How an unassuming oyster shack inspired two trips to play several McConnell properties — and more to come.

The creator of the Sunny Side Turnaround is a CPA whose organizational skills calculated the excursion down to the dollar, mile, and hour. But in the end, it all started because Kent McLamb just wanted some oysters. The desire for a seafood run morphed into a golf trip, and it was the brainchild of McLamb, the chief deputy at the N.C. Office of the State Auditor and a member of Raleigh Country Club. His job often took him to Elizabeth City, N.C., and during those trips, he’d drive past Sunny Side Oyster Bar in Williamston, N.C. The restaurant is a simple clap-board building yet an iconic local spot. But McLamb never stopped, and he was determined to remedy that.

“If you didn’t know about it, you wouldn’t pull in the parking lot,” says Sam Sparks, a member at TPC Wakefield Plantation and part of the first official Sunny Side Turnaround.

“Most people, when they take a McConnell trip, go to Asheville and Knoxville,” says McLamb. “But I was looking at Brook Valley in Greenville, and wondered what would make it a worthwhile trip besides just driving to Greenville, playing golf, and coming back. Then I saw Williamston on the map.”

The plan was to play TPC Wakefield on Friday afternoon, drive 95 miles on U.S. 64 East to Sunny Side, have dinner, stay in Williamston, and drive 40 minutes to Brook Valley for a mid-morning Saturday tee time. After the round, they’d drive back to Raleigh and be home mid-afternoon.

Before he sprung this idea on anyone else, McLamb and his brother, Donnie, went on a test run last November. Declaring the trip a success, the two brothers were joined by Sparks and Kent’s brother-in-law, Gale Adams, in late April for the official Sunny Side Turnaround.

Golf was certainly a big part of the trip, but the destination of emphasis was the Sunny Side. “If you’re looking for a white table cloth kind of place, it probably wouldn’t be your speed,” says McLamb.

The Sunny Side Oyster Bar has been serving fresh seafood in eastern N.C. since 1935. It’s only open in months with an “r,” which means it opens for the season in September and closes at the end of the following April, mainly with an hour or more wait on the weekends.

Oysters are the main attraction and are served only two ways: steamed or raw. They’re accompanied by Sunny Side’s secret hot sauce. Shrimp, scallops, and crab legs make up the rest of the menu. And if you insist on something green, you can get broccoli with cheese sauce. That’s it.

“At most seafood restaurants, you could get a hush puppy or cole slaw,” says Sparks. “Not at the Sunny Side. The food was great and we had the best time. We’ll be doing that again.”

They returned to Raleigh at about 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, as calculated. “You feel like you’ve had a full weekend, but you still have a lot of your Saturday and all day Sunday to do whatever you want for the rest of the weekend,” says McLamb

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The pros, trainers, and coaches of McConnell Golf love nothing more than to foster and celebrate member successes. In this spirit, we’re launching the #MCGkudos campaign. You’ll see it used by our clubs throughout the year to initiate a round of well-deserved congratulations across the sister properties.

Meet 10-year-old Chase Duncan.

He recently shot his first hole-in-one at TPC Wakefield Plantation, acing hole No. 7 while playing with his father. He is the youngest McConnell Golf member to do so at any property.

“My Dad shot the yardage at 90 and he said maybe an 8 iron,” says Chase. “I said, ‘I think it’s a 9.’ I was right. When I saw it go in, we both yelled and were excited.”

For his father, Jon Duncan, it was both a proud and humbling moment.

“Anything that your child accomplishes that makes them truly excited is always a blessing to watch in person,” he says. “Then when they remind you that you have never accomplished that same thing, you realize that a 10-year-old is better at golf then you.”

Prior to his hole-in-one, Chase was named the 2017 Junior of the Year at WP. He started playing when he was four years old; now, he’s a strong member of the 2017 PGA Junior League squad. Last year, he won the Junior Club Championship Nine & Under Division with a solid round of 39, seven strokes better than his nearest competitor.

This past summer, Chase teamed up with his Dad to post a stellar score of 37 and claim a Modified Pinehurst Parent-Child event at WP. Needless to say, the father-son duo have a lot of golf ahead of them. We’re certain there’s an ace out there for Dad in the future!

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Harold Varner III on his North Carolina roots and promising future.

Harold Varner III is enjoying his third full season on the PGA Tour, and he’s one of the few PGA Tour players who looks like he’s actually having fun on the golf course. During his time at East Carolina University, he was the first Pirate to be named Conference USA Player of the Year — and his progress has been steady since. I caught up with Harold in Palm Springs, CA, shortly before the Career Builder Challenge. We did not delight in the fact that we were there on a 75-degree day, while North Carolina was under a blanket of snow. (At least, we tried not to.) Perhaps as much as any in the golf world, Harold appreciates his good fortune, because it came as a result of hard work.

Maginnes: When did you know that you could compete with the best players in the game?

Varner: I had an idea in college because I had a great junior year and started beating most of the best players. Obviously you have to be on top of your game, but I never really doubted myself.

Maginnes: When you were a kid, the Wells Fargo Championship came to Charlotte, and there was the Wyndham as well. Did you attend?

Varner: Definitely. I remember it vividly. We went to the old Wachovia [now Wells Fargo] in all kinds of weather. Especially when Tiger was playing every year, obviously being my favorite player. I love playing in them. Last year being in contention in Greensboro brought out a lot of ECU fans, and my sister lives in Greensboro, so that was a really cool week.

Maginnes: You didn’t play in the Tiger Woods era, but maybe that era isn’t quite over. What are you expecting from Tiger in his latest comeback?

Varner: I don’t want to put too many expectations out there for him. I just want him to play a full season healthy. It’s crazy how important that is now. I personally can’t imagine not being able to play golf even if it wasn’t out here on the PGA Tour. So just to be able to play and have his body hold up would be great.

Maginnes: You have the jump man hat on and the MJ shoes. How did you meet Michael Jordan?

Varner: I was asked to play in the HoopTee, which is the charity event run by the Hornets. Fred Whitfield is someone that I got to know and he put in a good word for me, and it’s just a great opportunity to work with the brand. Being from North Carolina and being associated with one of the greatest names in sports is pretty cool. And the shoes and clothes are awesome.

Maginnes: Twenty years from now, when your career is winding down, what do you want your legacy to be?

Varner: I want to have made the world a better place. There is too much money and opportunity out here not to affect change. I have this tremendous stage to have my voice heard, so I don’t know why I wouldn’t use it.

Maginnes: Some of that change you can affect is at home in North Carolina. Will that always be home?

Varner: Always. My parents are there, and I just moved back to Charlotte. I will always call it home.

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McConnell Golf recently caught up with partner Elby bikes to discuss the booming popularity of a classic machine, re-imagined. The electric bike. 

Why the decision to venture into the private golf segment?

E-bikes generally offer a great way for people to get around, from young urban dwellers all the way up to active retirees in residential communities. With so many of these communities featuring golf as well, the move is natural: golfers appreciate being outside, spending time with others, and need to travel distances ideally without getting in cars. The Elby enables all of these and adds the bonus of a really fun ride.

How do electric bikes translate from urban settings to suburban?

E-bikes are all about taking the time-tested benefits of traditional bicycles and removing some of the exertion and effort that may make them less of an option for others. So, a good e-bike, like a good traditional bike, is useful in any setting. Where a bike like the Elby has an edge in the suburbs is around its extended range. With more ground to cover in the suburbs, an 80+ mile range on the Elby battery is a huge help.

The Elby’s also incredibly adjustable, so entire households, regardless of age, gender, and physical size can enjoy one Elby bike. That makes it a great replacement for a car, which is really the best case for any electric bike.

Share a little about the need Elby bikes serves its patrons.

The nice thing about a bike like the Elby is how it serves different needs for different people. Right off, and most universally, the Elby is a pure joy to ride. That first feeling of silent, electric boost to your pedaling recalls your first pedal strokes as a kid. It’s just a magical feeling.

More practically, Elby provides an efficient, green, and fun way to get to work, run errands, grocery shop, or make that morning tee time. Getting where you need to go on a bike instead of a car is nearly always more pleasant, more personally engaging, and better for the environment.

There’s also the "sneaky workout” side of things. While you’re not really breaking a sweat on an Elby, you do see a basic increase in heart-rate with all the stress-reducing benefits of exercise.  We hear from Elby users all the time that they dropped weight and were less stressed and angry at work and home after switching to an Elby.

Where do you see the company in five/ten years? And electric bikes in general?

E-bikes are already saving the cycling industry. Almost every segment of the industry, from mountain bikes to kids helmets, is seeing a decline in business metrics from previous years. In stark contrast, e-bike sales and growth are up. This is an extremely positive sign. Urban and suburban residents are just beginning to see how much better their morning commutes, and health, could be with an e-bike. We only expect this trend to continue as e-bikes become a ubiquitous sight in cities across the globe. In five years, ten years, and even twenty years, we expect Elby to continue to be a leader in the e-bike space.

Since the beginning, Elby has been about creating a better mobility solution for people, whether that’s replacing a car or just adding a new way to move through our communities. The S1, our step-through model, we accomplished this through the most size-adjustable frame on the market, enabling the Elby to serve entire homes, offices, or even large planned communities. With the newer C1, we've created an extremely capable, reliable, and enjoyable e-bike at a great price. We're now seeing urban planners considering bikes more than ever as our cities and towns are becoming more efficient with space and more supportive of healthier transportation options.

What has surprised you about the way Elby bikes have been received?

We've been most surprised by just how positive cities have been towards e-bikes. We're working with communities in the US and Canada to help them develop roads, housing, and even hotels to be more friendly to e-bikes, because people realize how important diverse transportation options are to their health, their environment, and their quality of life.

Has Elby inspired those not already into biking to give it a try? What do you think non-bikers find appealing about it?

All the time! By design, Elby is encouraging to ride. Its bright colors and aerofoil-inspired design are definitely eye-grabbing. Once riders feel the electric boost provided as they pedal ahead, it's impossible not to see the appeal. For non-cyclists, the Elby is really able to meet them where they ride, commute or play and remove most of the barriers associated with traditional bikes. You don’t need training or specialized gear or spandex to get on an Elby and go. The Elby is fun, fast, and easy, regardless of fitness level. There’s no hill too tall!

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Gently-used golf donations go a long way.

Take a look around your garage. Chances are, there are some golf items you just don’t use, or need, anymore. But instead of throwing these things away, one group of Sedgefield members found a way to donate items where they’re needed most.

The First Tee of the Triad serves 1,500 kids, ages seven to 18, through golf clinics, classes, and camps. Last spring, the Cardinal Ladies Golf Association at Sedgefield’s Dye course, led by Nancy Patefield, collected gently-used golf bags, clubs, apparel, shoes, and more for The First Tee. And coming up soon, another donation is planned.

“We realized we have so much extra stuff that we take advantage of,” says Patefield. “How many golf towels do we really need? We all have an abundance of things to donate.” Patefield moved to Greensboro from Texas last year, where her home club did a collection drive for USGA.

“We collected our old clubs, bags, balls, clothes, shoes, basically anything that was gently used or new, to donate to those girls,” she recalls. “So when I got to Sedgefield, I found out about The First Tee and asked about the possibility of donating to that cause. We put it out to the Sedgefield Dye membership and pretty soon collected a van full of stuff for both boys and girls.”

The initial donation was a big success, and Patefield hopes now that the word is out, even more Sedgefield members will make a bigger effort to help The First Tee. Donations will be accepted through May 2018, making it the perfect time for early spring-cleaning.

“We donated everything from golf towels and balls to shoes, hats, skorts, and even a seven-wood, because it was giving one member a fit!,” says Patefield. The items that help kids in The First Tee may seem insignificant, but to those kids, even the smallest things make a difference.

“Some of these kids don’t have a collared shirt,” says Ellen Lapierre, director of volunteers and girl’s events for The First Tee of the Triad. “They love to wear those — it makes them feel like a golfer! Junior clubs are most beneficial, but womens’ clubs are great too, especially for teenagers who come in and don’t have any of the gear.”

According to Lapierre, the program gives kids a road map not only for success on the golf course, but for life in general. “We want these kids to have the best future they can have,” she says. “We want to make these kids good golfers, but make them even better people. Sure, we teach them skills like putting, chipping, and course management. But we’re also teaching them, right from the beginning, how to shake someone’s hand, how to look people in the eye, and how to introduce yourself to someone. And most importantly, how to create and attain your goals.”

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Eight years ago, McConnell Golf launched its high school golf scholarship program. Young golfers are nominated by their high school coaches or local industry pros based on talent, need, and commitment to the sport, as well as their proven dedication and value to the future of golf. The innovative program offers limited membership opportunities to the chosen scholars, who often otherwise lack the opportunity to play challenging courses. Scholars earn access to all McConnell Golf facilities and enroll in a structured program designed to help them elevate their game. They usual­ly become familiar faces around their respective adopted clubs, and many go on to promising collegiate careers. Here’s a look at where a few scholar recipients — two former and one current — are today.

TRAILBLAZER

South Carolinian Hunter Nichols’ writing was on the wall: He lettered in golf at Clinton High School after placing third at the 2013 South Carolina 3A Champi­onships and earning four all-region hon­ors and two All-State selections. Nichols was a shoo-in for Musgrove Mills’ first scholarship. Today, he’s thriving at Fur­man University, where he is an asset to the men’s golf team.

FAMILY AFFAIR

Danielle Mirovich is a rising senior at Mount Pleasant High School in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina and she’s made her mark through golf. The Miroviches only arrived to Mount Pleas­ant a few years ago after losing their home in Hurricane Katrina. What kept them grounded was a dedication to the game: Two older Mirovich daughters are already playing at the collegiate level. Danielle is following in her sisters’ foot­steps with a scholarship at Old North State Club, which will last through next season. Her parents’ support is evident and has struck a chord with the entire community.

SPORTSMAN’S RESOLVE

Stephen Lavenets of Rougemont, North Carolina seized his scholarship at Trey­burn Country Club. It spurred him to win the Durham High School Invitational and cap off his tournament record with an eagle on the 18th hole at Treyburn — arguably one of the most difficult feats among all 12 McConnell Golf clubs. He joined the East Carolina Universi­ty men’s golf team, where a nagging hip injury led to major surgery almost immediately upon joining the team. It derailed Lavenets’ playing time, but revealed his true character. He emerged as a charismatic leader of his college team. Much like that difficult 18th hole, today Lavenets is on track despite his injury to graduate in four years with a finance degree.  

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To adapt for survival, a new business model for golf clubs has emerged — and McConnell Golf has set the standard.

Packing his luggage prior to February’s 2016 Carolinas PGA Merchandise Show in Greensboro, North Carolina, McConnell Golf Director of Golf Brian “Boomer” Kittler couldn’t help but chuckle.

Kittler was amused as he recalled the same industry show a decade earlier, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he could freely roam the convention center aisles in relative anonymity. “Ten years ago, I could get in the merchandise show and talk to everybody and get around in just a couple of hours,” Kittler says. “Now I’ve got to bob and weave. I try to hide in the corner sometimes. As soon as I get there … well … it’s hard to leave. Everyone wants a piece of you. McConnell Golf is a valued commodity in the Carolinas and people want to be a part of what we’re doing, so that’s exciting. It’s fun.”

Indeed, during an extended, challenging period in the golf industry that has adversely affected private clubs as much as any other sector, the growth of McConnell Golf and its impact has emerged as one of the game’s most positive stories.

The story dates back to early December 2003, when McConnell Golf became owner of Raleigh Country Club (RCC) and its centerpiece golf course, the final design in the storied career of architect Donald Ross. An avid low-handicapper and passionate golfer, founder and CEO John McConnell was not about to watch Ross’ final legacy be turned into a housing subdivision. “I had one of those divine interventions,” McConnell says. “It said, ‘Hey, you need to get involved with this club, because the last thing the city needs is to see this place become something other than a golf club.’”

In Raleigh Country Club, McConnell saw the opportunity to preserve an essential piece of golf history. Built in 1948, RCC had played host to many nationally and internationally recognized tournaments and was located just minutes from the downtown business district and state government complex. McConnell was fully aware that once the last Donald Ross course was gone, it would never be brought back to life.

“I knew it was a special deal,” says McConnell, who grew up on a 100-acre farm in Abingdon, Virginia, attended nearby Virginia Tech, and remains an avid Hokie. “It was just one of those things, with the legacy of Donald Ross and all the club’s history — from a marketing standpoint alone it had a special value in regard to remaking the club’s image.”

McConnell’s previous business successes in the medical software field have been well documented. “We enjoyed leading two great software companies that allowed me to start and expand our golf business,” he says. Now, in the 13 years since acquiring Raleigh Country Club, McConnell Golf has grown its ownership stable to include 12 premier private golf clubs in both Carolinas and Tennessee, while at the same time carving out a sterling reputation: The nearly 700 McConnell Golf employees provide the company’s 4,000-plus members a quality golf experience at each of its award-winning courses.

In addition, as one of the country’s fastest growing, independent private club ownership companies, McConnell Golf has carved a niche as an industry leader in numerous areas including tournament golf and junior golf development, charitable community giving, commitment to sustainability, and health and wellness.

“We’re hoping to prove that our model — our strategy — will work with multiple clubs,” says McConnell. “One thing I found out about golf is you’re dealing with physical properties, maintenance, etc. When you grow in software, you add a few bodies; it’s people and you who can control costs. It’s a little different in golf.” For McConnell Golf, the focus from day one has been providing the membership with a high level of service in each area of the club business, while also offering a quality product. The company’s main goal has been creating a convivial club environment for both the membership and employees so everyone is excited to come to the club every day.

“Every time someone turns into one of our clubs we want them to feel special,” says McConnell, who used his computer software marketing expertise to help spread the word and coin the McConnell Golf mantra: “Pure Golf for the True Golfer.”

Despite its relatively short lifetime, McConnell Golf has quickly gained a reputation as a player to be reckoned with in the golf industry. In an era of economic challenges for private golf clubs — including a market saturated with upscale public courses and residential golf communities — McConnell Golf has defied expectations by generously funding its clubs for capital improvements and upgrades — almost instantly transforming them into more luxurious enclaves.

In addition, McConnell Golf has recently added two new national memberships to its attractive menu of affordable, cutting-edge offerings. “McConnell Golf is focused on bringing value back to the private club experience,” says chief operating officer Christian Anastasiadis. “We pride ourselves on being the market’s best private club value.”

McConnell points to two major factors he considers most important when purchasing a club. “One is how many potential members or rooftops are in a 10-15 minute drive of the property. That is huge,” he said. “Second, what decisions did the boards make in the past that may have not been a good forecast, or decisions we can make now that can make a difference? Having financial capital to invest into the properties, to bring them up to more current status and add other amenities, has been very important, as well.”

In 2012, McConnell was named one of the North Carolina Golf Panel’s “Most Influential Figures in Golf,” a prestigious list compiled every five years that includes North Carolinians who influence the game throughout the state, nationally, and in some cases worldwide, whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes. “I have been truly blessed in that I get to see so many members having a great time when they come to our clubs,” says McConnell. “Our capital saved some great golf courses from extinction and that is a legacy for which we can be proud.”

Another of McConnell’s key strategies in building his private club empire has been to acquire courses designed by some of the world’s greatest architects, and clearly that mission has been accomplished. Holston Hills is the fourth McConnell Golf course designed by the legendary Ross, while the McConnell Golf stable of architects also includes Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer, and Greg Norman.

“This business started with no business plan, simply on a whim to preserve Raleigh Country Club from development,” says McConnell. “We have acquired great clubs during the worst economy in 70 years and continued to expand.” 

Kittler says that while having “deep pockets” supporting the company is nice, McConnell has another more important attribute. “Having the passion John has for the game of golf is the most important thing,” Kittler says. “He uses his money wisely to make clubs better. For him, it’s all about quality. Good people make a good culture and when people join, they’re joining because of that. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

The appeal is broad. “Families want to join our clubs because there’s something there for everybody, and they believe they are getting the best value for what they are paying,” he says. “But at the end of the day, they’re just happy to be there because all of their friends are at the club. It’s a partnership. I think other clubs focus too much on themselves and the bottom line, and cutting corners. We just focus on the quality of the product. Get good members and let’s have fun.”

Kittler added that McConnell’s father was a farmer who lived on the land and focused on preserving the land. While John McConnell is not a farmer, he is contributing his fair share toward preserving green space. “Owning golf courses is another way he can see these great properties. Instead of them getting buried or bulldozed, he has the ability to preserve the land for the next generation of golfers,” Kittler says. “Instead of golf courses closing down, it’s neat to see someone going in a different direction.”

Along with the success has come an added notoriety in the industry. McConnell Golf representatives are regularly quoted or featured in Golf Business magazine, as well as other business journals and media outlets.

“Over the years there’s no doubt the McConnell brand is getting to be pretty significant around the Carolinas,” Kittler says. “There’s no doubt about it. There’s really no other organization around the Carolinas that is doing what we’re doing. To have privately owned clubs with a single owner, allowing the access we have, no one else is doing it. It’s neat to be in a market to ourselves. The key is to continue to enhance that and create more value within the membership. The long-term plan of what we’re doing has not changed.”

As with their courses, McConnell Golf will create value with quality at every level. “Our goal is to create programs for our membership that continue to separate us from the competition and also continue to grow the game of golf,” Kittler says. “We challenge our people to hire the best possible people, because the more quality people you have on your staff, the better your programs are going to be. I don’t think that’s any secret or inside information, but that’s what we do. Hire good people and get out of their way so they can do what they do.”

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