Major Championship at Charlotte C.C.?

Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter! We’re glad you’re here.

Come for updates on the latest Charlotte golf news, stay for the course takes, swing thoughts, and reminders to get to the range this offseason.

Daylight savings is upon us - meaning no post-work golf (or, if you’re like me and home with a newborn, no golf period). Sad. Nevertheless, here’s your update on all things CLT golf.

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THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

Charlotte Country Club to host two future USGA Championships… could there be more?

The USGA recently awarded Charlotte Country Club the 2028 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and 2033 U.S. Senior Open. These events will mark the 4th and 5th USGA Championships hosted at CCC, the most recent being the 2018 U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Spidey senses tingling: I had a blast attending the 2024 ACC Men’s Golf Championship hosted at CCC back in April, but couldn’t believe the scorecard yardage for the event - 7,396 yards! It’s a big ballpark. Couple that with a slated Andrew Green renovation (who is developing a reputation as a modern-day “Open Doctor” after his work at Oak Hill, Congressional Blue, and Inverness) and I can’t help but wonder if the Club is angling for bigger and bigger hosting duties.

What’s next?: A U.S. Open at Charlotte?! Well, probably not. Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of slots for new courses to enter the fray with future sites allocated through 2042. The infrastructure needs for a major championship would likely also stretch the Club’s footprint, but a tournament the scale of the U.S. Amateur seems well within the realm of possibility. All the signs are there and the Club seems willing to host, so fingers crossed more big events are headed to CCC.

TOURNAMENTS

Locals Kilgo/Hamel take Carolina Invitational

Matt Kilgo and Scott Hamel captured the 2024 Carolina Invitational in a playoff over Sam Jenkins and Kevin Gately. The duo from Raintree Country Club prevailed in the 36-hole four-ball competition over a strong field comprised of former U.S. Mid-Amateur participants, CGA champions, and Charlotte City Am winners. The event took place November 9th-10th at Carolina Golf Club.

A best-ball 61 launched the locals up the leaderboard on Sunday. Kilgo, who won the 2018 North Carolina Mid-Amateur Championship at Ballantyne Country Club, hit his approach on the first playoff hole to two feet to seal the deal.

Celeb sighting: Former NFL running back Danny Woodhead was in the field, as he and partner Wes Patterson finished T9 at -11. Woodhead has gone all in on golf since his retirement from the NFL and recently qualified for his second U.S. Four Ball.

Hole by hole results?: View full scoring (click Sign In and use GGID KP6UXD)

STORIES TO TRACK

Renovations: Club’s across the city are flush with cash from the post-COVID golf boom and are investing in upgrading their facilities.

• Coming soon: Pine Lake Country Club is shutting down the golf course for renovation work in December, a $5.5 million project featuring a switch from bentgrass to bermudagrass greens. Should be a major improvement for PLCC IMO. Carolina Golf Club will also kickoff it’s full clubhouse renovation in early 2025.

Municipal Golf Improvements: It’s not just private clubs funding projects - Mecklenburg County recently approved $550K worth of improvements to city golf courses.

• My two cents: Whether or not $550K is enough is an issue we’ll cover in a future newsletter.

3s Coming to Charlotte: The popular Greenville, SC-based par three concept is targeting a 2025 opening for it’s second location in the Charlotte area. 3’s Charlotte will take the place of the former Pebble Creek Golf Course in Indian Trail.

• Hot take (or maybe lukewarm): Charlotte public golf doesn’t have quantity problem. It has a quality problem. Courses investing in unique, differentiated golf experiences should stand out in the Charlotte market. Excited to check this out next year.

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