Since its debut in 1927, Holston Hills Country Club on the northeast side of Knoxville, Tenn., has played an integral role in the game of golf.

Set near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains on 180 open acres of rolling old farmland tucked into a bend in the Holston River, Holston Hills boasts a magnificent, Donald Ross-designed golf course.

Holston Hills has always been highly regarded among the country’s most prestigious golf course rankings. Such recognition continues in 2022.

In Golfweek's prestigious “Best Classic Courses 2022” — the top 200 golf courses built before 1960 — Holston Hills ranked No. 101 in America. In Golfweek's “Best Private Courses 2022” — a state-by-state ranking of private courses — Holston Hills ranked No. 2 in Tennessee behind the Pete Dye-designed Honors Course in Ooltewah.

In the 2021-22 Golf Digest state-by-state rankings of all courses, public and private, Holston Hills was ranked No. 6 in the state. In addition, as it approaches its 100^th anniversary, the Ross design is consistently ranked among the country’s top 100 by Golf Magazine.

“Holston Hills takes great pride in its consistent recognition as one of the most well-preserved Donald Ross courses in the country,” said Chris Dibble, General Manager and Director of Golf at Holston Hills. “We believe this philosophy is the reason the golf course continues be recognized as one the country’s top classical designs.”

The co-founder of the Donald Ross Society, Michael J. Fay, has said that he would rather play Holston Hills on a regular basis than any other golf course in the South. Acclaimed golf course architect Tom Doak says Holston Hills is the closest golf course around to what Ross originally designed.

The club has played host to many national events in its history, including the PGA Tour’s Knoxville Invitational, which was captured by Byron Nelson in 1945 during a historic season that included a record-setting 18 victories. Holston Hills welcomed the 2004 USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and has also played host to numerous Tennessee PGA Championships.

McConnell Golf purchased Holston Hills in late 2015 and has invested millions in capital improvements. In 2019, the PGA Tour and TOUR Vision Promotions signed a five-year agreement with Holston Hills to host the Korn Ferry Tour’s Visit Knoxville Open.

McConnell Golf Founder and CEO John McConnell said he knew Holston Hills was a special place from the moment he set foot on the property. “It immediately reminded me of Shinnecock Hills,” McConnell recalls, referencing the storied eastern Long Island golf club that was a founding member of the USGA and has hosted five U.S. Open Championships.

McConnell Golf is the only individual golf course proprietor in the world that owns four Ross-designed courses.

“I knew when I saw Holston Hills that it would be a great addition to our golf portfolio,” McConnell said. “It’s a ‘must-play’ for our members. Holston Hills enjoys a proud past and we think that it has a great future as well.”

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No Bake White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie

In the middle of the summer the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven and start to heat the house. That is where these cookies come into play. These cookies are quick and simple to make and are a great cool treat on a warm summer day. I like eating these straight out of the fridge. You can add chopped toasted almonds as an option or even substitute dried cherries instead of the dried cranberries.

Ingredients:

4 Cups Granulated White Sugar
1 Cup Unsalted Butter, cubed
1 Cup 2% Milk
2 Cups White Chocolate Chips
1 TSP Almond Extract
6 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
2 Cups Dried Cranberries

Directions:

In a large sauce pan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar and milk. Stir and continue to cook until butter is melted and sugar has dissolved.
Remove from heat and add almond extract and chocolate chips. Stir until complexly combined.
Add oats and cranberries and stir until fully coated.
Portion into 1 TBSP spoonfuls onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Put in refrigerator for 30 minutes, until hard.
Store in air tight container.

 

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Chocolate Pretzel Oatmeal Cookies

Two years ago, around Christmas time, I had a cookie very similar to this at a holiday party I attended with my sister’s family in Nashville. It was so good that I had to try to recreate it. I started with my grandmother's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, made a few changes and this was the result. My favorite cookie year-round is an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, and adding the pretzel and flaky sea salt element just adds another layer of goodness to it. Fresh out of the oven with a glass of milk and you could easily eat the whole plate!

Ingredients:

1 Cup Salted Butter

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar           
2 Eggs, Whole

1 TBSP Vanilla Extract

1 ¾ Cup and 2 TBSP All Purpose Flour

1TSP Baking Soda

1/2 TSP Cinnamon

1/2 TSP Kosher Salt

1 ½ Cup Old Fashioned Oats

2 ½ Cups Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 Cup Mini Pretzels, crushed

¼ Cup Flaky Sea Salt (for sprinkling)                                                                                                        

Directions:

Cream together butter and sugars until combined. Continue mixing, adding one egg at a time until combined. Add vanilla and continue mixing until creamy.

In a separate bowl add flour, cinnamon, baking soda and kosher salt. Slowly add flour mixture to egg sugar mixture while mixing on low speed. Add 1/4 of the mixture at a time, scraping down sides making sure to fully incorporate flour mixture.

After flour mixture is all combined, add oats and chocolate chips folding them in by hand.

Roll dough into two tablespoon size balls.

Gently push a few crushed pretzels into each ball and flatten with palm of hand to 1/2 inch thickness.

Bake in oven at 350°F for nine to 11 minutes.

While cookies are cooling sprinkle with flaky salt sea salt.

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The fastest-growing sport you’ve never played – but should

OK, let’s be honest. Could the sport have a sillier-sounding name – Pickleball? And it involves a nostalgic sphere of childhood typically associated with plastic bats and neighborhood bragging rights: the whiffle ball.

Yet from this odd pairing comes the fastest-growing recreational sport in America that almost 3.5 million players are rushing to the court to enjoy.

“Today’s the club championship,” exclaims John Hambel, a pickleball enthusiast and member at Porters Neck Country Club. “We’re finishing up the ladder league and I’m playing in the mixed doubles finals.  I started playing about three years ago. It’s very addictive.”

Porters Neck is one of many McConnell Golf properties featuring pickleball. In fact, nine clubs have retro-fitted tennis courts or dedicated pickleball courts, and host either formal or informal play, from open-morning sessions to community-wide leagues. 

“I’m proud we’re on the front end of this sport,” says Kyle Thortsen, Corporate Director of Tennis Operations at McConnell Golf. He admits he was initially hesitant, but has witnessed the sport take off like an overhead smash from the edge of the kitchen (that’s pickleball lingo for the non-volley zone). “It’s coming and it’s coming fast. It’s getting a whole new group of membership involved, people who weren’t involved on the tennis courts before.”

Last year marked the 55^th anniversary of pickleball, a sport that showcases elements of tennis, racquetball and Ping-Pong, as well as whiff of badminton.  Pickleball’s popularity has soared in recent years, especially with aging Baby Boomers who want to remain active – indeed, 34 percent of those who play are 55 and older.

The short, 15-minute games usually feature high-cardio, low-impact and lots of social interaction.  

“My wife and I have been at Wakefield for 14 years,” says Patrick Newton. “I could count the number of times I’d been on the tennis courts on one hand. But I attended a Saturday morning pickleball clinic for beginners, and was hooked! I now play with several regular groups and we just finished our first season with men’s, women’s and mixed couple’s leagues.”

The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation boasts more than 100 pickleball players.  Thortsen says the attraction is the game is so easy to learn. 

“Pickleball is a sport that you don’t have to be the best athlete to play,” he explains. “Anyone can pick up a paddle, have fun and learn in 20 minutes, which is not something you can say about most sports.” 

Depending on intensity, play can be easy on the body too. “I’ve had a lot of surgeries on my knees and feet,” chuckles Newton. “My joints can’t participate in traditional high-impact sports, but this is something I can do. It’s fun, competitive and not overly physically demanding. Pickleball is truly fun for all ages, from little kids, to teens, to senior adults.”

As for Hambel in the Porters Neck Club Championship? Win or lose, he knows he’ll be back for more.  

“With short games, you’re always switching partners and meeting people,” he says. “It’s extremely social. You’ll make great friends. My whole social circle is now predominantly pickleball players. We’re all different levels and on our favorite night, we finish around 8:30 and go to the pub.”

No doubt to share stories of victory on the court.

ORIGINS OF THE GAME (AND NAME)

In 1965, three families were visiting Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, when the dads grabbed left-over sports gear to entertain their bored children. They lowered the badminton net, and invented a game using whiffle balls and Ping-Pong paddles. 

As for the conception of the name? Some recall one of the moms on the island commenting on how the game’s genesis reminded her of the “pickle boat” in crew that uses oarsmen left-over from other boats, while others recall the family dog Pickles always chasing the ball and running away with it.

PLACES TO PLAY

• Brook Valley Country Club
• Country Club of Asheville
• Holston Hills Country Club
• Old North State Club
• Porters Neck Country Club
• Providence Country Club
• Sedgefield Country Club
• Treyburn Country Club
• Country Club at Wakefield Plantation

THE REAL DILL

• 64 percent of “core” players, who play at least eight times a year, are 55 and older.
• The South Atlantic is the fastest-growing region of players, with an average annual growth rate of 19.5 percent.
• USA Pickleball, the sport’s national governing body, tested and approved 134 paddles and 10 balls in 2019.
• Paddles are about twice the size of a Ping-Pong paddle. Early paddles were plywood. Today, paddles range from $8.88 at Walmart to $2,950 for Chanel’s Black Wood “CC” Paddle Ball Set.

IN THE KNOW

• Gear: All you need is a paddle, a ball and place to play.
• The Kitchen: The non-volley zone that extends seven feet off the net on both sides. Players cannot volley (take the ball out of the air) inside this area.
• No-Man’s Land: The area between the kitchen and baseline. Try to avoid getting stuck in this area, as it opens up angles for opponents to strike the ball past you.
• Scoring: Typically, games are played to 11, with a team gaining a point each time they win a rally while serving. Scores are called with a series of three numbers: the serving team’s number of points, the receiving team’s number of points, and the team member serving. A score called of 6 - 3 - 2 means the serving team has six points, the receiving team three points, and the second server on a team is serving.

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To be sure, earning a spot in golf’s national championship is no easy proposition. There is a plethora of qualifying criteria players need to meet to play in a U.S. Open, such as winning tournaments or moving up the Official World Golf Ranking. Those still finding themselves on the outside looking in must rely on the gauntlet that is U.S. Open Final Qualifying … a.k.a. “Golf’s Longest Day.”

On that day in 2021, several household names punched their tickets to Torrey Pines and this week’s 121st U.S. Open, while others weren’t so lucky. Among the big names who tried, but came up short at the U.S. Open Final Qualifying — Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, Brandt Snedeker and Lucas Glover, among others.

However, at Torrey Pines this week, there will be 11 U.S. Open competitors who have battled during the past month on McConnell Golf venues, either during the Korn Ferry Tour’s Visit Knoxville Open (May 13-16) at Holston Hills Country Club or the REX Hospital Open (June 3-6) at The Country Club of Wakefield Plantation.

Greyson Sigg, a 26-year-old University of Georgia product, who opened with a 61 and fired a final-round 66 to claim his first professional win at Holston Hills, will be teeing it up at Torrey Pines on Thursday and Friday (and hopefully during the weekend) after qualifying in Atlanta, Georgia. Sigg competed at both McConnell Golf venues this summer, as did fellow Atlanta qualifiers Hayden Buckley and Rick Lamb.

In addition to the other eight qualifiers from various courses around the country, former McConnell Golf Junior Scholarship recipient Akshay Bhatia, 19, continued to prove he’s a real deal “touring professional” by securing his spot at this week’s U.S. Open after a 3-for-1 playoff at the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina sectional qualifier.

(Phil) Mickelson recently played a practice round with Bhatia, who was born a few months before the veteran recorded his second runner-up finish in the U.S. Open in 2002, although it’s unclear whose brain was being picked. “He has as many questions for me as I have for him,” said Mickelson. “I’m curious how he does things too because he’s got a lot of clubhead speed, a lot of strength, a lot of shot making. He might ask me a few things on chipping. I might ask him a few things on clubs."

For McConnell Golf members, here are some lesser-known names to cheer for this week:

Dallas, Texas

• Eric Cole (Visit Knoxville Open + REX Hospital Open)
• Paul Barjon (REX Hospital Open)

Jupiter, Florida

• Fabian Gomez (REX Hospital Open)

Atlanta, Georgia

• Hayden Buckley (Visit Knoxville Open + REX Hospital Open)
• Greyson Sigg (Visit Knoxville Open + REX Hospital Open) – *won at Holston Hills CC
• Rick Lamb (Visit Knoxville Open + REX Hospital Open)

Rockville, Maryland

• Taylor Pendrith (Visit Knoxville Open + REX Hospital Open)
• Dylan Wu (REX Hospital Open)

Purchase, New York

• Cameron Young (REX Hospital Open)
• Andy Pope (Visit Knoxville Open + REX Hospital Open)
• Zach Zaback (Visit Knoxville Open)

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Founded in 2007, Folds of Honor's mission is to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Their motto says it best: Honor their Sacrifice. Educate their Legacy.

To display McConnell Golf’s commitment to these families who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, members of the golf professional staff at each of our properties will play a golf marathon from sun-up until sun-down beginning on Tuesday, June 1, and on select dates in June and July. Each golf professional has committed to playing at least 100 holes!

To learn more about what your club is doing to get involved and raise money for Folds of Honor, click on your club's link from the list below.

Brook Valley Country Club (June 1)

The Cardinal by Pete Dye (June 1)

Country Club of Asheville (June 1)

Grande Dunes Members Club (June 21)

Holston Hills Country Club (June 1)

Musgrove Mill Golf Club (June 15)

Old North State Club (June 1)

Porters Neck Country Club (June 1)

Providence Country Club (June 1)

Raleigh Country Club (June 1)

Raleigh Golf Association (June 14)

The Reserve Golf Club (June 1)

Sedgefield Country Club (June 1)

Treyburn Country Club (June 7)

The Water's Edge Golf Club (June 1)

The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation (July 5)

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We know that rankings — particularly golf course rankings — can be extremely subjective. But it’s always nice to be considered among the “Best of” and in the 2021-22 Golf Digest state-by-state rankings, several McConnell Golf courses were recognized as among the best in state.

In Tennessee, the magnificent Donald Ross layout at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, which recently played host to the Korn Ferry Tour’s Visit Knoxville Open, was ranked No. 6 in the state by Golf Digest. Click here to view the full list.

In South Carolina, Arnold Palmer’s spectacular design at Musgrove Mill Golf Club in Clinton was tapped as the state’s 19^th best layout. Click here to view the full list.

Last but certainly not least, in North Carolina, Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro was ranked No. 18 in the state, Old North State Club in New London was ranked No. 24, while Treyburn Country Club in Durham was ranked No. 30. Click here to view the full list.

Of course, as we mentioned, golf course rankings are subjective. The North Carolina Golf Panel ranks all 10 of McConnell Golf’s North Carolina courses in the state’s top 100, including a trio of layouts — Old North State, Sedgfield Country Club and Raleigh Country Club — rated among the state’s top 20. Click here to view the full list. In South Carolina, the state panelists rank “The Mill” high every year, and also include Greg Norman’s memorable design at The Reserve Golf Club on Pawleys Island.

McConnell Golf was built upon the concept of “pure golf for the true golfer,” focusing on enhancing both the individual club’s and its company’s overall membership value. The McConnell Golf portfolio throughout the Carolinas, Tennessee and now Virginia includes courses designed by Ross, Fazio and Palmer, as well as other architectural legends Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Hale Irwin and Ellis Maples.

McConnell Golf is the only individual golf course proprietor in the world that owns four Ross-designed courses. This includes Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club, the longtime home of the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship.

“McConnell Golf is a company that has set its vision on building clubs of the future,” said McConnell Golf Chief Operating Officer Christian Anastasiadis. “We see things differently than other clubs or operators, focusing on the little nuances that make a trip to the club memorable for the customer.”

To arrive at its ranking of “America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses,” as well as the “Best Golf Courses in Each State,” the Golf Digest panelists play and score courses on the eight criteria below:

SHOT OPTIONS

How well does the course present a variety of options involving risks and rewards and require a wide range of shots?

CHALLENGE

How challenging, while still being fair, is the course for a typical scratch golfer playing from the tees designated as back tees for everyday play (not from seldom-used championship tees)?

LAYOUT VARIETY

How varied is the physical layout of the course in terms of differing lengths (long, medium and short Par 3s, 4s and 5s), configurations (straight holes, doglegs left and right), hazard placements, green shapes and green contours?

DISTINCTIVENESS

How individual is each hole when compared to all others on this course?

AESTHETICS

How well do the scenic values of the course add to the pleasure of a round?

CONDITIONING

How firm, fast and rolling were the fairways? How firm yet receptive were the greens? How true were the roll of putts on the day you played the course?

CHARACTER

How well does the course design exude ingenuity and uniqueness and possess profound characteristics that you would consider outstanding for its era?

FUN

How enjoyable for all levels of golfers would this course be to play on a regular basis? NOTE: Golf Digest's Fun category was introduced two years ago, so Golf Digest does not have enough data to use in the calculations of 100 Greatest rankings.

To arrive at a course’s final score, the magazine totals its averages in the seven categories, doubling Shot Options. A course needs 75 evaluations over the past 10 years to be eligible for America's 100 Greatest and the Second 100 Greatest.

“Our courses continue to merge history, beauty and opportunity for our avid golfing membership and their guests,” said McConnell Golf President & CEO John McConnell. “With the enhancements made at Raleigh Country Club and new projects planned at other McConnell Golf courses, I am proud of what we have accomplished in the past year and eager to see how the rankings play out in the future.”

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