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from McConnell Golf, The Magazine - Spring/Summer 2023

Reeling in the Years

Meet the man creating memories and more for families at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation

Michael Thomas walks the range, chatting with new members and veteran players alike. He asks about a grandchild’s arrival, a daughter’s wedding, a husband’s promotion. Knowing such personal details and taking time to talk? It’s all in a day’s work. “He makes everyone feel at ease,” explains employee-turned-member Mark Saharski. “It’s like a ball rolling down a hill, picking up everything. He’s a joy to be around and he’s always on top of things.”

And there it is. The General Manager’s warm, engaging demeanor disguises a brain whirring with a massive to-do list at one of McConnell Golf’s biggest clubs. With courses, courts, aquatic and fitness centers, as well as full-service amenities serving more than 900 member families, the ability to efficiently multitask is paramount. “We have lots of moving parts,” Thomas says. “There is always something to do. I credit our management team, which has been intact from day one, for our success. We all support one another. I just try to keep everyone moving in the same direction.”

“Team” and “family” come up a lot when visiting with Thomas. It becomes apparent that it’s intentional to cultivate the laid-back environment found at Wakefield, which has 100 full- and part-time employees. “For as long as I’ve been here, the club has been fun and casual,” he says. “It’s a place for people to get away from the daily grind of work. And as for my team? We work different hours. It’s a challenge. It’s stressful. But with me, family is always first and we are one big family.”

He discovered golf at the age of 10, growing up with his family in State College, Pennsylvania. His folks joined a country club, where he learned to play and later caddied. “Growing up in a country club is a great opportunity for people to create memories,” he says. “You learn about manners and have really cool experiences. That’s what I try to replicate here.” He came South for college to attend North Carolina State University. Stints as a banker and private school CFO pre-dated his move to Wakefield. “I grew up a sports fan,” he shares. “I always wanted to work in the world of sports in some way, shape or form.”

When a friend was leaving a sales spot at the club, Thomas applied. He spent the next 14 years in marketing and membership recruitment with Tournament Players Club Wakefield and Treyburn Country Club, before moving up to the top spot. Along the way, Country Club replaced TPC, when McConnell Golf purchased the property. “I can’t say enough good things about the McConnell Golf family,” he says. “They put good people around us and support us every step of the way. It’s comforting to know I have reins of the club, but the support of our corporate team by my side at all times.”

And times are good. Membership is at an alltime high, bumping up against a full cap. The Breaker Bar & Grill opened two years ago at the pool. Staff is now running as many as 30 camps during the summer and four pickleball courts are currently under construction. Thomas has also guided his team in hosting the REX Hospital Open, which, since 2005, has raised more than $9 million for local patients in need. Similarly, the Wakefield

Employee Spotlight

Senior Men’s Golf Association has raised more than $1 million for local charities. “It’s incredible the work they do and the funds they donate to the community,” says Thomas. “We’ve donated to the USO of North Carolina, the Purple Heart Foundation, The Joel Fund, scholarships for military kids. It’s a pretty impactful program honoring those in uniform who make our dreams and freedoms possible.”

When it comes to the freedom to play golf, the 11-handicapper admits he gets out only about once a month nowadays. But he’s OK with that, as long as he gets to keep helping his “family” of hundreds play on the course and courts themselves. “I’m fortunate,” he says in closing. “One of the things I enjoy the most is seeing smiles on members’ faces. Each and every day, we have the opportunity to create a memory. That’s the highlight for me.”

2023 Gatherings

Each year, Thomas and his team add new items to the calendar beyond golf, tennis and pickleball events and club championships. This year’s events include: