Jack Bonnell

Partnerships + Business Development @UNCHealthChamp

[David Ubben @davidubben]

Dolly's Imagination Library is an unbelievable program. If you register, your kids get a new book every single month until they turn five. Most of our girls' favorite books came from this program.

https://t.co/tOfggVuws0

[UNC HEALTH Championship @UNCHealthChamp]

Raleigh native, Doc Redman has officially earned his PGA TOUR card after a standout 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season.

From competing at the UNC Health Championship to becoming the first player declared TOURBound this season, Doc’s journey is exactly what the Korn Ferry Tour is about.

[Chris Vannini @ChrisVannini]

@lucy_rohden @BunchFormationP One of my draft picks for Best College Football Stadiums is Appalachian State.

🎧📺 Full stadium draft: https://t.co/z8sa5lcYFz

[UNC HEALTH Championship @UNCHealthChamp]

The UNC Health Championship would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and partners.

Thank you for your commitment to our tournament, fans, & mission to make lasting impact in our community. Your support helped create an unforgettable week at Raleigh Country Club.

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

Twenty years later. Just as iconic.

[ESPN @espn]

JORDAN STAAL & THE CANES ARE BUZZIN' 😭🔥

[NHL @NHL]

THE @CANES ARE THE 2026 #STANLEYCUP CHAMPIONS!! 🌪️

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

THE CUP IS COMING BACK TO RALEIGH!!!

[UNC HEALTH Championship @UNCHealthChamp]

Driving excellence on and off the course.
Thank you @Cadillac for helping make the UNC Health Championship a first-class experience.

[Hornets Historian @HornetsHistory]

June 1st, 2026

Remembering Rick Bonnell’s Legacy

Today my focus is on someone who deserves a spotlight in the halls of Hornets History all to himself.

If there was ever a *real* Hornets Historian, it was Rick Bonnell.

Encyclopedia may even be more fitting.

The Hornets family lost the scribe of their franchise on this day five years ago, and it’s something I don’t ever want the fans to forget about.

Especially as younger fans continue to pile in. Those fans may not see the Rick Bonnell media entrance, the seat on media row the Hornets still keep empty for him, or the scholarship the Hornets give out in his namesake every year.

And for those people… I don’t want Rick’s name to fade. Because for most who knew of his work, and especially for those who knew him, it never will.

He’s not just synonymous with the Charlotte Hornets. Rick lived and breathed this team as a beat writer for the Charlotte Observer from 1988-2021.

After graduating from the prestigious Newhouse School of Journalism at Syracuse, and after advising Jim Boeheim himself about a job offer to move down to N.C.?

Boeheim told Rick he should take it, and Rick did.

Bonnell moved to Raleigh to work for the News and Observer in 1987, where he mainly covered Duke and North Carolina in the 87-88 season.

He then gave up coverage of Duke, UNC, and triangle basketball to go work for the Charlotte Observer and cover the Hornets full-time as they began offseason prep for their inaugural year.

From what I’ve read, Rick liked to remind people he didn’t cover *everything* in Charlotte Hornets history, because he wasn’t there yet in the city when the team was officially confirmed on April 5th, 1987.

But when the team walked out for its first-ever game against Cleveland in 1988, he was there. Not just there at the game, but like many others for that first-game at the Coliseum, Rick was donning a full tuxedo at the contest.

A game where Charlotte lost by 40, I may add.

But that was Rick. He had an enthusiasm for covering this sport that, let me be VERY clear:

Most sports writers do NOT have. Much less after 30+ years.

He was still excited about good basketball, of which he saw very little at points during his tenure. It never stopped him from delivering A+ coverage of the team.

More importantly, the bad spells never diluted his love for basketball. Even in 2011-2012 when the Bobcats went 7-59, which Rick’s Twitter bio reminded us that he, “survived with some grace and sanity.”

He was always fair in his coverage. Even the GOAT recognized this. He is the only beat writer I’ve ever heard of who had Michael Jordan’s phone number, and could USE it if he deemed it necessary to do so.

I miss listening to Rick talk and write about this team a lot. I looked up to him when I was younger, and while I can’t imagine what his family has been through…

The least I can do is honor the part of Rick I did know. That was his coverage of the Hornets. It was his love for this team, good defense, and the hope he always held for Charlotte basketball’s future.

I hope you’re resting in peace amongst all the late Hornets’ legends where you belong, Rick.

[UNC HEALTH Championship @UNCHealthChamp]

Congratulations to Alvaro Ortiz, the 2026 UNC Health Championship winner!

After making back-to-back birdies to force a playoff, Ortiz secured his first @KornFerryTour title on the opening playoff hole.

[Korn Ferry Tour @KornFerryTour]

Forever a member at Raleigh Country Club ♥️

The @UNCHealthChamp continues to recognize Raleigh-native Grayson Murray.

#TOURVault

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

SEE Y’ALL IN THE STANLEY CUP FINAL

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

IT’S ECF GAMEDAY!!!!!

[Jack Bonnell @JBonnell82]

Fresca Hard x @UNCHealthChamp

A refreshing new partnership!

[UNC HEALTH Championship @UNCHealthChamp]

Looking for your tournament hangout spot? The Fresca Hard Fan Terrace is open to the public and ready for you all week long 🍹 Catch the action, enjoy the atmosphere and make the most of your day at the UNC Health Championship.

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL BOUND 😤

[Scott Fowler @scott_fowler]

A former father-son duo @theobserver - and dear friends of mine - will have a scholarship bear their name @UNCHussman, the @TruistChamp said Tuesday. https://t.co/vxdD4vykgA

[MLB @MLB]

MATT OLSON WALK-OFF HOMER!

[UNC HEALTH Championship @UNCHealthChamp]

Saturday just got a little more interesting.

If a pro hits a hole-in-one, someone’s walking away with $10K.
All you have to do is register at the First Bank tent on Hole 17.

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

SWWWWWEEP CAROLINA