McConnell Golf finalizes purchase of The Country Club of Asheville

Raleigh-based company plans substantial improvements to the clubhouse and Donald Ross-designed golf course

(ASHEVILLE, N.C.) — Raleigh-based McConnell Golf, the largest owner of private clubs in the Carolinas, announced Monday it had completed acquisition of its long-awaited mountain course, The Country Club of Asheville.

The Country Club of Asheville (CCA) is the Tar Heel State’s oldest private club, its origin dating back to 1894. CCA features a 1928 Donald Ross-designed golf course. Late last year, CCA members voted to join the McConnell Golf organization.

“Given how difficult it can be to find the right club, golf course and club culture within a most desired region of a state, a lot of things have to go right and the planets have to align,” said McConnell Golf Founder and CEO John McConnell. “These all certainly came into order with our latest addition of our long-awaited mountain course, designed by none other than Donald Ross.”

Said McConnell: “We proudly welcome CCA and its membership to our family of clubs. This acquisition gives us three Donald Ross courses, which is the same number of layouts he designed at the Pinehurst Resort.”

McConnell added his company would be making substantial improvements to the CCA clubhouse and golf course over the next two years.

“We want to make this a special venue in a beautiful setting and wonderful city,” said McConnell.

McConnell Golf now owns 10 18-hole, private golf courses plus one nine-hole course around the Carolinas. McConnell founded the company in 2003 with the acquisition of Raleigh Country Club. McConnell Golf’s stable of clubs in North and South Carolina includes Sedgefield Country Club Ross Course and Dye Course in Greensboro, N.C., TPC at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, N.C., Old North State Club in New London, N.C., Treyburn Country Club in Durham, N.C., Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville, N.C., The Reserve Golf Club in Pawleys Island, S.C., and Musgrove Mill Golf Club in Clinton S.C. McConnell Golf also manages the prestigious Grande Dunes Members Course and Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach for LStar Development.