STATESVILLE, N.C. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — In racing, when someone says, “the 500 Club,” you may think Daytona, Darlington, or even the Indy 500, but the 500 Club is in Statesville.
The crown jewel events are what inspired the name.
“We were just sitting in the clubhouse one day when it was under renovation, and we were talking about what is kind of the elite thing about racing, the crown jewels,” said NASCAR play-by-play announcer Rick Allen. “And we were talking about well it’s the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, and the Southern 500. What’s the common theme there? And it’s like 500, let’s call this the 500 club.”
The idea started with a group text to friends with one simple question.
“Todd Senff, we call him Chopper, he sent out a text to the golf guys’ group and said ‘Is anyone interested in buying a golf course?’” said Allen.
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The course is the former Larkin Golf Club off Amity Hill Road.
“A couple of guys said, ‘yeah I am,’ and I thought that sounds like a lot of fun,” said Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip.
After that, the group met up to play the course, and that helped solidify the decision to purchase it.
“About six holes into we said this thing is legit, it’s a beautiful golf course,” said Allen.
“Just how unique it is, right down the road there’s a course called Peninsula and it’s on Lake Norman, and it’s cool because the lake is there,” said Waltrip. “And you drive literally 20 minutes north and you feel like you’re almost in the mountains. I mean it changes a lot.”
“The whole group has embraced it, we’ve got plenty of NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs, different people that are all involved with our golf guys group that have jumped on board with the 500 Club.”
The 500 Club may sound like an elite country club to be a part of, but it’s the group’s goal to steer it in a different direction with its marketing.
“I think of an entertainment center because there’s going to be pickleball courts, shuffleboard, we have hitting bays there is just so much going on here,” said Waltrip.
“It is not a golf club, it’s not a golf course or a country club. It is nothing like what people think when they hear the words country club. It is nothing like that anymore,” said Allen.
If you are looking for ties to NASCAR, you’ll be sure to find them at the 500 Club. From Daytona 500-winning drivers to the trophies they have won, the club pays its respects to both racing and golf history. The details and the delivery make this a destination for champions and fans alike.
More information can be found by clicking here!
