Speculation that one of Raleigh’s oldest public golf courses would fall victim to the city’s housing boom has now been put to rest. McConnell Golf has secured the future of one of the region’s oldest public courses through a lease extension with the Raleigh Golf Association (RGA) Board of Directors. The shareholders and Board of Directors of Raleigh Golf Association (RGA) have agreed to preserve the main tract of the historic course and have extended its lease and partnership with Raleigh-based McConnell Golf.
As part of this long-term agreement, McConnell Golf has committed $3.5 million to fully renovate the course under the leadership of renowned golf course architect Kris Spence. The renovation will also include the development of a new, state-of-the-art driving range featuring 60 hitting bays and lighting, ensuring year-round access and playability. This modern practice facility has the potential to become one of Raleigh’s finer golf teaching centers, further enhancing the club’s legacy and accessibility to golfers of all levels.
“I want to thank the RGA Board of Directors for the many hours of work that has gone into this agreement that will keep a historic 1929 golf course open and successful. I also want to thank McConnell Golf for their significant financial investment to renovate the course. During a period when many public courses throughout America have been sold for development, we are proud that RGA will remain open and available for our community,” said Mark Fleming, president of the RGA Board of Directors.
“This is a significant win for the game of golf in Raleigh and a heroic statement by the shareholders to preserve what has been around for more than 100 years,” said John McConnell, founder and CEO of McConnell Golf. “We are proud to be part of this project and look forward to revitalizing RGA into a premier public golf destination.”
With this renewed partnership, McConnell Golf continues its mission of preserving and enhancing historic golf properties, ensuring that generations to come can enjoy the sport in an accessible and well-maintained setting. This commitment comes at a time when Raleigh faces significant urban development pressures, with many golf courses having disappeared from the cityscape. The preservation of RGA helps maintain affordable, public golf in the spirit of its founders and shareholders since its establishment in 1929.
The course was redesigned in 1998 by David Postlethwaite, enhancing its layout while maintaining its classic appeal. The course is known for being “walker-friendly,” with minimal distances between greens and tees, catering to golfers of all skill levels.
Throughout its history, RGA has hosted a variety of corporate, fundraising, tournament, and league events. The club is a favorite destination for seniors, women, and junior golfers, offering specific leagues and frequently hosting local high school tournaments and matches.
In 2016, McConnell Golf took over operations of RGA, aiming to preserve and enhance the course’s rich history. This partnership has ensured that RGA remains a cherished golfing destination in Raleigh.
Recently, there have been discussions about potential development on parts of the RGA property. The core of the course is expected to remain intact, renovated and enhanced, preserving its historic significance.
RGA’s enduring presence and adaptability have solidified its status as a cornerstone of Raleigh’s golfing community, offering a blend of tradition and modern amenities for nearly a century. The extended lease between McConnell Golf and RGA represents a steadfast commitment to preserving Raleigh’s rich golfing heritage, ensuring that this historic course remains a vibrant, accessible, and premier destination for golfers of all levels for generations to come, including a state-of-the-art driving range and teaching center. Golf lives in Raleigh.
McConnell Golf offers its members access to a collection of properties with pure golf, legendary service, and vibrant amenities, each a distinct icon in their locale. Its portfolio of 16 properties spans North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, with courses designed by celebrated architects such as Donald Ross, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer, and Greg Norman.
Photos Courtesy of McConnell Golf