t v in the carolinas taking chances - mcconnell golfgolf.pdf · ou work hard to realize your...

MY FAVORITE

HOLE

MY FAVORITE

HOLE

THE #1 CLUB VALUE IN THE CAROLINAS THE MAGAZINE

TAKINGCHANCESJOHN McCONNELL

TAKINGCHANCESJOHN McCONNELL

TOM BUTTERSINDUCTED TO

NC SPORTS HALL OF FAME

TOM BUTTERSINDUCTED TO

NC SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Photo: Treyburn Country Club

McCONNELL GOLF JULY 2008 1

W WELCOMEWelcome to the inaugural edition of the McConnell Golf Magazine. This is a very exciting

time for us, and I hope you get as much out of reading this as we have out of compiling it. This is the first in what we anticipate to be a three times per year publication. We are learning as we go and appreciate any feedback that you may have about our efforts or direction.

Within the last few months, McConnell Golf has experienced a plethora of enhancements for our membership including: conversion to complete electronic newsletters; on-line tee times, member payments and statements; a new, consolidated private website; the purchase of Musgrove Mill Golf Club; and the hosting of the NC Amateur and upcoming SC Amateur Tournaments. With so much going on, sometimes we forget to just stop, communicate and enjoy the membership and organization that we have with McConnell Golf. That is the intent of the magazine you are reading now. We hope that you will see the benefit of cross club communication and the opportunities for business and pleasure that result from your membership to your Club and McConnell Golf.

I invite you to take time to read the feature articles as we have some real success stories and fabulous individuals among us. Each club has a wealth of history and personalities, and the four Clubs combined provide enough features to keep readers engaged, inspired and entertained. Also, I would like to thank the advertisers featured throughout the magazine. If not for them, then our project would never have come to fruition. They have the confidence in us to help support a brand new publication. I hope they are pleased with the way it has come together, and I encourage our members to explore and support these sponsors.

At McConnell Golf, we understand that a private club membership must deliver more than just a great facility or golf course, and this membership tool is a just an example of the good things to come. Each day we enjoy serving you and can say with complete confidence that we have the best membership of any club organization in the Carolinas. Enjoy and please use this as a tool to network with others and support those in your club organization.

Ray McDonaldVice President Sales and Marketing

Representation in:

Appellate

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Construction

Environmental

Estate and Wealth Planning & Probate

Executive Compensation/Employee Benefits

Family

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Government Relations

Health Care

Intellectual Property Protection & Licensing

Labor & Employment

Life Sciences

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Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures

Securities

Taxation

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Venture Capital & Capital Markets

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2 www.mcconnellgolf.com McCONNELL GOLF JULY 2008 3

It can be a joy to do business with friends...

McConnell Golf would like to invite you to advertise in future editions of this publication. Few places allow you to reach a very targeted audience of so many qualified buyers. More importantly, the readers of this magazine have some-thing in common with your business, and most readers like using the service of friends and those who support their Club. We require no long term commitment and our rates are very competitive. Thank you to all of our inaugural partners. John McConnellFor more information, contact Ray McDonald, VP Sales & Marketing919.922.4171 • [email protected] our Member Business Directory, page 27

CONTENTS

FEATURES

4 Tom Butters

8 Cover: John McConnell

13 Musgrove Mill

19 Water Hazard (Rule)

22 Walking Tall

23 Making the Putt

& MORE

12 Keeping It Green

20 Junior Golf Scholarships

24 Greatest Scotland Trip Ever

27 Member Directory

18 Cardinal Golf & Country Club

21 Treyburn Country Club

25 Raleigh Country Club

GREAT GOLF WEB SITES

John McConnellPUBLISHER

Christian AnastasiadisCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Ray McDonaldV.P. SALES & MARKETING

Teresa BeloteEDITORIAL SUPPORT

Bob BeasleyEd Hillis

Sean KellyBrad KingBill Knight

Dave PittmanJosh Points

Colin StrengCONTRIBUTORS

Altina Layman CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Amy BagleyMARKETING ASSISTANT

Chip ShotsCONSULTANT

Volume 1, Issue 1McConnell Golf Magazine is published three

times per year. © 2008 McConnell GolfPOSTMASTER Send address changes to: McConnell Golf, 400 Donald Ross Drive,

Raleigh, NC 27610.

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Check out these great golf websites – everything from planning your next adventure to understanding RSS feeds!

www.ultimategolfdirectory.comLooking for golf answers? This is a site with links to everything you need to know.

www.antiquegolfscotland.comLooking for something unique? Antique Golf Clubs from Scotland is the leading online resource for antique golf clubs and memorabilia from Scotland, the birthplace of golf. www.teetimeireland.comTeeTime Ireland is a golf vacation and travel website with free access to information on every Irish golf course. Book tee times at them all. Hotels and B&Bs are included for overnight accommodation. www.classicgolfimages.comBeautiful collection of golf course photos and lithographs captures some of the most famous holes in the game of golf.

www.artfulgolfer.comShare your stories and insights on this golf blog.

www.golfclubsaway.comCustom order a set of high end rental clubs, delivered to your hotel room. Currently available in Florida, but coming soon to Nevada and other states. Cost starts at $35 per day. www.travelgolf.comGreat site to explore for a variety of golf trips. Many of the golf tour companies advertise their best deals on this site. Available in podcast as well. www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_englishThis is not necessarily a golf site, but now that RSS feeds are becoming more and more commonplace, this site has a video that will help you understand RSS. www.worldgolf.comGreat reviews of different courses.

PRO TIPS MY FAVORITE HOLE


The highlight of Tom Butters’ induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame was not the lavish May celebration at the North Raleigh Hilton, or the standing room only crowd of nearly 800 in attendance, including Butters’ two children and six grandchildren, or even the fact that Duke University’s longtime director of athletics was entering one of sports’ most esteemed halls, which during its nearly 50-year history has honored just 252 athletes, coaches, administrators and media members. This includes about 30

members with Duke connections — Blue Devil luminaries like Mike Krzyzewski, Vic Bubas, Wallace Wade, Sonny Jurgensen, Mike Gminski, and Eddie Cameron.

No, there were two other standout highlights of the evening in Butters eyes, and both revolved around one of his other passions in life: The Game of Golf.

The first was the surprise attendance by 16 friends of Butters’ from the stunning golf club outside Ocala, Fla., called Black Diamond Ranch, where Butters owned a second home for 20 years following his retirement

from Duke in 1998. Butters sold his membership and his house last June. Nevertheless, his Black Diamond comrades surprised him for his special night, then stayed in North Carolina for a couple of extra days to play some golf.

The other highlight came when Butters opened the evening’s brochure and discovered that McConnell Golf had taken out a full-page advertisement congratulating Butters on his induction and expressing how glad Treyburn Country Club was to have him as a member.

“Totally unnecessary and

totally unheard of, but a very generous thing to do,” said Butters.

Butters may have considered the gesture unnecessary, but it was a no-brainer for McConnell Golf, which owns Treyburn Country Club in Durham, where Butters has played golf since the day the Club opened in 1988.

Butters' membership number at Treyburn is 19, but he doubts any of the members in the 1-18 slots are still at the club. When Butters stepped away from his job of two decades at Duke, he jumped feet first into golf, playing virtually every day at Treyburn or Black Diamond when he and his wife, Lynn, were at their home in Florida.

In 2002, Butters said he played 311 rounds of golf, and when he tells you that he “was never a good player,” you need to consider the source. Though he only began taking the game seriously about 15 or 20 years ago, the former Major League pitcher carried an index between 2 and 4 for the last decade of his golfing career.

“But I could never beat the people I wanted to,” Butters said with a laugh. “[Golf] is the most challenging athletic endeavor with which I have ever been involved. But I do love the sport.”

Unfortunately, Butters has suffered a few recent health issues, including a cancer scare, and he had both knees replaced

at the same time a few years ago. Today, a lung problem leaves him with very little energy, and Butters said he hasn’t played golf in three or four years.

Undaunted, he still spends most of his days enjoying the sanctuary of the Treyburn clubhouse (“It’s kind of my office”), hanging around the grillroom, placing five-dollar wagers and living vicariously through his pals.

“I’ve got a lot of good friends here and I’ve played a lot of golf with them,” Butters said. “I don’t want my inability to play make them think I’m no longer interested in their game, because I am.”

During two decades as the Duke Athletic Director — through no-nonsense administration and

savvy negotiating skills (The Sporting News once labeled him a “world champion of fundraisers”) — Butters not only helped raise millions of dollars, but demanded excellence and integrity within the Duke programs. He ushered his department into the modern era of intercollegiate sports, by championing an effort to update many of the university’s facilities for athletes and students, some of which hadn’t been touched since their construction in the 1930s and 40s.

From 1977 through 1998, Duke’s national athletic profile rose to new heights under Butters’ leadership, including the school’s first-ever NCAA team championship (men’s soccer, 1986), back-to-back national titles in men’s basketball (1991-92), the Blue Devils’ first ACC football championship and bowl bid (1989) since the 1960s, and the emergence of one of the top women’s athletics programs in the country. Duke won 40 ACC team titles during Butters’ term as AD, almost twice as many as had been accomplished during its previous 24 years of conference membership. The university also gained notice for near-100 percent graduation rates in almost every sport, with nine academic achievement awards for leading the nation in football graduation

Butters hired Mike Krzyzewski as men’s basketball coach at Duke

University in 1980.

TOM BUTTERSNorth Carolina Sports Hall of Famer

By Brad King

Butters has played golf at Treyburn Country Club in Durham since the club opening in 1988

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rates between 1981 and 1997.“I had the advantage of

working at Duke under an administration that would not allow me to fail,” said Butters. “I worked with Terry Sanford, Ken Pye, Keith Brodie, and I can go on and on and on. These were great leaders, so when they selected me as their athletic director, they were there to support me in every way, every day. I think that was the key for me. I couldn’t have been in a better situation.”

Butters also made a name for himself through any number of landmark personnel decisions,

including the hiring of coaches such as Steve Spurrier (football), Jay Lapidus (men’s tennis), John Rennie (men’s soccer), Dan Brooks (women’s golf), Gail Goestenkors (women’s basketball) and Rod Myers (men’s golf). In 2005, seven years after Butters retired, 11 of Duke’s 19 head coaches were the same individuals he had hired almost a decade or more before.

Yet it was the hiring of a relative unknown named Mike Krzyzewski as men’s basketball coach in 1980 that is generally regarded as Butters’ most heralded accomplishment — along with

extending Krzyzewski’s original contract during the 1984 season, before he had won any championships or guided Duke to the NCAA Tournament.

“It was an unusual hire,” said Butters. “[Krzyzewski] was 9-17 at Army the year before. I was kind of a basketball junkie and had known of him and had talked to several people about him, and I finally decided I was going to interview him. I spent four or five hours with him and sent him home. Then I couldn’t get him out of my mind. I invited him back, spent five or six more

hours with him, and sent him home. Finally, I just said the heck with it. I called him and I said, I’m bringing you back as one of the finalists and I want you to bring your wife. He had all of the qualities I was looking for, except he had not been at a big-time program, and he was 9-17. But I thought he was the best young, defensive coach in the country, and I still do. ’I think it’s going to work out,’ he said with a laugh.“

“My best friend at Duke has been Tom Butters,” Coach K once said. “Of all the people I've been associated with at Duke, I value his opinion the most.”

Thomas Arden Butters was born in Delaware, Ohio, on April 8, 1938, and as a young

man played almost every sport, including basketball, track and football. But he made his name in baseball, and the Pittsburgh Pirates signed the hard-throwing right-hander when he was 17. But 10 years later, in late February 1965 as Butters was heading to spring training, he was involved in a car accident in Fayetteville, NC, which would effectively end his major league career.

Butters arrived at Duke two years later as director of special events. He coached the Blue Devils’ baseball team from 1968-70, created the school’s fundraising organization, the Iron Dukes, and served as associate athletics director as well as assistant to the

chancellor before moving into the AD’s chair. He was recognized as a university vice president at the time of his retirement in 1998. In 1999, Butters was inducted into the Duke Sports Hall of Fame, which is located in the school’s Schwartz Butters Center, a facility named in his honor.

Yet despite all his accomplishments, for the self-effacing Butters his May induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame was the penultimate achievement and left him nearly at a loss for words. “I’m humbled by it,” he said. “It’s a nice thing to be honored late in life for what others might think you did well and I am very humbled by it.” w

“It’s a nice thing to be honored late in life for what others might think you did well and I am very humbled by it.”

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John McConnell figures there must have been some luck involved. How else do you explain a relative rookie in the golf industry, guided by not much more than business savvy and a passion for the game, purchasing four financially strapped clubs stretching from the Triad of NC through the Triangle and down to the Upstate Region of SC...ending up with a stable of golf courses designed by the two greatest, living, modern-day architects, along with the finest of the Golden Age — and then having the quartet topped-off by one of golf’s all-time legendary players?

It took a little luck, buttressed by a lot of planning and initiative

says the CEO and Founder of McConnell Golf, who now owns Raleigh Country Club, The Cardinal Golf and Country Club in Greensboro, Treyburn Country Club in Durham and Musgrove Mill Golf Club in Clinton, SC.

“Most things in business, from my perspective and experience, aren’t really planned,” McConnell said. “You just have to seize the opportunities when they arise.”

McConnell is a former denizen of the Triangle’s medical software technology community, where he made his fortune when he sold two companies — Medic Computer of Raleigh in 1997 and A4 Health Systems of Cary nearly a decade later. McConnell had already earned rave reviews for

the heroics of his 2003 purchase of Raleigh Country Club, the last golf course ever designed by legendary architect Donald Ross, after rumors had begun floating around that investors who had purchased Raleigh CC’s bank note when the club filed for bankruptcy were planning to bulldoze the clubhouse and the golf course and build condominium complexes in its place. (One Raleigh member dubbed McConnell a “white knight” in a 2005 Golfweek magazine article titled “Saving Donald Ross.”)

His transition from medical software to golf courses quickly took shape, and McConnell had two other clubs appear on his radar in 2006: The Cardinal, a

Greensboro institution and one of the early design efforts by the inimitable Pete Dye, architect of TPC-Sawgrass, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head and many, many others; and not long thereafter Treyburn, which was designed by Tom Fazio, whose legendary resume includes Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas and Wade Hampton Club in the mountains of North Carolina.

McConnell says that Treyburn was not in the type of financial straits that the Cardinal was, so while purchase of The Cardinal took about 60 days from start to finish, the Treyburn transaction took about six months.

“I had fun doing Raleigh,” said McConnell. “I was very fortunate when the Dye course was

available because he’s always been one of....probably my favorite ... modern-day architects, just from the courses I’ve played.

“And then later, when Treyburn’s members approached me about doing something at that club, I’ve always thought that was the most impressive club in the Triangle from a visual and aesthetic standpoint. Treyburn has the prettiest 18 holes in the Triangle as far as the layout, the elevation changes and just the beauty of the golf course. The icing on the cake was that it was a Tom Fazio.

“I’d say that Pete Dye and Tom Fazio are probably the two guys you would want to build your

golf course in today’s world if that’s what you were doing.”

Purchasing golf courses designed by big-name architects fit the McConnell Golf strategy of having multiple-club memberships available for its members. Another such club came along the pike in 2007 when McConnell purchased Musgrove Mill, a highly regarded design by the team of Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, which has been consistently ranked as

one of Golfweek’s “America’s Top 100 Modern Courses” and Golf Digest’s “Top 10 Rated Golf Course for South Carolina.”

Despite its critical acclaim, McConnell recognized that Musgrove Mill is a

By Brad King

JOHN McCONNELLSeizing the Opportunity

Raleigh Country ClubRaleigh, NC

Cardinal Golf & Country ClubGreensboro, NC

John McConnell


“destination” course in the middle of nowhere. But much as he had felt about Raleigh Country Club after returning from a visit to venerable Oakmont Country Club in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, so did McConnell feel equally confident about Musgrove Mill after a trip to New Jersey’s heralded Pine Valley, the No. 1-ranked golf course in America, which, like Musgrove Mill, is off the beaten path.

"A good golf friend told me that if I ever had a chance to play Musgrove Mill, I needed to play it,” McConnell said. “I played 16 holes there before a storm came through, but it felt like Pine Valley to me, just as Raleigh felt like Oakmont. It had wild turkeys and deer on the golf course, lots of natural river sand and grasses. Everything is very natural. It is a

sanctuary with a golf course on it.“If I had not known at the time it

was an Arnold Palmer golf course, I would never have guessed it. And Pete Dye once told me that Ed Seay was one of the architects for whom he had a lot of respect.”

His golf course worlds now officially colliding, McConnell has poured nearly $25 million into extensive renovations of the four clubs, with considerably more on the horizon. The results have been immediate. In the 2008 state rankings, all four McConnell Golf courses were rated among the best in the Carolinas, with one either holding or improving its standing from 2007, and three of the four making considerable moves upward in the rankings.

The most dramatic jump was made by The Cardinal, which

climbed 19 places in the North Carolina state rankings to No. 59, following its recent, multi-million-dollar renovation by Dye. And, the North Carolina list had Treyburn Country Club jumping six spots to No. 30 and Raleigh Country Club holding steady at No. 26. Musgrove Mill moved up five positions to No. 11 in South Carolina. As for practice facilities, Raleigh Country Club was tops in the Triangle and Cardinal Golf and Country Club captured fourth in the Triad.

And the early renovations and remodels are only the beginning. McConnell Golf’s initial plan for Treyburn was to make changes around the clubhouse, including upgrading the facilities, getting the golf staff re-energized, getting some new talent in the golf shop

and improving the golf course by increasing the operating budget. “We just wanted to get it back on the level it used to be,” said McConnell, “and that I think we’ve accomplished.”

McConnell said that Phase 2 at Treyburn will likely include major changes to the golf course in a year or two — and they have already had members of Fazio’s staff visit and offer input.

“Every golf course needs an update every 20 to 25 years and Treyburn is right at that period,” said McConnell. “The greens need to be changed and reworked, but the overall layout of the golf course, the routing, etc. — It’s a great golf course.”

At Musgrove Mill, McConnell put a new chef in place, moving

the old chef from The Cardinal, and currently has renovation work being done on cart paths while preparations are being made on clubhouse and cabin renovations. “We’re trying to take the place to a level it’s never seen before from a stability standpoint,” said McConnell.

McConnell doesn’t plan to stop at four clubs, either. In a soft market, McConnell fields several calls a week regarding courses for sale, but he and his McConnell Golf staff are very selective in regard to the courses they consider acquiring.

“They need to be equal to or better than the ones we already own,” McConnell said.

McConnell said his company’s strategy is to offer the best membership value of any golf club

— while also adding other select properties to the organization.

“We treat our membership like customers,” he said. “To get new members, you do right by the ones you already have. If they don’t like the product we are delivering, we’re going to lose them as customers. I’m highly confident about the four clubs we’ve acquired; the members would still be very supportive of that decision if they were making it again.

"I’m very proud of the quality our members see every day. When they step on the property, if they aren’t proud to be a member, there’s something wrong. Between the level of service and the quality of the product ...we want that to keep getting better and better.” w

Treyburn Country ClubDurham, NC

Musgrove Mill Golf ClubClinton, SC


THE CALL OF THE WILD

MUSGROVE MILL GOLF CLUBISSUES

The global water scarcity is primarily a result of demand, tripling over the last 50 years, and the drilling of millions of irrigation wells pushing water withdrawals beyond recharge rates. Climate change is now further affecting water supplies. Rising temperatures are boosting evaporation rates and altering rainfall patterns. Last year’s drought was a serious wake-up call for the golf industry, now drawn into a battle it can no longer ignore.

It is alarming to read that the industry saw recent water rates jump 26 percent and courses being fined with massive penalties and surcharges for exceeding their water budget. Some courses were completely cutoff during the drought, while other restrictions blocked course operators from irrigating, even out of their own irrigation ponds. It became clear that the new war encompasses utilization rights to certain surface water and groundwater.

Most people recognize our world is facing a future of water shortages; hence it will no longer

be business as usual for the golf industry in the years to come.

The industry at large has to ensure against being ignored by authorities that are scrambling for an immediate answer. Reclassification rights of wells and water allocation issues, within and among societies and industries, are part of an emerging politics of resource scarcity. As described in the recent issue of Golf Business, a golf course owner’s command of a water source is subject to change as authorities look to increase control, whether it be by law, reinterpretation of the law, or increased fees and pricing.

Dr. Bob Carrow, lead scientist on golf course water conservation at the University of Georgia, has noted that if golf fails to generate its own solutions or help shape those crafted by others, the industry will simply have to accept those rules imposed upon them.

What the public doesn't know is that professionally managed golf courses with newly installed or retrofitted irrigation systems are good water stewards, and are

considered the most efficient water users in any water use category.

We must insist that every course be responsible for irrigating efficiently, while we ramp up the pressure for every course to be accountable to industry standards. With the technology to raise water use efficiency, we should also look at alternatives available, buying time to help municipalities stabilize water demand. Along this path, an educational program for golfers, founded upon the newest principles of rating a course, should be launched.

Golf Digest panelists recently tweaked their criteria for judging course conditions across the nation. Now they decide “how fast, firm and rolling” the fairways are and “how firm, yet receptive” greens are.

Regardless of the ”next new thing” in turf culture, the Art of Green-Keeping will always depend on the ”Gift from God,” and one morning we may wake up and find ourselves running down to City Hall to apply for a limited (or unlimited) ”Rain Permit.” w

In 1982, after attending a conference together, a dozen textile executives and other business men decided that a top notch golf course (not a country club) was needed in upstate South Carolina. Situated between Greenville-Spartanburg and Columbia, and close to Greenwood and Newberry, Clinton is a place where a special golf experience now thrives – Musgrove Mill. Names like Chapman, the Self brothers,

Davis, Kent, Lowry, Tomlinson, and others took a risk that is continued by others today for choosing land that creates the perfect topographical challenge while easily maintaining beauty and aesthetics – without having to sell lots. There is something special, even spiritual, about a natural and pristine setting. Deer, turkey and birds abound. Some say a gator was seen on the 11th hole, but Course Superintendent Will Holroyd believes this

is more than likely a rumor. We spoke to a gathering

of staff with Walter Ramage (member and historian) for a breakfast chat about “The Mill.”

Q: Walter, were you one of the original founders?

A: Walter Ramage answered, ”No, I told them I was already a member of two other clubs. One day, however, they dragged me out to the property in a four wheeled buggy. They took me to the Enoree River, now the site of

Who Needs A

Rainfall Permit?By Christian Anastasiadis

By Chip Shots

Musgrove Mill Golf Club# 7


MUSGROVE MILL GOLF CLUB MUSGROVE MILL GOLF CLUB

No. 7. There I said, ’OK, I’ll do it.’ Their vision was for a men’s golf course with no home sites, except for the two cottages for members and guests. Later, we moved toward a national membership; at one time, half of our membership was over 100 miles away.”

Q: Tell me about the beginning of the course and some of its traits?

A: Will Holroyd responded: ”I arrived in 1986 after the project stalled for a few years. Originally Fazio was contacted, but by the time construction started in 1985, Fazio was busy and Arnold Palmer agreed to help us complete the project. This is a river course, and though we tried to calculate the century flood plain, we have since found the 101 year height. We moved earth for three days from the practice range (now one of the best) to the river, from the 14th green to beyond the 7th green. This dike has been breached a couple of times, but still functions today as the primary barrier between land and river.”

Q: Who will enjoy this course?A: Head Professional Jeff

Tallman answered: ”This is not a course for the weak-kneed; we are proud to be known for its challenge – not a contrived test, but rather one that grows out of the land. We have had virtually every major SCGA and CGA

event here with the State AM this year for its second trip. Our current course rating for low handicaps is 74.0 with a slope of 147. Larry Seward (former club champion) was asked what he thought was the toughest hole and replied he didn’t know; it changes every day.”

Q: So ladies and high handicaps stay home?

A: Jeff Tallman piped in: ”Absolutely not! The great thing about ’The Mill’ is the unhurried pace, combined with four sets of tees. Ladies love the nature and everyone loves to see what is special around the next corner.”

Walter Ramage added, ”I remember a championship several years ago – I won’t tell you his name, but it was spelled BOLT. He came off the course and the clubhouse was buzzing that he had a 15 on the par three 7th. I said, ’Don, how could you have possibly made a 15?’ He replied, ’I made a 20 ft putt or I would have made a *d_t!* 16.’ This is a great course to have a partner. Those individual stroke events

can be brutal. The course record is 61 and the competitive record is 65 – someone can play!”

Q: Now under the McConnell name, what is in the future?

A: Will Holroyd: ”We have new cart paths, so entry and exit off the fairway will look much better soon. We will be using the scatter theory to avoid wear. We will also be addressing river erosion under the 7th tee area. We are 20 years old – at some point greens and tee leveling could head up the agenda, but the McConnell brand can only enhance what we see ahead.”

When you make a trip to ”The Mill,” it's a good idea to keep a few things in mind. Hot weather is the norm so be prepared. Include bug repellant – the deer flies have antlers. Ladies, when nature calls, shout back because we didn’t see facilities other than the clubhouse. We did see a few Mr. No Shoulders all dressed in black. Pilots! Fly into Laurens County, 3600 ft paved runway, and the club will pick you up. If you play golf for the nightlife, stay in Myrtle or try Greenville, only 35 minutes from The Mill.

This course is a gem! As you progress in the round your joy is enhanced...even if your handicap isn't.w

Early in June I answered a phone call from Chip Shots. I tried to send it straight to voice mail, but I hit the answer button by mistake. After making excuses for his recent play he invited me on an overnight golf trip to Musgrove Mill. Now normally I would have rejected that out-of-hand, but I had

never been to Musgrove Mill and I thought it was about time I saw firsthand what it was all about.

Chip offered to have his brother fly me down, but not wanting to spend any more time in a confined space with Chip, I made up some excuse about fear of flying. It took me a little under

three hours by car to find my way to The Mill, which is hidden in the woods about six miles east of Clinton, SC. Trust me, it’s there.

What an unbel ievable experience. If you’ve ever wanted to own your own course, to experience what it's like to play all day and not see another group,

“...everyone loves to see what is special around

the next corner”

FIRST TIME’S A CHARMBy Colin Streng

16 www.mcconnellgolf.com

MUSGROVE MILL GOLF CLUB

this place is for you. Musgrove has 18 holes that meander through the wilderness. There are no homes on the course and rarely can you see adjoining holes from your own fairway. You don’t run across too many courses that as you stand on every tee box, you’re excited to play the hole. Musgrove is one of those courses.

If I was asked to pick out a “signature hole” for Musgrove, I couldn’t do it. Musgrove boasts four stunning par 3s, numerous intimidating tee shots, and enough natural vistas to constantly remind you that you’re in the middle of untouched wilderness.

Fairways are generous, but if you miss, you better be familiar with things like playing a provisional for a lost ball, how long you can look for a lost ball (that would be 5 minutes, Chip), proper relief options for a ball

in a lateral hazard, etc. Greens were undulating, fast, and true. If you can putt, you will enjoy these greens. If touch is not your strong suit you will be exposed.

For me, this is the classic match play venue. If you hit it where you wish you hadn’t (and you will), don’t worry, there’s another great hole just around the corner.

For those of you who believe in practice, Musgrove has a world class short-game practice facility as well as an impeccable full range. (It was obvious from his play that Chip has avoided practice for quite some time.)

We stayed in one of the two on-site cabins available to members. Our cabin had four bedrooms with two double beds each, a full kitchen, great room, and game room downstairs. Breakfast and lunch are available in the clubhouse, while dinner

can be arranged to be prepared and served in the privacy of your cabin. Executive Chef James Patterson (JP) prepared and served dinner for us. You won’t get a better meal anywhere.

I could have chartered my flight home with the money I took off of Chip and his brother. Next time down, maybe I'll fly!

For those of you who like to take a spring or fall golfing trip to the beach or mountains with 8 – 20 of your buddies, I highly suggest you work Musgrove Mill into your rotation. Everything you need for a true golf experience is right here for your enjoyment. You can play as much golf as you want with your group of friends, never have to leave the grounds for food and accommodations, and you’re already a McConnell member – it doesn't get any better than this. w

Musgrove Mill Golf ClubClubhouse and #18 Green

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MY FAVORITE HOLE CARDINAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

By Bill Knight

9My impressions of the Cardinal golf layout are those of a mid-level handicapper.Lower and higher handicap players no doubt will draw different conclusions from mine.

My favorite hole is No. 9. It is representative of many other

holes in that it requires me to try and fathom what Pete Dye is doing to test my golfing skills. How I play No. 9 often sets the tempo for the rest of the round; if I play No. 9 well, I seem to handle the back nine better; if No. 9 bests me, the back side is more of a challenge. It’s all in the head!

Most will agree the front nine is easier than the back nine. If

I’ve had a respectable front side, the No. 9 approach shot is pivotal; it’s a wake up call of what is to come. Maintaining tempo is important to me; my game lives and dies by it. A successful approach shot into the No. 9 green, played with good tempo,

is essential to a good round. The collection area on the

lower left side of the fairway offers a good lie and angle for my second shot. For me, hitting the green near the middle is always acceptable. Failing to get over the false front from center fairway almost always guarantees a third shot twenty yards back down the fairway. The

sand bunkers and zoysia rough must be avoided. They exist for a reason – a penalty for poor shots.

If the flag placement is situated on the front elevation and I’m putting from mid green, my pucker factor is challenged. I prefer to lag a putt short of the hole and hopefully have a tap-in putt for par. From several directions in the rear area of the green, extra precautions must be taken to avoid rolling the ball off the green. When green putting speeds become faster, the extra roll out beyond the hole will make No. 9 an even greater challenge to keep the ball on the putting surface.

Nine is neither the easiest nor the most difficult hole, but it offers a variety of challenges. I love trying to create shots to fit different circumstances, and this hole certainly meets my needs. Each of the other 17 holes has its own unique character, but I guess No. 9 is my favorite. Playing the Cardinal requires constant focus; no shot can be taken for granted.

I just returned from attending the U. S. Open at Torrey Pines. It’s a true championship caliber golf course. So is the Cardinal. w

CARDINAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBBy Bob Beasley, Chairman of Cardinal Amateur Rules

Cardinal No. 12 can find one looking for relief from a water hazard. Rule 26, from the USGA, outlines options available to a player after hitting into a hazard – but it’s probably the most misunderstood and misinterpreted rule in golf. In my opinion, most of the confusion comes from two words: ”last” and ”options.” All OPTIONS available to player under Rule 26 depend on two criteria: 1) whether the hazard is marked yellow or red; and 2) where the ball LAST crossed the line of the hazard.

A water hazard, as defined in “The Rules of Golf” is “any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch, or other open water course, whether or not containing water and anything of a similar nature.” A water hazard is marked by yellow stakes or lines. A lateral water hazard is defined as a water hazard so situated that it is not possible, or is deemed by the committee as impractical to drop a ball behind the hazard in accordance with Rule 26-1b. Lateral water hazards are marked by red stakes.

What are your options for playing water hazards? If the ball were in a water hazard marked by yellow lines or stakes, there are only two options, under penalty of one stroke:

• Play the ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played. This is commonly referred to as the stroke and distance rule.

• Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point that the original ball LAST crossed the margin of water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far

behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped.If the ball were in a lateral water hazard,

marked by red stakes or lines, an additional option is available under penalty of one stroke:

• Drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball LAST crossed the margin of the water hazard OR a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

When a dropping zone is used, it causes some changes in Rule 26. First, the dropping zone may well be closer to the hole than where the ball last crossed the margin of hazard. This is allowed. Also, the ball may roll closer to the hole after striking ground, IF it rolls less than two club lengths. If the players can not agree where the ball last crossed the hazard, an official is consulted to make the final decision. This decision is based on all the information provided, but emotions also weigh in. In most instances, competitors go the extra mile to be fair, but they must protect the field against any player getting an unfair advantage. w

NO. 12 WATER HAZARD

Cardinal Golf & Country Club# 9

Cardinal Golf & Country Club# 12


McCONNELL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS MY FAVORITE HOLE

MMcConnell Golf LLC announces an elite first class of young golfers who have been awarded McConnell Golf High School Golf Scholarships. The impressive golfers were nominated by their high school golf coaches or golf professional based on their level of talent, need, and commitment to the sport, as well as their proven dedication and value to the future of golf.

”This is one of the most exciting and rewarding programs that we have been involved in,” said McConnell Golf CEO and Founder John McConnell. ”Our company is committed

to amateur and junior golf. Many times some of the best junior golfers in the area do not have access to professional practice facilities and challenging courses. Our goal is to provide this access and supervision in hopes of helping these talented young players move to the next level of play, and possibly allow them to elevate to the point where golf can become a means to help them receive financial assistance for higher education and even play beyond the collegiate level.”

This innovative program is designed to offer limited membership opportunities to talented young golfers that may not have the financial ability to play challenging courses. The awarded group will have access to all McConnell Golf facilities and have a structured program designed to help them elevate their game. The scholarship recipients will be eligible to play in events that are normally restricted to only McConnell Golf members and consistently be exposed to quality players and courses. ”McConnell Golf continually demonstrates its commitment to Junior Golf, and this is the most innovative program that we have seen in some time,” said Jason Cox, Director of Junior Golf for the Carolinas Golf Association. ”McConnell Golf is quickly becoming an organization that is home to many of the best junior golfers in the state.” w

Picured left to right: Ray McDonald, McConnell Golf; Meghan Moore, Northern Durham HS; Justin Thomas, Broughton HS; Jung Yoon, Knightdale HS; Grayson Murray, Leesville Road HS; Larry Han, Leesville Road HS; Brian Denton, Knightdale HS; Brian Kittler, McConnell Golf.

12Without doubt, hole No. 12 is by far my favorite at Treyburn. Why? Simply because I have had the fortune of holing out from the fairway for an eagle, not once, but four times. I can’t explain it, but it does go to show that some bizarre things do happen in the world of golf.

When I get to this hole in the round, I'm feeling pretty tired! But so many things can happen at this hole, so it’s fairly easy to focus because of all the trouble it presents. A poor tee shot or second shot is costly. Twelve is the most difficult hole on the course from the Championship tees, so I can only imagine the thoughts going through a “real” golfer’s mind.

How I play the hole is not how one would properly play it! An errant tee shot, either left or right, means, at best, a lay-up short of the creek or worse, a penalty from the right lateral hazard. That’s only the beginning. The wide water hazard runs both in front of the hole, as well as along side it, with a huge bunker between the water and the green. The approach shot is actually

uphill (check to see which side of the river floods first the next big rain), and most incoming shots land short, unable to run onto the green from a squishy uphill landing area just short.

The green itself is difficult, with a huge “hump,” running from the middle of the front of it almost half way back. Shots to the wrong side leave treacherous putts with downhill, down grain putts especially fast, so don’t be long either. All that said, the hole plays quite a bit easier when you hole out from the fairway!

Although it is probably my second most favorite hole, number 18 has had my number

for years. In six years of playing in the Stroke Play Tournament, and playing hole 18 twelve times in the event, I have had (1) ten (choke); (3) nines (choke x 3); and (2) eights (choke x 2), every single stroke counting, taking me out of contention.

The best advice for playing No. 12 is hit a good drive, hit a good iron, hit a good putt. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? w

TREYBURN COUNTRY CLUB

By Dave Pittman

Treyburn Country Club# 12


PRO TIPS

Any discussion on putting must include and address the plethora of variables involved in mastering this facet of the game. First, there are the tools available. There are three basic sizes of putters used currently: traditional length, belly length and long putters. Also, numerous head designs are available, with a variety of lofts, all of which are represented on major tours by various manufacturers. Next, there are differing playing styles, in terms of grips, stances, postures and strokes. So when we talk about putting, what are we talking about?

A putt goes in for two basic reasons: the speed was good and the line was good. So regardless of how we putt, these are the two areas we must focus our attention on when we practice putting. Any time we practice golf, the more variables we can eliminate the better chance we have at improving. That is why putting through the gate will open the doors to fewer putts.

In a round of golf, the eight-foot putt is important to our psyche. If you miss an eight footer for birdie, you walk off mumbling how bad a putter you are; however, make the same putt for par and you arrive at the next tee very confident.

Find a putt which is about eight feet in length. Once you have your putt, take a tee and place it at the apex of the putt. Now place a second tee about two balls to the outside of the original putt. Return to the ball and make sure the line looks right. Be committed to your read. Assuming there are no changes, go ahead and stroke the putt. If you hit the tees, your stroke has some mechanical problems because the ball is not starting on your line. If the

ball passes through the tees and misses, you either had the incorrect speed or your read was incorrect.

This is a drill which I have watched Jim McLean do with numerous top ranked players. The drill provides feedback to the player and gives them the best chance of improving their putting. Hopefully, this will help your golf game overall.w

PUTTINGBy Josh Points

PRO TIPS

As a golf instructor, I am always looking for ways to help players improve. More times than not, this type of instruction involves

improving some aspect of their swing. All players know the importance of pitching, chipping, putting and bunker play. I know that we are supposed to focus on the score, but missing 18 greens and getting up and down all day is a lot like work. Golf is supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable four-hour activity. Part of the enjoyment includes standing on the tee knowing there's a reasonable chance you'll be playing the same ball on your next shot. So, what can we do to make this an enjoyable experience?

Most parents will agree that, while watching a Junior Golf event is ”enjoyable,” there is often more drama and body language involved than any major tour event. A prime example was at a high school tournament in Raleigh last year, where I witnessed more putters flipped, bags hit and

”heads down” walks than I do at any event on TV. Players – young and experienced alike – are often hardest on themselves. With thoughts like “idiot,” “thick headed,” and the like, negative self talk can’t improve the way one plays the game and it certainly doesn’t add to the enjoyment of the round. How we treat ourselves is important.

When walking down the fairway, one should walk like a champion. Shoulders should be back and head should be up. Not only is this a confident stride, it allows one to take in the surroundings. Where is the wind blowing from? What contours are there on the green? How will these affect your putt?

Be prepared for obstacles. In a round of golf, bad things will happen. It might be something minimal, like a ball rolling into a

divot, or major, like losing several balls. As quickly as things can take a turn for the worse, they can take a turn for the better. Hitting a poor shot and missing the green might leave the opportunity for a chip in. Hit a wayward drive, and there may be an opening and a swing. Rounds can get better or worse fast, but it's a matter of doing your best when the opportunity presents itself.

There's a wealth of great golf psyche material on the market which could benefit all golfers, both on and off the course. Good and bad events happen daily in our lives, why would golf be any different?

During our tournament in Raleigh, two players went to a playoff. Both players hit the ninth green and one player hit his first putt off the green. This junior did not go beat his bag, scream curse words, or put his head down. Instead, he walked over, grabbed his wedge and hit a great pitch to two feet for a tap-in bogey. He might not have won that day, but he surely demonstrated some skills which will serve him well both on and off the course.w

WALKING TALLBy Josh Points

“As quickly as things can take a

turn for the worse, they can take a turn

for the better.”


DESTINATIONS MY FAVORITE HOLE

More than ten years ago, I was a willing participant in perhaps the greatest 10 days of golf in Scotland. Of course, any trip depends on your ”buds” that you go with, and this trip was directed by a special wild guy, Herb Taylor (HT). HT was living in D.C. and had a job with huge travel demands – a Delta “Gold” traveler – and thanks to HT, our whole group flew to Glasgow and back Business Class. That’s big!

On Day 1, our group flew into Dulles to play Congressional a few weeks after the U.S.Open, won by Ernie Els. Dew was heavy, and it was the hardest course conditions I have ever seen (ever).

On Day 2, we arrived in Glasgow around noon, but our clubs did not! HT was important to Delta! After a few minutes of high octane discussion, he announced that our clubs would be delivered to Turnberry, ready for our next morning.

On Day 3, we played Turnberry, the site of several Open Championships and the great duel between Nicklaus and Watson. At noon, the bagpipers piped from the Great White Hotel on the hill.

On Day 4, we played

Prestwick, where the first 20 or so Opens were played – this was Old Tom Morris Country.

On Day 5, we traveled northeast to stay and play Gleneagles – King’s course – the site of the 1997's Women’s Open.

On Day 6, we traveled southeast to Edinburgh to play Muirfield – 36 holes in 35 mile-per-hour wind and rain. It was like war and one of my greatest days of golf. Par four the 12th hole into the wind, 380 yards. I used driver, three wood, and four iron short on the green. When I placed the ball down to putt, the wind blew it 40 feet off the front of the green. The Open would not have been played on a day like today, according to our caddy.

On Day 7, we headed back to Troon to play Royal Troon, where Justin Leonard had just won the Open.

On Day 8, our travels took us east to Kingsbarn, which was brand new. Driving through St. Andrews brought tears, as we overlooked the 18th hole and the Swilkin bridge (we couldn't get on). From there we drove to Carnoustie, the site of several Opens, and discovered pot

bunkers on almost every hole near the center of the fairway on the front nine. We won't ever need to come back! We finished the last three holes in the dark and rounded out the day with a tasty bowl of soup in the club across the street. On the trip back to Glasgow, we almost died when HT took a wrong turn and crossed a median (with curbs) on a high speed expressway. We could hear the chaps following behind swearing – they had to follow or be lost.

On Day 9, we took the flight back to the States. We were all dead tired, but when we arrived at Robert Trent Jones, home of the President’s Cup, the juices started to flow! Thanks to one of our group members whose friend was a member at this prestigious club in Gainesville, we enjoyed wonderful accommodations.

On Day 10, possibly one of my all time best days – perfect weather and Robert Trent Jones, a great course to share with my buds! Seven open courses in 10 days! w

THE BEST GOLF TRIP EVERBy Ed Hillis

9No.9 is my favorite hole. It’s feast or famine for me. The newly added bunker makes No. 9 a “Go for It” hole. Laying up short of the fairway bunkers leaves an uncomfortable distance. Miss it short, and you’re up against a greenside bunker. Miss it long, you’re OB.

The way I see it, a driver is my only choice. If I snap it left, I land on No.1 fairway and tee box to land on. If I push it right, I have the 10th fairway and tee box to land on. Either way, it’s a short flop shot or chip to a difficult green. The odd, straight, long ball leaves me on the green putting for eagle. Knowing the pin placement and where you want to be on the green is essential. This is a very difficult green if you’re above the hole or if the pin is on the front left knob.

If you birdie or eagle this hole, you can feel confident finishing the first nine strong. If you get into trouble and blow up, you have the grill and bar only 20 yards away (!) and a clean

slate of starting a new nine holes ahead of you. When I reach No. 9, I’m either feeling excited about what could be and thirsty for a beverage to celebrate… or end...the first nine holes!

My best advice for playing No. 9 is to be aware of the numerous bunkers that line the fairway all the way to the green. It’s helpful to take note of the pin placement while teeing off on No.1 as this green can be brutal!

In last year’s Member- Member Tournament, my partner, Todd Sullivan, eagled No. 9 from 100 yards out. I was standing greenside by my ball and watched his ball land long, spin back and go in the hole. This year’s Member-Member I drove the green and sank a 12-foot downhill slider for eagle. This hole really gives you the opportunity to go low if you hit a great drive. w

RALEIGH COUNTRY CLUB

By Sean Kelly

Raleigh Country Club# 9


TEN REASONS TO CHOOSE McCONNELL GOLF MAKING CONNECTIONS ~ MEMBER SERVICES

At McConnell Golf, we believe golf is a game you are never too young to start...

and one that you will never outgrow.

Business ServicesCredit Financial Services, Inc. ........ (Collection) ..........Lynn Campbell ....................919-687-2015 ................ [email protected] Golf Schools ...................................................OD Vincent ........................919-681-2494 ..................................... [email protected] Emugenix .................................... (Health/Nutrition) .Dale Fuller .........................877-489-8329 .................................................... [email protected] Lenovo ...................................................................Mike Bruemmer ..................919-257-4918 [email protected] New World Sources, Ltd. .............. (Asia) ..................Donald Joyner ....................336-665-5077 .............................. [email protected] The Jackson Gaeta Group, Inc. ...... (Publisher) ...........Joe Jackson ........................973-403-7677 [email protected] TMP Travel & Meeting Services .................................John W. Lewis ....................800-443-8496 ............................................. [email protected] United Staffing, Inc. .................................................Janet Nash .........................336-346-3300 ................................... [email protected] Welsh Paper Company ................. (Supplies) ............Tony Lovette ........................919-556-6711 ....................................... [email protected]

Construction and RemodelingBecca McKinney Interiors .........................................Becca McKinney .................919-219-4407 ...............................................bmckint@gmail.comBillings and Garrett, Inc. ............... (Water Utilities) ....Ken Garrett ........................919-876-5923 ..................................... [email protected] Davis Plumbing Company, Inc. .........................Cecil Davis .........................919-821-5666 ................................................cd2640@nc.rr.comCertaPro Painters of the Triad ...................................Craig Carter ......................336-855-4939 ............................................ccarter@certapro.comDerrick Johnson Fire Alarm Systems, Inc. .................Derrick Johnson ..................919-771-0235 ................................ [email protected] Remodeling / Clearwater Gutter Protection ...........James Bocian .....................919-596-4900 [email protected] Panel Company ............................................George Turnbull ..................336-668-4872 ....................................tmgincgeorge@earthlink.netHagerSmith Design, PA ................. (Architect) ............Maurice (Mo) Johnson .........919-821-5547 [email protected] Heritage Remodel and Design Co. ............................Stephen Young ...................919-871-0115 ........................................ [email protected] Homes, Inc. ............................................Jeff or Cindy Humphrey .......919-212-0201 ......................................... [email protected], Inc. ..................... (General Cont.) ....Matt Cain ..........................919-832-3770 ................................... [email protected] Contracting, LLC .................... (Paving) ..............Ed Spencer ........................919-871-1141 [email protected] Homes, Inc. ..................................................Mike Young ........................919-532-1072 [email protected]

No. 1: We Invest In Our CoursesMost clubs today are more concerned about selling real estate and number of rounds played. Capital improvements at member owned facilities are subject to cumbersome approval and assessment processes that often restrict capital invested back into course and property. Not at McConnell Golf, where golf is our focus. We put 33 percent of revenue back into our courses. Our members will always be rewarded with excellent grounds and playing conditions because we invest heavily in our courses.

No. 2: We Are ConsistentMcConnell Golf means excellent service, friendly and professional environment and a product that is unrivaled in the golf business – every time. We are a business that owns and operates private clubs so we have an incentive to get it right and please our clients (the membership).

No. 3: We Strictly Regulate Outside Un-Accompanied Play Many private clubs allow outside un-accompanied play through reciprocal membership agreements. At a McConnell Golf property we restrict the un-accompanied play and typically require a pairing or caddy.

No. 4: We Guaranteed 4 HoursBecause we are serious about the game and we understand the frustrations and poor play associated with congested or bottlenecked golf courses, we monitor and move play along to guarantee that our members are never subjected to slow play conditions.

No. 5: Our Courses Rank on TopOur courses carry names like Donald Ross, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio. In addition we have the number 1 and 2 ranked courses in the Triangle. Pure golf for the serious golfer is what we are all about at McConnell Golf.

No. 6: We Limit Non-Member OutingsCommunity support and involvement are important, but we do not view outings as a revenue source to offset dues shortages. We do allow a limited number of service oriented outings at our properties but not to the point where they negatively affect the experience of our members.

No. 7: We Have Professional StaffNo company, organization or, especially, private club is any better than their employees that run the day-to-day operations. Founded upon a strong commitment to ensure consistency in service, practices and maintenance procedures, McConnell Golf certifies any full time employee who has been with the organization for a consecutive one-year period, as a salaried employee with distinctive and additional benefits that go beyond common labor practices. By challenging such ordinaries, our clubs attract and retain a quality and professional staff that daily lives up to the McConnell Golf credo.

No. 8: We Don’t Assess Our MembersMcConnell Golf club members receive the benefits of championship golf and excellent facilities without the worry of being assessed for the bill to maintain such properties.

No. 9: Our Clubs Are Privately OwnedMembers at McConnell Golf clubs are assured that their club will be run with best business practices and not subject to the errant directions that can often be associated with club boards. All maintenance and tournaments are scheduled so that our members always have a quality place to play.

No. 10: Our Members Have Privileges Our members pay one initiation and monthly fee but have access to all McConnell Golf championship courses. Members also have the ability to transfer membership from one club to another for a nominal fee.

THE BEST OF THE BEST

28 www.mcconnellgolf.com

MAKING CONNECTIONS ~ MEMBER SERVICES

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Financial & Insurance ServicesATM USA, LLC ........................................................Haze Lancaster ...................919-469-5856 .................................................. [email protected] Bank of America Investments ....................................Doug Bray, CFP, CIMA ........919-829-6584 [email protected] Management, Inc. ............. (Investments) ........David P. Gray, CFP .............336-856-2911 ....................................dgray@capitalmgmtinc.comDogwood Equity .......................... (Private) ..............David Cox & Dabney Smith ...919-256-5000 [email protected] EbenConcepts ............................. (Emp. Benefits) .....Mike Matznick ....................800-414-3809 [email protected] Ingle Insurance Agency, Inc. .....................................Tony Ingle ..........................336-854-1044 ................................................ [email protected] J.L. Walston & Associates, Inc. ....... (AR) ....................Lee Walston .......................919-286-5466 ................................................ [email protected] Morgan Stanley ......................................................Bret Butters .........................919-683-4501 [email protected] Northwestern Mutual Financial .................................Beau Brewer ......................919-755-3263 [email protected] Snotherly Insurance Agency .....................................Alex or Ronnie Snotherly ......919-832-5832 ....................................... [email protected] & Scarboro Insurance Agency ..........................Dene Castleberry ................919-365-7255 ........................ [email protected] U.S. Trust Wealth Management .................................Bill Smith ............................919-614-4333 .............................................bill.smith@ustrust.com

Food & Beverage ServicesFoster’s American Grille ...........................................John Powers .......................919-821-5969 [email protected] LongHorn Steakhouse ..............................................Christina Larson ..................336-457-1839 ...................................... [email protected] Mellow Mushroom Pizza ..........................................Casey Fox ..........................919-832-3499 [email protected]

Manufacturing & RelatedCormetech, Inc. ........................... (Environmental) ....Scot Pritchard .....................919-595-8708 ................................... [email protected] Jeffreys Manufacturing Solutions .... (CNC Equip.) .......Brooks Barwick ...................336-665-1080 .........................................brooks@jeffreysmfg.comGraybar ..................................... (Technology) ........Jim Dronsfield .....................919-828-4321 ............................... [email protected] Box Company, Inc. ................................Wayne Carr .......................336-698-0800 ......................................... [email protected]

Professional ServicesDr. Chad Chisholm ....................... (Chiropractic) .......Dr. Chad Chisholm ..............919-829-5757 [email protected] Marion A. Suitt & Associates ......... (Lobbyist) .............Marion A. Suitt ...................919-272-7667 .........................................masuitt@worldnet.att.net Perkins & Lund, PLLC, CPA’s ......................................Michael Perkins ..................919-781-1721 ........................................... [email protected] Raleigh Eye Center ..................................................Dr. Michael S. Bryan ...........919-876-2427 ............................................. [email protected] Shirley & Adams, PLLC .................. (Law) ..................A. Graham Shirley ..............919-829-6278 [email protected] Thomas, Judy & Tucker, P.A. .......... (Accounting) ........David W. Tucker .................919-571-7055 .......................................... [email protected] Triad Dental Studio, Inc. CDL ....................................Matthew W. Martin .............800-318-6684 ................................... [email protected]

Real Estate ServicesAllen Tate Realtors ...................................................Julie Olive ..........................336-509-2346 ........................................ [email protected] CASTO ....................................... (Commercial) .......Rich Roy ............................919-467-8880 ............................................... [email protected] RE/MAX Capital Realty ...........................................Elizabeth Allardice ..............919-256-4207 .............................................eallardice@remax.net Fonville Morisey Realty ............................................Dina Griggs .......................919-414-4000 [email protected] Guaranteed Rate, Inc. .............................................Mary Derbyshire .................919-323-3005 ..................... [email protected] United First Financial ...............................................Dale Fuller .........................877-489-8329 ....................................... [email protected] Simpson Underwood ........................................Jeff Horton .........................919-810-6251 [email protected]

RetailDavenport at Five Points ................ (Gifts) .................Mike & Carlette Peters .........919-834-0336 ................................ [email protected] Graham Sporting Goods .........................................Dean Harrison ....................336-852-2335 .............................. [email protected] Riverview Galleries ...................... (Furniture) ............David Nelson .....................919-477-0481 [email protected]

TransportationBest Services Group, Inc. .........................................Will Reich ..........................336-706-8178 ..........................................willr@reichlogistics.com Epes Logistics Services, Inc. ......................................Jason Bodford ....................336-931-1860 ............................ [email protected] Epes Transport System, Inc. ......................................Britt Colley .........................336-931-9700 ................................ [email protected] Tar Heel Chevrolet Co. Inc. ......................................Bob Stovall .........................336-599-2101 .............................................tarheel1@roxboro.net

Available at the finest specialty shops, golf clubs, and resorts in the world.p e t erm i l l a r . com

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