FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN

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 companywide effort that encourages members and staff to give back in fun, creative and, of course, meaningful ways. Here are a few examples of this initiative in action.

RED NOSE DAY

Red Nose Day is a campaign to end child poverty by funding programs that keep children safe, healthy, educated and empowered. This organization supports initiatives that address immediate needs as well as those that foster long-term change. This year, McConnell Golf clubs contributed to the Red Nose mission by hosting unique fundraising events involving yoga, creative food and drink specials — including cherries jubilees — and more.

At Porters Neck Country Club, members did not let the weather rain on their parade during a St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Run. Brook Valley Country Club, Raleigh Country Club and Country Club of Asheville hosted various golf challenges with some friendly competition between members. Chef Kenric at Brook Valley prepared a special

grouper salad with proceeds going to Red Nose Day. CCA’s Director of Tennis, Bill Barber, hosted a pickleball clinic while Providence Country Club held a pickleball round-robin tournament. Members at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation and Country Club of Asheville worked out for the cause during Red Nose-themed boot camps. The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation also hosted a March Madness Tailgate party with food trucks, cornhole boards and a special raffle. Kudos to our hard-working fitness and activities team for organizing a fun and successful Red Nose Day fundraiser. Thanks to their leadership and a great effort by members, children from all over the world will benefit. McConnell Golf clubs raised $9,060 in total this year, with plans to grow this Footprints program even more in 2022.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

McConnell Golf’s annual Polar Bear Plunge is a popular, jumpin-the-pool fundraiser to benefit the World Wildlife Fund’s efforts to protect nature for generations to come. This initiative helps create solutions that address the needs of wildlife, people and the planet. Participating clubs include Brook Valley Country Club, Country Club of Asheville, Raleigh Country Club, Sedgefield Country Club, Treyburn Country Club, Providence Country Club, Holston Hills Country Club, The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation and Porters Neck Country Club. Year after year, McConnell Golf members show up and take the plunge to support the World Wildlife Fund; in 2021, they raised $4,203, the largest donation since the partnership began in 2018.

UPCOMING EVENTS

McConnell Golf strives to empower our staff and members to give back and participate in various projects that help deserving communities year-round. Without the support of our members, this program would not be where it is today and we are always open to new ideas for future opportunities to help those in need. Be on the lookout for upcoming Footprints on the Green events, including the following initiatives:

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

McConnell Golf clubs have a doggone good way to close the pools at the end of the summer: In late September, they partner with local animal shelters to collect pet supplies while also allowing members to bring their pups to the pool for a day of fun. It has become an annual tradition that members, and their pets, enjoy.

FOLDS OF HONOR GOLF MARATHON

Founded in 2007, Folds of Honor’s mission is to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. The organization’s motto says it best: “Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy.” To display McConnell Golf’s commitment to these families who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, members of the professional golf staff at each of our properties are participating in a golf marathon from sunup until sundown on select dates this summer. Stay tuned for updates on how much money was raised for this great cause.

TOYS FOR TOTS

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program collects new unwrapped toys and distributes them to less-fortunate children during Christmastime. Each year during November and December, McConnell Golf clubs join forces to collect toys to support this worthy mission throughout each of their regions.

Are you interested in writing about a community event involving your club to be featured in McConnell Golf, The Magazine? We would love to hear from you and highlight an initiative that you or someone in our membership participated in that involves Footprints on the Green. For more information, contact Faith Inman at finman@mcconnellgolf.com.