing it this year. Given his unassuming personality, the popular chef is not comfortable calling attention to himself. “(At the end of a big dinner) it’s always hard to get Chef Todd to come out and accept the thanks of the members,” observes Weathers. “I think his biggest concern is treating the members to really great food and hospitality.” Yet on Family Night each Wednesday, the chef designs themed buffet menus with serving stations in the Plantation Room, which gets him out in front of the members. He

also hosts wine dinners and cooking classes, but when all is said and done, the executive chef credits his team. “A lot of times it’s the team that’s coming up with the ideas, and we do it together,” he explains. “So every time they want to bring the chef out, I bring the whole team. I want them to be able to reap the benefits as well.” There’s more to Chef Todd than great food. “Not only is Todd a great chef, he has a big heart,” says

“We recognize that the Raleigh area is buzzing and we constantly challenge ourselves to give our members value.” – Executive Chef Todd Jackson

Weathers, whose Senior Men’s Golf Association at the club volunteers one day a month at a soup kitchen in downtown Raleigh. “Each Thanksgiving our members collect money and donated food so we can cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal for the guests there. Chef Todd always donates a couple of turkeys.” Thomas seconds that sentiment. “When the club is approached to help with a charitable event, Todd is the first one to jump in and ask ‘How can I help?’” For his part, Chef Todd appreciates the endless possibilities the Country Club at Wakefield Plantation affords him to be creative. “One of the things I enjoy most about working here is that it’s always different; things are always changing and evolving. We pay attention to the details and take pride in what we do,” he says. “But the thing that stands out to me is that we buy the best products we can and let the food speak for itself. And we keep finding ways to say ‘yes.’”

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Spring 2020

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Spring 2020

KIDS

(Left) Alex, Joe & Robbie Eudy at the 2017 North Carolina High School State Meet. (Below) 2019 PCC Piranhas senior swimmers.

(Right) 2009 All-Star Meet. (Below) Joe, Robbie, Jack & Alex Eudy at the 2009 Piranhas Award Banquet.

Playing Pool PCC family grows up immersed in swimming SWIMMING USES EVERY muscle in the body, but the sport builds more than strong physiques — it builds solid relationships, too. Just ask Jack Eudy who, along with his brothers Joe, Alex and Robbie, spent childhood summers racing as Piranhas at Providence Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Swimming gave me the opportunity to make so many friends over the years,” says Jack, now a U.S. Navy ensign aboard the USS Carter Hall. “I have friendships that will last a lifetime with people I swam with every day on teams in high school and college as well as at Providence

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“Summer swim league is such a positive social experience for kids as well as parents. There’s always a fun, country club atmosphere – it’s like a cocktail party and by the way there’s a swim meet going on.” – Kim Eudy

Country Club.” It’s said the average swimmer puts in one million strokes in a single season and the Eudy brothers were immersed in the sport for years. All four swam on Providence CC’s summer swim team from the time the family moved to the neighborhood in 2007 until they aged out at 18 which, for twins Alex and Robbie, was just last year. Concurrently, the Eudys competed for many seasons with a yearround USA Swimming club and on their high school team, too. Jack continued to race during his college years at the United States

(Left) Alex, Jack, Robbie & Joe Eudy at the PCC pool. Jack Eudy, below, during senior recognition at the 2015 Summer League Meet.

(Above) Jack Eudy (holding trophy) celebrates the win with his USNA teammates during the 2017 Army-Navy meet. (Left) 2009 All-Star Meet.

Naval Academy. All in all, that’s many millions of strokes. With only three years separating the four boys, the Eudys participated in a variety of different sports together — baseball, football, golf, triathlon — but they always stuck with swimming, according to their mom. “Swimming was the constant,” says Kim Eudy, who grew up as a competitive swimmer herself and served several seasons as chairman of the club’s Piranhas swim team. While there’s lots to love about the sport, “probably the biggest thing that kept them in the pool is that their friends — and their brothers — were doing it, too.” They had fun, and they were fast. The Piranhas team record board lists Eudys aplenty; Jack, Joe, Alex and Robbie are all on it for individual and/ or relay events. They hold league meet records, too. “Summer swim league is such a positive social experience for kids

as well as parents,” Kim says, noting that the team welcomes swimmers of all levels, offering encouragement, camaraderie and friendly competition. What’s more, the grown-ups enjoy the meets as much as the children. “There’s always a fun, country club atmosphere — it’s like a cocktail party and by the way there’s a swim meet going on!” Swimming is the most popular recreational activity for kids ages 7-17, according to the US Census Bureau, and it’s the fourth most popular sports activity in the country overall. At Providence, about 175 kids swim on the team every summer, with nearly half in the 8&U bracket. The Piranhas compete in the Charlotte Country Club Swim League with four other club-affiliated teams. “Our swim team had its best summer in a long time last season,” says Brooke Koeppel, who currently serves as the Piranhas’ co-chairman along with her husband, Kipp. “Our

record was 5-1 and we won the League meet. We are looking forward to Summer 2020!” The benefits of swim team ripple beyond the pool’s edge, helping kids build character as they learn to work for what they want and teaching them to win — and lose — in a positive way. “As a student-athlete, you quickly learn time management in order to succeed both in and out of the pool,” Jack says. “You learn the importance of hard work. Swimming is a sport where you get out what you put in. Swimming taught me how to learn from failure — I learned to use it as motivation and be better for it.” Jack’s swimming philosophy spills over into good advice for everyday life. “Take it one practice at a time,” he says. “Pick one thing to improve on every time you get in the water and, over time, you will be surprised at how quickly you can improve. Work hard every day and most importantly, just have fun.”

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

TENNIS by Stephanie Trotter

Sedgefield Seizes the Advantage A new coach pushes players to new levels with a no-fault game THE SOUND IS UNMISTAKABLE — a rhythmic whack, whack, whack, as two players smack a tennis ball back and forth across the net. The fuzzy, yellow sphere is flying, kicking up clay each time it hits the court at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. Director of Tennis Pierce Hoover smiles watching the heated exchange on Court 1. “Tennis is a great sport,” he explains. “It’s a social sport. It’s a competitive sport. It’s a lifetime sport. My goal is to get as many players engaged as I can.”

APPROACH SHOT With five clay and three hard courts, tennis has served as a staple at Sedgefield Country Club across the decades, as part of the institution’s legacy of excellence. The expansive facility is one of seven to grace McConnell Golf properties. Kyle Thortsen oversees them all as McConnell’s Corporate Director of Tennis Operations, and he was key in bringing Hoover to Sedgefield two years ago. “Pierce is someone you base a program around,” the director confides. “He came in with a new plan, new ideas and has executed them. Kids dig him and adults love him. He’s brought the program to life.” Hoover was working as the head 56

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

tennis professional at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh when the directorship opened at Sedgefield. “Pierce is quiet,” Thortsen says. “But he’s a very caring individual, and a very hard worker, and he cares about the players. He doesn’t just show up and get as many lessons in as he can. He wants to help our members improve their game and improve their fitness.”

Leila Fogaça works on her serve.

TENNIS LEGACY Growing up in Durham, sports and fitness were a way of life in the Hoover household. “I played everything as a kid,” Hoover recalls. “Soccer, baseball, basketball, football. I did it all. I eventually chose tennis because I liked it a bit more.” His father played in college; his sister did, too. So, it was no surprise that Hoover went on to play in college as well, rallying his way to captain and MVP of the Catawba College Indians in Salisbury, North Carolina. In 2015, he also earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors. “I was a grinder,” the 5.5-ranked player admits. “I was a hard-hitter. I just kept hitting everything back and wore my opponent down.” Upon graduating with a Recreational Management degree in

Pierce Hoover, SCC Director of Tennis

2015, Hoover entered the McConnell Golf family, working at both Treyburn Country Club in Durham and CC Wakefield Plantation. His movement within the sister properties has been as smooth as his serve and volleys on the court. “I grew up playing at a country club,” he says. “I’d never heard of being able to play tennis and golf at other facilities. So, I really think it’s cool that through McConnell Golf you can do just that. It’s an awesome perk.”

NEW GAME PLAN

“Tennis is a great sport. It’s a social sport. It’s a competitive sport. It’s a lifetime sport. My goal is to get as many players engaged as I can.” – Pierce Hoover, Sedgefield Country Club’s Director of Tennis

Team members: Lisa Liringis, Leila Fogaça, Leslie Scher, Twyla Lindsey

Since coming to Sedgefield, the 28-year-old has introduced a number of new programs attracting new players. Monthly Sip & Serve events, Pizza with Pierce, highenergy clinics, even pickleball. “I’ve just really tried to make tennis consistent and persistent,” the coach says. “The Sip & Serves have grown significantly in numbers. People are bringing their friends and word of mouth is bringing folks in. It’s growing really well. We now have competitive men’s teams and clinics are full.” Like his own game, Hoover’s using a variety of angles to grow the program. Records show prior to his arrival, junior clinics had 10 visits. During his first year, that number exploded to 322. Participation in men’s and women’s clinics has more than doubled. Thortsen believes he knows why. “He has great enthusiasm,” the boss shares. “He introduces up-todate drills, new social offerings that haven’t been offered in the past. Members can feel the energy.” Hoover uses instinctual caution to strike just the right balance with young players. “I want to bring the fun,” he says. “I don’t want to push them so hard that they don’t

want to come back. I will push hard when I can, but I watched too many teammates get pushed right out of the sport and I don’t want that.” Adults have pushed themselves to Gate City League titles under the new coach’s coaching, with the D2 and D4 teams winning in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Leslie Scher captains the D4 team and has watched her game improve with his instruction. “He corrected my serve and he taught me a drop shot,” the 3.0-rated player says. “No one else has been able to do that. He’s extremely easy to work with, he’s energetic and focused.”

POST MATCH Off the court, Hoover is counting down the days to May when he’ll marry his college sweetheart. He also steps away from the game to create awareness for alopecia universalis, which is an autoimmune disorder resulting in the loss of hair. “One in one million people have what I have,” he reveals. “I’m totally healthy, I just don’t have hair. I talk with a lot of kids from 6-to-18, to let them know they’ll be okay. Not all kids you see without hair have cancer. Some are one-in-a-million alopecia patients, like me.” Hoover humbly acknowledges the gratification he gets in helping others, whether it’s with their health, general fitness, or tennis game. “You get a lot in return,” he says with reflection. “I grew up in the game of tennis and I felt like it’s something I’ve been doing my whole life. I know how to build skills in a player. I know how to make a really good player. I know how to have fun with it. To be able to pass that all on to others, it’s very gratifying.” And there’s the ace. Game. Set. Match.

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

THE BACK NINE by John Maginnes

Positive Play Chesson Hadley stays on the bright side, and keeps winning

JM: What do you remember about the 2010 ACC 58

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Championship at Old North State? CH: Well, that has been a place where Georgia has had massive success (Georgia Tech is tied with Wake Forest with 18 ACC Championships). Over the years we have just gone there and expected to play well. We were the defending champions when we showed up in 2010, so we were ready. It's a course we felt like we could make a bunch of birdies. I'm good at doing that; sometimes I struggle with eliminating mistakes. I love that place. I was playing well and the team was playing well. I was engaged at the time to Amanda (now wife and mother of two) and my parents made the trip down, so I was able to win in front of everybody. JM: How important was that victory to your development going forward? CH: It gave me confidence, obviously. But just as important was the support that I got from that week. Mr. McConnell was there and shared in it with all of us. And it was there that he told me that I would be welcome to use his facilities going forward. Just to have someone like that lend their support is huge. I'm not sure I realized it at the time, but in retrospect it's incredible to think that he supported me way back then. And since then that support has meant even more. I've gotten

sponsorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exemptions when I needed them. I can't explain how grateful I am. JM: As you have gotten older, what have you learned from that relationship? CH: Just look at his golf courses. He does everything first class. The courses are always in great shape and it seems like he is so involved. He's passionate about what he's doing and that carries over to the whole operation. JM: It seems to me that you won the ACC at a McConnell course and a Korn Ferry event at a McConnell course. The next logical step is to win the Wyndham Championship, or he needs to acquire another course that holds a Tour event. CH: I totally agree. I actually hadn't thought about that. Being from Raleigh, the Wyndham is as close as we get to a hometown event, so to win there would be such a treat. To win that tournament would be awesome. I think this year will be my ninth or tenth time playing the event. I haven't really had that much success there, which doesn't make sense. It's a great course for me. You would think that one of these years I would make a run at it. Maybe this is the year. John Maginnes is a former PGA player and hosts the popular Katrek & Maginnes on Tap broadcast on the PGA Tour Satellite Radio Network.

Brian Strickland for the REX Hospital Open

CHESSON HADLEY HAS succeeded at every level of golf, beginning as a standout junior in his hometown of Raleigh, N.C. He was a three-time All-American at Georgia Tech and, in 2010, Hadley won the ACC Championship at Old North State Club. He turned professional later that year, embarking on a career that has seen four victories on the Korn Ferry Tour, including one at the 2013 Rex Hospital Open hosted at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation (a dozen years after your humble scribe hoisted the trophy there). In 2014, Hadley broke through and won on the PGA Tour at the Puerto Rico Open, a victory that propelled him to the Arnold Palmer Award given to the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. Hadley has certainly had his trials as well as his victories. In 2017 he found himself back on the Korn Ferry Tour after a tough 2016. He responded by winning twice and taking home Player of the Year honors. It is that neversay-die attitude that Hadley is known for on the PGA Tour. His positivity is as important to his game as his driver and his putter. I caught up with the affable young man at Pebble Beach during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. We spoke of home and Georgia Tech and life on the road.

Chesson Hadley

www.mcconnellgolf.com

Spring 2020

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