THE VALLEY VOICE
BROOK VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB
YOUR CLUB
MAINCLUBHOUSE
NOVEMBER&DECEMBERHOURS(SubjecttoChanges)
CLOSED
Kitchen-11:30am-3:00pm
Lounge-11:30am-5:00pm
11:30am-9:00pm
11:30am-9:00pm
11:30am-9:00pm
11:30am-6:00pm
10:30am-2:00pm
WeekdayI7:30am-5:00pm
WeekendI7:00am-5:00pm
WeekdayI8:30am-5:00pm
WeekendI8:00am-5:00pm
WeekdayI7:00am-5:00pm
WeekendI7:00am-5:00pm
WeekdayI7:30am-5:00pm
WeekendI7:00am-5:00pm
WeekdayI8:30am-5:00pm
WeekendI8:00am-5:00pm
WeekdayI7:00am-5:00pm
WeekendI7:00am-5:00pm
252-751-1960Ext8032or8033
252-751-1960Ext8033
252-751-1960Ext8012
252-751-1960Ext8013
252-751-1960Ext8036
252-751-1960Ext8021
Brockmann | bbrockmann@brookvalleycc com
Anna Holleman | fbmanager@brookvalleycc.com F&B Manager Cortne Grunden | membership@brookvalleycc com Director of Member Services & Human Resources
Dalton Rich | drich@brookvalleycc com Director of Golf
Sean Branagan | sbranagan@brookvalleycc com Head Golf Professional
Kenric Hunt | kenric.hunt@brookvalleycc.com Executive Chef
Christopher Mabe | cmabe@brookvalleycc com Facilities Director
Talia Alcalde | talcalde@brookvalleycc com Events Coordinator
Jay Norris | communications@brookvalleycc com Communications Coordinator
MEMBERSHIP
We are now gearing up for the heart of the holiday season and Brook Valley Country Club is full of warmth, cheer, and community spirit The crisp November air and festive December atmosphere make it a wonderful time to enjoy all that our beautiful club and grounds have to offer
Our calendar is filled with exciting events for you and your families We can’t wait to see you around the club, sharing in the joy of the season and creating lasting memories together
Please continue to share all that you love about Brook Valley with your friends and family and remember to welcome our new members when you see them around the club
Kindly,
Cortne Grunden Director of Member Services
NewMembers:
Joey & Deanna Snead
John & Vitoria Wright
David & Courtney Baker
John & Kayla Richards
Toiriste & Rosie O’Neal
Dan & Sarah Mayo
DID YOU KNOW?
McConnell Golf offers a Network Upgrade for our membership For just $27 or $55, depending on your membership type, you can enjoy golf, pool, dining, and social activities at all McConnell Golf locations If you have any questions about the McConnell Golf Network Upgrade, contact Director of Member Services, Cortne Grunden, at 252-751-1960 x 8013
2025 MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: We offer a variety of different memberships to meet all your needs! Please share with your fellow neighbors, colleagues, family and friends the membership opportunities being offered at Brook Valley Country Club All memberships are Family Memberships
Never miss out on a club event, the latest McConnell Golf news or the chance to share your member experience. Stay connected to Brook Valley Country Club and McConnell Golf on social media and join the conversation today.
Our team had a great time providing recovery services at the Brook Valley
Club Member/Guest tournament this past weekend! Thank you for having us - we love connecting with our community and helping athletes perform their best on and off the course.
SUBSCRIBE TO MCCONNELL GOLF ON YOUTUBE
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 84,000 views (and counting) on record Visit YouTube com/McConnellGolf and subscribe to our channel today!
The 2025 Ellis Maples Invitational
was one for the books Vegas vibes all around! Great golf, incredible food, and memories made both on and off the course.
@brookvalleycc
@brookvalleycc
Men's Member-Guest
@youngs pt
Country
DINING & EVENTS
TASTE OF FRANCE WINE DINNER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Enjoy a five-course dinner expertly paired with fine wines that capture the season’s warmth and sophistication
FRIED CHICKEN FRIDAY
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21| 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Join us for a Southern comfort classic enjoy golden, crispy fried chicken served with classic country sides
BIRTHDAY NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
We invite you to enjoy a complimentary meal and McConnell Brownie during your birthday month We look forward to celebrating your special day!
PIZZA & WING NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Spend Thanksgiving Eve the easy way with a warm, familyfriendly pizza night at the Club! Enjoy Chef’s house-made, familystyle 16” pies, wings, and pasta perfect for sharing before the holiday.
THANKSGIVING TO-GO
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
Celebrate Thanksgiving without the stress enjoy a full holiday feast prepared for you to take home! Choose your favorite entrée, sides, and desserts to create the perfect Thanksgiving spread.
DINING & EVENTS
BRUNCH WITH SANTA
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 | 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Bring your little ones for a festive holiday brunch and a special visit from Santa Claus! Don’t miss this magical experience reserve your spot today!
THE LAKEVIEW DINING ROOM
Enjoy picturesque views overlooking the course in our Lakeview Dining Room It is the perfect setting for relaxed weekday lunches, elegant dinners, and seasonal club favorites With bright natural light and a welcoming atmosphere, this member-favorite space offers exceptional cuisine, warm hospitality, and a comfortable dining experience for all occasions To book events, please contact Talia Alcalde at talcalde@brookvalleycc.com.
BIRTHDAY NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Celebrate your birthday with us here at Brook Valley! Enjoy a complimentary entrée and a McConnell Birthday Brownie Our à la carte menu will be available along with Chef's birthday feature
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
DECEMBER 31 | TBD
Join us at the Club with friends and family to ring in the New Year! Enjoy an evening of entertainment, delicious food, and great company featuring music by DJ Captain Morgan. Let’s welcome 2026 with laughter, dancing, and unforgettable memories
THE AZALEA BANQUET ROOM
Host your most memorable moments in the Azalea Banquet Room. A beautifully appointed private event space ideal for weddings, receptions, showers, celebrations of all kinds, and corporate gatherings With refined décor, customizable layouts, and exceptional service, this versatile room provides an elegant backdrop for unforgettable experiences with family and friends To book events, please contact Talia Alcalde at talcalde@brookvalleycc.com.
GOLF UPDATES
Dear Members,
As we head into the final stretch of 2025, the cool air and shorter days remind us that another memorable golf season is coming to a close November and December bring a more relaxed pace at the club, but there’s still plenty to look forward to fun events, holiday traditions, and great opportunities to enjoy golf before winter sets in.
This time of year is also perfect for tackling year-end golf goals or just enjoying a peaceful round on a crisp morning The golf shop is stocked with new winter apparel and great gift ideas pullovers, vests, beanies, and more just in time for the holidays Whether you’re shopping for yourself or finding the perfect gift for a golfer in your life, we’ll have you covered with plenty of great options to keep you warm and stylish.
We’re also gearing up for a festive close to the season with our holiday events, and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the year that was
November Events
Friday, November 7th – ECU Letterwinners Tournament Golf Course Opens at 2:00pm
Saturday, November 8th – LGA Cup
Tuesday, November 11th – Veteran’s Day Specials
All veterans will have their cart fee waived for the day Guests of a veteran will play for $30
Thursday, November 27th – Golf Shop Closed Golf Course Open for Walking Only
December Highlights
Wednesday, December 24th – Christmas Eve Golf Shop and Golf Course Close at 2:00pm
Thursday, December 25th – Christmas Day
Golf Operations Closed; Golf Course Open for Walking Only, Weather Depending
As we wrap up another great season, I want to thank all our members for your continued support, enthusiasm, and camaraderie throughout the year It’s been a fantastic season at Brook Valley, and we’re already looking forward to even more excitement in 2026
See you on the course,
Dalton Rich, PGA Director of Golf
TURF TALK
There can be no doubt, autumn in Eastern North Carolina is upon us. The days are becoming shorter and the mornings a bit more crisp and cool. What a great time for a round of golf, without the summertime heat and pesky mosquitos.
We might not have insects and heat to contend with, but we do have debris This time of year, the maintenance crew shifts our focus from cutting grass to managing leaves and pine straw The pinecone in the Brook Valley logo is no accident; we have those in abundance as well We still cut all the grass once a week and the greens daily, but we certainly do not get the same volume of clippings we might see in warmer months.
Speaking of greens, they are slower right now, and that is a good thing We are preparing them for that first frost, when they mostly quit growing If they go into that first frost healthy, they will come out of dormancy in the spring in much better condition The good news is, we also have green covers to further ensure our greens' viability through the winter Before purchasing covers, we would keep our greens' height of cut set at 0 150 of an inch through the winter The greens were slower at that height of cut than they are now With covers, we are now able to keep them cut lower at 0.120 of an inch, which keeps them a bit quicker than years past. For reference, in the summer, we cut greens at .100 of an inch.
The other factors affecting green speed are topdressing with sand and applications of plant growth regulator (or PGR) Both of these practices are reduced in the fall In the interest of turf density and overall health, we drastically reduce the amount of PGR we apply Lower temperatures also slow the growth of the turf naturally, so less PGR is needed We still apply sand through the fall, but again, with reduced growth, less sand is required to keep the putting surface smooth You will also see us rolling greens more in the fall and winter, especially when we begin to cut less and less grass.
We will not be able to renovate as many bunkers as we had hoped this year, but we will be adding sand to several of them. Our irrigation system is showing its age We will be addressing some of the challenges we face with irrigation heads and control boxes over the coming months
Remember to keep your home lawn hydrated even if the temperatures are cooler. You also do not want your lawn wet and spongy. Watering once every week or two in the fall and winter is likely sufficient. If we get consistent rain, watering may not be necessary at all. You have the potential for turf damage if we are without significant precipitation for 2 to 3 weeks, and the temperature drops below freezing. This is also a good time to winterize your lawn equipment Gas left in a carburetor all winter can be problematic in the spring
As always, we hope you have a great round every time you play You can play golf anywhere; we are delighted you call Brook Valley your home course We will do our best every day to give you the best experience possible
Until next time, I’ll see you on the course.
Sincerely,
Buckley Brockmann Golf Course Superintendent/General Manager
EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE: 2023 Beckstoffer Bourn
with highlights including a recap of the Wyndham Championship and Korn Ferry Tour events at our properties, a Hall of Fame-caliber member spotlight, and a peek behind the culinary curtain with our McConnell Golf chefs Expect a collection of compelling stories from across our entire portfolio of clubs
The M Championship Series by Cristie Kerr, Kerr Cellars, and McConnell Golf celebrates the artistry of fine winemaking and the pursuit of excellence. Featuring the 2023 Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, crafted by acclaimed winemaker Helen Keplinger, this release embodies precision and elegance With only 50 cases produced, each bottle reflects the rich character of Napa Valley’s historic St Helena AVA For inquiries, contact your club’s F&B department
IS YOUR MAILING ADDRESS UP-TO-DATE?
Your contact details may need updating. Keep your profile current to ensure you never miss an update and stay connected to your club and McConnell Golf. To update your address information, select "My Profile" under the My Club menu on your club’s private website Locate the address section you would like to modify and add/replace the information as needed Once finished, click "Save My Profile" at the bottom of the screen
TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL RECOGNIZES MCCONNELL GOLF’S GROWTH & SUCCESS
McConnell Golf has been named a 2025 Fast 50 Award winner by the Triangle Business Journal, recognizing it as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the region. Winners span a wide range of industries, from construction and technology to finance and health care The award reflects McConnell Golf’s commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering exceptional experiences across its properties
JUNIOR OPERATION 36
GOLF RYDER CUP JUNIOR OPERATION 36
GOLF RYDER CUP
CHICKEN FRIDAY PIZZA & WING NIGHT THANKSGIVING TO-GO
NOVEMBER COOKIE OF THE MONTH: WALNUT CRANBERRY COOKIE RECIPE
BY PATRICK BUDNIEWSKI, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT HOLSTON
This Walnut Cranberry Cookie combines the nutty crunch of toasted walnuts with the tart sweetness of dried cranberries. Soft and buttery with a hint of brown sugar and vanilla, it’s a perfect balance of rich, chewy, and slightly tangy flavors in every bite
Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
¾ cup, packed light brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup milk
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 egg, whole
3 cups all-purpose flour
Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 ½ cups dried cranberries
1 cup walnuts, chopped
¼ cup (for dusting or as needed) confectioners’ sugar
2.In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugars and butter.
HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
3.Once creamed and smooth, add in milk, OJ, and egg into the creamed mixture and mix on medium speed using the paddle attachment
4.In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda
5 Slowly add dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed
6 Continue to mix on low until combined
7 Gently fold in cranberries and walnuts
8 Drop the dough into bite-sized balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet
9.Bake in the oven for 10-15 min or until edges are slightly golden brown.
10.Remove cookies and let cool completely, dust with confectioners’ sugar, and serve
BRUNCH WITH SANTA
BIRTHDAY NIGHT
NEW YEARS EVE PARTY
DECEMBER COOKIE OF THE MONTH: CHEWY OATMEAL COOKIE RECIPE
BY JOHN HANEK, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT THE WATERS EDGE COUNTRY CLUB
“I have experimented with the original Oatmeal Cookie recipes using many different ingredients. This combination was my favorite, and it quickly became a necessity on my hiking adventures.” - John Hanek
Ingredients:
2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs*
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon molasses
Directions:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups dried blueberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes Add the eggs and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed Add the vanilla and molasses and mix on high until combined Set aside
2 In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined Beat in the oats, dry blueberries, and white chocolate chips on low speed Dough will be thick, yet very sticky Chill the dough for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator (do the full hour if you’re afraid of the cookies spreading too much) If chilling for longer (up to 2 days), allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking
3 Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats Set aside
4.Roll balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. I recommend using a cookie scoop since the dough can be sticky Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly browned on the sides The centers will look very soft and underbaked Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to “set” on the baking sheet during this time
