RALEIGH, NC -- The marketing concept of the "Golf Trail" is far from a new one as Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Trail blazed that trail, so to speak, years ago and others have followed since. Yet, the Carolinas-based McConnell Golf Trail is quite different from most in that it offers its guests a rare opportunity to play a sampling of some of the most prestigious private golf courses in North and South Carolina.

Its guests comfortably traveling around the Carolinas to a geographically well-positioned collection of the area's finest golf, the McConnell Golf Trail separates itself from the pack with its offering of otherwise restricted facilities that feature pure golf for the true golfer.

"We are very excited to offer this package to non-members of McConnell Golf," said Ray McDonald, VP Sales and Marketing for McConnell Golf. "Our outstanding collection of historic Carolina golf courses provides the most serious of golfers with the finest the sport has to offer."

McConnell Golf has been one of the brightest stories in the golf world recently following its 2011 purchase of venerable Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., a Donald Ross design that served as long-time host of the PGA TOUR'S Greater Greensboro Open and new home to the Wyndham Championship, and its acquisition of TPC Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, N.C. — host to an annual Web.com Tour event since 2001.

Sedgefield and TPC Wakefield grew McConnell Golf's impressive stable of private club offerings to eight, a list that includes award-winning courses such as Old North State in New London, N.C., a Tom Fazio-design consistently rated top five in state by North Carolina Golf Panel; The Cardinal in Greensboro, N.C., a Pete Dye original and redesign, and long-time site of Cardinal Amateur; and The Reserve in Pawley's Island, S.C., a Greg Norman design among the state's Top 50.

All are available to McConnell Golf Trail guests along with venerable Raleigh Country Club, consistently ranked among the top courses in North Carolina, including No. 1 in the Triangle, and boasting the region's largest golf teaching facilities. The last course designed by Donald Ross, Raleigh CC opened for play in July 1949, with Hall of Fame member Sam Snead playing an exhibition tournament. Ellis Maples became the club's first Director of Golf and Arnold Palmer played numerous rounds as a collegian during his early years.

A short, half-hour drive from Raleigh CC is Durham's Treyburn Country Club, a masterful Tom Fazio design. Finally, along with The Reserve, the McConnell Golf Trail's other South Carolina destination is Musgrove Mill Golf Club. Designed by Arnold Palmer Design Company and opened in 1988, Musgrove Mill has played host to nearly every South Carolina Golf Association event and Carolinas' Amateur tournaments, and has been consistently ranked as Golfweek Magazine's Top 100 Modern Courses and Golf Digest's Top 10 Courses in South Carolina.

Like Old North State Club, Musgrove Mill represents an enviable getaway for any golfer looking to tackle one of golf's finest tests, then offers a world-class sanctuary for golfers to eat and rest their heads after their rounds.

At Musgrove Mill, Trail guests stay in on-site cottages for overnight accommodations and also enjoy a first-rate practice facility, full-service clubhouse, all while taking in the historic significance as a former Revolutionary War battle site.

Meanwhile, Old North State Club brings to the table a host of amenities found nowhere short of a private, recreational resort, where Trail guests can stay in the original clubhouse, which has been turned into a spacious, eight-room lodge
with a kitchen, bar, dining area and recreational room. Located on the 5,300-acre Badin Lake, Old North State Club is a secluded, gated community surrounded by the quiet beauty of Uwharrie National Forest, which helps make it such a desirable private retreat.

Lucas Glover, the 2009 United States Open champion, appreciates first hand the quality of courses on the McConnell Golf Trail. As a McConnell Golf member, a native of Greenville, S.C., who grew up playing golf around the Carolinas, and a former All-American at Clemson University, Glover is well qualified to endorse McConnell Golf's weeklong dream tour.

"These are some of the finest private courses in the Carolinas," Glover said. "McConnell Golf understands that combining championship golf with excellent service results in an experience by which all others will be measured."

The McConnell Trail gives its guests a structured itinerary precisely laying out travel to and from courses, lodging specifics, and lunch and dinner provisions. McConnell Trail guests are met at the Charlotte or Raleigh-Durham International Airports and their driver also serves as the group's forecaddie for the week, although individual caddies may also be arranged.

Throughout the week guests are chauffeured to the private clubs where they experience unlimited golf and first-rate accommodations either on the club property or at a nearby hotel. At a participating hotel such as the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley and the Greensboro High Point Airport Marriott, McConnell Trail guests enjoy Concierge floors including access to a private lounge with complimentary afternoon snacks and a bountiful buffet breakfast.

Otherwise, a professional, personal chef prepares most meals along the way, usually salads and sandwiches for lunch and gourmet offerings, such as surf and turf for dinner. Each golfer is given a temporary McConnell membership card allowing signing privilege for drinks and pro shop items. A grand farewell dinner is provided on the last evening, wrapping up the golfing experience of a lifetime.

The McConnell Group may arrange 3, 5 or 7-day packages all customized to fit the guests' choice of courses and schedule. Package prices vary depending on season, being lower during the off-peak months (November-March). Packages are per golfer, and The McConnell Golf Trail requires a minimum of four participants per party.

"Since we have some of the top-rated courses in the state we thought there may be a market for the discerning golfer looking for that added experience of luxury golf on private courses," said John McConnell. "Our intentions are to offer only a limited number of packages each season and to provide an unforgettable experience to those who decide to spend time on the McConnell Trail."

www.McConnellGolfTrail.com

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