McConnell Golf eyes Greensboro course

Entrepreneur John McConnell is interested in adding the prestigious Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro to his golfing empire.

McConnell, whose Raleigh company owns and operates a half-dozen country clubs in the Carolinas, said Sedgefield's board of directors made a presentation to the club's membership last week to discuss his interest in buying the club. But McConnell, who attended that meeting, hasn't made a formal offer.

"The membership has to agree that this is something they want to pursue," said McConnell, the CEO and owner of McConnell Golf. "Until there is a consensus, we are sitting on the sidelines."

Patrick Eakes, president of Sedgfeield's board, couldn't be reached for comment.

McConnell is partial to courses designed by top course architects, and Sedgefield fits the bill. It was designed by the renowned Donald Ross, who also designed the Raleigh Country Club -- which was the first course McConnell acquired in 2003.

Sedgefield also hosts a PGA tour event, a boast that none of McConnell's other courses can make. The Wyndham Championship is played at Sedgefield.

McConnell Golf also owns the Cardinal Golf and Country Club in Greensboro. Owning two courses -- one on the north end of the city and one on the south side -- would offer "a better membership value," said McConnell.

McConnell Golf offers its country club members an unusual deal: Those who pay an initiation fee at one course gains access to all of them.

McConnell said he's looking at other potential acquisitions as well, although he's not naming names.

"We have plenty of people calling us right now and asking them to look at their opportunity," he said.

McConnell made millions in the medical software business , then turned his golfing hobby into a business when he bought the Raleigh Country Club after it went bankrupt. His other courses include Durham's Treyburn Country Club.