Fitting in Fitness

by Jessie Ammons

Dec 20, 2016 at 8:36 PM

Resourceful planning has yielded impressive improvements recently at four McConnell Golf Clubs. Thanks to ingenious use of clubhouse spaces, the Country Club of Asheville and Holston Hills Country Club have brand-new fitness centers; and Old North State Club has significantly renovated its center with Providence Country Club soon to follow suit. Here’s a look at how it came together in Asheville and nearby Knoxville.

In this mountain club of North Carolina, there was a lower-level room with a scenic view that no one could appreciate. “We had an old dining space that wasn’t used that often,” says Country Club of Asheville Club Manager Michael Methot about the spark of an idea. “We converted it – completely transformed it – into a fitness center.” Now, the 2,800-square-foot space is decked out with treadmills and resistance weight machines, a “one-stop- shop facility,” Methot says. What’s more, another spare room was outfitted with mirrors and a new floor to become an exercise studio. There, eight group fitness classes happen each week, and members often use it for stretching and personal exercise routines. “We had the facilities, they just weren’t fitness facilities,” Methot says. The center opened in October 2015. “We’ve been able to create a really great center for our members.”

Likewise, one of the first renovations made to the clubhouse at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville was a similar extra space overhaul. With new flooring, lighting, and equipment, a former dining room has become that club’s state-of-the-art fitness center.

At both clubs, the new space has opened the door for exciting new programming. At Holston Hills, new activities director Katelyn Graham was brought on board to oversee an active group fitness class schedule and personal training sessions. At the Country Club of Asheville, a robust fitness class schedule has been so popular that they’re now offering unique activities like chair yoga and a multi-week dance class series. At both places, “we have a good mix of equipment and programs for everyone,” says Corporate Director of Member Activities and Wellness Natalie Clemens. Clemens was instrumental in both overhauls, but turned to each club for specific details. “We really took our members’ thoughts and inputs into consideration,” Methot says. “It’s another way to engage and offer them more.”

Field Trip

by Laura Burkehart

Dec 13, 2016 at 9:02 PM

McConnell Golf's tennis program brings all the clubs together.

Each August since 2011 fans have gathered at Wake Forest University for the Winston-Salem Open. The last men’s tournament on the Emirates Airline US Open Series circuit before the US Open, this event draws top pros and a large, enthusiastic crowd.

For the past couple of years, McConnell Golf members have joined in the fun. “It’s a good event,” says Kyle Thortsen, McConnell Golf director of tennis. “We start out with a tailgate in the parking lot. We have a tent, and cornhole, and food, and everyone hangs out until the gates open.”

Member Jill Uttridge agrees. “I attended the WSO with my husband and sons, who are 13 and 9. While the boys enjoyed cornhole in the parking lot, we mixed with friends from our club, Wakefield Plantation, and met members from other McConnell clubs. It was fun to hang with the pros in a non-instructional capacity.” The highlights for the kids? “My 9-year-old loved watching the players practice a few feet away and getting autographs on his big tennis ball. We love the small tournaments because you can really get up close to the players.” Once inside, the group gathered at center court for a photo. “That was really cool,” smiles Thortsen. “Last year, we had 25 members, and this year we had 50. We hope it will continue to grow and grow.”

The Country Club of Asheville trip took place in the spring, with members from the Raleigh area heading to the mountains. Member Mary Beth Corbin recalls, “We brought a lot of energy and were greeted with sincere enthusiasm. Everyone was so welcoming, and the clinic with the pros was well-designed to meet the levels of the different participants.” These excursions also involve entertainment and local college players coming out for some sets.

Gather Together

by Jessie Ammons

Dec 01, 2016 at 8:08 PM

At the Country Club of Asheville, members enjoy tastes of fine wine alongside gourmet paired bites at Chef Bruce McIntosh’s chef-led cooking demo dinners. “I call them demos instead of classes,” Chef Bruce explains. “I prepare the food in front of members, so they can see what I’m doing and learn from it, but then it’s plated for them to enjoy.”

The dinners began by happenstance and as an extension of the club community. Chef Bruce knew a group of men at the club who wanted to have a special celebratory dinner on Tuesday nights, when dinner service is closed. To make the meal memorable, he thought to utilize the club’s spacious kitchen outfitted with a large wooden block table.

Members sat around the table, and Chef Bruce made every course to order right there in the kitchen. The evening was a success, and the men raved about it enough to spread the word. Soon, another group wanted a private kitchen dinner, and then another. Chef Bruce decided to make it a regular occurrence. “But I wanted to take it a step further,” he says.

Now, demo dinners involve five or six small-plate-sized courses and shared bottles of wine. When they arrive, members receive a printout with the recipes for a few of the courses (never all of them, because “I like to keep an element of surprise for a few of the courses,” Chef Bruce says). There’s also a space to take notes on any tricks and techniques gleaned from watching the chef at work. Some members take ample notes and others sit back and enjoy — both are welcomed and encouraged. “It’s a real social event,” Chef Bruce says. Between the convivial gathering, the quality time with the chef, and the ability to recreate recipes at home, the dinners are truly something special. “We’re enjoying offering something different to our members.”

Bites by Bruce

These two easy appetizer recipes from Chef Bruce make winter entertaining a breeze.

Mushrooms Royale
1 pound mushrooms 1 tablespoon olive oil 8 shallots, julienned
1 teaspoon chopped garlic 1⁄4 cup white wine
1⁄2 cup espagnole sauce (available at grocery stores) salt and pepper to taste
1⁄4 cup chopped parsley 1 tablespoon butter toast points, for serving

Directions: Heat sauté pan and add olive oil. Add mushrooms and shallots, then sauté. After one minute, add garlic, salt, and pepper. Add white wine and reduce. Finish by adding brown sauce (espag- nole), parsley, and butter. Serve over toast points. Serves 8

Spinach-Artichoke Dip
1 15-ounce can artichokes
8 ounces spinach, chopped
16 ounces cream cheese
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
tortilla chips and pita bread, for serving shredded cheese of choice, for garnish

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Puree artichokes and cream cheese. Fold in seasonings and spinach and spread into serving dish. Top with shredded cheese and bake for 15 minutes. Makes 3 cups

The DR-40

by Matt McConnell

Jul 06, 2016 at 8:00 PM

All four of McConnell Golf's Donald Ross-designed courses lie along Interstate 40; let’s take a trip!

The legendary Donald Ross designed four beloved McConnell Golf Courses, and each one is easily accessed from Interstate 40. Since Interstate 40 is often called “I-40” in conversation, we like to call this trail of courses the “DR-40.” At exactly 400 Donald Ross Drive, just outside of downtown Raleigh, DR-40 begins at Raleigh Country Club. Ninety miles west in Greensboro, North Carolina, the most challenging Ross-designed course along DR-40 is Sedgefield Country Club. Here’s a look at Asheville's stop along this well-traveled route.

An easy drive from Greensboro in the Blue Ridge Mountains you'll find a true gem at Country Club of Asheville. Considered the oldest private club in North Carolina, it was founded in 1894 and is McConnell Golf’s only mountain course. Recognized as one of “The First 100 Clubs in America,” this track is the shortest course along DR-40 at 6,673 yards. However, it is definitely the most elevated, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains. No doubt the best view is on hole 15. After you continuously hit uphill onto the green, you’ll feel compelled to pause and enjoy the vista as you overlook downtown Asheville. Besides appreciating the gorgeous scenery, you’ll enjoy the abundant wildlife: turkeys, deer, and even black bears, that the golfers here have said are friendly.

After a scenic drive through the mountains, the last stop on DR-40 is at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, Tennessee. This course has been well-preserved since Ross created it in 1927, in fact, every tee and green at Holston Hills is still located exactly where it was originally built, allowing golfers a pure experience to play the course as it was intended.

What the DR-40 courses have in common are small undulating greens and rolling fairways, but each course is unique. The only way to know for sure is to see for yourself; the entire drive takes five-and-a-half-hours, and the trip makes for a perfect golf vacation.

Members Back Sale to McConnell Golf

by Mike Cronin

Jan 07, 2015 at 3:08 PM

"Members of the oldest private golf club in North Carolina voted to approve its sale on Wednesday to John McConnell, president and owner of Raleigh-based McConnell Golf.

By a 222-96 margin, members of the 120-year-old Country Club of Asheville agreed to become the 10th club owned by McConnell, said club president Ralph Damato.

"The members have spoken; this is what they wanted done — now we can move on," said Damato, a member since 1998. "I'm glad it's behind us. It was stressful for everybody. We can all look forward to the wonderful things that will be happening."

Read Full Article