JANUARY I FEBRUARY 2024
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THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION
YOUR CLUB JANUARY & FEBRUARY HOURS OF OPERATION (Plantation Room, Tavern & Terrace) LUNCH Monday - Closed Tuesday - Sunday I 11:00 am - 5:00 pm DINNER Monday - Closed Wednesday - Saturday I 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm BREAKER BAR & GRILLE Open for special events and private parties GOLF SHOP Golf Shop Hours I 8:00 am - 5:00 pm FIRST TEE TIME: Tuesday-Sunday I 9:00 am TENNIS Monday - Thursday I 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday - Sunday I 8:00 am - 4:00 pm SPORTS CLUB Monday - Thursday I 8:00 am - 8:00 pm (carts stop at 4:30 pm) Friday-Sunday I 8:00am - 6:00 pm (carts stop at 3:30 pm) FITNESS HOURS Key Fob Hours: Monday - Sunday: 5:00 am - 9:00 pm WAKEFIELD PLANTATION PHONE NUMBERS Main Number I 919-488-5100 Golf Shop I 919-488-5200
THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION STAFF: Michael Thomas mthomas@ccwakefieldplantation.com General Manager Matt McConnell matt@mcconnellgolf.com Membership Director Kasey Olive kolive@mcconnellgolf.com Member Billing/Accounts Payable Todd Jackson tjackson@ccwakefieldplantation.com Executive Chef Courtney Tatum catering@ccwakefieldplantation.com Director of Catering & Events
Rocky Brooks rbrooks@ccwakefieldplantation.com Director of Golf Natalie Clemens nclemens@ccwakefieldplantation.com Corporate Director of Wellness & Activities Todd Lawrence tlawrence@ccwakefieldplantation.com Director of Golf Course Maintenance Kyle Thortsen kthortsen@ccwakefieldplantation.com Corporate Director of Tennis
Deborah Johnson djohnson@ccwakefieldplantation.com Food & Beverage Manager
Tennis Shop I 919-488-1930 Fitness/Pool I 919-348-4385 Membership Sales I 919-488-5205 Catering I 919-488-5211
IN THIS ISSUE
Dining Reservations I 919-348-4374
Your Club...…………….…………...……...........….…...…..………....2
Member Accounting I 919-488-5100 ext. 7011
Club News .....…………...…...….………............….......…...……..3
Member Activities I 919-488-5100 ext. 7015
Membership...............……..………….….............…........…....4 WP Buzz..……….…..……..….......…….….................…..............5 Food & Beverage ……....……...………..................……......6-7 Cookies of the Month....................................................8 Member Events.......…........…...……...…...............…....9-10 Fitness..............................................................................11 Tennis..............................................................................12 Tee It Up....................................................................13-15 Holiday Highlights................................................16-17 McConnell News.................…….............…....................18 Calendar...............................……...............….......…........19
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CLUB NEWS I hope everyone had a great holiday season! As I reflect on 2023, a couple of things that took place in December really hit home on what a really special club we have here. While we are very successful as a club as a whole, the three things that struck me were matters of the heart. First and foremost, the Employee Holiday Fund funded by the membership was at an all-time high. It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to present each employee with a thank you bonus from the membership at the end of a long year. Pretty special and very much appreciated. Secondly, the membership response to the Salvation Army Angel Tree Project was unbelievable. We were able to load two full van loads of gifts for 50 kids throughout our community. It was awesome to make these donations on behalf of our members and staff. Lastly, in early December, we hosted our 5th Annual Special Olympics Golf Tournament at the Sports Club. This year, twenty Special Olympic athletes were paired with a mentor as they played an alternate shot tournament with dinner afterward. Pretty cool. Thank you for your continued support of the club and the staff. I am truly blessed to be a part of an amazing team and lead a club with an amazing membership. Michael Thomas, General Manager
Thank you so much to our wonderful membership for participating in the Angel Tree program this year. Between the Sports Club & the Clubhouse, we fulfilled 50 angels with so many amazing gifts that will for sure put smiles on so many children's faces Christmas morning! Your generosity is great appreciated, thank you. 5th Annual Special Olympics Golf Tournament
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MEMBERSHIP PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! Blake & Whitney Cason with children Gunnar and Beau Stuart Luihn Michael & Karen McGrath Heath & Erica Nivens with children Ethan and Henry Fred & Kelley Petrillo with children Andrew, Gradie and Alexis Ryan & Shelly Shaad with children Jack and Joseph
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Shaad Family
Nivens Family
Cason Family
Michael & Karen McGrath
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WP buzz Never miss out on a club event, the latest McConnell Golf news or the chance to share your member experience. Stay connected to The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation and McConnell Golf on social media and join the conversation today.
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@mrs_st.clair Breakfast with Santa
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From club drone flyovers to member interviews, and tournament and event recaps, you can stay up to date with the latest video content from the marketing team at McConnell Golf. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be a part of a growing audience with nearly 40,000 views (and counting) on record. Visit YouTube.com/McConnellGolf and subscribe to our channel today!
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DINING EVENTS & INFORMATION I hope everyone had a great holiday season. The food and beverage team would like to thank all the members for coming out to support all of our events in 2023. Now let’s get ready for 2024! A few of the fun things we have planned for January and February: Polar plunge, Chili Cook Off, Disney Brunch Comedy Night, Wine Tastings and Father/Daughter Dance.
We will continue our Curbside Family Dinner night the first and third Wednesday and Family Buffet Night the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to serving you this year. Happy New Year! Deborah Johnson, Food & Beverage Manager
COMEDY NIGHT When: Saturday January 20th | 6:30pm-9:00pm (6:30pm Dinner, 8:00pm Show) Where: Main Club House, Williamsburg Room Fee: $65.00++ Per Person (Includes Dinner & Show) *Adults only Event Join us for our always popular Comedy Night on Saturday, January 20th! Start the night with some cocktails and a delicious buffet dinner, followed by showtime at 8pm! Quirky genius and generally loud person, Blaire Postman, started stand-up as a twice married, recently bankrupt, 43 yearold woman on her fourth career. Since then, she has gone on to headline comedy clubs in NYC, Washington DC and around the country. At the recent “10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival”, she was named “Best of the Fest’. She's known for her explosive, fast paced delivery and comedy that often spans unusual topics. Strap yourself in for a wild ride! Please RSVP by Tuesday, January 16th. KID’S DISNEY BRUNCH WITH CHARACTERS When: Sunday, January 14th | 11:00am-1:00pm Where: Main Club House | Williamsburg Room Fee: Adult: $32.95++ I Child 6-12: $20.95++ I 5 & under free This is a family brunch event you and the kids will absolutely love! There will be some Disney character favorites joining us at the club for a special brunch, one the kids will not surely forget! It will be a great time, fun for all, and you will be able to get some great pictures! Brunch buffet will be served with seating available from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Sign up online through the McConnell Golf Calendar! Space is limited!! *CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel less than 48 hours prior to the event, or no show to any event, you will be charged 50% of the per person price
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*CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel less than 48 hours prior to the event, or no show to any event, you will be charged 50% of the per person price
UPDATED DINING HOURS Monday, January 1st - Friday January, 5th: Main Club House & all Food and Beverage Closed for Annual Cleaning and Maintenance. We will re-open for normal business Saturday, January 6th. Monday, February 5th through Wednesday, February 7th: The Main Club house and all food and beverage will be fully closed as we host the McConnell Golf Annual Symposium Meeting at Wakefield. We will re-open for normal business on Thursday, February 8th.
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DINING EVENTS & INFORMATION What a wonderful 2023 holiday season it was here at Wakefield! I just love seeing all of the kids’ smiling faces talking to Santa and eating sweets here at the club! Thank you to all the families who took advantage of all the fun activities that we put on here at Wakefield to enhance your holiday season. Upon us is the best month of the year in my opinion, January! Why is it the best month, you ask? Well, that’s because it is my birthday!!! I enjoy spending time with my family and close friends every year on my birthday. If there is anything that 2023 taught me, it is to never take any of your blessings for granted, and to be thankful for each and every day with those that you love the most. We have some of my favorite annual events coming up in the months of January and February 2024. We will be hosting another Disney brunch for the kiddos on January 14th with some surprise guests coming to say hello all the way from Disnyland! Our re-schedule date for the annual chili cookoff will take place on Saturday February 10th, so be sure to come and taste the best of the best in chili from our amazing culinary team and help us decide who the new champion will be! All you sweethearts out there, come and spend Valentine’s with us as we will be hosting couple-themed food features that entire week of Valentine’s Day! Daddies and their daughters will have their annual dance on Friday, February 23rd, so look out for this year’s theme. As always, I am here for all of your special event and catering needs here at Wakefield, so please do not hesitate to contact me to help make your event one to remember! Courtney Tatum, Director of Catering & Sales
ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF (RESCHEDULED DATE) When: Saturday, February 10th, 6:00pm-9:00pm Where: Main Club House Cost: $30++ per person *Adult only Event
VALENTINE’S FAMILY BUFFET NIGHT When: Wednesday, February 14th, 5:00pm-8:30pm Where: Main Club House Fee: $24.95++ per adult, $16.95++ per child 12-6 years of age, Free for children 5 and under Join us for a Valentines-themed family buffet night at Wakefield! We will be featuring some delicious foods for all of our couples and sweethearts to enjoy! Please call or make online reservations as spots will be limited! VALENTINES WINE TASTING When: Saturday, February 17th, 6:00pm-7:30pm, floating Where: Main Clubhouse, Reserve Room Fee: $12.00++ per person, Complimentary for WPWS Members Come out to enjoy Tommy’s pick for some delicious wines to enjoy as a couple! Tommy has chosen some of the best wines that will pair perfectly with your sweetheart! If you plan to stay for dinner, please call 919.348.4374 and make dinner reservations!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BUFFET When: January 10th & January 24th I February 14th & February 28th Location: Main Club House Plantation & Williamsburg Dining Rooms Fee: $24.95++ per Adult, $16.95++ per child 12-6 years of age, Free for children 5 and under *Reservations only will be accepted for Wednesday Night Buffet, no walk-ins will be seated. Please call 919.348.4374 to make your reservations as seating is limited
Join us for the rescheduled date of our chili cookoff! Which chef will be the winner of the annual Chili Cook-off this year?! Come out and join us for our always popular Chili cookoff put on by our amazing culinary team here at Wakefield! We will be serving up the best of the best in homemade chili, different fall food favorites, and trying some delicious seasonal beers and wines! Cost includes all-you-can-eat and seasonal beer and wine tastings. Member Charge Bar for all other alcoholic beverages. This is an adult-only event, so call the sitter and come on out to enjoy a fun evening of delicious food and drink! RSVP by Monday February 5th!
We’ve heard your requests, and the Wednesday Night Family buffet is finally back after a long hiatus! Chef Todd and Chef Greg have put a different spin on things and it will be all the delicious food you have come to love at WP! We look forward to having you all spend your Wednesday night’s with us again at the club on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month! Again, seating will be limited, and only reservations will be accepted so that we can ease back into our family night with our large Wakefield Membership! If it’s your Birthday that month, your dinner will be on us! We look forward to seeing everyone for our delicious family night buffet!
*CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel less than 48 hours prior to the event, or no show to any event, you will be charged 50% of the per person price*
*Please Note: There will be no curbside a la carte orders available on the evenings that we offer Wednesday Night Buffet
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COOKIES OF THE MONTH
JANUARY COOKIE OF THE MONTH: GINGERSNAP COOKIE RECIPE I LYNN HART, PASTRY CHEF AT RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB
FEBRUARY COOKIE OF THE MONTH I PEANUT BUTTER HEART COOKIE RECIPE I BY DYRIEK SHAW, SOUS CHEF AT TREYBURN COUNTRY CLUB
When I was 37 years old, I went back to school to get a culinary degree. This was one of the first things I baked at Trails End. More than twentyfive years later, it is still one of my favorite cookie recipes. Whenever I make them, I think of Gary Henz and the incredible opportunities I have received because of the strong foundation he laid for me.
Reese’s cups have always held a special place in my heart. It’s one of those things that when I eat them, they teleport me through many happy memories. One of which involved my grandmother giving me my first one
Ingredients: 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 cups granulated sugar (additional sugar will be needed for rolling) 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 2 eggs 1/2 cup molasses Directions: Sift the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, salt, and ground cinnamon together. Use a paddle blade on your mixer and mix the sugar and vegetable oil together for 1 minute. Add one egg at a time followed by the molasses. Mix this together for 1 minute. Fold in the sifted dry ingredients a little at a time until it is well blended. This should take about two more minutes for the proper mixing. Chill the dough for at least an hour before you scoop them. Roll the scooped dough in sugar and bake: Conventional oven - 350 degrees for 12 minutes, Convection oven - 325 degrees for 8-10 minutes. 3 teaspoon scoop will make 106 cookies.
when I was a child. Since then, they have always made me think of her. This is where my love for peanut butter and chocolate are able to come together, as I’ve created a peanut butter press cookie with a Reese’s cup melted in the center. Who doesn’t love these two ingredients together? And as she would say, “bless your heart.” Ingredients: 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup vegetable shortening 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup granulated sugar, divided 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 12-ounce package Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl; cream together butter, shortening, peanut butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in eggs, mixing after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix gently to combine. Don’t over-mix. The dough will be very soft. Pour remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar into a small bowl. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Scoop dough into balls and then roll in sugar. Bake for 7-10 minutes, just until set. They will be pale, and look just barely set. Don’t over-bake them or they will be hard once cooled. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, and then transfer to cooling rack. Press an unwrapped Reese’s heart to the center of each warm cookie. Allow cookies to cool completely. Store leftover cookies in a container at room temperature, or they freeze very well.
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MEMBER EVENTS We really enjoyed spending the holiday season with all of you! It is always so much fun seeing how excited the kids get to see Santa, the joy the Polar Express brings and all the amazing gifts that were donated to the Angel Tree program, it was truly magical. Thank you for making our holiday season memorable! As we venture into 2024, we are going to kick off the year with our Disney Brunch, Comedy night, Kids Night Out events and of course coming in February the famous Father/Daughter Dance at the clubhouse! Don’t miss out on all these wonderful events and sign up early to reserve your spot! In addition, with Wakefield winning club of the year, we are excited to host this years McConnell Golf Annual Symposium February 5th-7th. We look forward to welcoming all the GM’s, Corporate and Management Teams to our beautiful property. Keep an eye out for our summer camp brochure which will be sent out by the end of January. It will include the full list of activity, golf and tennis camps! I look forward to seeing you out and about around the club and if you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out. Natalie Clemens, Corporate Director of Wellness & Activities
SOCCER SHOTS - WINTER SESSION When: January 9 - February 20th Time: Mini (ages 2-3): 4:00pm I Classic (ages 3-6): 4:45pm 7 week session Soccer shots is an engaging program with focus on character development. Our caring team positively impacts children’s lives on and off the field through best in class coaching, curriculum and communication. We hope you join us for our winter sessions! Scan the QR code to register.
KIDS DAY OUT - MYSTERY MONDAY When: Monday, January 15th I 9:00am-3:00pm Ages: 5-10 I Location: Game Room Fee: $60 per day (includes lunch & snack) *Sibling discount available Are you tracked out and need something to do on this MLK day? Join the activities team as we invite you to participate in a one day Mystery Monday Camp! From surprises, to crafts, to playing your favorite games, this is one puzzling camp not to miss! Please RSVP by Thursday, January 11th.
KIDS NIGHT OUT - SWIFTY NIGHT When: Saturday, January 20th I 6:30pm-9:30pm Ages: 6-10 I Location: Sports Club Fee: $25 per child (includes dinner & snack) While your parents enjoy a night at the clubhouse, come hang out with the activities team as we celebrate Miss Taylor Swift! We will play name that tune, fill in the lyrics, dancing divas and go on the hunt for Taylor Swift who has made her appearance at the Sports Club! Bring your dancing shoes and please RSVP by Wednesday, January 17th. BLOOD DRIVE When: Saturday, January 27th I 11:00am-2:00pm Location: Sports Club Wakefield Plantation is partnering with The Blood Connection to sponsor a blood drive on Saturday, January 27th, 2024, from 11:00am – 2:00pm. Each donor will receive $50 in e-gift card rewards & each blood donation saves up to 3 lives! Donors need to be at least 16 years old (16 & 17-year-olds need a permission slip which will be at the blood drive), weigh at least 110 pounds, have ID and be in general good health. Click the below QR code to register.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR KID EVENTS: If you cancel within 24 hours of the event, you will still be charged 50% of the price. If you are signed up and are a no-show, you will be charged full price.
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MEMBER EVENTS KIDS DAY OUT - FIELD DAY When: Monday, February 19th I 9:00am-3:00pm Ages: 5-10 I Location: Game Room Fee: $60 per day (includes lunch & snack) *Sibling discount available Let’s get moving with a fun day filled with field day activities! We are going old-school with the traditional games such as tug-of-war, obstacle course, egg & spoon race, and so much more! We will also add some new games and some teambuilding events to kick off this active and fun-filled day! Please RSVP by Thursday, February 15th.
FATHER/DAUGHTER HOLLYWOOD HITS When: Friday, February 23rd i 6:00pm-8:00pm Where: Main Club House, Williamsburg Room Fee: Father/Daughter 6 & up $36.95++, Father/Daughter 5 & Under: $24.95++, Additional Daughter: $14.95++ Its time again for one of the best events of the year, our annual Father/Daughter Dance ! This year our theme is Hollywood Hits! Walk the red carpet and come dressed as your favorite celebrity or celebrity couple! We will have a fantastic DJ to keep you moving and a delicious dinner for all to enjoy. Please RSVP by February 19th, as spaces are limited.
POLAR PLUNGE When: Sunday, January 28th i 2:00pm-3:00pm Ages: Everyone I Where: Sports Club Fee: $12.00++ per person for Chili & Hot Chocolate Grab your towel and join us for a refreshing dip in the pool as we take part in the annual Polar Bear Plunge!! After the team photo, we will count you down and all jump into the brisk pool water! After you dry off, warm up with a tasty cup of chili and hot chocolate! Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 24th. CUPIDS CUTIES KIDS NIGHT OUT When: Saturday, February 10th I 5:45pm-9:15pm Ages: 5-10 I Location: Poolside Fee: $25 per child (includes dinner & snack) *Sibling discount available Wear your favorite Valentines colors as we celebrate this fun-loving holiday kid-style! We will be going on a “find the heart” scavenger hunt, playing musical hearts, creating some themed crafts and even testing our skills in mittens & kisses! Don’t miss out and RSVP by Wednesday, February 7th.
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FITNESS FREE GOLF FITNESS DAY Many amateur golfers injure their lower backs, elbows, and shoulders. Golf is a sport that places a lot of demand on your body's rotational structure. It's important to maintain muscle mass to keep playing into the future. If you want to keep playing golf as you age, prevent injury, increase club head speed, decrease handicap, and improve muscular strength, then this day is for you! On January 20th at 11:30am, come join us for a free golf fitness day with Coach David Gonzalez. He is a golf fitness specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. This event will be held at the sports club and will last for 60 minutes. All ages and experience levels are welcome. The class will start with a brief introduction and overview of the activities encompassed. In groups, we’ll assess flexibility, mobility, and range of motion.
After the assessments, the workouts begin. The workout stations will focus on legs, hips, low back, upper back, and shoulders. To help you gain strength and improve your durability and longevity for the game. Please make sure to RSVP by Thursday, January 17th. After the class, enjoy a free mimosa at the Breaker Bar & Grille and relax with Coach David! David J. González dgonzalez@ccwakefieldplantation.com
HELLO FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS! Just a little reminder from your coach, Heather. I wanted to talk a little bit about weight training. We know there are a number of pros to adding this vital component to your workouts. Just to name a few: *Increases Muscle Size and Strength *Improves Cardiovascular Health (lowering blood pressure) *Increases Bone Density (preventing Osteoporosis) *Stabilizes and Protects Joints *Reduces Body Fat *Supports Mental Well-being *Improves Sleep Quality *Improves Glucose Metabolism
So, you see, lifting weights will lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Yes, lifting weights WILL burn fat. It will also give your body more natural fat-burning capacity, even at rest! It'll boost your metabolism and give you a body that looks less fat when compared to a body with less muscle but the same amount of fat tissue. Weight training enhances endorphins, which are a feel-good chemical released by the body that helps to dull pain, increase tolerance for strain, block anxiety and stress, and give you that euphoric feeling. I always ask how someone is feeling after their workout and have yet to hear anything but great! It's empowering and confidence-building. You will feel stronger inside and out. A personal trainer will help you perform resistance exercises in a way that helps you keep control and in proper form so that the risk of injury is very low. It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting a workout program to see if there are any recommended modifications. And it is equally important to consult a certified Personal Trainer when you are ready to begin. You are going to feel stronger and better in addition to looking your best! I am looking forward to meeting you and customizing a workout designed to meet your goals. Let's do it. Here's to you being happy and healthy in 2024! Heather Overington hbailey@ccwakefieldplantation.com
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TENNIS TIME WELCOME TO 2024, We hope everyone enjoyed some quality time with their families and loved ones over the last several weeks. It is hard to believe that we are kicking off a new year. For me, this will be my thirteenth year with McConnell Golf and my ninth here at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation. It is crazy how fast time flies, but looking back, it is amazing to see the growth that has happened around our tennis and pickleball facilities. That growth will continue in 2024 with new pickleball offerings and the largest USTA spring participation that we have seen in my time here at the club. Buckle up; it’s going to be a fast-paced year around the courts! Over the past two years, our program has been blessed to have Davis Humphries as our Assistant Tennis Professional. I am sure that most of you have seen or HEARD his enthusiasm around the courts. Davis’ hard work and commitment to our program and membership goes unmatched. We are excited to announce that he will be stepping into the role of Assistant Director of Court Sports for The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation. Davis will oversee all outside operations and on-court programming at both the tennis and pickleball facilities, effective January 1, 2024. You may contact him via email at dhumphries@ccwakefieldplantation.com.
To help Davis and Corey, we have hired a new Tennis and Pickleball Professional – Mr. Rod Andrew. Rod was born in Florida but grew up playing tennis in Columbia, South Carolina, where he trained at the Gamecocks Junior Academy. After high school, he went on to play at Limestone University, where he earned his professional certification from the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). Rod is also a certified Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) instructor and is a USTA Elite Professional. He previously worked at Seven Oaks Swim and Racquet Club here in Raleigh and joins our team after spending the past two years working at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, Texas. Rod is well-versed in both the tennis and pickleball worlds, and we are very excited to have him join our team! I’m sure some of you may have questions regarding these changes, and I would like to address them now. I am not leaving Wakefield and plan to be very present in all aspects of our tennis and pickleball operations. As many of you know, for the last seven years, I have served as McConnell Golf’s Corporate Director of Tennis as well as managed our programs here at Wakefield. As the McConnell Golf portfolio of clubs continues to grow, so does my passion to bring the BEST tennis and pickleball programs to all our facilities. It has come to the point where I need some help, hence the well-deserved promotion for Davis to take the lead at Wakefield. I am very excited for the future of tennis and pickleball here at our club and across all McConnell Golf properties. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Also, feel free to send Davis a congratulatory word and stop by the tennis shop to give Rod a warm welcome to Wakefield. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Many thanks Kyle Thortsen, Corporate Director of Tennis
2023 Doubles Club Championship
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TEE IT UP IT’S THE OFF SEASON AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO WORK ON? The simple fact is, there is no better time to improve your swing than in the off-season! Before you say it, YES! EVERYBODY WANTS TO HIT IT LONGER! Thankfully, I will be able to provide you with some ideas on how to improve your distance! First off, there are a few other things we need to cover to make sure you’re a better player when tournament season inevitably arrives. 1. GRIP: Sam Snead was asked how important the grip is in the game. He replied, "It is the game!” What Mr. Snead meant is that there has not been one GREAT player in the game of golf with a bad grip. From Snead, Hogan, and Nelson; to Jack & Arnie, to Tiger, not one of them had a bad or unorthodox grip. Tip: Take your stance, gripping a club, and look down at your grip without turning your head. You should be able to see at a minimum the knuckle of your middle finger on your top hand, and your bottom hand should be facing in the EXACT same direction as the clubface. Think of using a paddle. Your hand and the paddle face in the same direction. Fix it now so it is comfortable when it matters! Warning: Grip changes are not easy! 2. CLUBFACE AND THE SWING PATH: What are the two things every player MUST be able to control in the golf swing to hit good shots? THE FACE AND THE SWING PATH!!!! If either is off, the ball will either start offline or curve off-line. a. The FACE: The goal is to keep the face square to the path at all times. That is incredibly difficult to accomplish if your hands twist the club open or closed at any point during the swing. The job of the hands is to hold onto the club and TO HOLD THE CLUBFACE SQUARE! Think about hammering a nail. You don’t twist the hammer when you’re swinging it! b. The SWING PATH: Influenced by a multitude of things, the goal is to ALWAYS feel like the club is striking the inside back corner of the golf ball. Almost every golfer that has played the game at some point has swung the club from outside in; this is a glancing blow!! Go back to swinging a hammer…you don’t swing across the nail to drive it into the board. You need a direct path to be powerful and efficient. Your swing path influences the curvature of shots, solidness of contact, and distance. This is not an easy fix by any means, but it is the key to making improvements! 3. DISTANCE: The first key to hitting it longer is to hit it more solidly (see SWING PATH tip above). The second key can be any one of a hundred things, but our suggestion would be to consider some sort of high-speed training. 2022 US Open Champion Matthew Fitzpatrick used high-speed training to add over 20 yards to his tee shots, and he was already at the highest level of the game. Imagine what it could do for someone like us. Our suggestion is... SUPER SPEED. This system incorporates the use of three differently weighted golf clubs in a series of exercises to teach you how to become more explosive and increase your swing speed. You simply need the tools, 30 minutes a day, three times a week, and enough room to make a golf swing. I started two weeks ago, and I’m already seeing improvements. Assistant Golf Professional Brandon Payson is wellversed in the use of SUPER SPEED and is available for individual speed training sessions. Contact him at bpayson@ccwakefieldplantation.com, and you will see the results! I guarantee it! Now is the time to make improvements! Please let us know how we can help you get started on your way to lower scores and enjoying this great game. Rocky Brooks, Director of Golf
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TEE IT UP RECOGNIZING OUR 2023 CHAMPIONS 2023 was quite a year! We experienced so many great moments throughout the year. From the start of the year with the Ladies Azalea to the season ending Member-Member, we witnessed some great golf and some not-so-great shots. As it sometimes happens, a few of our events were affected by bad weather, but in the end, we hope everyone enjoyed each of the tournaments they played in. Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our 2023 Champions!
Tuscarora Invitational I - Walt and Spencer Tuttle Tuscarora Invitational II - Tim and Tyler Hilton Ladies’ Member Guest (Azalea) - Courtney McKim, Sandra Tupurins, Trude Myrvold, Jen Corigliano, Jen Schofield, Lisa Demarco, Pia Wakefield, Helen Lundie, Debbie Reid Member-Member Men’s Champions - Kyle Murphy and Patrick Smith Member Member Men’s Net Champion - Ben Glass and Chad Neilson Member Member Ladies’ Champion - Courtney McKim and Sandra Turpurins Member Member Ladies’ Net Champion - Trude Myrvold and Pia Wakefield Member Member Senior Champions - Michael Shaw and Scott Gales Member Member Senior Net Champions - Mo Delgado & Michael Sylvester Men’s Club Champion - Brady Eckard Senior Club Champion - Greg Demacko Super Senior Club Champion - Keith Waters Ladies’ Club Champion - Courtney McKim Ladies’ Net Club Champion - Teressa Zimmerman Senior Ladies’ Club Champion - Kirsten Michelsen Senior Ladies’ Net Club Champion - Alyssa Newton Junior Boys Champion - Ryder Grentz Junior Girls Champion - Stella Smith Men’s Match Play Champion - John Flynt Senior Match Play Champion - James Crown Ladies’ Eagle Run Champion - Jo Lee Carpenito
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TEE IT UP
2024 TOURANMENT SCHEDULE Listed below is the 2024 Tournament Schedule. We have made some slight adjustments and additions to the tournament schedule for this year, but nothing too dramatic. The most notable is separating the Men’s Division from the Annual Member-Member, as well as separating the Senior Men’s Championship into its own event. We also added an event for The Masters week we think you will enjoy. We are also working on a weekend match-play style event for early November, but we are still working on the details. Watch for more details in the next newsletter. In early January, we will list all of the details for each event on the club’s website calendar. We will be detailing not just the normal…Who, What, When, and How? but everything from when entries open and close, who is eligible to play, formats, entry fees, starting method, and a lot more. If you still have questions or concerns about the club’s tournament schedule, please do not hesitate to email me at rbrooks@ccwakefieldplantation.com. March 16
Cabin Fever Tournament
September 2
Labor Day Tournament
March18-19
Greens Aerification
September 6 September 12-14
Couples Golf Bob Bidwell Senior Member Guest
April 13 April 19-20 April 26
Masters Pro Member/Member Azalea Invitational (Ladies Member-Guest) Couples Golf
May 16-18 May 27 May 31
Tuscarora Men’s Member-Guest Memorial Day Points Tournament Couples Golf
October 3 October 5-6 October 14 October 19–20
WE CARE Charity Golf Tournament Men’s Member-Member Frankie Lemmon Charity Tournament Senior & Women’s Member-Member
November 29
Turkey Trot
June 6-8 June 10-13 June 28
Tuscarora Men’s Member-Guest Greens Aerification Couples Golf
July 4 July 12 July 27 -28
Independence Day Tournament Couples Golf Senior Club Championship
Junior Golf Program June 18-21 July 16-19 July/Aug 30-2
Summer Junior Fundamental Golf Camp Summer Junior Fundamental Golf Camp Operation 36 Junior Camp
August 3-4 August 9 August 17-18 August 19-20
Junior Club Championship Couples Golf Men’s & Women’s Club Championship Greens Aerification
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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
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MCCONNELL GOLF NEWS
AMPLIFY YOUR BRAND’S REACH - SPRING/SUMMER ISSUE OF MCCONNELL GOLF, THE MAGAZINE Advertise in the 2024 Spring-Summer edition of McConnell Golf, The Magazine! This publication is a staple here at McConnell Golf, for the members by the members, and we appreciate your efforts to enhance it each year. We invite you to take part in the magazine with opportunities for full- and halfpage ad placement, in addition to basic directory listings starting at just $175 per issue. All advertisers receive a standard listing in the Member Directory. If you are interested in advertising or listing your business in our magazine, please contact your club’s membership director today.
MCCONNELL GOLF INVITES YOU TO SHOP ONLINE FOR TENNIS AND GOLF APPAREL In addition to golf apparel in 15 storefronts, McConnell Golf is now offering you access to 10 storefronts that connect you with our tennis shops online. Each club's storefront offers a large catalog of apparel and accessories from top brands. All products can be customized with your club's logo and will be delivered right to your front door. Visit mcconnellgolf.shop and gear up for a great year ahead!
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2024 GOLF SCHEDULE BOOKLET COMING SOON Coming in January, the 2024 McConnell Golf schedule booklet features all the information you need to get ready for the upcoming golf season. From club tournament dates to pro shop hours and instructional lesson rates, you’ll have a compact guide right at your fingertips. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, stay in the loop with a calendar that will take the hassle out of planning your next golf adventure.
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January MONDAY
TUESDAY
THURSDAY
1 Club’s Closed Happy New Year!
3
4
F&B Closed
F&B Closed
F&B Closed
8
9
10
11
15
2
WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY
5
6
12
13
Soccer Shots Starts
Family Night Buffet
16
17
18
19
20 Kids Night Out Comedy Night Free Fitness Golf Session
23
24
25
26
27
Family Night Buffet
29
30
SUNDAY
7
14 Disney Brunch
Kids Day Out
22
SATURDAY
Blood Drive
21
28 Polar Plunge
31
February MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
5
6
7
MCG Symposium
MCG Symposium
MCG Symposium
12
13
14
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
20
21
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
Chili Cookoff Kids Night Out
15
16
22
23
Father Daughter Dance 27
28
Family Night Buffet
17
18
Wine Tasting
Kids Day Out
26
SUNDAY
1
Valentines Family Night Buffet
19
SATURDAY
29
24
25
The CC at Wakefield Plantation 2201 Wakefield Plantation Drive Raleigh, NC 27614