McConnell Golf, The Magazine - Spring2019

McConnell Golf The Magazine SPRING 2019

Wine & Dine Explore new spaces and new menus

Wakefield Junior Golf Member Stories from the Shoreline

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Renovated ballroom at Sedgefield CC

Opening day at Providence CC

Spring Forward

FRONT COVER PHOTO: CHIP HENDERSON; TOP RIGHT PHOTO: MICCICHE

MOST OF US HAVE A FAVORITE DAY

of the year. Mine is December 21. Even though this is the first day of winter, it signals that for the next six months each day will bring longer sunlight for our outdoor activities. And this means that spring is on its way.

No one was happier to leave 2018 behind than me. We had record rainfall in our region, record cold temps, and more issues with golf turf than at any time in company history. Maintenance budgets were blown away due to the weather challenges we faced, but I am so proud of our staff, who worked tirelessly to keep our courses open and in good condition. Oh, and did I mention that the tennis building at Treyburn burned down and a bridge on the golf course was washed away in a flood? To top it off, Virginia Tech had its first losing football season in 26 years. Yes, 2018 was indeed one that I want to forget.

On the positive side, there were several projects completed within our network to further enhance the member experience. Providence Country Club opened its newly renovated golf course and dining areas. Sedgefield and Raleigh also completed interior facelifts. Our food and beverage operations had a record year, and membership sales exceeded our expectations.

Participation in our fitness and tennis operations saw increases, too. Operating profits for the company grew

ten percent, and we are encouraged by our business model and operating efficiency. Many new club projects are planned for 2019 as we continue to invest for the future.

It is amazing to me that we have been in the country club business for over 15 years — and it all began with our purchase of Raleigh Country Club in 2003. Golf writer Mike Purkey revisits that history in his feature on page 38.

Today, we own and manage 14 clubs with over 5,000 members. It has been a fun and challenging adventure, but the excitement is far from over.

When I look back on our first 15 years, I see that our vision for creating the new country club model and being a leader in our industry has produced steady progress. We focused on technology early on, and I believe members appreciate our social media platforms and communication tools. We have fostered a family atmosphere and programs for all ages. The number of young families at our clubs continues to steadily rise. Halloween activities and Breakfast with Santa are popular events that reinforce our goal of helping to create fun family memories. The electric vehicle charging stations that we installed at several clubs showcase our eco-friendly strategies throughout our operations — our clubs were among the first in North Carolina to install these.

Although we acquired no new clubs in 2018, we remain focused on

growth and will find new opportunities.

It is our belief that golf will have a rebound this season, and the Wyndham Championship has been identified as one of the top-five, non-major tournaments due to the new changes in how players gain FedEx points along with a regular season championship that concludes at Sedgefield in early August.

Most of the top pros will now come to Greensboro — and that is exciting news for our state and fans.

I love my job and I thank you for your support of our company. Together, we can create greatness.

John McConnell, CEO & Founder

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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Contents MAP

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT William Noblitt, Providence Country Club

8

CLUB COMMUNITY Latest happenings

10

FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN Special Olympics

14

GROWING THEIR GAME Executive Chef James “JP” Patterson cooks for good causes

16

WHERE ARE THEY NOW Catching up with three female collegiate players

18

WORK & PLAY Mixing business with pleasure at Musgrove Mill

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LEARNING THE GAME Junior golf thrives at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation

48

WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW 55 A peek at the big changes coming this summer at Sedgefield PICKLEBALL TAKES CENTER COURT Meet the fastest growing sport in the country

56

WELLNESS The many benefits of massage

57

CHAMPIONS GALLERY Congratulations to our 2018 tournament winners

58

THE BACK 9 Brandt Snedeker reflects on his 2018 Wyndham win

60

MEMBER BUSINESS DIRECTORY

62

Features

Holston Hills Country Club, Hole No.11

WINE & DINE

24

SERENITY ON THE SHORELINE

32

FROM HISTORICAL ROOTS, A MODERN-DAY CLUB EMERGES

38

A MATTER OF COURSE: PROVIDENCE REOPENS

44

ON THE WATER

52

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

By Meredith Donahue

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Serving up

Success

PHOTO: MACKENZIE KING

William Noblitt has big plans for Providence Country Club

WILLIAM NOBLITT KNOWS TENNIS. EARNING ALL-ACC HONORS during his time at N.C. State University, the record-holder is considered one of the greatest tennis players in school history. But beyond his talents as a player, he understands the needs of his members and has ambitious goals for his tennis program.

In his current role at Providence, Noblitt oversees the club’s 14 tennis courts, including 12 clay courts, and the pro shop. His largest duty however is tennis instruction, at which he indeed excels. The thrill of competition was certainly a factor in his success as a collegiate athlete and that same competitive spirit now helps him teach and inspire others.

Noblitt’s favorite part of his job? Doing what he loves every day.

“I get to go to work and share my knowledge and passion for a sport that has been a part of my life since I was six years old,” he says. “I love seeing members improve and always hope to instill that same lifelong love of the sport.”

Caption TK majority of An average day for Noblitt is a full one. He spends the his time on the courts. In the morning, he’s busy with private lessons, cardio tennis clinics, and ladies’ team clinics. In the afternoon, he’s working with junior players through private lessons and clinics.

Looking back on his first year at Providence, two events stand out. In 2018, the Make-A-Wish Pro-Am fundraiser and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s Ladies Member/Guest were held at PCC. Noblitt was fortunate to work alongside members for these events, enjoying a fun day of tennis while raising funds and awareness for important causes.

Looking ahead, Noblitt has big plans for the future of PCC’s thriving tennis program.

“My goal is to create a fun, enjoyable atmosphere where people want to come out and play, and participate in what we have going on,” he says. “The junior program in particular is something I want to build.

I believe that with the facilities we have and the staff in place, we could have one of the best junior programs around.”

A vision for program enhancements, coupled with the addition of new clinic offerings, social events, and tournaments, is a recipe for the continued success and growth of the tennis program at Providence.

Heading into his second year at the club, Noblitt serves up a winning program with no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

mcconnellgolf.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND FOUNDER

JOHN MCCONNELL

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

CHRISTIAN ANASTASIADIS MAGAZINE SALES & MEMBERSHIP SERVICES ASSISTANT

KASEY OLIVE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

CASEY GRIFFITH

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

MEREDITH DONAHUE CHAD FLOWERS BRAD KING JOHN MAGINNES MATT MCCONNELL ANNA PLYLER MIKE PURKEY LAUREN THEDIECK CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

CHIP HENDERSON

PUBLISHED BY DESTINATION CREATIVE GROUP 5710 W. GATE CITY BLVD., STE. 237 GREENSBORO, NC 27407 336.601.1271 PRESIDENT

STEVE MITCHEM

steve.mitchem@icloud.com EDITOR

MARTHA-PAGE ALTHAUS DESIGN DIRECTOR

LYNN GIANINY COPY EDITOR

LANCE ELKO

CLUB COMMUNITY

Club Happenings ➤

PROVIDENCE COUNTRY CLUB HEALTH FAIR The 2nd Annual PCC Health and Wellness Fair encouraged members to unite together as a community of wellness warriors, emphasizing health and wellness in their everyday lives.

Doubling in size from last year, over 20 vendors shared their expertise and knowledge with the help of cleaner beauty products, total nutrition, and fitness offerings.

➤

RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB 50 BURGERS, 50 STATES Thursday is Burger Day at the club all year long! Members enjoy a culinary tour through all 50 states and indulge in a mouth-watering specialty burger based on each state’s unique characteristics. For example, the Alaska Burger with a salmon and crab patty, dill dijonnaise, and bibb lettuce.

GRANDE DUNES MEMBERS CLUB SUPER BOWL CHILI COOK-OFF At this annual event, members wore their fan gear to cheer on their favorite team and take part in a Chili Cook-off between various club departments including golf, kitchen staff, and Members Club service staff. Members tasted and voted to determine the winning team. Coming out ahead again in 2019 was the ever-boastful golf staff!

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

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COUNTRY CLUB OF ASHEVILLE OYSTER ROAST AND KIDS CLUB OVERNIGHT LOCK-IN For years, the Oyster Roast has been one of CCA’s favorite social events for all types of seafood lovers. This year, the club added an overnight lock-in for kids including games, movies, and a slumber party! All family members enjoyed a fun night out, and the next morning, parents joined the kids at the club for a family breakfast before heading home.

➤

HOLSTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB BEER PAIRING DINNER Built on sharing their love of beer, food, and spending time with friends and family, two local breweries joined the club to create a custom fourcourse dinner. Abridged Beer Company and Highland Brewing proudly shared their beers for an unforgettable dining experience. Featured brews included Highland Cold Mountain Legendary Spiced Ale, Highland Midnight Summit: Vanilla Milk Stout, and Abridged Beer Company’s Toppy Rock IPA and New England Style IPA. THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones ventures into the jungles of South America searching for a golden statue.

He sets off a series of deadly traps and escapes, but not before a boulder is released and the adventurer runs for his life. The Wakefield January Kids Night Out was inspired by this iconic scene.

Challenge Island Tribes were formed and a STEAM-tastic adventure began by using artistic and creative skills to design a Temple of Trouble. The tribes also followed the steps of the engineering process to design a course that took a “boulder” around a 90-degree corner on the outside of their temple.

➤

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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REX HOSPITAL OPEN The PGA TOUR stops in Raleigh

May 30 - June 2 THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION

Fan Fairway Family Fun THURSDAY - SUNDAY

The PATH to the PGA TOUR

Service Appreciation SUNDAY Food Trucks • Live Music • Kids Games Face Painting • Player Autographs and MORE! TICKETS $10 16 & under FREE FREE Parking at REX Healthcare of Wakefield and shuttle to course Gates open 15 minutes before 1st tee time

rexhospitalopen.com

CARING for our COMMUNITY for

FOOTPRINTS ON THE GREEN

By Lauren Thedieck

A Special Bond with the

Special Olympics McConnell Golf is proud to support the athletes and the organization.

THIS PAST YEAR, THE WARM SMILES AND GENUINE hearts of Special Olympics athletes brought McConnell Golf properties together.

Director of Tennis Operations Kyle Thortsen and The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation hosted the Wake County Special Olympics team at the tennis complex.

Together, club staff and junior players led practices, games, and lessons to help Special Olympics athletes prepare for state competitions.

“We encouraged our juniors to get involved and see how rewarding it is to give back to the community,” says Thortsen. “Next year, our goal is to extend our commitment with this organization to our Sedgefield, Providence, and Asheville properties.”

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Also at Wakefield, Director of Golf Adam McLaughlin hosted an invitational tournament at the nine-hole Plantation Course. It allowed athletes that did not get a chance to compete in the state championship an opportunity to play in a local tournament.

“We are humbled by their courage, contagious spirit, and eagerness to get better as individuals and teams alongside their family and their loved ones,” says Michael Thomas, club manager at Wakefield.

Over the past six years, members and staff from Treyburn CC, Wakefield, and Raleigh CC have volunteered for the Track and Field Spring Games in Raleigh. They’ve taken on roles to announce winners, organize races, and cheer on athletes throughout the games.

Nearby, Brook Valley CC welcomed all Special Olympic athletes from Greenville County to enjoy an end-of-year pool party celebration.

East Carolina University Assistant Athletics Director Matt Maloney was in attendance and shared a little about the celebration with Brian Bailey of WNCT News.

“I started 21 years ago coaching these wonderful friends … a few years later, we wanted to celebrate all the good things they do not only in the pool but also in the community,” said Maloney.

On a personal level, I have been involved with the Special Olympics in every stage of my life and am so proud of our clubs for continuing to engage with our community. I believe lending our facilities, our resources, and our time deepens our relationships with those we support and teaches us all of the power of giving.

Lauren Thedieck is McConnell Golf’s Marketing Relations Manager and Creative Director.

Clockwise from far left: Matt Maloney with volunteer (left) and participant Drew (right) at Brook Valley pool party; Golf tournament awards ceremony at Wakefield; Pool event group shot at Brook Valley; Group photo at Wakefield golf course; The Spring Games Parade of Champions in Raleigh; Mike Steele with Bella at Brook Valley pool event

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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CULINARY

By Chad Flowers

Growing Their Game Executive Chef James “JP” Patterson sharpens his skills and finds inspiration by giving back.

IF YOU’RE ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND FOLLOW McConnell Golf accounts, there’s a good chance you know — or at least know of — James “JP” Patterson, executive chef at Sedgefield Country Club and corporate executive chef for McConnell Golf. Whether he is touting his daughter’s Girl Scout cookies on Facebook or posting a close-up photo of an extraordinary dish on Instagram, JP educates and inspires online.

Through social media, JP’s followers also see many dishes that come out of other area kitchens. No, he isn’t cooking for a restaurant on the side; he’s very active in charitable cooking competitions and exhibitions across the state. These fundraisers bring much-needed dollars to some great charities, put his skills to the test, and help JP spread the McConnell Golf name across the area.

While JP and other country club chefs have the opportunity to be creative in their own kitchens when writing new menus and planning specialized member

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

events, an on-the-fly cooking competition provides an exciting platform to spread their wings.

“Outside of the charitable impact of these events, one of the greatest aspects is the opportunity to step outside of our comfort zone and get the creative juices flowing,” says JP. “With many of the ingredients being event-day surprises, we really have to focus on what we want to do and commit to it. From the items used, to the preparation and plating, there are a lot of variables to navigate in a very short period of time. It’s very exciting.”

In addition to the funds raised for worthy causes and his continued personal and professional development, JP enjoys meeting other local and regional chefs and helping expand their exposure in the area.

“Oftentimes, country club chefs are hidden away in their clubs, simply because they cook at member-only facilities.

Whereas a chef at a popular local restaurant, for example, has the opportunity to cook for new people night in and

Clockwise from far left: James “JP” Patterson; apple cider Cheshire pork cheek with herb goat cheese, arugula, pimento cheese grit croutons, pepper jelly vinaigrette, and candied pecans; JP at the Community Table event; buttermilk-fried oysters topped with caviar

night out. Sometimes we as country club chefs can get bogged down in our routines. I love our members and I enjoy cooking their favorites, but it helps me to be at my best to think outside of the box every now and then. I enjoy bringing those experiences back and implementing them at Sedgefield and most importantly I think our members benefit also.”

While JP has impressively flexed his culinary muscle in past events, winning some or finishing near the top in others, perhaps the one he was most excited about was the Chef’s Showcase — a kick-off event for the North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington in January. JP is originally from Wilmington, where he got his start in the culinary arts business.

“I have not really had an opportunity to cook in Wilmington since I left in 2001, so it was great to see so many familiar faces and to have my Mom and other family members and friends attend. It was just a great experience. I cannot wait to hopefully be invited back in the future.”

In recent years, JP has participated and inspired others to join him in supporting the following causes: Triad Local First (Greensboro) NCRLA/NC Chef Showcase March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction with Patrick Budniewski of Holston Hills Various Make-A-Wish events in North and South Carolina with McConnell chefs Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Evening with Master Chefs with Raleigh CC Chef Dennis Freeland The Lucy Daniels Foundation’s Cooking for a Classic with Executive Chef Todd Jackson, Greg Lyons, and Bob Dowgiallo of Wakefield Plantation “Sliced” at Salud Cooking School with Executive Chef Jason Neal and John McGregor of Providence CC North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s “Gotta Be NC” Chef’s Competition www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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GOLF

By Brad King

Where Are They Now ?

Catching up with collegiate standouts: Jessica and Sarah Spicer at Virginia Tech and Natalie Srinivasan at Furman University IN JANUARY, VIRGINIA TECH JUNIOR

Jessica Spicer fired a 2-under 70 at Pinewild Country Club’s Magnolia Course in Pinehurst to win the 10th Carolinas Young Amateur championship. Spicer’s identical twin sister and Hokie teammate, Sarah, tied for sixth in the championship with a 75.

As she typically does, Jessica consulted with her sister the previous night.

“I just tried to do what I always do, which is focus on my own game, shoot the best score I could shoot, and see how it ends up,” says Jessica, who won the 2017 contest as well. “We’re so fortunate to have so many good players from the Carolinas.”

The sisters are the daughters of Michael and Maria Spicer, who have been Treyburn Country Club members since 2006. Jessica and Sarah first excelled at synchronized skating, which they started at age five. They took up golf two years later, and by their mid-teens realized that golf was their sport for the future. They played on Durham’s Northern High School boys’ golf team and earned all-conference honors.

In her sophomore campaign for the Hokies, Jessica finished fifth on the team in scoring average.

Her best tournament of the season came in the fall, when she finished 16th at the Lady Paladin Invitational.

Sarah is a redshirt sophomore at Virgina Tech.

She did not appear in fall 2017, but competed in two events in the spring, making her collegiate debut at the Hurricane Invitational in March. Sarah finished tied for 36th place with, among others, Jessica.

In South Carolina, Furman University junior Natalie Srinivasan is helping lead the Paladin women’s program to heights it hasn’t enjoyed since future LPGA Tour players Dottie Pepper and Maggie Will

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Jessica Spicer, North Carolina State Amateur Champion 2017 and 2018

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: JACKSON SVEEN/CAROLINAS GOLF ASSOCIATION; DAVE KNACHEL/VIRGINIA TECH; FURMAN SPORTS INFORMATION

Sarah Spicer practices at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech

Natalie Srinivasan and her father, Ajai

led the school to a runner-up finish in the 1987 NCAA Championship.

Furman boasts a storied women’s golf history, with Pepper, Betsy King, and Beth Daniel among its decorated alumnae.

Srinivasan, who hails from Spartanburg, S.C., ranks 66th nationally and is second on the Paladin team with a 72.4 stroke average over 11 rounds. She tied for third at both the Cougar Classic and the Lady Paladin Invitational in the fall.

Last season, Srinivasan — the daughter of Musgrove Mill Golf Club members Tammy and Ajai Srinivasan — was named to the Golfweek All-American third team and earned WGCA All-American honorable

mention. She was voted the 2018 Southern Conference Player of the Year — as well as being named to the WGCA All-American Scholar Team, the SoCon Academic Honor Roll, and the SoCon AllAcademic Team.

Srinivasan led the conference with a 72.36 stroke average over 36 rounds, the second-best stroke average in Furman women’s golf history. She tied the Furman low-round record at the time with a 65 in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA Tallahassee Regional, where she went on to finish third.

After winning league individual medalist honors at the SoCon Championships, Srinivasan was named the 2017 SoCon Freshman of the Year. She also competed in the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, where she tied for 69th — with her father serving as her caddie.

In January, Srinivasan received a pleasant surprise when she and Furman senior teammate Haylee Harford, along with Paladin alum Alice Chen, were invited to compete in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, held April 3 – 6.

“I was lucky to be at home with my family when I opened the invitation, so that was pretty cool,” says Srinivasan. “To be able to play Augusta National and have your scores count — that’s going to be very special.”

“This should be an amazing event that will showcase the best in women’s amateur golf,” says Furman head coach Jeff Hull. “Having three players in the field is special. I am so proud of all of them.”

For the event, an international field of 72 women amateurs will compete over 54 holes of stroke play.

A cut will take place after 36 holes, advancing the leading 30 players to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club. In the event of a tie after 54 holes, the winner will be decided by sudden-death playoff.

Provided she remain an amateur, the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women’s Amateurs, the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2019 Women’s British Open, and any USGA, R&A, and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.

For all our member families, McConnell Golf is proud to provide an environment where junior golfers can discover and grow their passion for the game.

With such accomplishments thus far, we can’t wait to see where these three ladies’ talent will take them next! www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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GOLF

By Matt McConnell

Work & Play MUSGROVE MILL GOLF CLUB IS widely regarded as the perfect place for a corporate retreat. McConnell Golf member Matt Alexander knows from experience — he brings around 25 associates from Charlotte-based Eaton Corporation to Musgrove Mill for an annual three-day retreat. For the past couple of years, employees and business partners travel from all over the continent — from California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Mexico — to meet at Musgrove Mill.

The travel is worth it. From the moment Alexander’s group drives through the secluded woodlands to the gated entrance, where cart attendants wait at the front of the clubhouse to escort the group to their cabins, everyone begins to exhale.

Jeff Tallman, director of golf, coordinates the group’s itinerary. The next three days are spent relaxing on the property without the group having to move their cars. The retreat is a mix of work and play. Each cabin is complete with everything they need, from A/V equipment to golf carts. One of the best amenities? The accommodating hospitality of Musgrove Mill’s staff.

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

A foursome from the Eaton retreat tee off at Musgrove Mill.

“Jeff and his team provide everything shoot sporting clays at the wildlife refuge that we could possibly need,” says of the Clinton House.

Alexander. “We have held meetings in Later, the entire group reconvenes many nice locations, but we always return for drinks and dinner at the Lee Cotto Musgrove because of the personal tage. Dinner is served on the back deck, attention that Jeff and his team give us. against the backdrop of the scenic They make everyone feel at home.” wilderness of Upstate South Carolina.

Food is prepared in the clubhouse “The fact that we can all spend three and delivered to the cabins where the days together in a great location, away business meetings are conducted on from the office, and get some work the first day of the retreat. Following their done makes Musgrove Mill a great work, the team breaks for cocktails and business retreat,” says Alexander. dinner in the cottage. With a pool “Add in the beautiful golf course and the table, fireplace, poker set, and satellite way Jeff and his staff have everything television, the cottages provide entercoordinated, and it makes this easy and tainment while everyone enjoys each enjoyable. Our associates request we other’s company. return every year.”

Day two begins with breakfast and meetings in the Lee Cottage. Then the real fun begins — in the afternoon, many in the group tee off on the challenging Arnold Palmer-designed course.

Group photos are taken along the course, especially on the elevated tee box of the fifth hole and the signature seventh The Lee Cottage, hole along the Enoree River.

Musgrove Mill The non-golfers go nearby to

PHOTOS: MATT ALEXANDER

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CULINARY

By Martha-Page Althaus

The

Dish

TODD JACKSON, THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION

➤

McConnell Golf’s executive chefs share their latest and greatest menu items.

Ready to try something new?

THE DISH: SMOKED PORK BELLY WITH BLACK PEPPER GASTRIQUE AND OPAL APPLE SALAD

“Growing up in Eastern North Carolina and helping my Dad prepare pig pickins’, I learned to smoke whole pigs at a low temperature, nice and slow. This dish elevates local pork belly while keeping traditional flavors.

The sweet and tangy black pepper gastrique is a twist on the vinegar sauce, and the apple salad replaces the traditional coleslaw side.”

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

JASON NEAL, PROVIDENCE COUNTRY CLUB

THE DISH: NORWEGIAN SALMON WITH POTATO LATKE, SHAVED ASPARAGUS, HONEY DIJON, AND DILL CRÈME FRAICHE

“These flavors pair well with smoked salmon. We serve Norwegian salmon almost exclusively, unless we can get wild. The farming practices of some of the other salmon, particularly Chilean, is not the best. Our members love salmon, and we want to put out the best product that we can.”

BOTTOM RIGHT: LUIZ HENRIQUE MENDES

THE DISH: CHICKEN CURRY TACOS

“Combining red-curry paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, and coconut milk makes a flavorful sauce that brings a pop to this grilled chicken taco dish.

We top it with toasted cashews and lightly sautéed bell peppers for crunch and brightness.”

➤

➤

PATRICK BUDNIEWSKI, HOLSTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

BRUCE MCINTOSH, THE COUNTRY CLUB OF ASHEVILLE

➤

THE DISH: SALMON WELLINGTON

“This fillet of King Salmon is wrapped in puff pastry and finished with red-pepper coulis and wilted spinach. I remember having this dish with my mother at Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio restaurant in San Francisco. It was 1984, the night before leaving for Asheville to go to culinary school. I told myself, ‘I will remake this dish when I get through school.’ The well-seasoned salmon has a light, flaky crust, and is roasted in a wood-fired oven with a hint of nutmeg and garlic.”

JAMES R. PATTERSON III, SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB

➤

THE DISH: AUSSIE LAMB WITH CORIANDER DIJON CRUST, MINT DEMI-GLACE, CAULIFLOWER PUREE, BUTTERED PEAS, AND ROASTED HEIRLOOM CARROTS

“While the lamb may come from ‘Down Under,’ this is our take on gourmet Southern cuisine. Australian lamb is milder when compared to American lamb. It’s lean and tender, and when paired with the cauliflower puree, it creates a harmonious mouth feel. The peas and carrots bring back memories of my first encounter with lamb in Charleston. And of course, everyone knows that mint and lamb go together like peanut butter and jelly.”

OLIN PURVIS, THE RESERVE GOLF CLUB

➤

THE DISH: CURRIED SHRIMP AND MANGO SALAD WITH SPICY THAI CITRUS DRESSING

“I love Asian ingredients with a complex blend of bright, sweet, hot, and acidic flavors in one dish.

This salad contrasts soft butter lettuce against crunchy bell pepper and rice noodles, and spicy curried shrimp with sweet, fresh mango.

The dressing is a flavorful combination of orange, cilantro, and Serrano pepper. It’s just enough heat to stand up against a chilled Sauvignon Blanc.” www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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CULINARY

KENRIC HUNT, BROOK VALLEY THE DISH: FILETTI AL BALSAMICO

➤

“We slice tournedos of beef filet and sauté in olive oil, garlic, and shallots. It’s finished with balsamic sauce and served with Florentine-style spring peas and a side of pasta du jour. We wanted to show there’s more to Italian cuisine than white and red sauces. Balsamic has a bold flavor but pairs well with the beef. Serving this with English peas and cured prosciutto mellows the balsamic.”

DENNIS FREELAND, RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB

➤

THE DISH: HAWAIIAN BBQ SALMON BURGER ON TOASTED BRIOCHE WITH COCONUT CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE

“This is an unusual combination with healthy ingredients.

We grind the salmon in-house and season it with pineapple and lime juices, plus cilantro and an Asian-style barbecue sauce. We sear the pineapple in coconut oil and roast it in the oven. The sweetness of the pineapple becomes concentrated and acts as a sauce for the burger. It’s topped with pickled jalapenos for a little kick and sliced avocado for creaminess.”

ISAAC SPENCER, GRANDE DUNES

THE DISH: PAN-SEARED RED SNAPPER WITH SPINACH, CRAB, SCALLOPS, AND SHRIMP RISOTTO

➤

“I want to serve our members and their guests a dish that represents oceanfront dining. This seafood medley is topped with a zesty remoulade and hollandaise, made with fresh-squeezed lemon, briny capers, and Cajun spices.”

THE DISH: CRAB-LESS CAKES

➤

“This is a Baltimore-style ‘crab cake’ with sweet corn and hearts of palm, served with light mixed greens and red-pepper coulis. When shredded, hearts of palm have a similar texture to cooked crab meat. This dish is entirely vegan, using pureed vegetables to create the binding in place of eggs, and vegan mayonnaise. And even though it’s vegan, it tastes like a crab cake.”

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

BOTTOM RIGHT: LAURI PATTERSON

SEAN O’NEILL, TREYBURN COUNTRY CLUB

CULINARY

By Casey Griffith

New Arrivals

Enjoy two new exclusive wines from Napa Valley’s Juslyn Vineyards.

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF MCCONNELL GOLF’S first exclusive wine offering, two new vintages arrive in March. Juslyn Vineyard’s incredible 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon received 97 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and sold out in six months — and McConnell Golf members will now enjoy the very last of it. Additionally, an exciting 2018 Sauvignon Blanc is available; Juslyn’s first from Sonoma County.

We caught up with Juslyn Vineyard’s Partner and General Manager Stephanie DeMasi for details on the new pours.

CASEY GRIFFITH: We’re thrilled to be extending our partnership with Juslyn! Tell me more about the new wines.

STEPHANIE DEMASI: The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is sensational. It’s a true Cabernet Sauvignon off of Spring Mountain. To have a wine shine so bright in its youth is a rare achievement of nature. The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. The fruit is exotic and fresh, less mellow than the riper Napa

Sauvignon Blanc we are accustomed to producing. The wine is exhilarating and versatile.

CG: As a relatively novice wine drinker, what will I like about the wines?

SD: Both of these wines are incredibly approachable — just pop and pour! They offer a bounty of fruit and great acidity, which allows them to linger on the tongue for some time.

CG: I’m already thinking about my favorite menu items to try these with. Can you offer pairing suggestions?

SD: A mixed grill of white and red meat can take on the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. It can also welcome pesto pasta salad with pecorino and artichokes — break all the rules! I love pairing curry with the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc — super zippy and fresh — or try it with arugula salad and citrus, poached salmon with lemon and roasted potatoes, or a cheese course with dried fruit. www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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CULINARY

By Casey Griffith

Scene Change

Updated dining spaces at Providence CC bring members together.

THINK OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACE to hang out. What makes it feel so good? I’m guessing it’s a few familiar faces, inviting décor, and a comfortable setting that suits your lifestyle. When done right, a space lends a sense of belonging, a homecoming, to all who enter.

A GATHERING PLACE To achieve this, the dining rooms at Providence needed to be reimagined.

As General Manager Howard Murphy explains,”We needed a larger social gathering place at the club.”

“On busy Friday nights, we couldn’t accommodate casual diners in the bar and there wasn’t a great place to grab a drink midday, or meet with a larger group for happy hour.”

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

The original spaces hampered flow between the bar and larger dining area and, while cozy, a club with 800 members needed more than four giant barstools.

The dining area’s name has changed to reflect its new life.

“Table 16 signifies a modern dining offering, and it’s 16 because that is the year John McConnell purchased the property,” Murphy explains.

“The adjoining Preston Room comes from Mr. McConnell’s middle name.”

The project was personal for the owners, more than just by name.

Dr. Rebekah McConnell led the interior design effort.

Table 16 is anchored by a beautiful 20-foot, 16-seat central table that just so happens to be located in the

exact same space as the original table number sixteen. Serendipitous, don’t you think?

While the modern, open space creates the perfect setting, the food is what brings members through the door and Executive Chef Jason Neal keeps them on their toes with inventive fare.

JOIN US FOR DINNER “I try to bring trends to the club and keep things fresh,” says Neal, “We offer the classics, but add a twist – like transforming shrimp and grits into a grit cake with tasso sauce. That’s how we build a following.”

To support the larger casual dining area, the bar menu has been extended to midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Additionally, tapas-size portions

PHOTOS: CHIP HENDERSON

are offered so diners can try and share several items.

“The Bang Bang Shrimp has been most popular thus far,” reports Neal.

“It’s perfectly sweet and spicy.”

A shiny new space or not, consistency in the private club realm is paramount day in and day out. So how does a chef foster creativity and keep his culinary team inspired?

“Every Friday, we compete,” says Neal, who has worked in restaurants for 20 years. “If you’ve seen the television show Chopped, the format is very similar.

There’s a secret ingredient that the team must work with. There are three dishes each week. The winner is the dish that sells the most. The members get to try something new each week, as does our team in the kitchen. It’s a win-win.”

FAMILIAR FACES “Hello, good to see you Mr. Johnson!”

“Hi! You as well … what’s on tap?”

“There’s a seasonal from Olde Mecklenburg that I think you’ll like.

Wanna try?”

This is the conversation Clubhouse Manager Steve Windham wants to

hear more often. With a larger bar, he’s expanded beer and liquor selections as well as added nearly 80 wines. To spark dialogue between patrons and staff, Windham decided to try simple chrome beer taps.

“It’s important that we’re able to keep up with trends,” he says, “We want to offer members their favorites but also give them the opportunity to try something new.”

Providence member Otis Davis enjoys the expanded wine list.

“We look forward to Wine Down Wednesdays at the club,” he says.

“The half-off bottles are a great excuse to explore.”

It’s these offerings that help solidify the club’s role as the social hub of the neighborhood — a space for families, and a meeting place for friends and colleagues before or after heading across town for a sporting event or show.

“While the first-class facilities were the primary reason we joined, the staff really makes the club special,” says Davis. “I brought the whole family for Thanksgiving and our server Alayne was just fantastic. Our experience

that day really made me proud to be a member.”

For club traditions to live on, keeping facilities in tune with member needs is crucial. Providence’s broad-sweeping improvements have delivered diverse spaces for everything from wine and tapas, to card games, to yoga and kids’ activities. And to that we say, “Cheers!”

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LIFESTYLE

By Anna Plyer

Serenity...

Are you a “beach person” or a “lake person?” Most everyone aligns one way or the other, and within the McConnell Golf portfolio, The Reserve Golf Club in South Carolina is a haven for beachgoers while Old North State Club in North Carolina is an ideal retreat for lake lovers. While the active members of both private, gated communities enjoy top-notch golf and a relaxed pace of life by the water, they are different in one major way – they’re either “lake people” or “beach people.”

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

FROM LEFT: VISITNC.COM; UWMADISON

Everyone loves living or vacationing near the water.

McConnell members have a couple of can’t-miss choices.

on the Shoreline

Left: Kayakers on Badin Lake; Right: Pathway to the Atlantic

A WALK ON THE BEACH Bill and Bonnie Gillespie, full-time residents and members at The Reserve on Pawleys Island, South Carolina, are decidedly “beach people.” The Reserve’s relaxed, Lowcountry setting, championship golf course designed

by Greg Norman, and private beach access sold the Gillespies on relocating full-time to one of the golf villas across from the clubhouse. They have loved every minute of their time here since moving in one and a half years ago. Their son, Blake, who lives in Raleigh, N.C., has also enjoyed spending time at Bill and Bonnie’s new home any chance he can get away for a weekend.

Hitting the links at The Reserve’s private golf course several times a week is typical for Bill, though he still works full-time and travels for work quite a bit. Bill was fortunate enough to play on the winning team in the McConnell Golf 11th Annual Ryder Cup in 2018 — the first time The Reserve had ever won the tournament. Making good use of his reciprocal access, Bill also loves playing at Raleigh Country Club with his son when visiting Raleigh. Bill takes advantage of other opportunities to play sister properties such as Country Club of Asheville and Sedgefield Country Club when traveling for business.

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LIFESTYLE

In addition to playing golf, the Gillespies love their beach time. As the nearby public beaches can become very crowded, especially in the summer, their family appreciates that as members of The Reserve, they have access to Litchfield by the Sea’s pristine private beach. They enjoy taking a quick golf cart ride to the large parking area next to the beach access, and spending time on the uncrowded stretch of strand — which they take advantage of daily. In fact, their favorite time of day is early in the morning when they wake up and hop in the golf cart with their coffee and dogs in tow. Starting their day together with a walk on the beach sets a relaxing tone to the couple’s laid-back Pawleys Island lifestyle.

A typical weekend for the Gillespies looks like this: Wake up early, take their coffee on a 45-minute beach walk with their dogs, head back home to get ready for the day, enjoy a round of golf, and then eat lunch at the club. In the afternoon, they’ll enjoy a cocktail and a relaxing dinner at home before taking an evening ride on their easily recognizable golf cart named “The Dirty Goose” to end the day.

From top: Bonnie and Bill Gillespie cruise to the beach on their golf cart; Bill and son, Blake, on the course; The Reserve No. 2

Clockwise from top: Family playtime on the water; The Baker family; Leah’s wedding at the gazebo

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GILLESPIES AND BAKERS

LAKE LIFE Old North State Club members Scott and Kristin Baker are unquestionably “lake people” and cherish time spent with family on their dock and boat. The Bakers, along with their three children, were drawn to the breadth of outdoor opportunities available year-round at Badin Lake and its easy, less than an hour drive from their home in Concord.

This allows them to make weekend and even day trips to their retreat.

Weekends find their family trying to fit it all in. The golfers head to the course early while the rest of the family splits their time between the tennis courts, running trails, and the club’s fitness center. They regroup at home for a quick lunch, then it’s on to the boat, where they never seem to have enough time for the many water sports they enjoy.

Afternoons filled with wake surfing and wakeboarding are followed by early evening refreshments on the dock, and then a return to the boat, where the skiers seek the still flat waters of early

summer evenings. Many days they also squeeze in a ride on the WaveRunner, on which they often visit friends at their docks along the lake. Grilled dinners on the deck are followed by quiet evenings on the porch, or, on full moon nights, by taking in the magnificence of the idyllic lake by boat.

During cooler months, afternoons consist of hiking or biking on the nearby Uwharrie Mountain trails, or taking long walks with their dogs, after which they frequently gather around the firepit long into the evening. No matter the time of year, their family’s favorite time of day at the lake is late afternoons. Sitting on the dock as the sun sets and the lake quiets, they appreciate watching the ducks, blue herons, and other wildlife on the water.

The Baker family enjoys spending holidays together at Old North State Club, especially the July Fourth celebration at the clubhouse. Kristin and Scott’s children rearrange their schedules to spend July Fourth weekend at the lake each year, often with friends in tow. The

festive atmosphere, live music, lawn games, and delicious summer cookouts culminate in fabulous fireworks reflecting over the lake.

From a very young age, Kristin and Scott’s oldest daughter, Leah, dreamed of being married under the gazebo overlooking Badin Lake at Old North State Club, with a celebratory reception of dinner and dancing on the veranda overlooking the lake. That dream became reality for her this past June, as she and her husband said their “I dos” under the gazebo just as she always envisioned.

The club’s staff went above and beyond to make their special day perfect, giving the entire family a memory they will forever cherish.

Whether you prefer the beach or lake, both offer the same reward – waterfront properties with beautiful scenery, a high quality of life, family time, and modern club amenities. The best part? With McConnell Golf’s reciprocal access, you can test both waters before taking the plunge into a slower, sweeter side of life.

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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OLD NORTH STATE REALTY Old North State Realty is a full-service real estate firm located in McConnell Golf ’s upscale Old North State Club gated community on Badin Lake in the heart of NC. You and your family must experience Old North State Club’s championship golf course, club amenities & laid-back lake life to fully appreciate this year-round paradise.

The Old North State Realty team is committed to providing personalized service to exceed expectations in every aspect of the real estate process.

Contact us today to learn more!

Visit the Old North State Realty office in the clubhouse!

You can also reach us by calling (800) 252-1005 or emailing info@oldnorthstaterealty.com.

Ownership Opportunities

at Old North State Club, a McConnell Golf Community

1025 MILLINGPORT PLACE 4 Beds | 4 Baths, 1 Half Bath $475,000

110 TINDALLS LANE 4 Beds | 4 Baths, 2 Half Baths $1,595,000 | New Construction!

119 PORTERS GLEN LANE 3 Beds | 2 Baths, 1 Half Bath $599,000

120 EVERGREEN LANE 4 Beds | 4 Baths, 1 Half Bath $340,000

126 WATCH HARBOR ROAD 5 Beds | 3 Baths, 1 Half Bath $1,099,000

193 OLD NORTH STATE LANE 4 Beds | 4 Baths, 1 Half Bath $895,000

oldnorthstaterealty.com

HISTORY

By Mike Purkey

From Historical Roots, a AS MCCONNELL GOLF CELEBRATES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY,

IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS A RESCUE

mission. Raleigh Country Club, the home of Donald Ross’ last design, was facing bankruptcy and likely extinction. John McConnell, not even an RCC member at the time, had the wherewithal but most importantly, a sense of duty to save the club from being plowed under and becoming a housing development.

McConnell also noted that he wanted to do something for the community. In 2003, he bought RCC to preserve history. No one knew at the time that 15 years later he would be one of the most successful private-club owners in the country.

The company’s achievements are rooted in the pledge McConnell made to RCC members when he purchased the club. He invested in improvements in the golf course and facilities to make the club a viable concern and an attractive place to be a member. It’s a formula the company has used in every one of its subsequent purchases, and members have noticed.

LOOKING BACK Jerry Mangum is RCC’s longest continuous member. His parents joined the club in 1952 and lived in a house off the course’s 18th hole. He has been a regular member since 1965.

Mangum, 76, was a scratch player in his younger years, having played golf for Raleigh’s Broughton High School and then at N.C. State University. A former RCC president, Mangum was junior club champion, the club champion in 1973, and has won several senior and super senior club championships.

RCC was formed in 1948 by a group of about 20 members at nearby Carolina Country Club.

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Virginia Mann and Mary Mangum in front of RCC clubhouse (circa 1950)

1948 Donald Ross designs RCC course

“The good players at Carolina wanted a better place to play,” says Mangum. “Most of the best golfers in Raleigh played at RCC in the 1950s and ‘60s. Arnold Palmer played a lot at RCC when he was at Wake Forest.”

Another RCC heyday highlight?

The LPGA Tour played the American Defender Championship from 1967 – 1972 at RCC. But the most important milestone in RCC’s history is that the original members hired the great Donald Ross to design the course, the last design of his legendary career. Through three renovations, it has remained a true Ross course.

Modern-Day Club Emerges WE REFLECT ON THE ROSS COURSE THAT STARTED IT ALL

1950

During his time at Wake Forest, Arnold Palmer played RCC often

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JERRY MANGUM; WAKE FOREST; JERRY MANGUM X2; WIKIPEDIA; DONALD ROSS PHOTO: THE TUFTS ARCHIVES

1958

Raleigh Country Club ACC scorecards

1968

Carol Mann wins LPGA Tour at RCC

BUILDING COMMUNITY It was this Donald Ross legacy that helped member Bob Wayland decide to join the club in 1989.

“Having played golf most of my life, the Ross connection was significant to me,” he says.

Wayland had been a public course golfer and was getting the nudge from some fellow church members that RCC needed younger people to join, and that it would be a good place for him and his new family.

“We were expecting our first child at the time, so we were looking for a place that would have some things to offer all of us,” he recalls.

It didn’t take long for Wayland to settle in at RCC. “It was really the people and the course that made things comfortable in the beginning. When I first joined, the camaraderie and collegiality made it easy to find a regular group. Within a month, I found a group to play on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. And some of the original members of those groups…we’re still playing together. Some have passed away, and some moved on, and we’ve welcomed new people. Now, we’re old enough that some of us have kids who have joined the groups.”

UNCERTAIN FUTURE In 1993, as an effort to attract younger families, membership took on a renovation of the course and clubhouse, and built a new swimming pool – and they decided to do it all at once.

“We took on a lot of debt,” Wayland says. “After the dot-com bubble burst in 1995, a lot of young families and couples who came into the club couldn’t stay. It became a monthly struggle to make ends meet. I can’t remember a board meeting where the red numbers weren’t there. We were always robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I was very worried.”

By 2003, the club was looking squarely at bankruptcy.

“We were more concerned that some investors who were interesting in buying the club might turn it into a residential area,” says Mangum.

Becca McKinney, who has been a member since 1995 and has won 11 women’s club championships, says: “We liked RCC because it was very unpretentious and a nice community of people. It was one of the best courses in Raleigh. But as it neared bankruptcy, people started getting scared and leaving. It became harder to find people to play with.”

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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HISTORY

1989

Bob Wayland and family join RCC ; they still enjoy the club today

A VIBRANT, ACTIVE PLACE TO BE Enter John McConnell. When he bought the club in 2003, things started to change almost immediately.

“Then we had a country club,” says Wayland. “We had a full dining program, kids’ programs, seasonal programs, holiday events. All the tournaments had a waiting list.

John has assembled an incredble management team that makes McConnell Golf second to none.

We had a driving range that you

1995

Becca McKinney joins RCC and goes on to win many championships

couldn’t hit more than a 5-iron. John bought the land adjacent to the first fairway, turned the range around and now you can hit 250-yard shots. He took the old driving range and turned it into a short-game facility. When I joined in 1989, there were probably a dozen kids, it was an older club. Now, when you go the practice facility, kids are everywhere, boys and girls, learning the game. The energy and enthusiasm McConnell injected into RCC has been just as important. We went

from an old, dying club to a vibrant, active, attractive place to be.”

Other long-time RCC members echo this sentiment.

“Even John McConnell didn’t know what McConnell Golf would eventually turn into,” says Mangum. “He bought it and always had good staff.

It’s well managed and a first-class operation.”

McKinney, who grew up in South Boston, VA , learned to play at a ninehole course.

2003

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: BOB WAYLAND; BECCA MCKINNEY; RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB

John McConnell buys Raleigh Country Club

2018

Raleigh Country Club celebrates 15 years with McConnell Golf

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CHIP HENDERSON; RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB; MEGAN KIME PHOTOGRAPHY; DAVID BATEMAN

“The energy and enthusiasm McConnell injected into RCC has been just as important.

We went from an old, dying club to a vibrant, active, attractive place to be.”

“When I was growing up, my dad called our golf course his second home,” she says. “And for me, RCC is my second home. That’s where I am on the weekends and a couple of days during the week. It’s fun to have a place you can go. We eat dinner at the club almost every Friday night. We know the wait staff and the chefs. They expect us there and save a table for us. There aren’t many places you can go and get that kind of treatment.”

From the mountains to the coast, members throughout McConnell Golf’s properties enjoy this same first-class service. And as we celebrate 15 years in business, we look forward to what the next decade will bring.

In 2019, Raleigh Country Club thrives as a lively place for the whole family to enjoy.

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

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APRIL 18-20, 2019

SEDGEFIELD COUNTRY CLUB | GREENSBORO | NORTH CAROLINA

The Atlantic Coast Conference is proud to partner with McConnell Golf again in 2019 to host the ACC Golf Championships.

In April, the nation’s best golf teams will compete for ACC titles at Sedgefield Country Club and Old North State Club.

APRIL 18-20, 2019

OLD NORTH STATE CLUB | NEW LONDON | NORTH CAROLINA

#ACC wg o l f | @ACC wg o l f | t h e ACC. Co m | #ACC m g o l f | @ACC m g o l f

GOLF

By Brad King

A Matter of

Course

Fresh off a $3 million renovation, the course at Providence Country Club debuts to rave reviews.

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

IN LATE AUGUST 2018, MCCONNELL GOLF

Providence Country Club Hole No. 11

unveiled the renovated golf course at Providence Country Club in Charlotte — just seven months after work began and ahead of schedule.

To the original Dan Maples layout, Kris Spence Golf Design moved and added sand traps, reconfigured several holes, and transitioned the greens to Champion Bermuda. Kevin Reardon, director of golf at Providence, says Spence took a previously flat, straight golf course and “really put some character into the place.”

On the par-3 sixth hole, the Greensboro-based architect altered the direction from the tee to bring a lake into play. On the par-5 10th hole, a bunker in the center of the fairway near the green was eliminated in favor of other traps to the side, which Spence named “principal’s nose” and “catcher’s mitt.”

Spence maintained the delegation of holes — five par-3s and five par-5s.

In addition, he added about 30 yards to lengthen the course to slightly more than 7,000 yards.

McConnell Golf’s goal with the renovations was to create a course that would please its membership.

“The members have a course that they can be proud to show their friends and guests that is significantly different than their neighbors in the Charlotte market,” says McConnell Golf founder and CEO John McConnell.

Providence members are enjoying the recent course facelift.

Patrick Reynolds has been a member of Providence for 15 years. He is a 5 handicap and has played every one of

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

45

GOLF

Hank Bauer tees off on opening day

PCC was founded in 1989

“Kris Spence has done exceptional work in the Charlotte area recently ... but I was especially impressed with the changes he — Taylor Zarzour, Sirius XM Radio made at Providence.”

McConnell Golf’s properties. Reynolds calls the renovated course “familiar, yet refined.”

“No one will come to Providence and not recognize the course, but the new green complexes and the bunkers are a fantastic upgrade,” says Reynolds. “The course is like an old Ping putter that has been updated and refined. Spence and McConnell Golf changed it from an old Anser, to a shiny Scotty Cameron Newport. The course is definitely more difficult than before. The driving lines are easier, but you must maneuver around the bunkering. The green complexes can be diabolical with the numerous pin placements. The shop has been kind to us, but there are some pins that you just can’t get to if you miss the greens. There is a much higher premium on hitting greens in regulation.”

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

The fact that Providence Country Club is a member of the McConnell Golf portfolio also assisted in elevating its status among local golfers. Its roster now boasts 800 families, and club membership is in high demand.

“The membership roster swelled while we were closed,” says Reardon.

Providence member Tom Richards says that overall, the renovation is quite an improvement on what he felt was a good golf course before the renovation — but one hampered by small issues beyond just the maintenance problems that prevented him from telling folks it was a great golf course.

“I used to tell people, it was the easiest hard golf course you’ll ever play,” says Richards. “Now, it truly is a harder course, but still fair. I now have to look at the course from the green backwards versus just blindly hitting a tee ball. It’s important to know where the pin is on

Members Dave Christmas and Mike Hollowell

the green, as that will dictate the placement of the tee shot in some cases. I’m not saying I’m skilled enough to do it, but I do think about it. On the par 5s, the second shot used to be a no-brainer decision with any club you wanted to hit. Now, your second shots into holes 8, 12, and 18 require distance control and accuracy — or you can put yourself in a really bad situation.”

Richards adds that visually, the course is much improved. He admires the way Spence’s team built and remodeled the bunkering, which has enhanced the look of each hole from every tee.

“This new strain of Bermuda is very playable with less grain than the older styles,” he says. “Putts roll very true and chipping requires a whole new level of

Behind the Greens Bentgrass or Bermuda?

By Michael Shoun

The 10th green

thought and strategy versus just flying a chip to the hole and stopping it on the old greens.

The new contouring of the greens is subtle enough that they can be cut to roll incredibly fast. Next summer should be very interesting.”

In September, a group of Charlotte-area sports journalists and avid golfers tackled the freshly restored layout and came away with rave reviews.

“Kris Spence has done exceptional work in the Charlotte area recently, most notably at Cedarwood and Carolina Golf Club, but I was especially impressed with the changes he made at Providence,” said Taylor Zarzour of Sirius XM Radio. “The green complexes fit the layout of the course perfectly.

I particularly like what he did on the par-3 fourth hole. There is now a speed slot on the right portion of the green that can carry your ball to the hole or send it over the green. And the fall-off areas surrounding the greens are significant.

The par-5 eighth hole has a steep ridge on the left portion of the green that now requires more accuracy. The entire golf course requires as much precision as any in town, and now the greens complement the rest of the course perfectly.”

Longtime golf writer and editor Mike Purkey, now a regular contributor to Business North Carolina

magazine, said the group played from 6,600 yards and found the golf course to be “manageable, but you had to hit good shots.”

“I’m sure from the back tees it’s a test,” said Purkey, a singledigit golfer. “The results are striking. Spence has created a course with instant character. It was a pleasure. The staff was terrific.

The golf course is much, much improved. Golfers of every level will find Providence a good test while still being fun to play. It is a terrific addition to McConnell Golf.”

Longtime Charlotte Observer columnist and Global Golf Post contributor Ron Green Jr., said of Spence: “He understands the artistry and challenge inherent in quality golf courses, and his work on Providence Country Club has elevated the course across the board. Spence saw what Providence Country Club could be and he’s taken it there, giving the course a new look and feel while accomplishing the most important goal — making it more fun to play.”

Reardon and his staff are helping members adjust to the new course. “We’ve emphasized members working on their shortgame as chipping, pitching, and putting has become very different than it was before the renovation,” he says.

More fun to play, indeed.

Several McConnell courses have converted from bentgrass to dwarf Bermuda grass greens. If grown and maintained in the right circumstances, dwarf Bermuda greens offer a better-quality putting surface and consistent greens speed for more days with less inputs, such as fertilizers, growth regulators, and water. Factors to consider when making the switch include course location, history of the current grass, weather, number of quality play days, play trends, water quality, amount of sun and shade, and the severity of the greens’ surface. So why don’t we convert all of our greens to Bermuda grass?

Most of our courses experience hot summers and cold winters, for which there is no perfect grass.

Many courses across the Carolinas that convert to Bermuda grass suffer from winter kill caused by extreme cold. In the Carolinas, it’s too hot in the summer for successful bentgrass, and in the winter, we have to cover the Bermuda grass to protect it from the cold and the threat of winter kill. We continue to keep up with the current research on newer cultivars of more heat-tolerant bentgrass and more cold-tolerant dwarf Bermuda grass.

Michael Shoun serves as McConnell Golf’s VP of Agronomy

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

47

JUNIOR GOLF

By Brad King

Learning the Game

The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation’s Junior Golf program is firing on all cylinders.

MASTERING FUNDAMENTALS HAS LONG BEEN

at the core of junior golf, followed closely by making the sport appealing to kids. But the pros at Wakefield Plantation are taking things to the next level with technology, fitness, and contagious enthusiasm. In so doing, they have not only doubled the size of the program but are paving the way for golf’s next generation.

Under the guidance of Wakefield’s Director of Golf Adam McLaughlin, his assistants Monique “Mo” Gesualdi, Ryan Vance, Matt Brennan, and teaching professional Erica Britt, Wakefield’s junior program runs year-round and totals about 100 players. Within that junior golf program, the club’s PGA Junior League program is up to 56 participants and four in-house teams, while the Wakefield Junior League has grown to more than 60 young golfers.

The club’s junior players take advantage of the Wakefield Plantation Learning Center, including its two indoor-outdoor bays and an indoor putting area equipped with video technology. The cameras offer instant swing feedback, while also allowing the Wakefield instructors and coaches to monitor swing improvement, and modify specific golf moves.

The Learning Center is also equipped with Flightscope, a leader in golf radar technology providing detailed information about club movement and ball flight. In addition, this winter, Gesualdi teamed with Wakefield’s personal trainer, Drew Forshey, to add a junior fitness program to

48

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

the golf training regimen. The fitness program includes highintensity interval training plus stretching, balance, stability, and flexibility exercises.

“The combination of fitness training and golf technique is often overlooked by junior golfers,” says Jason Butcher, whose 14-year-old son Jace has competed in national tournaments.

“Many juniors, my son included, can’t practice properly because of physical limitations due to a lack of strength or mobility. This program emphasizes the importance of both, and keeps it fun.”

ONES TO WATCH “We have a really solid group of junior golfers,” says Gesualdi, an accomplished former Furman University golfer, who adds that her passion has always been junior golf.

Gesualdi points to 14-year-old Lily Kate Watson.

“She has a lot of potential that we are working on unleashing and will be one to watch,” says Gesualdi.

According to Lily Kate’s father, Josh Watson, the golf fitness program has been a wonderful experience.

“Not only has the high level of instruction helped to improve her game, she’s also really enjoyed connecting with the coaches and players,” he says.

Lily Kate echoes her father’s sentiment: “As a female junior golfer, I feel so fortunate to be a part of a club that supports high-level golf instruction for both boys and girls,” she says.

Name Change Clockwise from far left: Beginner and intermediate juniors working on their 50-75 yard shots; Avery Cochran working on different ball trajectories; l to r: Chase Duncan, Cooper Pleasants, Jace Butcher, Dylan Johnson, Lily Kate Watson; splashing the ball out of the sand; working out with personal trainer Drew Forshey

Gesualdi calls 9-year-old Isaiah Adel her “stud” — and little wonder, considering Adel has fired a 32 for nine holes.

“The Junior Golf Fitness Program is great because it works on sharpening the kids’ golf skills while also teaching them how to stay physically healthy for the sport,” says Christian Adel, Isaiah’s dad.

“Mo and Drew keep it entertaining, with some friendly competition mixed in, which the kids always enjoy.”

Gesualdi says Dylan Johnson, who recently turned 12, possesses the “smoothest left-handed swing” she has ever seen.

Dylan’s 2017 club champion-ship scores were 87-89, and in 2018, he shot 76-82 — 18 shots lower over two days in one year.

Other rising stars include 10-year-old Chase Duncan, who had his first hole-

in-one at age 9 and competes on the regional and national level. Ten-year-old Cooper Pleasants, in the Junior Golf Fitness program, is newly competing but has great athletic ability and will be one to watch as he continues to develop his game over the next few years.

Gesualdi also points to 8-year-old Harrison Hunt, who has yet to play tournament golf, but exhibits a “great, natural swing.”

Beyond an increase in skill for these juniors, both parents and players agree that it’s the camaraderie among the kids that’s just as important.

“The connections our kids are making with other juniors makes the whole process seem more like fun, less like work,” says Erik Johnson, Dylan’s dad.

In January, the former Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Wakefield, located within the planned community of Wakefield Plantation in north Raleigh, officially changed its name to The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation.

When McConnell Golf purchased the club in 2011, the company agreed to keep the TPC name for eight more years to satisfy the original 20-year deal with the Wakefield development group.

Originally built and operated by the PGA Tour, The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation opened its Hale Irwin-designed golf course in 2000.

Since 2001, Wakefield has played host to the Web.com Tour’s Rex Hospital Open (formerly the SAS Carolina Classic).

As part of the PGA Tour, the TPC Network of Clubs was established to provide the ultimate host venues for Tour events, providing value for members wanting to access other TPC clubs. The flagship Tournament Players Club for the PGA Tour was TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., designed in 1980, which for years has served as the headquarters of the PGA Tour.

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

49

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MARINAS

By Meredith Donahue

On the Water

McConnell Golf’s three marinas provide the perfect launching point.

WHETHER AT SUNRISE, SUNSET, OR HIGH NOON, SETTING OFF on your boat is truly a treasured pastime to boat owners at the marinas adjacent to three McConnell-associated properties. For members and their guests, certain trips spark fond memories and some even create annual traditions.

McConnell Golf manages three marinas: Crazy Horse Marina, Old North State Marina, and Grande Dunes Marina. All are open to the public and offer slip opportunities for those looking for their next marina home, or just stopping by for the day.

Crazy Horse Marina, located in Moneta, VA, is owned by the McConnell family. This picturesque place is centrally located on Smith Mountain Lake in a cove just off Blackwater Marker B-10A, and offers full boating services. The marina hosts popular annual events such as Bass Pro Shop’s Big Bass Tour and the SML Wine Festival.

A little further south is Old North State Club Marina in New London, NC. Full-service, and available to boat owners and renters, the marina offers 50 wet slips, 100 dry-storage spaces, and 50 fence spaces.

Anchoring Uwharrie National Forest, it’s the perfect launching point to explore 115 miles of shoreline.

In South Carolina, Grande Dunes Marina is the ideal place to begin your adventure on the Intracoastal Waterway. With 126 wet slips and 1,200 linear feet of lay-along floating docks, the marina offers a protected harbor for vessels up to 120 feet. A full-service marina, Grande Dunes is also located next to the Anchor Café, a favorite spot among locals.

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Crazy Horse Marina

Old North State Club boating on Badin Lake

“There’s nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.”

Anchor Café next to Grande Dunes Marina

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GRANDE DUNES; ONSC; FRANCIS & DEBBIE BELL; CHRIST BECHTLER/CRAZY HORSE MARINA; GEORGETOWN WOONDEN BOAT SHOW

- Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows

Wooden Boat Show

Francis and Debbie Bell

For Grande Dunes member Francis Bell, the marina is like home. Bell was one of the first to purchase a slip in 2005, citing the marina’s prime location. Centrally located in Myrtle Beach, Grande Dunes Marina has allowed Bell to travel along the Waterway to picturesque fishing villages like Southport, NC and Georgetown, SC. Most memorably, Bell recently took his Sea Ray to the annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, which features wooden boat exhibits with more than 140 classic wooden boats displayed on land and water. Poised to enjoy the novelties of the Wooden Boat Show, one can imagine Mr. Bell gazing eagerly towards the dock, preparing for the historical day ahead.

Bell’s marina neighbors, Steven and Denise LeMaster, use the marina yearround — mostly for extended weekends.

“It’s a great place to relax and enjoy fabulous sunsets,” says Steven LeMaster.

The couple take longer boat trips in the spring and fall to beautiful coastal Carolina towns like Beaufort, NC; Wrightsville Beach, NC; and Hilton Head Island, SC. Add in a stop at the Anchor Café for a post-sail cocktail, and it’s the perfect recipe for the perfect trip down the Waterway.

Whether your vessel is headed for the quiet, smooth waters of Badin or Smith Mountain Lake or toward the Atlantic by way of the Intracoastal Waterway, marinas like these are the perfect place for members’ beloved boats to call home.

www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

53

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GOLF

By Martha-Page Althaus

Brandt Snedeker, 2018 Wyndham Championship

The Wyndham Championship Returns

Big changes are in store for the 2019 PGA TOUR event at Sedgefield Country Club.

PHOTO: WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP

THE 80TH ANNUAL WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP

PGA TOUR event returns to Sedgefield Country Club this summer. New this season, the $10 million Wyndham Rewards Top 10 incentive not only adds drama to the Wyndham Championship as the final event before the FedExCup Playoffs, but also puts an even greater premium on excelling over the course of the FedExCup Regular Season.

The top-10 Regular Season finishers in FedExCup points following the Wyndham Championship will reap the benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Top 10. The regular season points

leader will earn $2 million, followed by $1.5 million for the runner-up with the 10th-place finisher earning $500,000.

“The Wyndham Rewards Top 10 is definitely a game changer for the Wyndham Championship, and we’re already seeing increased interest in our PGA TOUR event,” says Tournament Director Mark Brazil. “We increased our hospitality inventory to accommodate demand, and it’s selling well. With a $10 million bonus pool and seeding for the FedExCup Playoffs, which are now three events instead of four at stake, many of the best players in the world are headed to Sedgefield in July.

It’s a great time to be part of the Wyndham Championship.”

Contact your club for McConnell Golf member tickets.

Wyndham Championship | July 30 – Aug. 4, 2019 | Sedgefield Country Club www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

55

y Martha-Page Althaus

By

Pickleball Takes Center Court

T o

t’s the fastest growing sport in the country, and McConnell Golf members have home-court advantage.

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Top: Pickleball at Country Club of Asheville; Bottom: PIckleball equipment

FROM TOP: DANCHOOALEX; MILJKO

6

M n n th

“We have a great core group that plays regularly,” he says.

“It was a great way for us to meet new people and get some exercise. There’s less area to cover on the court and all the equipment is here. You just show up and start playing.”

BOTTOM PHOTO: BILL OXFORD

CKLEBALL IS A PADDLE SPORT, SIMILAR TO TENNIS badminton, but with fewer rules and, some would say, ven more fun.

“This year is our test year for pickleball,” says Kyle Thortsen, cConnell corporate director of tennis. “We’re educating our nnis pros on how to play and running demos at clubs, so be n the lookout for more details from your pro shop on upcomg pickleball socials this year.”

Holston Hills Country Club and Country Club of Asheville ave seen a big interest in the sport; both clubs have a regular oup of players who meet weekly.

“The biggest fans of pickleball are usually those who are ging out of tennis,” says Thorsten. “It’s a slower-paced game th an underhand serve, played on a smaller court. It’s great r tennis players who may have had injuries or can’t take the ear and tear of covering a full tennis court.”

At CCA, Director of Tennis Bill Barber says pickleball is inging new people to his indoor courts.

“I’m seeing new people out here, which I love. It gets eople active, and that’s a great thing. I’ve been shocked the interest. There’s a very quick learning curve and it’s an credibly social game. People are watching and laughing at e good, the bad, the ugly shots. It’s almost like adult pingong. I love when I hear members say ‘I haven’t laughed this uch in years.’”

CCA member Wayne DiCastri recently moved to Asheville om Minnesota, where he and his wife, Ingrid, played the port regularly. They didn’t miss a beat when they joined CA last fall.

y Martha-Page Althaus

The Many Benefits of Massage

Massages are for more than just relaxation. They’re beneficial for all ages and there are no negative side effects. Rethink massage as total pampering, and reconsider it as a necessary step in taking care of your health. Natalie Veres, licensed massage and body herapist at Country Club of Asheville, shares four benefits of massage treatments.

STRESS REDUCTION “We’re working harder and longer hours, sitting at desks all day long. We carry our stress and it can hurt. For pure relaxation purposes, consider a Swedish massage.”

PAIN REDUCTION “Massage helps with back and nerve pain. If you’re recovering from surgery, massage helps rehabilitation and creates a healing response in the body to prohibit scar tissue build-up and stiff joints.”

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE “It aids in flexibility with your golf or tennis swing. If you’ve been swinging the same way for years, throwing your body into that one hip, it creates lower back and hip pain. Repeating the same movement causes muscles to contract and tighten over time. But it’s completely treatable! A deep-tissue massage helps muscles to relax.”

A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP “Massage has been proven to help with insomnia. It helps regulate serotonin and reduce cortisol levels.” www.mcconnellgolf.com | Spring 2019

57

GOLF

Congratulations

to our 2018 Tournament of Champions Winners!

Solheim Cup

Ryder Cup

Grande Dunes Members Club, August 5, 2018 Winning Team: Treyburn Country Club

The Reserve Golf Club, July 22, 2018 Winning Team: The Reserve Club

(L to R): Ann Amlin, Kathy Porter, Phyllis Mellinger, Kathy Pittman, Dalton Rich, Susan Owens, Harriet Portnoy, Sally Burke, Susan Carlone, Courtney McKim

Front Row (L to R): Donald Clement, Bob McLemore, Joe Shahady, Ryan Tyndall, Dale Short, Bill Gillespie. Back Row (L to R): Dr. Danny Ford, Rich Weston, John Hurt, Mike Hirsch, Grant Bolin, Dr. Ted Burrow

Couples Tournament: Country Club of Asheville, July 28, 2018 Winning Team: The Reserve Club

Country Club of Asheville: Andy & Kathy Guerke; Stephen & Toni Anderson; Randy & Kathleen Treiber; Gary & Carol Mills

Old North State Club: Jeff & Lisa Sepesi; Bruce & Karla Fisher; Charles & Joanne Federico

Sedgefield Country Club: Larry & Teresa Demoss

2019 McConnell Golf Tournaments MAY 3

JULY 26 – 28

AUGUST 17

SEPTEMBER 5 – 8

OCTOBER 11

NOVEMBER 9

Treyburn Country Club

Providence Country Club

Country Club of Asheville

The Reserve Golf Club

Sedgefield Country Club

Old North State Club

Member - Member

58

Women’s Solheim Cup

McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Couples Championship

Men’s Ryder Cup

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Tournament of Champions

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HE BACK NINE

John Maginnes

Snedeker’s Wyndham Moments

Liti

HEN BRANDT SNEDEKER TEED OFF IN THE EARLY rning on Thursday at the 2018 Wyndham Championship, re was no indication that record books would get a new pter. But three and a half hours later, when his second t on the 6th — his 15th hole of the day — tore through front lip of the hole and wedged itself at the bottom, sibilities started to emerge. Two more birdies and Brandt edeker would join the most coveted group in PGA TOUR ory. A birdie at the seventh hole would leave him two more nces. When a six-foot attempt went begging at the eighth e, Brandt stood at 10-under on the round with one to go. approach shot settled on the front right fringe some 16 t below the hole. When the putt slammed into the back of hole, a roar erupted. Brandt had shot just the 10th sub-60 nd in PGA TOUR history. Brandt would shoot 67, 68, and se with 65 to win his second Wyndham Championship, d the ninth win of his PGA TOUR career.

His first win on the PGA TOUR was also the Wyndham ampionship, when he capped a Rookie of the Year season h a win at Forest Oaks in 2007. With his 2018 win, Brandt s his friend Davis Love as the only two players who have n at both Forest Oaks and Sedgefield.

“The win at Forest Oaks was huge for me because it my first win on the PGA TOUR and propelled me to the r Championship,” he’s said. “Winning at Sedgefield special for other reasons.”

Brandt has become a fan favorite over the years at the ndham Championship, and his 2018 win was popular McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

among fans. It was also a popular win in the Wyndham board room. Brandt has been a brand ambassador for Wyndham since that 2007 win.

“It’s been incredible, because we kind of grew up on the PGA TOUR together,” he said. “2007 was Wyndham’s first year sponsoring the tournament and my first year on TOUR. I couldn’t have gotten luckier to win their first event as a rookie. My professional relationship with Wyndham has been incredible, but it’s all part of the personal relationship that I have with the people at Wyndham, starting with Steve Holmes.”

When Brandt returns to Greensboro this summer, there’s a good chance that the competition will be stiff. The Wyndham Championship is the final regular season event on the PGA TOUR calendar leading into the FedExCup. Following the Wyndham, the top-10 players in FedExCup points will enjoy a prize pool of $10 million, with $2 million going to the player who enters the playoffs as the number-one seed.

“It immediately puts the tournament on some guys’ radar,” said Brandt. “If you have a chance to finish first or to slip into the top-10, you have to consider playing the Wyndham. We are all getting used to the new schedule, but I think that you will definitely see a difference.”

John Maginnes is a former PGA player and hosts the popular Katrek & Maginnes on Tap broadcast on the PGA Tour Satellite Radio Network.

CAL SPORT MEDIA / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

e 2018 Wyndham champ reflects his time in Greensboro.

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Riverview Galleries David Nelson...................................................919.477.0481 furniturestorenc.com

MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY

Cooke Property Elizabeth Allardice..........................................919.624.3423 elizabethallardice.com The Litchfield Company Karen Lappas..................................................843.237.4000 Oaks Domaine Rick Orzalli........................................................805.760.6519 oaksdomaine.com Old North State Realty Rob Brady.........................................................800.252.1005 oldnorthstaterealty.com Remax Beach & Golf Real Estate Angie Shoemaker...........................................843.237.2314 pawleysisandrealestate.info angieshoe5311@gmail.com RETAIL

INSURANCE

Dynamic Quest Javier Gomez.................................................336.370.0555 dynamicquest.com

Benny Dean Consulting Benny Dean......................................................919.368.4892 bdean1115@gmail.com

Strategic Systems Anna Colwell....................................................919.439.9587 ssystems.net

Hartsfield & Nash Insurance Agency Don Stroud.......................................................919.556.3698 hartsfield-nash.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Swing Control Charna Zucker.......................................514.381.6164 x 236 swingcontrol.com/mcg

3PEA International, Inc. Al Negron, CCA ...........................................888.522.4853 3PEA.com

Wood Underwear LLC Terresa Zimmerman.......................................310.339.4355 woodunderwear.com

Absolute Comfort Heating & Cooling, Inc Donnie Williams............................................336.454.5786 yourabsolutecomfort.com

STORAGE

Fogleman Insurance Agency, Inc./Nationwide Vaughn Fogleman, Christy Tran.................336.855.9190 foglemv@nationwide.com Jim Costas Agency, Inc Gary Stratton, Mike Moran, Jim & Chris Costa...........................................336.292.9992 costasj@nationwide.com

Buddy Quinn Electrician........................................................919.796.0807

Todd & Scarboro Insurance Agency Dene Castleberry............................................919.365.7255 toddandscarboro.com

Canter Power Systems Ken Canter......................................................800.786.2422 canterpowersystems.com

LAW

Creative Structures, Inc Tyler Slack........................................................865.688.1355 creativestructuresinc.com

Kohn Law, PLLC, Closing Attorney Howard Kohn...................................................919.856.0200 howardkohnlaw.com Ellis Family Law, PLLC Gray Ellis............................................................919.688.9400 ellisfamilylaw.com Greensboro Law Center Bob Benson.....................................................336.478.6000 greensborolawcenter.com Oxendine Barnes & Associates PLLC Ryan Oxendine................................................919.848.4333 oxendinebarnes.com Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton Josh Otto..........................................................919.781.4000 wyrick.com

Green Tree Packaging, LLC. Jeff da Costa..................................................304.210.7779 greentreepackagingllc.com Pool Professionals, Inc. David Harvey....................................................919.787.7878 poolprofessionals.com Telepathic Graphics, Inc Mark Gauley....................................................919.342.4603 telepathicgraphics.com True Value Rental (Contractor/Homeowner Equipment Rentals) Mark Whitesell...............................................336.852.0881 truevaluerentaltriad.com REAL ESTATE SERVICES Beverly-Hanks & Associates Asheville Jennifer Vogel................................................908.930.3399 jvogel@beverly-hanks.com

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McConnell Golf THE MAGAZINE

Saffelle, Inc. Janitorial Supply & Equipment Co Chris Saffelle....................................................919.698.3930 saffelle.com

Extra Attic Self Storage David Colquitt, Jr. ..........................................919.610.5569 extraattic.com TRAVEL/LEISURE Atlantic Coast Conference Kris Pierce.........................................................336.854.8787 theacc.com McConnell Golf, LLC John McConnell..............................................919.231.5501 mcconnellgolf.com REX Hospital Open Kevin Bender, Sponsorship Director.........919.784.4562 rexhospitalopen.com Wyndham Championship Mark Brazil.......................................................336.457.9443 wyndhamchampionship.com TURF & LAWN D & K Franchise Sales — Weed Man Lawn Care Kenneth Heltemes..........................................919.781.5365 heltemes@bellsouth.com Davis Landscape LTD Scot Davis..........................................................919.662.1009 davislandscapeltd.com

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