McConnell Golf in the Majors
by Brad King
Golfers experience the highs and lows on golf’s biggest stages
Written by Brad King
McConnell Golf, The Magazine: Fall/Winter 2024
Akshay Bhatia
Akshay Bhatia’s journey to the PGA TOUR has been one of early ambition and steady progression. At just 10 years old, he competed in a U.S. Open local qualifier, and by age 12, he was a national finalist in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National.
As a teenager, Bhatia declared his goal to be the first player in Masters history to break 60.
In 2019, the 18-year-old son of Indian immigrants turned professional straight out of high school. Bhatia won on the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour and gained PGA TOUR Special Temporary Membership with a runner-up finish at the 2023 Puerto Rico Open. His breakthrough came last July when he won the Barracuda Championship in a playoff against Patrick Rodgers. Though this victory did not earn him a spot in the Masters due to its scheduling conflict with the Open Championship, it granted him full PGA TOUR membership through 2025.
In his second full PGA TOUR season, Bhatia took an unprecedented step: he wrote down his goals for the year. While he kept the list private, the Raleigh native and former McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship recipient achieved several of his goals during a memorable 2024 campaign.
The season started slowly with four missed cuts in five tournaments. However, by early April—after a couple of top-20 finishes—Bhatia was faced with a 6-foot putt for victory at the Valero Open in San Antonio, Texas. Making that putt allowed him to top Denny McCarthy in a playoff and secure the final 2024 Masters invitation. “One of my goals was to play all four majors,” he said. “Going into Valero, we knew it was a long shot, but it worked out.”
At Augusta National, Bhatia relished the opportunity to play with Phil Mickelson early in the week, eagerly absorbing all the advice the three-time Masters champion shared. “I’ve tried to apply some shots that he’s kind of recommended,” said Bhatia. “There’s still a lot for me to learn.”
Bhatia made the cut at Augusta and remained steady through the weekend, finishing top 35 with a final score of 294 (72-75-74-73). In May, he competed in the PGA Championship, where he missed the cut at 1 over. During the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, Bhatia was a strong contender, finishing tied for 16th at 3 over. In July, he narrowly missed the cut at the British Open with rounds of 76 and 73.
“Every week was a different story,” Bhatia said of his 2024 major championship experience. “Obviously, the Masters was such a high. I mean, getting there on property, [the] standing ovations, all the players on both sides of the spectrum were so supportive of me. It was just a really cool experience.”
Of the PGA Championship, he said, “Going back to Valhalla for the PGA Championship, where I won the Junior PGA, was really cool. Obviously, I didn’t play great there.”
Heading from the PGA Championship to the U.S. Open in Pinehurst was particularly meaningful for him. “I played a handful of tournaments there [North Carolina] and having all the family and friends, just the fans, it was really, really cool,” he said. “To kind of be in contention there [U.S. Open] for a good period of time was something that I [loved].”
“A goal next year is definitely going to be in contention more and more in those major championships. It’s something that I dreamed about for such a long time,” said Bhatia. “For it to happen so fast was pretty cool.”
Bhatia was one of five PGA TOUR players with a McConnell Golf connection who competed in a major tournament this year.
Alongside Bhatia, former McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship recipients Grayson Murray (Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open qualifier) and Carter Jenkins (U.S. Open) made major appearances. Additionally, McConnell Golf members Lucas Glover (Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open) and Chesson Hadley (U.S. Open) joined them in the lineup.
Bhatia has already experienced the unpredictable nature of professional golf. At the Rocket Mortgage Classic in late June, he arrived at the 18th hole with the lead and had a 32-foot putt with a chance to win, but he left it 4 feet short and then missed the putt that would have forced a playoff. It was his first three-putt of the week and only his second bogey of the entire tournament.
“Golf is a tough sport, probably one of the toughest in the world.” - Akshay Bhatia
Had Bhatia won—six months before his 23rd birthday—he would have joined Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Tom Kim as the only golfers in the last 40 years to win three times before age 23.
“Golf is a tough sport, probably one of the toughest in the world,” Bhatia said. “You can always go through ebbs and flows. I think that’s shown in my career, for sure. But it’s always gotten a little better every year.”
Another goal he recorded at the start of the year—competing in the season-ending TOUR Championship at Atlanta’s East Lake Club—is well within Bhatia’s reach as of publication. He also added a goal midway through the season to represent the United States at the Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club.
“Obviously, winning out here is very hard, and the way I did it, being the last person to go to the Masters, it was all just such a fairy tale,” Bhatia said. “I’ve had a lot of missed cuts, and I’ve had a lot of made cuts, top-15s and a couple chances to win here and there. All in all, it’s been a pretty good first full season.”
Lucas Glover
For Musgrove Mill Golf Club member and 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, replicating his 2023 proved nearly impossible. Last year, Glover captured the regular season-ending Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs at No. 49. Then, he won the following week to start the postseason and moved all the way up to No. 4, becoming a lock for the TOUR Championship, with a reasonable shot at the $18 million purse and FedEx Cup title.
But the 44-year-old had nothing left in the tank. After playing six out of seven weeks to get into the postseason and coming off back-to-back wins in the summer heat, it was all he could do to cross the finish line at East Lake. Nevertheless, the back-to-back victories reignited Glover’s career, earning him a TOUR exemption for three more years.
Despite missing seven cuts in 21 starts in ’24, Glover managed a top 20 at the Masters and a top 43 at the PGA Championship before a pair of missed cuts at the two Open Championships. The former Clemson University All-American called 2024 a season in which he got nothing out of his rounds. “I just haven’t put much together this year,” he said. “I hit it good for a week, not making anything, and then the next week it would seem to be the opposite.”
Carter Jenkins
Former McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship recipient Carter Jenkins and Wakefield member Chesson Hadley both qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open at Duke University Golf Club during “golf’s longest day.” Jenkins was 67th on the Korn Ferry Tour points list, fighting for his PGA TOUR card, when he teed it up at Pinehurst No. 2. The 28-year-old former All-ACC performer from the University of North Carolina qualified by emerging from a seven-person playoff after two holes.
“I told a couple of guys I didn’t really care whether I made it or not, to be honest with you,” Jenkins said. “I was just out there playing. It’s one of those things. It just happened to work out. I never really gave it any thought about, ‘Ooh, I’d like to make this one because it’s in Pinehurst.’ I just honestly didn’t think about it.”
Chesson Hadley
Hadley qualified for the U.S. Open at Duke without a playoff. With his wife, Amanda, caddying for him, Hadley fired a 4-under-par and was one of seven players to advance to Pinehurst No. 2. He (rounds of 75 and 73) and Jenkins (73, 78) both missed the U.S. Open cut.
It was Hadley’s third U.S. Open appearance. His best finish was a tie for ninth in 2019 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. A natural left-hander who plays golf right-handed, Hadley was named the 2014 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year after he won the Puerto Rico Open. A winner of four Korn Ferry Tour events, Hadley was a three-time All-America selection at Georgia Tech.
It’s a day-to-day physical and mental grind facing all golfers as they overcome hurdles and pressures while attempting to make their mark in the game. Nevertheless, five McConnell Golf members and junior scholars managed to make their mark at the highest level of the game in 2024.
Simon Myers’ Drive, Chip, and Putt Triumph
In April, 12-year-old Simon Myers became just the second McConnell Golf member to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the annual site of the Masters Tournament.
Simon—whose father played golf at Mississippi State—is the middle of three boys and has been playing golf since he could walk. He regularly competes in Tarheel Junior Golf Tour events, PGA Junior League, and the U.S. Kids North Carolina State Championship. He’s participated in the U.S. Kids World Championships since he was 6 years old.
The Myers Family
Drive, Chip and Putt is a free, nationwide youth golf development program conducted in partnership with the USGA, the Masters, and the PGA of America. It is open to boys and girls ages 7-15, divided into four age categories. The competition tests essential golf skills—driving, chipping, and putting—with local qualifying rounds beginning in May, held at hundreds of sites across the country throughout the summer. The top three scorers at each venue, in both boys’ and girls’ divisions across the four age categories, advanced to subregional qualifiers in July and August.
The top two juniors in each age/gender division then competed at the regional level in September and October. Regional qualifiers were held at 10 courses nationwide, including multiple U.S. Open and PGA Championship venues. The 10th annual Drive, Chip and Putt finals were broadcast live before the start of the 88th Masters.
Simon, the son of Linda and Tim Myers, members of Treyburn Country Club in Durham, N.C., won North Carolina pre-qualifier events at Mill Creek Golf Course and Duke University Golf Course, before traveling to Nashville, Tenn., for the regional qualifier.
At The Golf Club of Tennessee, located just outside Nashville, Simon clinched the Boys 10-11 title with 152 points, securing a 23-point victory over the next-closest competitor. Simon sported an Augusta National polo shirt during his regional win, a gift from his friend and fellow golfer, Simon Hall. At this year’s subregional qualifier, Hall placed third and gifted the shirt to Simon as a good luck charm.
Simon, a sixth-grader this year, was one of 80 junior golfers representing 31 U.S. states, one Canadian province, and Australia to earn an invitation to compete at Augusta National.
Q&A: Simon Myers reflects on his Augusta experience
MCCONNELL GOLF: Now that you’ve had a few months to reflect, how special was it to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt event at Augusta National just days before the Masters?
MYERS: It was really awesome to win my qualifiers and make it all the way to Augusta. It seemed like such a long shot when it all started. It was an experience I will never forget.
MCCONNELL GOLF: What were some of your favorite memories of that day?
MYERS: My favorite part of it all was to walk around and see both Augusta National and get close up with the pros. I loved the Drive, Chip and Putt competition as well and I felt really proud to be there.
MCCONNELL GOLF: What were some of the highlights of the qualifying process?
MYERS: To get to Augusta, I won my local, subregional, and regional qualifiers, and that was all very exciting. My favorite memory was during the final regional qualifier in Tennessee. I hit three amazing chips, including holing one of them and getting the other two really close. That put me way ahead in the competition.
MCCONNELL GOLF: How has your year been? Have you played a lot of tournament golf or had any standout moments?
MYERS: My summer was good, and I have been playing a lot of tournament golf. Some highlights include two tournament wins on the Tarheel Junior Golf Tour and a personal best two-day tournament score of -6 (70/68). I am also doing Drive, Chip and Putt again and I have made it past my local and subregional qualifiers. We are going back to the regional in Tennessee again, which is the last step before the finals in Augusta.
MCCONNNELL GOLF: What’s your ultimate dream as you develop your golf skills?
MYERS: My goal is to become a PGA TOUR player!
McConnell Golf’s North Carolina Courses Secure Top Spots on Golf Panel’s Premier Rankings List
by McConnell Golf
The highly anticipated 2025 class of premier golf courses has been unveiled by the North Carolina Golf Panel. Once again, McConnell Golf proudly boasts a strong presence on this prestigious list, with Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club (No. 8), Old North State Club (No. 11) in New London and Raleigh Country Club (No. 18) all securing spots within the top 20.
Moreover, 10 of McConnell Golf’s North Carolina-based layouts were included among the state’s Top 100. The N.C. Golf Panel presented its 30th annual report on the state’s 100 best courses in the April issue of Business North Carolina magazine.
McConnell Golf courses recognized in the Top 100 include:
Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro – No. 8
Old North State Club, New London – No. 11
Raleigh Country Club, Raleigh – No. 18
Treyburn Country Club, Durham – No. 29
Country Club of Asheville, Asheville – No. 54
The Cardinal by Pete Dye, Greensboro – No. 57
Porters Neck Country Club, Wilmington – No. 60
Providence Country Club, Charlotte – No. 83
The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation, Raleigh – No. 94
Brook Valley Country Club, Greenville – No. 96
Several McConnell Golf properties were also ranked in the top 12 courses in their respective regions:
Western:
Country Club of Asheville – No. 10
Charlotte Metro:
Providence Country Club – No. 10
Piedmont Triad:
Sedgefield Country Club – No. 2; Old North State Club – No. 3; The Cardinal by Pete Dye – No. 11
Triangle:
Raleigh Country Club – No. 2; Treyburn Country Club – No. 5
Eastern:
Brook Valley Country Club – No. 4; Wilson Country Club – No. 10
Coastal:
Porters Neck Country Club – No. 6
In addition, The Cardinal by Pete Dye in Greensboro continued to demonstrate its reputation as a top public-access course by ranking No. 18 on the North Carolina Golf Panel’s list of “Top 60 Courses You Can Play.” Known for its challenging design and strategic layout, The Cardinal remains one of the premier destinations for both local golfers and visitors.
https://businessnc.com/nc-golf-2025-the-states-100-best-courses-and-more/
McConnell Golf Announces Long-Term Partnership with Raleigh Golf Association (RGA)
by McConnell Golf
Keeping public golf vibrant for future generations in Raleigh via $3.5-million investment
Speculation that one of Raleigh’s oldest public golf courses would fall victim to the city’s housing boom has now been put to rest. McConnell Golf has secured the future of one of the region’s oldest public courses through a lease extension with the Raleigh Golf Association (RGA) Board of Directors. The shareholders and Board of Directors of Raleigh Golf Association (RGA) have agreed to preserve the main tract of the historic course and have extended its lease and partnership with Raleigh-based McConnell Golf.
As part of this long-term agreement, McConnell Golf has committed $3.5 million to fully renovate the course under the leadership of renowned golf course architect Kris Spence. The renovation will also include the development of a new, state-of-the-art driving range featuring 60 hitting bays and lighting, ensuring year-round access and playability. This modern practice facility has the potential to become one of Raleigh’s finest golf teaching centers, further enhancing the club’s legacy and accessibility to golfers of all levels.
“I want to thank the RGA Board of Directors for the many hours of work that has gone into this agreement that will keep a historic 1929 golf course open and successful. I also want to thank McConnell Golf for their significant financial investment to renovate the course. During a period when many public courses throughout America have been sold for development, we are proud that RGA will remain open and available for our community,” said Mark Fleming, President of the RGA Board of Directors.
“This is a significant win for the game of golf in Raleigh and a heroic statement by the shareholders to preserve what has been around for more than 100 years,” said John McConnell, Founder and CEO of McConnell Golf. “We are proud to be part of this project and look forward to revitalizing RGA into a premier public golf destination.”
With this renewed partnership, McConnell Golf continues its mission of preserving and enhancing historic golf properties, ensuring that generations to come can enjoy the sport in an accessible and well-maintained setting. This commitment comes at a time when Raleigh faces significant urban development pressures, with many golf courses having disappeared from the cityscape. The preservation of RGA helps maintain affordable, public golf in the spirit of its founders and shareholders since its establishment in 1929.
The course was redesigned in 1998 by David Postlethwaite, enhancing its layout while maintaining its classic appeal. The course is known for being “walker-friendly,” with minimal distances between greens and tees, catering to golfers of all skill levels.
Throughout its history, RGA has hosted a variety of corporate, fundraising, tournament, and league events. The club is a favorite destination for seniors, women, and junior golfers, offering specific leagues and frequently hosting local high school tournaments and matches.
In 2016, McConnell Golf took over operations of RGA, aiming to preserve and enhance the course’s rich history. This partnership has ensured that RGA remains a cherished golfing destination in Raleigh.
Recently, there have been discussions about potential development on parts of the RGA property, north of Tryon Road. The core of the course is expected to remain intact, renovated and enhanced, preserving its historic significance.
RGA’s enduring presence and adaptability have solidified its status as a cornerstone of Raleigh’s golfing community, offering a blend of tradition and modern amenities for nearly a century. The extended lease between McConnell Golf and RGA represents a steadfast commitment to preserving Raleigh’s rich golfing heritage, ensuring that this historic course remains a vibrant, accessible, and premier destination for golfers of all levels for generations to come, including a state-of-the-art driving range and teaching center. Golf lives in Raleigh.
McConnell Golf Expands Legacy with Acquisition of Cobblestone Park Golf Club
by McConnell Golf
Renowned South Carolina course joins McConnell Golf's premier portfolio, unveiling a new name and logo to mark new chapter.
As of March 5, 2025, McConnell Golf has announced the acquisition of Cobblestone Park Golf Club in Blythewood, South Carolina, renaming it Cobblestone Golf Club. This addition strengthens McConnell Golf’s position as a leader in the private club industry, bringing its portfolio to 17 properties across the Southeast.
As part of this transition, Cobblestone Golf Club will also debut a new logo designed by McConnell Golf, reflecting the club’s new chapter under its ownership while honoring the local community. The new logo features the crescent moon from the South Carolina state flag, a cobblestone letter C, and colors inspired by the city of Columbia and town of Blythewood. Additionally, the club will shift from CobblestoneParkGolfClub.com to a new website domain: CobblestoneGolfClub.com.
Cobblestone Golf Club Welcome/Logo Reveal Video
Cobblestone Golf Club is celebrated for its 27-hole championship course, which is divided into three distinct nine-hole layouts: the Garnet, Black, and Gold courses. Designed by renowned golf course architect P.B. Dye, son of legendary designer Pete Dye, the course features rolling hills, tree-lined fairways, and strategically placed bunkers that challenge golfers of all skill levels. The club’s well-maintained course and commitment to exceptional service have cemented its reputation as one of the premier golfing destinations in South Carolina.
The Gold Course is known for its wide fairways and scenic views, making it beginner-friendly while still presenting challenges for experienced players. The Garnet Course demands accuracy with its narrow fairways and water hazards, while the Black Course offers dramatic elevation changes and picturesque vistas. Together, these courses provide variety, ensuring every round is a new adventure.
Cobblestone Golf Club is more than a golf destination — it’s a premier facility thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of every visitor. Its state-of-the-art clubhouse serves as the heart of the club, offering stunning views of the course and a variety of special event spaces. Within the clubhouse, guests will find a well-stocked pro shop featuring top-tier golf equipment and apparel, along with Alexander’s Restaurant, where delicious meals are served in a casual and inviting setting.
The club also features practice facilities, including a driving range, chipping area, and putting greens, allowing golfers to hone their skills before or after a round. For those looking to improve their game, professional golf lessons are available, led by experienced instructors.
Cobblestone regularly hosts tournaments and events, making it a hub for the local golf community. From amateur tournaments to corporate outings and charity fundraisers, the club’s team is experienced in organizing events that run smoothly and create lasting memories.
Situated in the charming town of Blythewood, Cobblestone Golf Club enjoys a serene setting that feels like a retreat from the bustle of daily life. Its convenient location near Interstate 77 makes it easily accessible for visitors from Columbia and beyond. The club is also part of a larger residential community, offering residents the opportunity to live in a tranquil, golf-centric environment.
“McConnell Golf is committed to preserving and enhancing the unique character of each club we bring into our portfolio,” said John McConnell, Founder and CEO of McConnell Golf. “Cobblestone Golf Club is a true gem in the South Carolina golf community, and we are honored to usher in this exciting new chapter. This acquisition perfectly aligns with our mission to deliver exceptional golfing experiences and build a sense of community within our membership.”
Recognition of McConnell Golf’s commitment to excellence is evident in the accolades its courses receive. In 2024, for the fourth consecutive year, 10 of McConnell Golf’s North Carolina properties were ranked among the state’s Top 100. Additionally, The Reserve Golf Club and Musgrove Mill Golf Club continue to be recognized among South Carolina’s Top 100, further underscoring McConnell Golf’s presence and influence across the Palmetto State.
These accolades reflect the leadership of John McConnell, whose vision and ongoing investment in facilities ensure its members enjoy the highest standards of quality and service.
Redefining Luxury at McConnell Golf
by Stephanie Trotter
From smiles to interiors—How Dr. Rebekah McConnell is elevating member experiences
Written by Stephanie Trotter
McConnell Golf, The Magazine: Fall/Winter 2024
Since acquiring its flagship property in 2003, McConnell Golf has remained steadfast in prioritizing its members and strengthening its brand. For many years, McConnell Golf has been praised for strategically improving its top-ranked courses. Now, this dedication goes beyond the greens to encompass its properties’ interiors—creating timeless spaces that elevate and enrich the membership experience.
McConnell Golf is investing millions in its clubhouses, from intensive ballroom upgrades and furniture overhauls to restroom renovations. All who enter one of its 16 property locations will find an exquisite and modern aesthetic, designed to optimize comfort and convenience.
Each visit to a McConnell Golf property promises a unique, world-class encounter, thanks in large part to the carefully curated ambiance of each clubhouse—a vision brought to life by Dr. Rebekah McConnell.
“We want to tailor the project to fit each club’s specific needs, to bring glamour combined with functionality. Every club has a unique membership base. What are their needs? What do members want?”
- Rebekah McConnell
A Dentist’s New Canvas
Rebekah understands the power of first impressions. With over two decades of experience as a general dentist, she has developed a keen eye for aesthetics. Her expertise in hues, chroma, and values, developed through crafting flawless porcelain restorations, now plays a central role in creating cohesive and inspired clubhouse designs.
Her husband, John McConnell—the president and CEO of McConnell Golf—witnessed her skill with tones and textures first-hand at home. In 2018, he presented her with the opportunity to take on a small project at Raleigh Country Club. This initial venture into clubhouse design led her to transform spaces at Sedgefield Country Club and beyond, eventually overseeing design projects across the McConnell Golf network.
Ladies’ Lounge at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation
By 2022, Rebekah had sold her practice and traded in her dental drill for a construction drill to lead McConnell Golf’s design initiatives. “As the primary designer, I always want to include the club manager when starting a new project,” she says of her methodology. “We want to tailor the project to fit each club’s specific needs, to bring glamour combined with functionality. Every club has a unique membership base. What are their needs? What do members want?”
Rebekah also takes pride in her partnerships with vendors, which allow her to incorporate the highest-quality materials into each location. “We try to primarily use all North Carolina-based vendors for projects,” she shares. “We have fantastic relationships with Wildwood/Chelsea House in Rocky Mount, Thibaut Design out of Charlotte, Vanguard Furniture in High Point, and so many others.” She also collaborates closely with Bess Rosefield Ehmcke, from The Best of Bess, who represents numerous residential and hospitality companies, as well as with Humberto Cervantes of H&C Painting and Drywall LLC.
“She has the rare ability to see beyond what exists and to what a space can become.”
Men’s Locker Room at Raleigh Country Club
Bess Rosefield Ehmcke highlights Rebekah’s exceptional talent, saying, “She has the rare ability to see beyond what exists and what a space can become.” Michael Thomas, General Manager at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation, echoes Bess’ remarks. “Her vision and ability to pull things together is off the charts. Her familiarity with our club is extremely helpful in making sure our projects run smoothly.”
There’s no doubt that McConnell Golf employees enjoy working with Rebekah. “Anybody who knows Rebekah knows she has an unbelievable sense of style and taste,” says Thomas.
Transforming Spaces
Rebekah’s recent design projects span dining rooms, common areas, lodging spaces, and outdoor venues across 14 of the 16 McConnell Golf properties.
Some of her favorite projects include:
THE WATER’S EDGE COUNTRY CLUB:
Over a year ago, a significant renovation of the 36,000-square-foot clubhouse transformed its interior. “This allowed us to accentuate the colors coming off Smith Mountain Lake,” says Rebekah. “We designed a carpet from scratch with Mohawk Flooring, and I curated every piece of fabric, wallpaper and lighting.”
The goal was to brighten up the rustic clubhouse while capturing the blues of the lake. Heavy drapes were removed to open up the view of the mountainscape and water through large picture windows.
WILSON COUNTRY CLUB:
The original canvas was wiped clean to create a top-to-bottom renovation. “We reshaped everything,” explains Rebekah. “The bathrooms, the ballroom. Everything we used was custom. Custom wallpaper, custom fabric. We strive to make each club individual to that membership and location, and embody the vibe of that area.” She selected purple as the dominant color, recognizing members’ ties to nearby East Carolina University.
PROVIDENCE COUNTRY CLUB:
As one of Charlotte’s premier event venues, the dining areas and ballroom were modified and enhanced to create an elegant, upscale environment. “We wanted to move away from the reds and greens that were traditional colors in the ‘80s,” says Rebekah. “An elegant palette of silvers and blues were chosen, complemented by custom artwork and curtains. We also created a distinctive bar area with custom mirrored panels.”
THE COUNTRY CLUB AT WAKEFIELD PLANTATION:
On the heels of an upgrade two years ago, the downstairs was gutted and renovated after a sprinkler system incident. This mishap provided an opportunity to refresh the space further with new drapes, wallpaper, and carpeting. The latest upgrades include modernized men's and women's restrooms in the main clubhouse. Michael Thomas adds, “We are so fortunate that McConnell Golf continues to reinvest and update our clubhouses. The amount of money that is poured back into the clubs is significant and very much appreciated.”
RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB:
Rebekah’s design journey at McConnell Golf began here. Over the years, the clubhouse has undergone several facelifts, from the main ballroom to the bar area and ladies’ locker room. The latest endeavor was a renovation of the men’s locker room, which recently saw completion.
COUNTRY CLUB OF ASHEVILLE:
By spring 2025, CCA will have received updates throughout its clubhouse, including restroom renovations and common area improvements with new chairs and fresh paint. Rebekah notes, “This is part of our goal to keep all facilities up to McConnell Golf’s standards.”
2024 in Photos
Photographs courtesy of the McConnell Golf corporate team, club staff and others.
Photographs courtesy of the McConnell Golf corporate team, club staff and others.
Take a look at the highlights of McConnell Golf’s incredible year through a collection of 365 photos captured across our footprint. From pristine fairways designed by legendary architects like Donald Ross and Pete Dye, to unforgettable moments from PGA, Korn Ferry Tour, and amateur events, these images capture the essence of what makes McConnell Golf a leader in its industry. This collection also showcases the elegance of our clubhouse interiors, the vibrant energy of member events, and the special moments that bring our community together. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this year a success—our dedicated members, whose passion and engagement fuel our community, and our exceptional staff, whose unwavering commitment and hard work make it all possible.
Collegiate Connections
by Brad King
Written by Brad King
McConnell Golf, The Magazine: Spring/Summer 2024
McConnell Golf VP of Golf Operations Brian Kittler recalls his earliest days in the golf industry working as an assistant professional at Old North State Club. He started the job in April 1998, just two weeks before ONSC was slated to host the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men’s Golf Championship. The star power arriving at ONSC that year was an eye-opener for Kittler. Highlighting the event, Georgia Tech’s Matt Kuchar was the defending U.S. Amateur champion and had made the cut at the Masters Tournament the week before. Clemson’s Charles Warren was the defending NCAA individual champion, while Tim Clark from N.C. State was the defending U.S. Public Links champion.
“We literally had people from ESPN, CNN and some other national outlets calling us and, since this was in the days before the Internet, we had to fax in the results,” Kittler recalled. “So, I was in my first month, and I’m thinking, like, ‘Wow, this is the big time.’”
The most recognizable connection between McConnell Golf and collegiate golf is the club owner’s relationship with the ACC. It’s a hand-in-glove fit between a company whose portfolio includes many of the finest golf courses and clubs in the Southeast and a conference that has produced some of golf’s best players. Now in its 71st year of competition and 15 members strong, the ACC has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation.
From 1995-2019, Old North State Club played host to the ACC Men’s Golf Championship for 22 of 24 years. The 2017 men’s ACC Championship was competed at the Arnold Palmer-designed Musgrove Mill Golf Club, following 15 consecutive years at ONSC.
Also in 2017, the ACC contested its women’s golf championship for the first time at The Reserve Golf Club, following a nine-year run at McConnell Golf’s Sedgefield Country Club — the site where the ACC was originally formed in 1953 and annual host to the PGA TOUR’s Wyndham Championship. The ACC women returned to The Reserve in 2022, and held the conference championship at Sedgefield in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
“Overall, especially the men’s and women’s ACCs, you get to see these junior golfers, whether it’s Matt Kuchar or Brooks Koepka or Daniel Berger, Bill Haas, or Webb Simpson, Lucas Glover, you can go down the line,” Kittler said. “You see these kids playing Old North State and then going on to have careers on the PGA TOUR.”
This year, the ACC Women’s Championship will be contested at another McConnell Golf property, Porters Neck Country Club. “I think they’re going to enjoy Porters Neck,” Kittler said. “It’s down at the beach, it’s a challenging course, good restaurants to choose from, in addition to lodging. It should be an ideal venue for them.”
In early February, the ACC announced that Charlotte, Greensboro, Cary, Durham and Raleigh will play host to numerous future neutral site conference championships as approved by the league’s membership.
“We are incredibly proud to announce this tremendous package of neutral site championships that will be held in the state of North Carolina, where the league was founded more than 70 years ago,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips. “We are pleased to have been able to deliver so quickly on our commitment to continue to hold numerous tournaments and championships in cities across the state of North Carolina as part of the ACC Board of Directors’ decision to relocate the conference office headquarters to Charlotte.”
With the announcement, the ACC Women’s Golf Championship will return to Sedgefield in 2025, ’27 and ’29, and will be hosted at yet-to-be-announced McConnell Golf properties in 2026 and ’28.
Sedgefield will also play host to this year’s inaugural High Point Invitational, in association with nearby High Point University, in October. “High Point’s coach was a former assistant coach at Virginia Tech,” Kittler said. “We’re creating an invitational, hosting it at Sedgefield and we may host it at Old North State in the years to come, but there will be a brand-new event this October.”
“(The collegiate golf connection) just goes back to what McConnell Golf stands for,” Kittler said. “It goes with the philosophy that we always want the best players playing at our properties. We enjoy seeing the best players when they’re young, building those relationships, and then when you happen to see them 5, 10, 15 years down the road, it’s neat to relive those memories.
“With the colleges and universities that are in close proximity to a lot of our courses, it’s good to have these elite players playing. And in addition, when they’re hosting their events, you get to see junior players from all around the country come play our facilities. It’s a great opportunity, a great atmosphere, for these kids to come play.”
Old North State Club also serves as a home course for Pfeiffer University’s men’s and women’s golf programs. Pfeiffer has honed its competitive skills on Tom Fazio’s masterpiece along a 2 1/2-mile peninsula in Badin Lake, which is regularly ranked among the Tar Heel State’s top 5 layouts. “When I was [at ONSC] back in the late ‘90s, early 2000s, Pfeiffer was one of the top Division II programs in country,” Kittler said.
“We enjoy seeing the best players when they’re young, building those relationships, and then when you happen to see them 5, 10, 15 years down the road, it’s neat to relive those memories.”
Brook Valley Country Club has a close relationship with East Carolina University and its men’s and women’s golf programs, as well as the ECU Pirate Club. Each March, Brook Valley plays host to some of collegiate golf’s top players during the ECU Intercollegiate.
“Hosting a home tournament is very important to our program,” said Kevin Williams, ECU’s director of men’s and women’s golf. “Conducting a true championship experience is a must for our program and I could not be prouder of the experience we have given the competitors at Brook Valley.”
“The staff as well as the members of the club have taken a lot of pride in the event and it shows. Hosting the home event allows us to save money from a travel standpoint plus we are able to provide extra revenue for the club who gives so much to us throughout the year. This extra revenue is our way of giving back and showing our appreciation for what Brook Valley means to our program.”
Williams said the ECU Intercollegiate competitors tend to rave about Brook Valley and the improvements to the club made by McConnell Golf.
“As someone who has been in this area a long time, I’m constantly amazed at how far the club has come under the McConnell umbrella and love the passion and pride the members have in the club,” Williams said. “This golf course is a beast — if there is a harder 6,700-yard course in the country, I want to see it.”
The newest club in the McConnell Golf stable, Wilson Country Club, enjoys a longstanding relationship with Barton College, with its men and women practicing and playing there, and the club also plays host in the spring to the college’s Barton Intercollegiate. In addition, Barton College also participates in the ECU Intercollegiate at Brook Valley.
Another recent addition to the McConnell Golf portfolio, Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech, is considered one of the country’s best college golf courses and has particular significance to McConnell Golf CEO John McConnell.
“As a Virginia Tech graduate, John McConnell has always had a love for the university,” said Michael Abraham, General Manager and Director of Golf at Pete Dye River Course. “His passion for golf coupled with the opportunity to add one of the best collegiate golf courses in the country to his portfolio of courses was just too good to pass up. We are ecstatic to be a part of the McConnell Golf team and look forward to what the future will bring.”
The River Course, which also serves as the home course for nearby Radford University, earned a fourth-place award from Golf Digest in its “Best Remodel” rankings of 2006, the highest of any public facility. “The River Course is also proud to be the home of Virginia Tech men’s and women’s golf teams along with Radford’s men’s and women’s golf teams,” Abraham said. “The golf course and practice facilities provide these collegiate athletes a wonderful opportunity to hone in their skills and compete among the best players in the country.”
The Cardinal by Pete Dye in Greensboro enjoys a longstanding relationship with the highly regarded Guilford College men’s program, which annually hosts its own Division III tournament, the O'Briant Jensen Memorial, at The Cardinal in October.
UNC Asheville’s women’s program practices at Country Club of Asheville. In addition, last year, CC of Asheville played host to the Bulldog Athletics Association (BAA) Scholarship Golf Classic presented by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, with all proceeds going to support the UNC Asheville student-athlete scholarship fund.
In South Carolina, Musgrove Mill Golf Club serves as the host course for the Presbyterian College Intercollegiate golf tournament held in the fall, as well as one of two practice sites for the Blue Hose during the year.
Last but not least, Holston Hills Country Club has a close relationship with the neighboring University of Tennessee and its Southeastern Conference (SEC) powerhouse men’s and women’s golf teams, which often play and practice on the classic Donald Ross layout. Former McConnell Golf scholar Caleb Surratt enjoyed an illustrious college career in Knoxville, becoming the first University of Tennessee player to receive first-team All-America honors while also winning the 2023 SEC Championship individual title – the first freshman to do so since 2012. He recently turned professional and was recruited to join Jon Rahm’s new LIV Golf team, Legion XIII.
“It’s very fulfilling to see juniors like Caleb Surratt going on to play at the University of Tennessee, utilizing Holston Hills,” Kittler said. “It’s neat to see them at that age. It’s like the future of golf.”
Click here to view the latest edition of McConnell Golf, The Magazine.
Committed to Service
by Jerry Salley
A salute to some of the veterans in the McConnell Golf family
In honor of Veteran’s Day, we asked a few McConnell Golf employees what their time in the military meant to them. If you see them at your club on Nov. 11, take a moment to thank them for their dedication and service.
Written by Brad King
McConnell Golf, The Magazine: Fall/Winter 2024
Cecil Summers
CECIL SUMMERS
Locker Room Attendant at Sedgefield Country Club
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
“We had a job to do,” says Vietnam veteran Cecil Summers.
But when that job was over and the Gibsonville, North Carolina, native came home, he, like many of his fellow vets, found a less-than-warm reception.
“They didn’t recognize us,” Summers says. But he says of his time in Vietnam: “it made me a better person.”
After his six years of duty in the Marine Corps, he soon set to work cleaning up the streets around Greensboro himself, in a way, by keeping the shoes walking on them shined to a military polish. Learning the craft from other veterans in the family, Summers shined shoes for more than 30 years in the city, holding down a regular spot at the Style and Cut barber shop in addition to a full-time supervisor job at Precision Fabrics. He started practicing his craft at Sedgefield Country Club when the Wyndham Championship returned there in 2008, and soon Summers met McConnell Golf CEO and founder John McConnell.
“Mr. McConnell asked me if I’d like to be the locker room attendant,” says Summers. “I said, ‘Well, I’m about to retire soon, and this would be right down my line.’”
He plans to spend this Nov. 11 among his fellow veterans.
“I like to get together with some of the guys,” he says. “I’m a lifetime member of the VFW.”
“I want my job here to make members have the best experience they can have that day — whatever we have to do to make them feel like they belong to a first-class operation.” — Eric Fournier
ERIC FOURNIER
Golf Operations at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation
Lieutenant Junior Grade, U.S. Naval Reserve
During his junior year, Eric Fournier went on what his school called a “summer cruise,” but it was not the typical collegiate vacation. Circa 1974, Fournier was a student at the Maine Maritime Academy, his “summer cruise” took him and his shipmates on a cargo vessel to Da Nang Port in Vietnam.
“We hauled building material, supplies, and some vehicles, stayed there long enough to get unloaded and then came back to the States,” Fournier says of the training exercise. “I only had maybe two weeks in Vietnam, so I was pretty safe.”
After graduating, Fournier served as an engineer in the U.S. Merchant Marine while also remaining in the U.S. Naval Reserve before retiring. During his subsequent engineering career, he had kept up his golf hobby — making The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation a natural destination after his retirement in 2016.
Fournier strives to bring the lessons of his service to bear at his current job.
“One of the things you learn is teamwork,” he says. “Everybody on that ship is going to be pulling in the same direction. And you carry that esprit de corps throughout your whole career. I want my job here to make members have the best experience they can have that day — whatever we have to do to make them feel like they belong to a first-class operation.”
Left: Former U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell Right: David Wilson
DAVID WILSON
General Manager, Old North State Club
Colonel, U.S. Army
After enlisting as a private in the Minnesota National Guard in 1985, David Wilson decided to enter ROTC at St. Cloud State University and ultimately earned a commission in the Iowa National Guard. That’s where he was when the first Gulf War broke out.
“We got alerted and mobilized for Desert Storm,” he says. “But before we could even pack our trucks, they said, ‘We’re done. Don’t waste your time.’”
Wilson may have not gotten to Iraq, but during a 32-year career that included leadership roles at the Army Reserve’s 88th Readiness Division, the United States Joint Forces Command, and the United States Strategic Command, he oversaw the mobilization of countless troops.
“I was one of the guys responsible for deploying everybody,” he says. “I have jokingly said that I was the most hated guy in the Army for about seven years.”
While serving, Wilson began his non-military career by managing bars and nightclubs before moving into hotel operations, eventually leading him to Old North State Club in 2023. His military service informed his approach to the hospitality industry, and vice-versa, he says. “I had one of my NCOs say, ‘You’re not like other officers,’” says Wilson. “As far as I was concerned, these soldiers were our internal customers. They were deploying, so I wanted to help them out and give them the respect to be heard, instead of just barking orders.”