MakingMemories

Matt McConnell reminisces on an unforgettable 20 years at McConnell Golf

BY MATT MCCONNELL

I will never forget where I was when it became public that my father, John McConnell, agreed to pay off creditors and fund operations in return for ownership of Raleigh Country Club. It was August 2003 and I was working at Bennie Dean’s driving range, Falls Golf Complex, in North Raleigh. Golfers would come inside to cool off after hitting balls and casually discuss the possible sale of Raleigh CC. As I stood behind the cash register, they’d ask, “Wait, are you related to that McConnell guy?” With a red face I would answer, ‘Yes, that’s my dad.’ This would be the first of many times I’d find out through the newspaper that Dad was looking to acquire a golf course. Looking back, I would never have imagined his company would start with Raleigh CC and grow to what it is today.

In December 2003, Dad officially acquired Raleigh CC and McConnell Golf was born. That next summer I had my first job for the family business at the club’s pool grill. My dad would come around the turn to find me sitting inside the air-conditioned grill on a hot, slow day. And when I say “slow” it was slow compared to today’s member count. It didn’t take long for him to pull me out of there and say, “I’m not paying you to do this job anymore.” Soon after, I started working for the Director of Outside Operations, Maryland Scott, and for many summers to come, I loved it. I got to meet the members who made the club great.

Sam Ruby, who joined Raleigh CC in the early ’50s, was certainly one of those great members. I remember Mr. Ruby coming into the golf shop one day and asking Brian Kittler, “Where are those new clubs I ordered?” Brian replied, “I’m sorry Mr. Ruby, they haven’t come in yet. “Damn it I could be dead by now,” Mr. Ruby jokingly responded.

Jokes aside, many would remember Mr. Ruby as a great man who didn’t need any attention. He loved to go out by himself and play a few holes, usually on the back side. There is no telling how many times he played No. 12 in his lifetime! If your group came up on him, he would emphatically wave you through and as you passed, he’d say “Go ahead, I’m just messing around.” And Mr. Ruby would head back to 12 tee and start the process again.

“This would be the first of many times I’d find out through the newspaper that Dad was looking to acquire a golf course. Looking back, I would never imagine his company would start with Raleigh CC and grow to what it is today.”

— Matt McConnell

Feature

Mr. Ruby was there when Raleigh CC opened its new practice facility in 2004. Dad wanted him to hit the first golf balls on the range at the opening ceremony. It was a really special scene to watch Mr. Ruby look down the range, aim his driver and then smack the ball. Even though he was in the spotlight for this, which he generally preferred not to be, you could tell Mr. Ruby really appreciated the moment. He was a true Raleigh CC legend!

In 2006, Dad expanded McConnell Golf by adding The Cardinal Golf & Country Club to the portfolio. The investment was a big one as he hired the original course architect, Pete Dye, to fully restore the golf course he created in 1974. After the renovation was complete, Pete and his wife Alice came to the grand opening to play golf with my dad and brother, John McConnell Jr. My brother would be paired up to play with Alice while dad rode with Pete. I recall how proud my brother was when he smoked his drive on the first tee box in front of spectators and birdied No. 1. In his excitement, my brother hit the gas quickly on the golf cart and Alice said to him, “You need to slow down, you’re going to give me whiplash!” Alice would have the last laugh as she beat my brother on every hole from there on.

In February 2011, the portfolio grew to add Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, the host of the PGA Tour’s Wyndham

Sam Ruby teaching a young Alex McConnell about the game of golf.

Protecting and enhancing biodiversity. There are 7.5 billion people in the world. Each year, we are joined by 80 million more. We need to grow more food. We must also protect the ecosystems that are vital to our planet’s health. As part of The Good Growth Plan, Operation Pollinator is one way golf courses can provide pollinating

OperationPollinator.com

Dad got to play with him [Tiger Woods], NBA All-Star Chris Paul, and Wyndham Worldwide CEO Franz Hanning in the Pro-Am Tournament. The number of fans who came to follow Tiger that Wednesday, and for the rest of the week, was remarkable.

Championship. That first year Dad played with local fan favorite Webb Simpson, who at that point, hadn’t won a PGA e vent. I recall Simpson struggling on the course that day and Dad whispered to my brother Will and I, “This guy is not even going to make the cut.” Well, he proved Dad wrong and won his first PGA event that Sunday.

There are too many memories from the Wyndham Championship to mention, but without a doubt my favorite would come in 2015 when Tiger Woods attended. Dad got to play with him, NBA All-Star Chris Paul, and Wyndham Worldwide CEO Franz Hanning in the Pro-Am Tournament. The number of fans who came to follow Tiger that Wednesday, and for the rest of the week, was remarkable. Tiger had been injured for quite some time and decided to play at the last minute, which brought better TV ratings to the Wyndham than the British Open that year. I was fortunate to be at Sedgefield during the ProAms but this day was different.

“It’s crazy to think that is where we are today. Only in America you can go from growing up on a farm in southwest Virginia milking ole’ Bessie to this. Opportunity presents itself every day in a country we are so lucky to live in.”

Everyone was there to see Tiger. I remember standing there on No. 1 with my sister Kasey Outen and McConnell Golf CFO Stephanie Howard. When Tiger approached the tee the announcer yelled, “From Jupiter, Florida, please welcome Tiger Woods!” and the crowd roared. I still get chills thinking about it. Tiger proceeded to hit a great shot with cheering to follow. As the crowd calmed down, the announcer would take control and say, “Now please welcome President and CEO of…” With much anticipation, my Dad went ahead to tee up his golf ball in front of everyone and heard, “… Wyndham Worldwide!” Dad immediately picked up his golf ball and tee to get out of Franz’ way. Stephanie, my sister and I died laughing as if we were the only ones who noticed this.

Finally, the announcer said, “Please welcome President and CEO of McConnell

Golf, your host John McConnell!” Dad then teed up his golf ball nonchalantly and striped it down the middle with a perfect draw. Chris Paul immediately yelled, “I’m taking that one. I’m dropping next to him.”

The crowd may not have been as loud as they were for Wood’s tee shot but it was a drive I will never forget from start to finish.

Most recently, McConnell Golf added Pete

Dye River Course of Virginia Tech in Radford, Virginia, to the portfolio. It is the closest property to where Dad grew up on a farm in the southwest part of the state in Abingdon.

Last September, we went up to The River Course to make the announcement to the employees there on how McConnell Golf would be managing the property. Vice President of Membership

Lauri Stephens would present a video to educate the staff on what it’s like to work at the company. As the video went through the history of McConnell Golf, I looked at Dad and could see a lot of emotion on his face, something he has always protected. After it ended and he gathered himself, I just remember him going “Wow.” He paused, then added, “It’s crazy to think that is where we are today. Only in America you can go from growing up on a farm in southwest Virginia milking ole’ Bessie to this. Opportunity presents itself every day in a country we are so lucky to live in.” Dad would continue to inspire the employees with his words, but that was a fascinating moment.

It is crazy to think what started with one club 20 years ago has grown into this with continued growth on the horizon. Cheers to 20 more years of great memories with members, staff and John McConnell as the President and CEO of McConnell Golf!

Helping your business manage bene ts, compliance, retirement and risk management.

Most employers manage their healthcare costs and employee benefit programs more reactively than any other area of their business, despite this line item being a major expense spiraling out of control.

Proactive strategies to help you gain back control and replace reactive decisions made 12 months at a time

Risk management modeling and HR solutions designed to make CFO’s and HR directors equally satisfied

Simplified health plans that reward your employees instead of passing on more costs to them each year

Effective communication strategies that occur every day, not just at open enrollment

Does your current approach continue to let you down? The Sorin Group, a OneDigital company, invites you to a conversation filled with unique perspectives we promise you haven’t heard in the past.