Member Profile - The Nergards

Those of a slightly older generation are sure to recall the old American Express credit cards that had the “Member Since” tagline in the bottom right corner, proudly displaying the year the cardholder became a customer.

If Cherokee Valley Course and Club’s membership cards displayed the date members joined, Bob and Beth Nergard’s would read “Since 2004.” That’s right, George W. Bush was President, Usher’s “Yeah” was Billboard’s No. 1 song and Phil Mickelson had just won his first major championship at The Masters when the Nergards joined the Cherokee Valley family. 

“Before the housing crash, lots up here were selling for $300,000 to $400,000, Dan Marino was flying up for promotions and Golf Digest had a golf school here,” says Bob. “It was a really different period, and we’ve seen quite a few changes over the years.” 

Bob, a longtime pilot with American Airlines, and Beth, recently retired from a successful career in health and wellness, first visited Greenville in 2003. The couple were living in Colorado at the time but contemplating a move to the Carolinas to be closer to (then) U.S. Airway’s hub in Charlotte. 

“We’d originally thought about moving a few years down the road but ended up moving almost right away,” says Bob. “We fell in love with the area and the community and bought a model [home] from the original developer.”

The Nergards ended up buying a lot and building their own custom home in 2007, just before the onset of the Great Recession. Bob’s mom and dad sold their home in Chicago, bought his and Beth’s model home along the left side of No. 9, and also joined Cherokee Valley.

“They are 96 and 91 years old now, so they don’t play the course anymore, but they love to go to the practice range and chip and putt,” Bob says. “We’ve loved having them here, it’s such a great family atmosphere at Cherokee.”

Fitness and longevity run in the family. Cherokee Valley members are allowed to walk the course, and Bob and Beth take full advantage of the opportunity. While some members walk the relatively flat front nine, many pick-up a golf cart before heading out on the hilly back nine.

Not Bob and Beth.

“All 18 holes, you bet,” says Bob, when asked a second time if he really walks the entire layout, which according to an online calorie calculator burns around 3,000 calories. “I have my Sun Mountain pushcart that I use and a Sun Mountain bag that fits on it perfectly.” 

The Nergards are Family Platinum Members, which grants them full access to the golf course seven days a week, 14-day advance tee time booking, and unlimited use of the practice facility (with range balls). They also enjoy the members only resort style pool and Fitness Center at the Training Center, which houses elliptical and rowing machines, a treadmill, kettle bells, free weights and bands. 

The Platinum Family Membership also includes a North Greenville University Co-Op, offering access to the Younts Wellness Center on campus (currently undergoing renovations), tennis courts and rubberized walking trail. Also, part of the NGA Co-Op, members get complimentary access to sporting and cultural events, and $5 off football tickets and performances at the Billingsley Theater. 

“We just love this place, and we understand the value we’re receiving,” Bob says. “The practice facility is such a great asset. That’s where I’ve been spending a lot of time, lately.”

Bob says he’s been working on some swing changes, and having a full driving range, short game area and putting green helps him accelerate his game improvement. Currently a six handicap, he’s aiming to get back to a three or four before the end of the year. 

“Beth is such a great athlete, she hits it a long way and when she’s playing a lot she can easily shoot in the 80s,” Bob says. 

Like many Cherokee Valley members, Bob doesn’t have a favorite hole. In fact, he has three. He’s a big fan of the return to the layout’s original configuration (with the opening of The Shop and Core 450) and believes holes 16-18 are as good as it gets around Greenville.

“That closing stretch with a dramatic par 5 and two long par 4s is such a great way to finish a round of golf,” he says. “When 17 and 18 were [holes] one and two, I think that added a couple strokes to everyone’s round.” 

According to Bob, Cherokee Valley’s defense against par isn’t its length, however. With the majority of green complexes being elevated in true P.B. Dye fashion, a strong command of distance control on approach shots is a must. 

“Definitely on the first hole, that green is one of the hardest to putt on the entire course in my opinion,” he says. “It’s also a demanding course off the tee, especially on the back nine. No. 14 is probably the hardest hole for me if I’m playing it from the black tees, just trying to thread it between the two creeks into a narrow fairway with a dogleg left.”

If you see Bob and Beth out on the golf course – walking, naturally – be sure to say hello.