Troon – Syndication Server

Rees Jones-renovated Monster Golf Club reopens in Catskill Mountains of New York

The new Monster Golf Club routing takes land from two previous courses at Resorts World Catskills in New York.

The Rees Jones-renovated Monster Golf Club in Monticello, New York, has reopened with a new routing that incorporates parts of the old Concord Monster Course and the property’s Old International Course. The new layout took nearly five years to reach completion and is part of a $40-million investment by Resorts World Catskills.

The previous Monster layout, originally designed by Joe Finger and opened in 1963, had been closed since 2015. Jones used holes and corridors from the two former courses to create a 7,650-yard, par-72 new Monster Golf Club in the Catskill Mountains about a two-hour drive from Manhattan. The public-access course will be managed by Arizona-based Troon Golf.

“The opening of any golf course is a special time, but to do it in the picturesque Catskills and to be able to combine the elements of two celebrated golf courses makes this a truly remarkable occasion,” Monster Golf Club director of golf Uri Jimenez said in a media release announcing the news. “The magic of Rees Jones is omnipresent throughout the course’s 18 holes and the hospitality excellence of Troon Golf and Resorts World Catskills will offer golfers an unrivaled experience at the Monster Golf Club.”

The course features six sets of tees to accommodate any player. The club has a new fleet of carts and a golf shop located in The Alder, Resorts World Catskills’ newest boutique lifestyle hotel adjacent to the property’s casino and resort.

“The grand reopening of the Monster Golf Club is a milestone moment for Resorts World Catskills as it completes the vision we had for this amazing property,” Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, said in the media release. “We are proud to deliver on the commitment we made to the Catskills community to reimagine and reinvigorate this storied golf course in partnership with the legendary Rees Jones. We can’t wait to welcome golfers from around the world to face the Monster.”

Management company Troon takes the reins at Tobacco Road in North Carolina

The world’s largest golf management company takes the reins at one of the most interesting courses in the U.S.

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Troon, the Arizona-based golf management company that has seen rapid expansion in recent months, has been selected to manage one of the most interesting courses in the U.S.: Tobacco Road in Sanford, North Carolina.

Designed by the late Mike Strantz and established in 1998, Tobacco Road has built an almost cult-like following of players looking for something different. The layout’s sometimes-extreme greens and incredible terrain have kept the tee sheet full for years, and Tobacco Road ranks No. 6 in a stacked North Carolina on Golfweek’s Best 2023 list of top public-access courses. It also ties for No. 79 on Golfweek’s Best list of top public-access courses in the U.S.

Those rankings don’t necessarily express the views of diehard fans, many of whom would rank what is in many ways a non-traditional layout among the top handful of modern courses in the U.S.

Such players tend to love that Tobacco Road plays almost like a video game, presenting shots and strategic challenges not seen at many other courses. Think semi-blind shots to frequently crazy greens featuring dramatic contours and run-offs – Strantz wasn’t interested in the status quo of golf design, and he wasn’t afraid to turn up the volume with his designs.

With the right frame of mind, it’s all incredibly fun – judged by many to be as much art as a golf course. And after decades of family management, the course 25 miles north of Pinehurst will now be under the management of Troon, the largest golf and golf-hospitality management company in the world.

“After thoroughly evaluating our options for management of Tobacco Road, we are excited to select Troon as the steward of Mike Strantz’s uncompromising design,” Tobacco Road Golf Club founder Mark Stewart said in a media release announcing the news.

Troon has been on a tear lately, acquiring several other management companies. The company now manages the equivalent of 840-plus 18-hole golf courses. Under its care are multiple top-tier daily-fee courses and private clubs.

“Troon is proud and honored to partner with Tobacco Road and founder Mark Stewart,” Troon director of operations Dana Schultz said in the media release. “This Top-100 golf course has been a successful family-run operation for decades. We look forward to carrying on the Stewart family vision and welcoming golfers to Tobacco Road Golf Club.”

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Course management company Troon keeps growing with second acquisition this week

Troon acquires Applied Golf Management’s and its portfolio of 13 courses in eastern U.S.

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Golf course management company Troon has been busy with acquisitions in recent years, and it shows no sign of slowing down after announcing Thursday it has acquired Applied Golf Management.

The Scottsdale-based Troon also announced this week it will acquire the management or consulting contracts of 18 clubs previously under the Invited (formerly ClubCorp) umbrella.

The New Jersey-based Applied Golf Management’s portfolio includes 13 public-access and private golf facilities in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Among those are St. Petersburg Country Club in Florida, Putnam County Golf Course in New York and Trenton Country Club in New Jersey.

Troon said in a media release that members of the 13 clubs will continue with the same service, and plans are for Applied Golf Management to maintain its office in Millstone Township with all associates remaining in their positions.

“We could not have chosen a better organization than Troon to help carry on what we have built over the past 17 years,” Applied Golf Management founder and president Dave Wasenda said in the media release. “This acquisition closes a great chapter in our company’s history, while beginning an amazing new one for our clients and associates. With Troon’s resources, expertise and growing portfolio of managed properties, it is an exciting time for all of us to become part of the Troon family. We look forward to continued success and contributing to the company’s strong growth.”

Troon – the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company – has completed 13 acquisitions since 2014, including 11 since 2018. It now manages the equivalent of more than 840 18-hole courses in 45-plus states and more than 30 countries, the company said in the media release.

“Dave Wasenda, for whom I have the utmost respect, and his team have cultivated a superb portfolio of club’s throughout New York, New Jersey and Florida by working hard and developing customized solutions for clients – tenets both companies share,” Troon president and CEO Tim Schantz said in the media release. “With the addition of Applied Golf, we significantly expand our footprint and management capabilities across the Northeast.”

Troon to acquire Invited’s club-management division as part of strategic partnership

The management of 18 golf clubs will transfer to Troon as part of a strategic partnership.

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Troon and Invited, two of the world’s largest golf course operators, announced Saturday a strategic partnership in which Troon will acquire the management or consulting contracts of 18 clubs previously under Invited’s umbrella.

The Dallas-based Invited, which rebranded from the name ClubCorp last year, owns and operates more than 200 clubs and has more than 400,000 members. That doesn’t change.

It’s Invited’s Management Services business, which served as a third-party operator and consultant for the 18 clubs included in the deal, that switches hands to Troon. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based Troon specializes in third-party club management and hospitality, with more than 760 18-hole equivalent courses around the world under its banner.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Among these managed clubs is PGA National Resort in Florida – Invited managed the PGA National Members Club, the private country club element at PGA National Resort, longtime home to a PGA Tour event.

As part of the deal, Invited and Troon will introduce a program that allows Invited members to play participating Troon-managed resort and daily fee courses as well as Invited’s portfolio of more than 150 clubs and 200 courses. Members of the former Invited Club Management facilities will continue to enjoy Invited’s XLife benefits, playing a network of hundreds of private clubs and renowned resorts.

The management teams and all employees of the clubs to be managed by Troon will retain their roles in the new arrangement, the companies said in a media release announcing the news. Invited senior vice president Seth Churi and regional vice president Peter Faraone will move to similar positions within Troon, continuing to support operations at the 18 clubs with the backing of Troon’s resources.

“We are excited to welcome these outstanding clubs, their members, management teams and associates to the Troon family,” Troon president and CEO Tim Schantz said in the media release. “We have long respected Invited’s contributions to our industry. This relationship creates new opportunities for each organization and perfectly aligns with our respective missions and focus.”

Troon and Invited said in the media release they have planned additional collaboration to leverage their mutual expertise.

“We are thrilled to embark on this historic relationship with Troon. By working together and pooling together our strengths, we can become even more dynamic in providing resources and infrastructure to our members and clubs,” David Pillsbury, CEO of Invited and the former president of the PGA Tour’s TPC network of clubs, said in the media release.

In 2017, Invited was purchased and taken private by Apollo Global Management in a deal valued at $2.2 billion. TPG Capital is a major investor in Troon. Each company also has PGA Tour golfers involved, with Jordan Spieth as an investor and ambassador for Invited, while Rory McIlroy is an investor in Troon.

Troon has not shied away from large acquisitions in the past 16 years, having purchased 13 companies since 2007.

The full media release is posted below, including the names of the clubs involved:

Photos: Black Desert Resort opens gorgeous new Tom Weiskopf/Phil Smith course in Utah

Check out photos of the new Black Desert Resort course in Utah that is quickly earning rave reviews.

Black Desert Resort Golf Course in Ivins, Utah, opened in late May as the last course designed by Tom Weiskopf, who passed away in 2022. The Golfweek’s Best raters have a lot of great things to say about the new layout not far from St. George in the southwest corner of the state.

The resort’s 18-hole layout is open for daily-fee play among the region’s ancient basalt rock formations near Snow Canyon State Park. Partnering with architect Phil Smith, Weiskopf built an expansive layout with most fairways 70 to 100 yards wide. The course features two driveable par 4s, the fifth and 14^th.

Upon buildout, Black Desert will feature a full hotel and conference center, more than a thousand residences, trails, a spa and plenty more. The property is managed by hospitality-management company Troon Golf, and Black Desert is already slated to host an LPGA event starting in 2025. The course also will offer an amphiteater-style 19^thhole and a 36-hole lit putting course.

After a first tour of the course, the Golfweek’s Best raters had many positive comments.

“An amazing design and absolutely stunning contrast of the lava rocks with the greenery and surrounding red mountains,” wrote one rater. “Truly an oasis. Several holes can be played in multiple different ways depending on your confidence that day as risk/reward options abound. It’s a beautiful course, one you’ll remember for a lifetime.”

“Black Desert blew me away,” wrote another. “It has everything I would want in a modern course. The combination of setting, vistas and course itself is the total package. The black lava rock is so unique, I’ve never seen it anywhere else in the mainland. You also have the beautiful sweeping vistas of the red canyons visible from every hole.”

Check out several photos from Black Desert Resort below.

Troon-managed La Vie Club in Oman reopens its golf course with plans for development

The former Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club was the first fully grassed course in Oman.

The former Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club, the first fully-grassed golf course in Oman in western Asia, has been rebranded La Vie Club and re-opened under management by Arizona-based Troon.

The course, about a 10-minute drive from the Muscat airport, opened in 2009 but shut down in 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The property was since purchased by Oman investment company Omnivest. Troon was appointed to manage the property in 2022.

The first phase of the project is the reopening of the 18-hole course. Preview play began earlier this year, and a full reopening is scheduled for Sept. 1 as the course is returned to its original design by reducing the extended grass areas. A temporary clubhouse will be used starting this summer, and a full clubhouse is slated to open in early 2026.

The second phase of development includes residential, commercial and tourism buildings, including an 80-room boutique hotel that will feature a 70-meter rooftop pool overlooking the golf course.

“We are very excited to reestablish the club as one of the premier golf facilities within the region serving golfers, the community and growing the game of golf in Oman,” La Vie Club operations manager Freddie Rexstrew said in a media release announcing the news. “We will be delivering the Troon Experience and are focused on being a fun and family-friendly club.”

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Photos: Westchester Hills Golf Club in New York completes renovation by Rees Jones

Rees Jones completes facelift of the 109-year-old layout just north of New York City.

Architect Rees Jones has wrapped up a $3.5 million renovation at Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains, New York, that was undertaken to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the 109-year-old course just north of New York City.

Westchester Hills’ greens, chipping areas and fairways were expanded, new tees were added and the bunkers were renovated on the layout designed by Peter Clark, the club’s first head professional, and opened in 1913. Jones also installed a new 6,700 square-foot practice green.

“Our design was to liven a classic-style golf course while upgrading the course’s playability and maintenance standards,” Jones said in a media release announcing the completion of the renovation. “The members at Westchester Hills strive for excellence, and we are proud to be included in their success. We fully expect the golf course’s new features to take the Hills golf experience to a new level in the private club community.”

The details of the renovation:

Added 20,000 square feet of green expansions.
Added 50,000 square feet of chipping expansions.
Added 30,000 square feet of fairway expansions.
Installed XGD drainage in all greens.
Upgraded and renovated all bunkers with new sand and capillary concrete drainage.
Installed 10 acres of new sod throughout the course.
Installed a new irrigation system consisting of 12 miles of pipe, 1,250 sprinkler heads and 54 quick connects.
The club also renovated its pool area and landscaping around the clubhouse.

“The membership at Westchester Hills is thrilled to see the completed result at our club,” said Mark Stagg, president of the club that is part of the Privé Privileges program of course-management company Troon. “With so much going on at the club including a pool renovation, elevated dining experiences and significant membership growth, the course redesign is the finishing touch to achieving member satisfaction for years to come.”

Check out the photos of the renovated course below.

Dreaming of the British Open? Check out five incredible U.K. golf vacations

Want to play St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Royal Troon all on the same trip? Yeah…we thought so.

The 2022 British Open is just weeks away and the entire golf world is gearing up to go back home to The Old Course at St. Andrews.

We will all be glued to the coverage of the 150th Open Championship later this month, and most golf fans will daydream about playing St. Andrews and that fantasy golf vacation they’ve been putting off for years.

It’s time to turn those daydreams into reality. Along with our friends from Golfbreaks, Golfweek has compiled five spectacular U.K. golf vacations including trips to England, Northern Ireland and Scotland to play some of the oldest and most famous courses in the world.

We occasionally recommend interesting products, services, and gaming opportunities. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage

Rory McIlroy among new investors in golf course management company Troon

Alternative asset firm TPG and Rory McIlroy’s Symphony Ventures to take stakes in Troon, operator of 640-plus courses around the world.

Golf course management company Troon announced Monday that it has signed a definitive agreement to receive significant strategic investment from global alternative asset firm TPG and from Symphony Ventures, Rory McIlroy’s investment fund that is based in Ireland.

The transaction is expected to close in December and is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. A media release announcing the deal said that existing Troon investor Leonard Green & Partners will retain a significant investment in the business.

McIlroy is the lead partner of Symphony Ventures, which was founded in 2019. Among its investments was a $10-million deal in July of 2021 with Drive Shack Inc. in its new entertainment concept Puttery that is in development.

“I am delighted to invest in the Troon business, as they continue to deliver great golf experiences,” McIlroy said in the media release. “They really understand what makes golf special.”

Troon manages more than 640 18-hole-equivalent golf courses around the world, specializing in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon also owns or leases more than 50 courses that it operates directly.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting milestone for our company, and we are incredibly proud to welcome TPG and Rory to the Troon family,” Troon CEO Tim Schantz said in the media release. “Golfers are at the core of everything we do at Troon, and over the years we have built a business that combines deep industry expertise with hospitality-caliber customer service to help our clients create first-class experiences for their customers, members and guests.

“The investment from TPG, a leading investor and business builder, is a testament to the quality and strength of our offering. We look forward to working with them and the team at LGP to continue accelerating our growth while providing even more resources for our valued clients and partners.”

TPG, which was founded in 1992 and has $108 billion of assets under management, has experience in the travel and leisure market, having invested in brands such as Airbnb, Life Time Fitness and Viking Cruises.

“Troon is providing the gold standard for upscale golf experiences and is recognized by golfers and clubs alike for its high-quality courses and leading management solutions,” TPG Capital co-managing partner Jeff Rhodes said in the media release. “The company is well-positioned to expand its market leadership within the industry at a time when both new and long-time golfers are spending more time on the course.”

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon operates in more than 45 states and 30 countries with a wide family of brands. The media release said Troon has grown its employee base to 24,400.

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Bubba Watson signs deal to sport Troon logo on his golf bag

The two-time Masters champ also will appear in Troon social media channels and at sponsored events.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has signed a deal to represent course-management company Troon with a logo on his golf bag. Watson also will engage with Troon on social media and take part in select events sponsored by the Arizona-based company.

The deal runs through the 2022-23 PGA Tour season. Terms were not released.

Watson, 43, has been in the news frequently lately as he has released a book, “Up & Down, Victories and Struggles in the Course of Life,” that discusses the 12-time Tour winner’s struggles with mental health.

“We are proud to welcome Bubba to Team Troon,” Tim Schantz, president and chief executive officer of Troon, said in a media release announcing the news. “Bubba is a global ambassador for golf and, like Troon, is committed to growing the game through supporting junior and women’s golf. His philanthropic efforts through the Bubba Watson Foundation and openness about mental health continue to help those in need and is to be applauded.”

Troon manages more than 640 18-hole-equivalent courses around the globe. Other Troon-sponsored professional golfers include Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland, Matt Kuchar, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and Cheyenne Woods.

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