Today we’d like to introduce you to Billy Augustine.
Hi Billy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My background is in farming, and our family beginnings are in South Jersey. I come from a long lineage of entrepreneurs and farming. My dad started farming in eastern NC in the early 2000s, and I went ahead and followed in his footsteps. I’ve been down here since 2010, helping him farming. Fast forward to 2017, when I decided to venture off independently and start my own farming operation.
Since then, I’ve grown to become president of All American Produce Co., one of the largest grower, packer, and shippers of organic and conventional high-quality produce.
I’ve also become co-owner of a family golf business with my mom that my dad started in 2015. My dad purchased the golf course and quickly turned it around. He invested into the place and really turned it around. The golf course was in bankruptcy, had tons of weeds, and falling into disrepair, when he came in and put in new mini verde greens, a luxury grass for golfers, and gave it life! He turned it into one of the premier spots to play golf in southeastern NC. There wasn’t much to do around here before in Elizabethtown and White Lake, so to see how much Vineyard Golf at White Lake has impacted the community and become a tourist attraction of White Lake, NC – known for its clear lake waters and a staple that locals enjoy really fulfills me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road! Entrepreneurship has a lot of ebbs and flows. It’s never easy or stable. It’s a lifestyle more than a career choice. There’s a constant grind, constant effort, and consistency. Business has been in my family for generations. It comes with its fair share of struggles, whether they’re financial, labor, or weather-related; you really have to think on your feet and be a problem solver.
We’ve been impressed with Vineyard Golf at White Lake and All American Produce Co., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Vineyard Golf at White Lake is a premier golf course in southeastern NC, family-owned business, championship 18-hole golf course in the resort town of White Lake, NC, one of NC’s top lake destinations. I am co-owner, along with operations and logistics management. Vineyard Golf at White Lake stems from our beginnings of being blueberry farmers. You’ll see blueberries on the course, ready to pick and eat at any time! Combining our blueberry background with the branding and now incorporating local produce and ingredients at our restaurant The Upper Deck, really makes me proud. The Upper Deck Restaurant offers stunning views of the lush greenery, rolling hills, and turtle visitors, making Vineyard Golf at White Lake a sought-after destination for golfers. The menu features a range of delicious dishes, from classic comfort food to more exotic, higher-end specialty items. Guests can choose from appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts made with the freshest and highest-quality ingredients. The Upper Deck’s opening marks Vineyard Golf at White Lake’s commitment to providing an exceptional experience for its guests both on and off the course. Aside from dine-in options, guests can also choose to take their meals to go.
The Upper Deck features some southern staples, such as chicken and waffles, wagyu burgers straight from a local farm, while also incorporating a northern twist, such as prosciutto sandwiches that honor our Italian heritage. We’re also very mindful of where we source our food. My family and I will use local farms and farmers for ingredients; some will even come directly from our farm!
Everything we do is intentional and gives homage to our background as farmers, as being Italians from south jersey, and it’s all very intentional and personal to us. It goes back to entrepreneurship being such a personal creation.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was very much an athlete. I loved playing baseball and basketball. My dad was our high school team’s basketball coach. If I wasn’t being active out in sports, I was being active out on the field with my dad. I’ve worked every single position on a farm from folding boxes to leading an operation. As far as personality-wise, I guess I was always an entrepreneur. I used to sell my mom’s pepperoni bread at lunch! HAHA! I enjoyed finding creative ways to make money and not taking no for an answer.
Pricing:
- Members – Members cart- $20 (18 holes with cart) $10 (9 holes with cart) Junior Member – $20 (18 holes with cart) $10 (9 holes with cart)
- Public – Monday-Thursday – $40 (18 holes with cart) $21 (9 holes with cart) Friday-Sunday – $45 (18 holes with cart) $26 (9 holes with cart)
- Senior (60 and Older) – Monday-Thursday – $35 (18 holes with cart) $21 (9 holes with cart) Friday-Sunday – $40 (18 holes with cart) $23 (9 holes with cart
- Juniors (17 and under) – Weekday – $21 (18 holes with cart) $13 (9 holes with cart) Weekend – $25 (18 holes with cart) $15 (9 holes with cart)
Contact Info:
- Website: vineyardgolfatwhitelake.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vineyardgolfwhitelake/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vineyardgolfatwhitelakenc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vineyard-golf-at-white-lake/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJUvQhqxDMlxGJVGpFaVt9A
