Rocky River Golf Course in Concord, North Carolina near the Charlotte Motor Speedway

Embassy Suites Owner to Manage Rocky River Golf Club - March 8, 2007

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.

	Rocky River Golf Club, 6900 Speedway Boulevard, Concord, NC
	Exit Weekday Web Green Fee Special 4 for 3 for foursome
First Nine	Click First Nine to take a tour of the first 9 holes. For each hole there is a photo from the tee and an a view of the green. To go back click Exit
2nd Nine	Click 2nd Nine to take a tour of the back nine.
Directions	From Charlotte take I85 North to Speedway Exit. Turn right off ramp and the course entrance is a mile on the left.
Pro Shop	Call 704-455-1200 for tee times
Fees	$47 on weekdays, $53 Fridays, $64 weekends & holidays before 2pm
Policies	Proper golf attire required. No coolers
Facilities	Pro shop and restaurant with facilities for banquets and special events.
Practice	The practice area includes a driving range & putting green. Lessons available from pro staff.
Statistics	Gold 6970, Green 6450, White 6028, Burgundy 4754
Pesonnel	Floyd Gragg - Head Pro and GM
Misc.	Rated in 2002 as a Golf Digest "Places to Play" NC, Rocky River Golf Club is located across the street from Charlotte Motor Speedway and during the race events the race cars can be heard in the distance. The course is only 2 minutes from Interstate 85 and the famous Concord Shopping Mall. Fairways over seeded in winter every other winter.
	6/20/2006 Twelve Advance From US Kids World Qualifier at Rocky River 5/25/2006 Rocky River Golf Club in Concord, N.C., moves up to No. 77 in the ranking of North Carolina's 100 best golf courses, conducted by the North Carolina Golf Panel.