Greensboro-based golf course architect Kris Spence tapped to dually function as project architect and construction manager.
CHARLOTTE, NC (December 2017) – Raleigh-based McConnell Golf has announced plans for a $3.2-million renovation of the golf course and clubhouse at Charlotte’s Providence Country Club.
McConnell Golf Founder and CEO John McConnell announced the renovation plans in a December 7 letter to the Providence CC membership.
“Your advisory board has approved our plan to move forward with the anticipated golf course renovation that will begin in early 2018,” McConnell wrote. “We will be presenting the renovation plan to the membership on January 11th.”
McConnell Golf hired Greensboro-based golf course architect Kris Spence to dually function as the architect for the project as well as construction manager.
Some of Spence’s previous renovation projects include two other McConnell Golf properties, Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club and Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville, N.C., as well as Country Club of North Carolina and Roaring Gap GC.
Spence worked on the Brook Valley renovation with Chris Parham, who is now the superintendent at Providence.
“Mr. Spence has been involved in numerous projects in the Carolinas over the past 20 years and has an outstanding reputation for providing quality work,” wrote McConnell. “He is a visionary in implementing new features and modernization when he updates an existing course.”
The comprehensive renovation project at Providence CC will focus on bunkers, new and expanded irrigation for better course conditioning, transitioning the greens putting surfaces to Champion Bermuda, along with designing new, dramatic looks from the fairways.
“I know that Mr. Spence has a sincere passion for what he thinks your course can become after visiting the course on numerous occasions and we look forward to starting construction in the next two months,” McConnell wrote.
McConnell Golf said it anticipates that the course will reopen for play by early September next year.
“We’ll be able to keep the golf course much more consistently well-maintained,” said McConnell Golf Director of Agronomy Michael Shoun. “It’s a much-needed project that will serve the Providence membership well.
“This will help separate Providence from some of the other facilities in that area,” Shoun said. “(Spence) has done a great job for us in the past. He’s very conscientious and will go out of his way to get the job done right. That’s the kind of guy you want to work with.”
When McConnell Golf purchased Providence CC in February 2016 the company committed to invest $4 million in new improvements. Currently, the amount deployed has been $1.8 million. With the golf course renovation and clubhouse upgrade, McConnell Golf will have invested more than $5 million to enhance the membership experience at Providence CC.
McConnell Golf owns a dozen 18-hole, private golf courses plus one nine-hole course throughout the Carolinas and Tennessee. McConnell Golf also operates the 27-hole public Raleigh Golf Association and manages the Grande Dunes Members Club and Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for LStar Ventures.
McConnell said the Providence CC golf shop would announce to members the reciprocal options for golf activities while the course is under construction. As a benefit of being a McConnell Golf member, Providence CC members have unlimited access at all McConnell Golf properties for incidental charges only while the golf course is closed.
In addition to the golf course renovation, McConnell Golf will also be redesigning the Providence CC member dining areas in early 2018. The bar will be expanded and relocated to a larger back room, with new furnishings and colors for the dining rooms.
“I know that the improved ambience of these new dining upgrades will be well received by our members when completed, and will make it a first choice option for dining and events,” McConnell wrote. “We are pleased to report that membership growth has very been positive the past two years and we know that happy members are vitally important to retaining and attracting new ones.”
ABOUT MCCONNELL GOLF
McConnell Golf (McConnellGolf.com) memberships include privileges at a dozen 18-hole, private golf courses plus one nine-hole course throughout the Carolinas and Tennessee. McConnell Golf’s stable of prestigious clubs includes Raleigh Country Club and TPC Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, NC, Sedgefield Country Club Ross Course and Dye Course in Greensboro, NC, Providence Country Club in Charlotte, NC, Old North State Club in New London, NC, Treyburn Country Club in Durham, NC, Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville, NC, Country Club of Asheville (NC), The Reserve Golf Club in Pawleys Island, SC, Musgrove Mill Golf Club in Clinton, SC and Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, TN. McConnell Golf also operates the 27-hole public Raleigh Golf Association and manages the Grande Dunes Members Club and Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach for LStar Ventures.
Contact:
Martin Armes (919) 608-7260, martinarmes@nc.rr.com
Brad King (336) 306-9219, king@bradkingcommunications.com
