Got Plans for July 2029?

Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

Is it just me, or does it seem like the Masters build-up is creeping earlier and earlier every year? Don’t get me wrong - I’m a sucker for all the content and am downloading the preview podcasts immediately, but you, dear reader, will have to wait until next week for your Masters-themed 2DP.

The good news is we didn’t have to deplete our inventory of azalea analysis, MacKenzie musings, or ryegrass rambling this week to deliver a PACKED newsletter! There is more than enough going on in the world of Charlotte and Carolinas golf to fill our plates - we have more big-time tournament news, another spotlight on a local golf business, and a slew of other stories. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

Carolina Golf Club to Host 2029 Carolinas Amateur

Carolina Golf Club and the Carolinas Golf Association announced the club will celebrate its centennial anniversary by hosting the CGA’s flagship event in July 2029.

“This will be a momentous occasion for the CGA and Carolina Golf Club in celebration of the club’s 100th anniversary and the 115th Carolinas Amateur Championship,” said Rusty Harder, CGA Director of Rules & Competitions, in a letter shared with the membership last weekend.

CGC and its members have demonstrated a strong commitment to hosting high-level amateur events in recent years, holding the annual Carolina Invitational, serving as a qualifying site for the U.S. Amateur, hosting the final round of the Charlotte City Am, and co-hosting the 2018 U.S. Mid-Amateur with Charlotte Country Club.

Kudos: I was mildly critical of the CGA’s venue selection process for the Carolinas Am in my schedule breakdown earlier this year, so I have to give credit where credit is due. While this degree of advanced planning may seem like overkill, it’s the only way to get prominent courses to block off a weekend for an outside event. I also love the idea of finding a reason for the club to get excited, in this case the 100th anniversary, to help get them on board. Great idea and congratulations to all involved.

My thought bubble: My first reaction when I saw the news was trying to remember when the golf ball rollback was going into effect. The answer is 2028 for elite/professional competition and 2030 for recreational play - still unclear where this event falls on that spectrum, but hope we get to see some longer clubs in players’ hands when this event comes around.

GOLF BIZ

Beldrie’s Blair Hedley Gives an Inside Look at Golf Start-up Life in Charlotte

While our content skews toward the seasoned player, we’re huge supporters of anything making golf more accessible for newcomers. For those on the outside, golf can feel like a closed shop full of strange rituals and unspoken rules. Experiencing this dynamic firsthand drove Blair Hedley, a North Carolina native and former Program Manager at Meta, to start Beldrie, a Charlotte-based golf apparel company focused on the game’s fastest growing demographic.

“When I started playing I was intimidated,” said Hedley in a Forbes interview last year. “I hated the way that made me feel and I didn’t want anybody else to feel that way either.”

12 months post-launch of the initial product line, Beldrie is finding its voice in the golf space and establishing itself as a go-to option for female golfers looking for fashionable and functional apparel (including my wife, who wasn’t thrilled with the golf polo I bought her a few years back). Hedley is also finding her footing as a start-up founder and new parent, honing in on the routines and focus areas critical to continue supporting her young company’s growth.

Start-up routine: Hedley typically spends her mornings at the computer working on things like brand strategy, website optimization, and digital marketing. “As a new business, I’m still trying to figure out how best to spend my time,” she said.

In the afternoons, she goes to her storage unit to pack and ship out the day’s orders. “I try to get them out the same day if they come in before noon. Even though I’m a small brand, I want to deliver [for customers] from the very beginning.“

Acquiring customers: Beldrie is 100% direct-to-consumer today, so acquiring customers online is a critical capability. “Facebook and Instagram ads have had pretty solid [return on ad spend] so far. It’s such a complicated world, so I’m trying to seek out experts to help me with that piece.”

As the business has grown, Hedley has adapted the brand’s identity and messaging based on customer feedback. “When I first started, I just wanted to make better golf apparel for women. Now that I’ve talked to customers and better understand what they like and are looking for, I’ve been able to slowly build a brand that is unique and different.”

Product: The catalog started small as Hedley got up to speed on the design and manufacturing processes. “The initial goal was to get one line out and make it the best it could be. The process was slow and expensive, but I don’t have any regrets because it helped me learn the process.”

“We’ll do a new spring line this year, another next year, then get on a spring/fall schedule going forward so customers will have options year-round.”

Biggest challenge: “Managing cash flow and profitability. I’m beyond the experimenting phase and people are buying the product, so it’s time to start making some money!”

STORIES TO TRACK

9 Players Get Through Carolinas Mid-Am Qualifier at Warrior Golf Club: Daniel Walsh of North Wilkesboro led the way with a 3-under 68, followed closely by Raintree Country Club’s Matt Kilgo and River Run’s Ryan Kerns. The cutline fell at 73 (+2).

No Laying Up Podcast Details Recent Carolinas Road Trip: Golf’s New Media powerhouse released a video podcast covering their recent visit to the Carolina Sandhills. They hit a few of the region’s newest courses (The Tree Farm, Broomsedge, and Pinehurst #10) as well as a couple classics (Camden, Pinehurst #2). Fun listen and some very additive drone shots to accompany the discussion.

Charlotte City Amateur Final Round Set for Quail Hollow Club: While the full course lineup is still in the works, the tournament organizers revealed on Instagram that the final round will take place at Quail on August 24th. As per the typical City Am format, the final round will be contested by the low 24 players (no ties) after 36 holes. Details for rounds 1 and 2, as well as qualifying information, should be coming soon.

Megha Ganne Leads Augusta National Women’s Amateur after Opening Round 63 (-9): Ganne made 7 birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free opening round at Champions Retreat, but if you’re looking for a rooting interest with Carolina ties, keep an eye on Winston-Salem’s Macy Pate. Pate is a sophomore at Wake Forest who captured national attention by shooting 57 in a high school tournament back in 2021. She opened with an even par 72 and sits right on the cut line.

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