History

Founders Manly McWilliams, Herbert Hitch, Gayle Rogers, James A. Malcolm, Bill Allen, George Munford, Banks McClintock, Elmer Rouzer, and Bill Warnell officially opened the Club with 200 total members. Each member paid $250 each to purchase the golf course which had been abandoned after World War II.

Built for $48,000, Carmel's first clubhouse was a modest structure that opened with an inaugural dance for the members to enjoy their new building.

The first foursome (Wayne Smith, Robert Sisk, Manly McWilliams, and James Malcolm) teed off on a mild autumn day. The Charlotte Observer described the course as "beautiful." But the members knew better. The rolling hills were filled with rocks which made it nearly impossible to play in the rough. So the members tackled the problem headfirst with "picking parties". They were divided into two teams, each equipped with a truck and a keg of beer. The team with the most rocks was treated to dinner by the other team.

In his 1964 message to the membership, Club President Mason Smith shared Carmel's desire to expand upon their amenities. A new swimming pool, a new clubhouse and an additional 18 holes of golf were proposed. Smith concluded that it would "be more economically sound to provide all of these major improvements at one time and as soon as possible.

Often regarded as the most significant change in Carmel's history to date, the opening of the new clubhouse was the beginning of many major improvements to the Club.

Construction began in the summer of 1967 and concluded in the fall of 1969. Course Architect, Ellis Maples originally was contracted for a nine hole course but, after discussion with the Board of Directors, sketched a drawing for a new 18 hole course.

1973 Tennis Chairman, Fred Stubblefield spearheaded the construction of new tennis courts- both hard-court and clay. The number of courts jumped from two to nine and along with it came new programs for members of all ages.

1977 Board President, Robert Cashion, was a long-time supporter of the Charlotte Symphony. The Charlotte Symphony has performed every year since and serves as one of Carmel's most cherished traditions.

Rees Jones received his undergraduate degree from Yale, attended Harvard's graduate school of design and in 1964, joined his father's firm - proven to be one of the greatest golf course planners in the world. Construction of the South Course began and Rees Jones was able to have elevated greens, mounds and bunkers. He developed many of his plans for the renovation of the South Course on a yellow pad. Here is his rendering of the 11th hole. In notes accompanying the design, Jones says, "The intent of this green complex design was to create a more challenging and demanding approach shot into the green since it requires a short iron."

In 2007, Carmel made waves with the introduction of our resort-style pool complex, catapulting us to premier status, especially among families seeking luxury and leisure in Charlotte. This transformative addition not only attracted attention but also led to the development of a lengthy waiting list, solidifying Carmel's reputation as the ultimate destination for those seeking unparalleled amenities and a vibrant family atmosphere.

In April 2021, our club completed a remarkable $21 million renovation. This transformative project introduced a wealth of enhancements, including an expanded Fitness Center, the addition of the Gaslight Grill, and expansions to our banquet spaces, Women's Card Room, and Men's Grill. These upgrades served as a testament to our dedication to providing our members with unparalleled amenities and experiences.