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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Country Club of Asheville provided warm meals this winter.

There's Strength in Numbers for McConnell Golf’s Footprints on the Green program. For a successful outreach, both members and staff come together to support local communities, and that’s exactly what happened last fall in Asheville, when members and staff joined forces for their first Footprints effort.

CCA sent nine volunteers to participate in a meal-prep initiative at ABCCM Steadfast House, a shelter for women and children that provides stability, education, and job training.

Debbie Ponder, the club’s membership and marketing director, was part of the group that spent the day in the kitchen at Steadfast House assembling more than a dozen freezer-ready chicken and rice casseroles. Residents at Steadfast House enjoyed the meals throughout the winter.

“After we finished prepping the casseroles, we had a Q&A with Steadfast House staff,” says Ponder. “We’re hoping to establish a meaningful relationship between the club and Steadfast. We’re located so close to each other, and we hope to be able to do more.”

Member Gail Miller helped with the effort after reading about it in CCA’s newsletter.

“We were spreading freezer pans all over the place and filling them up,” she says. “Big casserole dishes for the residents to pull out of the freezer all winter long.”

For Miller, along with the rest of CCA’s volunteers, the day was about more than just prepping meals.

“It was good exposure. I didn’t even know Steadfast House existed. As a group, we learned more about the community and what’s being offered to help.”

“After that day, we all agreed — we need to do this more,” says Ponder.

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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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With the 2016 additions of Providence Country Club and Holston Hills Country Club, McConnell Golf encompasses a dozen 18-hole, private golf courses throughout the Carolinas and Tennessee.

For those of you scoring at home, that’s a total of 225 golf holes in the McConnell Golf portfolio, and they are undoubtedly among the finest you’ll play anywhere. McConnell Golf properties feature courses designed by legends such as Donald Ross, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Hale Irwin. In 2017, as they do year in and year out, McConnell Golf courses dominated the various state rankings.

So picking the 18 “very best” McConnell Golf holes is no easy task. But through nominations from pros and member votes, that’s exactly what we’ve done. We’re pleased to present the final course in the words of those whom know it best.

Head over to Facebook for photos, descriptions and tips on each hole >>

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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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When Grayson Murray was seven years old, his dad took him and his older brother to Triangle Golf Complex, not far from their home in Raleigh. Using his mother’s clubs, Grayson took a few swings and struck some impressive golf shots. His family looked on in disbelief, jaws dropped.

“Where’d you learn to do that?” they asked. Grayson shrugged. “I saw it on TV once,” he said.

Since that day, Grayson has come a long way during his golf career — but 2017 was a record year. In July, the 23-year-old rookie won the Barbasol Championship for his first PGA TOUR title. The come-from-behind victory in Alabama secured his TOUR status through the 2018–2019 season, and even qualified him for the 99th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last August. After shooting three-under on the first day in Charlotte, Grayson would finish tied for 22nd in his first major. Hopefully, his 2018 will be even better.

Breaking Records

TPC Wakefield Plantation’s junior scholar, 15-year-old Akshay Bhatia, played lights-out golf this past summer at the 42nd Boys Junior Championship, hosted by The Country Club of St. Albans. Shooting 22-under-par 266, the lefthanded Akshay posted an all-time course and championship record 61 that Sunday. His finish beat the previous record of 62, held by TOUR pros Jordan Speith and Miguel Cabrera-Bello, among others.

At the end of September, Akshay helped the US Team in the inaugural Junior Presidents Cup to a 14-10 victory and is already on the radar of many colleges for the 2020 recruiting class. The real question is — will he bypass college and turn pro?

Carter Jenkins Makes His PGA TOUR Debut

Raleigh Country Club’s junior scholar Carter Jenkins made his PGA TOUR debut at the Wells Fargo Championship at Eagle Point Golf Club this year. With his dad, Bobby, by his side as his caddy, it was an unforgettable week.

“The magnitude of what this could be started to hit me a little bit,” says Carter of the moments before teeing off on the PGA TOUR. With four bogeys on the front, it took some time for him to wear off the pressure. Bobby recalls, “We were walking up on seven and I told him, ‘Son, I’m proud of you. You’ve worked through the nerves and it took you eight holes for it to be just golf again.’”

After that, Carter got in a good rhythm. He may not have made the cut, but he finished the day +3. And that’s a score both he and his dad are proud of. Currently, Carter is trying to secure his Web.com Tour status. Regardless, we expect to see him play well at the 2018 Rex Hospital Open.

The McConnell Golf Scholarship Program

In 2008, McConnell Golf announced their first elite class of young golfers who were awarded with McConnell Golf High School Golf Scholarships. These impressive golfers are nominated by their high school coaches or golf pros based on their level of talent, need, and commitment to the sport — as well as their proven dedication and value to the sport’s future.

This innovative program is designed to offer limited membership opportunities to talented young golfers who may not have the financial ability to play challenging courses. The awarded group has access to all McConnell Golf facilities and participates in a structured program designed to help elevate their game. Scholarship recipients are eligible to play in events that are for McConnell Golf members, and are consistently exposed to quality players and courses.

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New physical therapy and expanded massage therapy offerings enhance the member experience.

There's no doubt that taking the proactive, “apple-a-day” approach to healthy living has gained measurable traction over recent years. But beyond its lighter menus and modern fitness offerings, McConnell Golf is taking further steps in its commitment to wellness. So, what’s next? Massage therapy and physical therapy.

McConnell Golf recently introduced Concierge Physical Therapists to its clubs. Their network of therapists is based on the belief that clients need more than what most high-volume physical therapy clinics can offer. According to Bryan Williams, founder of CPT: “I believe in one-on-one, hour-long appointments with a physical therapist specializing in manual techniques complemented with neuromuscular re-education and exercise.”

Concierge Physical Therapists has grown substantially throughout the mid-Atlantic area and now serves eight private clubs, including TPC Wakefield Plantation and Providence Country Club, with plans to add the service to Sedgefield Country Club, Country Club of Asheville, and Old North State Club soon.

“Club members benefit from several aspects of our service, including the convenience of receiving physical therapy at their club’s fitness center,” says Williams. “Members get high-level service due to our one-on-one intensive approach.”

All of CPT’s therapists hold doctoral degrees or have 20-plus years of experience working with golfers, tennis players, and non-athletes. In addition to physical therapy, two McConnell clubs offer massage therapy — Sedgefield and Old North State. Sedgefield offers treatments Monday through Friday. Members can schedule appointments directly with therapist Lisa Gagnon or with Fitness Director Sherri Tallant. In bringing massage therapy to Sedgefield, Tallant says that her goal was to offer a one-stop shop club experience for members.

“The more amenities we can offer on property, the more convenient for our members,” she says. “Massage therapy is a great idea for golfers, tennis players, and anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of a relaxing massage.” As Sedgefield member Lynn Burgio affirms, these new wellness additions have been a big hit.

“I have been receiving therapeutic massage for several years now,” she says. “These massages helped my body heal incredibly well from recent knee replacement surgery.” Old North State currently offers 60-minute massages April – September each Saturday by appointment only. According to Chris Callicutt, director of tennis and activities: “We added massage therapy to complete that resort-style feel and to add a spa element to a club with already bountiful amenities. This offering helps reach our goal of holistic wellness for our members.”

ONSC member Lucy Mullen raves about the program. “Men and women alike are enjoying this. The massage therapy room is well-appointed and provides a calm, relaxing atmosphere for each session.”

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