If you’ve spent any time on the green or around passionate golfers, you know that lifelong friendships are forged on the course. And long-time buddies Michael Maness, Ross VanDyck, and Eric VanDyck, the three owners of the Traveling Country Club, want to help make more of those connections happen.
The idea for their fast-growing network of members and affiliated courses was hatched over Thanksgiving in 2018, and hasn’t stopped evolving or expanding since. “We had kicked around a few business ideas before, but nothing stuck,” reflects Ross. “Then my brother Eric pitched us the idea behind the TCC, and we said, ‘Wow—this is the one!’”
The three men met through golf, playing together at the University of South Carolina, so they saw the power the game has to create meaningful connections between people. As their careers moved them around the country, golf was the thread that kept them in contact, until they saw an opportunity to make the lifestyle they loved more accessible than ever.
“When you join a club, you meet new people, go to events, build your business network,” Ross says, “but the reality is that not very many people—especially younger folks—are capable of joining an expensive private club. That’s why we set out to create the TCC, to help the golf courses fill their unused tee times, and create a network that is very inclusive, affordable, and fun. We host tournaments and leagues, like many private clubs do, but make it easy for anyone to get involved.”
Anywhere you travel as a member of this network, you can find an affiliate course, or meet other members who want to play. You’ll never be bored.
Ross credits his lifelong passion for golf and Michael Maness’s background in the game—Maness caddied for Bill Haas and Kevin Chappell between his own pro tours—as the reason they’re able to leverage the insights that make TCC memberships an incredible value.
“We started here in Greenville, and now we’ve expanded to Charleston and Charlotte. We’ve got courses in Myrtle Beach and Columbia as well,” shares Michael. In addition to giving members access to unlimited play across a portfolio of challenging and fun courses, the trio saw this as a way to preserve green spaces in danger of disappearing.
“At the time, in 2018, the industry was not looking good,” Ross explains. With new home construction booming and less people playing, courses were starting to close down holes and sell their acreage. “We saw this as our opportunity to help the golf courses, especially the public courses. By filling those unused tee times, our members help keep the golf courses busy and profitable.”
And getting back out on the green is beautifully simple with the TCC Clubhouse app. “You can literally pull into the parking lot of a golf course, sign up on the app within minutes, and head onto the course. You can book a tee time and play with new people, or with your buddies,” Michael adds.
Whether you’re a local or a road warrior, the Traveling Country Club was designed to keep passionate golfers engaged and excited. “Ideally, anywhere you travel as a member of this network, you can find an affiliate course, or meet other members who want to play. That’s our vision,” says Michael. “You’ll never be bored.”
Find out more at travelingcountryclub.com.
GETTING STARTED
Membership
$95/month or $950/year.
One-time Initiation Fee
$60: includes a swag kit plus your GHIN handicap system.
Serious Perks
Unlimited play at affiliated courses with golf carts included, exclusive events and tournaments, special discounts and gear pricing, and more.
THE 2021 COASTAL CLASSIC
The TCC is hosting their inaugural member/member or member/guest tournament August 14–15, at two Top 100 courses, True Blue and Caledonia, on Pawleys Island. This premier event will bring together members from major Southeastern cities.
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