...Carolina Golf News Line

Embassy Suites Owner to Manage Rocky River Golf Club

CONCORD, N.C. – Rocky River Golf Club at Concord is now under the management of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.

John Q. Hammons owns and operates the new $65 million Embassy Suites hotel & convention center adjacent to Rocky River Golf Club. Hammons built the hotel in partnership with the City of Concord. And given Hammons’ strong background in hotel/golf properties, it was only natural that Concord would select the company to manage its city-owned course.

“This provides the best of both worlds for Rocky River Golf Club,” said Embassy Suites general manager Terry Crawford. “It will continue to offer a quality golf experience to the public, while instantly becoming a destination resort with luxury accommodations, spa and fine dining.”

The partnership is even more natural when you consider that the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord is not your typical Embassy Suites hotel, and Rocky River is not your typical municipal golf course.

Both facilities are built to the highest standards. The hotel, loaded with amenities and upgrades, is the most expensive Embassy Suites ever built by John Q. Hammons, while Rocky River was designed by noted architect Dan Maples of Pinehurst and is ranked among the top 80 golf courses in the state by the North Carolina Golf Panel.

Crawford, the hotel’s general manager, is accustomed to providing guests with quality golf. His previous job was GM of the World Golf Resort in St. Augustine, Fla., home of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

“In 1997, Dan Maples designed Rocky River to a high standard and we intend to bring back his original design intent,” Crawford said. “We’re working hard and golfers should see improvements by summer.”

Hammons has retained most of the staff at Rocky River, including long-time head golf professional Floyd Gragg.

For Rocky River Golf Club info, call (704) 455-1200 or visit www.rockyrivergolf.com.