By Steve Huffman The recently opened Coaching Cabin at Salem Glen Country Club represents something of a dream come true for Jimmy McMullen. “It’s an awesome place,” he said. McMullen is the director of the Salem Glen Golf Academy. He has been a PGA professional for 22 years and said it has long been his…
Sapona’s new direction: Newton gives Lexington club energy, vision
By Steve Huffman Chad Newton is ecstatic to be back at Sapona Golf, Swim and Tennis Club, and wants to see the facility flourish under his guidance. “I have a deep appreciation of Sapona and understand its value to the local community and the City of Lexington,” Newton said. “I want to raise the level…
The Cardinal by Pete Dye now accepting public play
By Brad King One of the Triad’s most renowned, challenging — and formerly private — golf experiences is now accessible by the public. At the beginning of March, owner McConnell Golf announced that it would be transitioning the Sedgefield Country Club Dye Course near Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro into a semi-private facility. McConnell Golf also…
The Franz Footprint, upstart architect stars in the Sandhills
By David Droschak At 28 years old and the golf world still reeling from the Great Recession, fresh-faced architect Kyle Franz made a bold prediction after having a hand in the bunkering work at Pinehurst No. 2. “I did an interview in the summer of 2010 right after we finished Pinehurst No. 2 and one…
Southwick celebrates 50th anniversary in style
By Brad King Southwick Golf Course in Graham debuted in 1969 as a nine-hole layout designed and carved along the meandering banks of the Haw River by owner Elmo Cobb. Hoping to appeal to golfers who might moonlight as Civil War buffs, Cobb named his creation Confederate Acres Golf Course. Five years later, he opened…
High Meadows getting facelift this spring
By David Droschak For more than a half century, High Meadows Golf & Country Club has remained untouched, standing the test of time as one of the more playable and serene settings in the North Carolina mountains. Few courses these days – especially with all of the advances in grasses, golf course technology and increased…
No mystery in Migliaccio’s golf game
By Kurt Dusterberg Emilia Migliaccio is riding a charter bus with her Wake Forest teammates, heading to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. While the rest of the team relaxes ahead of a flight to the Dominican Republic for a tournament, she is chatting away on her cell phone. “At least the bus is kind of loud,”…
Grandover Resort: Honoring the past, embracing the future
By David Droschak It can be argued that Grandover Resort took the path of least resistance when it opened in February 1999. Despite its rightful place as a trendy boutique hotel with an Old World décor to match, Grandover focused on capturing the business traveler and conventions. To the naked eye, it was a natural…
Business Buzz: Middle School student starts own golf business
By David Droschak James Walsh isn’t ready for the entrepreneurial realty TV show Shark Tank just yet, but the 12-year-old is gaining on it with a monster of an idea. After making the golf team at Calvary Baptist in Winston-Salem, the middle school student fell in love with the game with father Patrick, who had…
Championship Central: USGA places North Carolina on center stage over next five years.
By David Droschak Few states offer more golfing diversity than North Carolina. And there are few places the United States Golf Association favor more than here … and in particular the Sandhills area. Pinehurst Resort hosted U.S. Opens in 1999 and 2005, then an historic men’s and women’s Open doubleheader in 2014. Meanwhile, Pine Needles…