2025 UNC Health Championship Preview
The Korn Ferry Tour returns to Raleigh, North Carolina, from May 29–June 1 for the UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH, hosted at the iconic Raleigh Country Club. This year’s event caps off a rare and prestigious back-to-back stretch at McConnell Golf properties, following last week’s Visit Knoxville Open at historic Holston Hills Country Club.
It’s another strong testament to the quality of venues and hospitality offered within the McConnell Golf portfolio, as two championship-caliber courses host the game’s future stars in consecutive weeks.
Tournament History
The UNC Health Championship has been a fixture on the Korn Ferry Tour since 1994. Since moving to Raleigh Country Club in 2023, the event has earned a reputation for first-class organization and a demanding, yet fair, tournament layout. RCC — the final course designed by Donald Ross before his death — was beautifully restored by architect Kyle Franz in 2020 and now offers players a blend of Golden Age nuance and modern challenge.
2024 Tournament Recap
Japan’s Kaito Onishi captured his first Korn Ferry Tour title in Raleigh last year, rallying with a brilliant final-round 66 to finish at 8-under-par 272, narrowly edging Max McGreevy by a shot with the lowest winning score on the entire 2024 Tour schedule. Onishi’s clutch performance over the final 10 holes underscored the drama RCC can deliver on a Sunday afternoon.
Raleigh native Carter Jenkins (Leesville Road High School), a 2010 McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship recipient, thrilled local fans with a T-4 finish at 4-under, while the tournament continued its commitment to community outreach and mental health awareness.
Kaito Onishi celebrates his win at the UNC Health Championship presented by STITCH at Raleigh Country Club on June 2, 2024.
A poignant tribute to Grayson Murray, the late PGA TOUR winner and former McConnell Golf Junior Scholar, was held during the week. Players, staff, and volunteers wore green ribbons, and an honorary tee time was reserved in his memory — a reminder of golf’s ability to bring people together and elevate important conversations.
Proceeds supported the development of the North Carolina Children’s Hospital and benefited organizations such as First Tee Triangle and the Wake County Boys and Girls Club.
Grayson Murray had the final tee time Sunday, a tribute to the late Raleigh-area native and former McConnell Golf Scholar.
Local & McConnell Golf Ties
This year’s championship features several players with strong regional ties and McConnell Golf connections, making for a meaningful and energized week at Raleigh Country Club.
Chesson Hadley – The 2014 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year grew up in Raleigh (North Raleigh Christian Academy) and has long been part of the McConnell Golf family. From his junior days alongside CEO John McConnell’s sons to winning the 2013 Rex Hospital Open at TPC Wakefield Plantation, Hadley has deep roots across the McConnell portfolio.
Ryan Hall – A Holston Hills Country Club member and University of South Carolina alum, Hall qualified for the Raleigh field after a T-6 finish at last week’s Visit Knoxville Open — his best result to date on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Carter Jenkins – A former UNC-Chapel Hill standout and McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship recipient, Jenkins is back competing in front of a hometown crowd at the course where his journey began.
Bryce Lewis – Also a Holston Hills member and former University of Tennessee standout, Lewis earned a spot in Raleigh with a T-17 finish in Knoxville after getting into the field as the final alternate from Monday qualifying. It marks a major career step for the conditional Korn Ferry member.
William McGirt – A PGA TOUR veteran and Musgrove Mill Golf Club member, McGirt is a former winner of the Cardinal Amateur at Sedgefield’s Pete Dye Course (2003). His experience and resilience remain hallmarks of his game.
Blake McShea – A former McConnell Golf Junior Scholar from Zebulon (Rolesville High School) who played at UNC Wilmington, McShea continues his climb on the professional circuit, returning to the Triangle to compete close to home.
With deep roots, familiar fairways, and enthusiastic member support, this week is a true celebration of golf’s community spirit — and McConnell Golf’s ongoing commitment to developing talent and supporting the game at all levels.
Former McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship recipient Carter Jenkins
Storylines to Watch
Momentum Carryover: Will any top performers from the Visit Knoxville Open carry their form into Raleigh? Pontus Nyholm looks to build upon his first Korn Ferry Tour victory after winning in a thrilling playoff last week. The win propelled the former Campbell University Fighting Camel up 48 spots on the tour’s point list to fifth place.
RCC’s Demanding Finish: The 18th hole has shaped many outcomes — how will it test contenders this year?
Names to Know: Other notable entrants include Neal Shipley, the low amateur at both the 2024 Masters and 2024 U.S. Open, and Jorge Fernández Valdés, the 2023 winner of the UNC Health Championship.
Home Turf Advantage: With multiple players holding local and McConnell ties, expect strong gallery support and familiarity to factor in.
Legacy in Action: The presence of multiple former Junior Scholars highlights the success of McConnell Golf’s investment in youth development.
For more on McConnell Golf’s tournament venues and network of championship courses, visit McConnellGolf.com.
McConnell Golf Honors the Legacy of Former Junior Scholar
McConnell Golf, The Magazine: Fall/Winter 2024
In May of 2024, the world of golf was deeply affected by the passing of former McConnell Golf Junior Scholar, Grayson Murray. Friends from near and far gathered in the Raleigh community to mourn the loss of this exceptional golfer and person. During his short life, Grayson touched many people and left a lasting impression on the McConnell Golf family.
Grayson—a member of McConnell Golf’s inaugural class of junior scholars—was instrumental in shaping the program’s success. A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, and a graduate of Leesville Road High School, his journey in golf was nothing short of remarkable. Just two years after receiving the McConnell Golf scholarship, Grayson made history as the second youngest player to make the cut in a Web.com Tour event at the REX Hospital Open, held at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation. His talent and determination earned him a PGA TOUR card in 2016, marking the beginning of an impressive professional career.
Throughout his journey, Grayson built deep relationships with members and staff at Raleigh Country Club and The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation. These bonds provided him with unwavering support, both on and off the course, for over 15 years.
Grayson’s professional achievements are a testament to his dedication to the sport. He recorded seven top-25 PGA TOUR finishes in 2017 and 2018, including a victory at the 2017 Barbasol Championship. In May 2023, he captured the Korn Ferry Tour’s AdventHealth Championship and secured two top-10 PGA TOUR finishes. His triumphs in three consecutive Callaway Junior World Championships (2006-08) are further testament to his exceptional talent. Most recently, in January 2024, Grayson achieved his second PGA TOUR win with a thrilling playoff victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Grayson’s legacy extends beyond his achievements on the golf course. He inspired countless junior golfers to pursue their dreams, and his contributions to the McConnell Golf program will forever be cherished. Grayson’s impact on the McConnell Golf family and the broader golf community will never be forgotten, and his memory will continue to inspire all who knew him.
The Grayson Murray Foundation was recently established to honor Grayson’s legacy and support mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and youth golf initiatives. Learn more here.
