During the month of October, McConnell Golf invites you to get involved and participate in fundraisers held throughout our properties. Members at each of our clubs can also give back with $1 from every Meyer Filet and McConnell Golf Salmon BLT sandwich order going toward our Susan G. Komen fundraiser. On Sunday, October 17, every McConnell Golf cart fee booked will also go towards our fundraising efforts. Click here to donate and to follow our progress throughout the month of October! Read on below to see how several of our properties are also contributing to Susan G. Komen.

The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation – Yoga for a Cause & Rosé Drink Specials

On October 5, the staff at The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation hosted an outdoor yoga class. Participants paid $15 to attend the class as proceeds benefited Susan G. Komen. They also wore pink and enjoyed a complimentary glass of rosé. Additionally, during the month of October, the main clubhouse and Breaker Bar & Grille will donate a portion of funds from their rosé sales to Susan G. Komen.

Country Club of Asheville – Family Fun Run, Yoga on the Lawn, Pink Cocktails, Pickleball Social & Tennis Clinic

On October 11, Country Club of Asheville is hosting their first Family Fun Run. Participants will meet at the driving range for drinks and snacks before taking off for the walk/run. They will have the option to walk or run along the back nine of the course, which is 2.3 miles, and the run will end at the range where a wall of foam awaits participants. There is a $10 minimum donation to participate.

Members also have the option to participate in a special evening yoga class on the lawn or a pickleball social on October 13. All proceeds will go toward our Susan G. Komen fundraiser. Afterwards, members will meet by the firepit for "pink" cocktails and watch the sunset over the mountains. There is a $20 minimum donation to participate in the yoga class and a $25 minimum to participate in the pickleball social. Finally, on October 14, the tennis staff will host a morning clinic followed by tennis play and a luncheon at the clubhouse. The cost to participate is a $20 minimum donation per person. 

Brook Valley Country Club – Drink & Entrée Specials, Tough Day Scramble, Closest to the Pin Contest & 50/50 Raffle

Every day during the month of October, Brook Valley Country Club has drink specials and two dinner entrée offerings will $1 going toward our Susan G. Komen fundraiser. On October 3, Brook Valley also hosted a Two Person Tough Day Scramble and Closest to the Pin Contest. The entry fee for the Tough Day Scramble was $50 with $25 going toward the event. Entry for the Closest to the Pin Contest was a wager of the participant's choice as they competed against the club staff on the 18th tee. 

Raleigh Country Club – Sunset Yoga & Cocktails

On October 20, Raleigh Country Club will host a sunset yoga session on the pool deck. The cost is $20 per person and all proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen.

Read More

IN VINO VERITAS…

A Latin phrase that means “in wine, there is truth.” Well, I can’t agree more, and similar phrases exist across cultures and languages. Growing up in Europe, I had an early start in the “World of Wine.” Throughout my hospitality career, I have been fortunate to taste some of the finest wines from the world’s major viticultural regions. These include the Chateau Margaux 1990, Latour 1990, Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1982, Petrus vintages 1982, 1989 and 1990, the Joseph Phelps Insignia 1990, Dominus 1991 and 1994, Dunn Cabernets from Howell Mountain, the Mondavis, BVs and Berringer Private Reserves, the Penfolds Grange and many, many, many more.  

The few growers/producers who have continuously received 5-star ratings are indeed those who make the world’s finest wines and they have been selected because:
· They make the greatest wine of their particular viticultural
· They are remarkably consistent and reliable, even in mediocre and poor vintages  

Then, there is the Robert Parker Rating System, a scale from 50 to 100. Any wine that Parker rates above 85 is very good to excellent and any wine that Parker rates 90+ will be outstanding for its particular type. Parker uses specific standards for wines sold to consumers—standards that full-time wine professionals recognize, and these are benchmark wines to which others are judged.  

However, today’s wine rating systems found on labels are not any different from those found screening ratings from Amazon, Netflix, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Vudu. It is simply “Corky” and very dangerous. The rating systems are not only for marketing purposes, but also shape the consumers’ tastes as to what is to be considered good, excellent and outstanding.              

Wine has made major contributions to the quality of life in many societies of the world for millennia, and it continues to do so. It has always had its critics, some misinformed, others genuinely concerned. Cut through the noise; experience, keep an open mind and, most of all, enjoy! There is much to be enjoyed and appreciated. If wine and food combinations still perplex you, your best strategy may be to learn some of the greatest pairings, as well as some of the worst. Remember that in the final analysis, a good wine served with a good dish to good company is always a good taste—“à votre santé!”  

McConnell Fine Wine LLC was founded upon the simple principle of introducing single, small vineyards and innovative winemakers to our membership under one private label, presented as the M Signature Series. This private label is only offered through our clubs and the winemakers are selected for the following reasons:                 
· They produce some of the greatest wines from a particular region
· Their wines are remarkably consistent and reliable
· They are innovative—and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo  

This year, McConnell Fine Wine introduces exclusively from the following winemakers and vineyards:     
· Chris Corley, Knollwood Vineyards: Right Bank Red Blend
· Juslyn Vineyards: Pinot Grigio
· Kerr Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon

Our Right Bank Red Blend is nothing short of a perfected blend of Merlot/CabFranc/Cab that can only be experienced at Pomerol, Bordeaux. Although, nowadays Pomerols’ are 100 percent Merlot, Chris Corley remained a traditionalist and it paid off. My notes: Experience this wine with dinner (anything grilled with sautéed vegetables or rosemary roasted baby potatoes). You will be pleasantly surprised just how powerful this creation is with dinner, trust me.

In closing, there are many exceptional wines to experience; I mean truly exceptional ones. These resemble experiences such as playing at Pine Valley, Cypress Point, St. Andrews or Shinnecock Hills, but there are also many more varietals, blends and crafts that are part of our civilization. I encourage you to be bold and explore the beauty of Vino—it is truly rewarding!  

Christian Anastasiadis

Chief Operating Officer at McConnell Golf

Read More

Join us in fighting heart disease and stroke in millions of women across the country by showing your support and wearing red on Friday, February 5! McConnell Golf will serve a Heart Healthy Seared Ahi Tuna Salad in honor of American Heart Month and the Eat Seafood American Movement. A portion of proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

Post your photos wearing red on social and tag McConnell Golf and your home club, in addition to using #EatSeafoodAmerica to show your support.

Read More

Gluten-Free Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies

By Michael Monahan, Executive Chef at Grande Dunes Members Club

A startling number of people these days are reporting gluten sensitivities, and gluten-free baking has become a “subset” of baking. I love the flavor and texture of these tender gluten-free cornmeal-based cookies, and the way the raspberry flavor complements the corn. Yield: 3 dozen “Bite sized” cookies

 

Ingredients:

1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Gluten-Free Rice Flour

1 Cup Yellow Cornmeal

1 TSP Baking Powder

½ TSP Table Salt

1 ¾ sticks Unsalted Butter, softened, plus more for pans

¾ Cup Firmly Packed Light-Brown Sugar

2 Large Eggs

1 TSP Vanilla Extract

½ Cup Seedless Raspberry Preserves (or jelly of your choice)

   

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° and set two racks to the middle positions, with space in between. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (or grease lightly with butter).

In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the rice flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Using a standing or handheld mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat. Add the dry ingredients and beat until smooth.

Portion the dough into 1inch balls, and arrange them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Press each with your thumb; then fill each depression with a teaspoon of raspberry jam. Bake until just barely golden brown on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. 

Read More

Pecan-Chocolate Chip Delights
By: James R. Patterson III of Sedgefield Country Club

 

Ingredients:

1 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed

1 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 Large Egg

1 TSP Baking Soda

1 TSP Salt

1 TSP Vanilla

1 ¼ Cups Quick Cooking Oats

3 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 ¼ Cups Lightly Crushed Cornflakes

¾ Cup Chopped Pecans

¾ Cup of Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

 

Directions:

Note: dough requires chilling.

Cream butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cream until light and fluffy. You can also use a hand mixer. Add oil and stir until smooth.

Add egg and vanilla, mix until smooth, then stir in the salt and baking soda.

Mix in oats and flour until just mixed. Stir in chocolate chips, pecans and cornflakes.

Scoop 2 tablespoon balls of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet covered in wax or parchment paper. No need to spread the balls out, you’re just going to chill them. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least one hour. (If you chill longer than 4 hours you may need to let them warm up a few minutes on the counter before baking.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpat baking mats. Place cookies 2” apart on prepared cookie sheets. Lightly press down with the palm of your hand. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the bottoms just start to turn golden brown. Cool at least 5 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Read More

Ice Box Cookies 

By Rhett Sorg of The Reserve at Pawley’s Island

Yields Two Dozen Cookies

    

Ingredients:

4 Cups Light Brown Sugar

1 Cup Shortening

4 Eggs (lightly beaten)

2 TBSP Club Soda

1 TBSP Hot Water

1 TBSP Cream of Tartar

1 TBSP Vanilla Extract

5 Cups Flour

2 Cups Chopped Pecans (optional)

 

Directions:

Mix Club Soda, Hot Water.  Cream sugar and Shortening, add Eggs, Soda Mixture, Cream of Tartar, Vanilla Extract and Flour. 

Add Pecans (optional).  Mix thoroughly. 

Roll into logs of desired width.  Refrigerate overnight. 

Slice cookie dough to desired thickness and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven. 

Dough can be frozen.  No need to thaw when slicing after frozen.

Read More

Peanut Butter Chip Cookie

Yield: Makes 40-50 cookies depending on size

  

Ingredients:

¼ TBSP Softened Butter

¾ Cup Light Brown Sugar

¼ Cup Granulated Sugar

½ Cup Peanut Butter

1 Large Egg

1 Egg Yolk

1 ½ TSP Vanilla Extract

2 ½ Cups AP Flour

¼ Cup Cornstarch

1 TSP Baking Soda

1 TSP Kosher Salt

12oz Peanut Butter Chips

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Beat butter and both sugars until pale and fluffy; about 3-5 minutes

Stir in peanut butter until completely incorporated

Add eggs and vanilla beat until combined

Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Don’t over mix.

Fold in peanut butter chip

Scoop out desired size of cookie on a lined baking sheet

Bake 7-10 minutes until just set on the edges and just barely turning golden

Cool completely

    

Read More