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Orrin Vincent, founder of OB Sports Golf Management, dies at age 76

Orrin Vincent founded OB Sports Golf Management and eventually oversaw a portfolio of 70-plus courses.

Orrin Vincent, founder of OB Sports Golf Management, died Oct. 25 at his home in La Quinta, California. He was 76 years old. No cause of death was included in an announcement of his passing by Troon golf management company, which acquired OB in 2019.

Vincent founded OB in 1972 and grew it into a powerful management group with more than 70 courses in its portfolio at the time Troon acquired it. Troon noted in its media release that “Vincent’s impressive background and specialties included playing on the PGA TOUR; coaching and mentoring numerous aspiring junior, collegiate, and professional golfers; golf course design; golf course construction; premium facility maintenance; innovative marketing and brand development; retail sales; and growing every component of the great game and business he loved.”

Troon also noted that Vincent received numerous personal awards for his expertise in golf: twice named PGA Professional of the Year, seven-time PGA Merchandiser of the Year, “Bill Strausbaugh Award” winner and the prestigious “Presidents Plaque,” a seven-time SNPGA Player of the Year and induction into the Seattle University Hall of Fame.

“On behalf of the entire team at OB Sports and Troon, we are so grateful for the time that we all had with this amazing friend and mentor,” C.A. Roberts and Phil Green, Orrin’s longtime partners at OB Sports, included in the media release. “Words cannot appropriately capture the charisma, enthusiasm, motivational spirit and genuine compassion for others that Orrin provided to everyone he touched, both in and out of the golf industry.”

Vincent is survived by his wife, Barbara; three children O.D., Sheridan and Jenifer; and six grandchildren.

The Refuge Golf Course in Mississippi to reopen after extensive renovation

The public-access layout has new grass on the greens and tees, rebuilt bunkers, wider corridors and three new holes as part of renovation.

The Refuge Golf Course in Flowood, Mississippi, reopens April 19 after an extensive, multiyear renovation to the public-access layout.

The work included removing trees, enlarging playing corridors, re-grassing the greens and several tee boxes, even moving several water hazards. Irrigation and drainage systems were enhanced, cart paths were improved and the bunkers were rebuilt using the Billy Bunker Method, which introduces capillary concrete liners that provide for better drainage and extend the life of the sand traps. Three new holes were introduced.

The Refuge was designed by Roy Case in 1998, and a renovation began in 2017 under Nathan Crace. Management company Troon was hired in 2020, and its Honours Golf division oversaw the final stages of the renovation.

The course near Jackson, Mississippi, can play from 4,439 yards to 7,013, giving plenty of options for players of any skill level. Posted rates top out at $65 for weekends.

“After years of hard work, we look forward to showcasing the new playing experience at The Refuge to our residents and daily-fee guests,” Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads said in a media release announcing the reopening. “We brought on Troon, the top-rated golf management company in the industry, to help us navigate through this golf course development project, and they have surpassed our expectations. The newly renovated golf course and beautiful new hotel and conference center are just the beginning of many wonderful things to come to the City of Flowood.”

Other features of the renovation include a new water practice range, a new golf shop and locker rooms, and a new restaurant slated to open soon.

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New Jack Nicklaus course opens to limited public play at Sterling Grove G&CC in Arizona

The layout eventually will go private, but Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club allowing public preview play until community is built out.

The new Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club in Surprise, Arizona, will open its Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course to limited public preview play starting Feb. 11.

The course is set against a backdrop of the White Tank Mountains west of Phoenix. Plans include 1,700 trees in the desert setting, with wide landing areas in fairways and undulating greens.

Troon, a course-management company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, will operate the club. Plans are for the course eventually to go private, but limited public play is available as the 780-acre community is built out by Toll Brothers.

Public green fees will be $89, with tee times accepted 30 days in advance. The clubhouse and on-course amenities are still under construction, and a food truck will be on site until those open.

Troon said in a media release announcing the opening that this is the first course to open to public play in Arizona since 2016.

“We are excited to finally unveil the new Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club to the public,” Sterling Grove general manager Ryan Stemsrud said in the media release. “This is not your traditional Arizona golf experience; it has a very distinct look and feel.”

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WATCH: Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland and others try for $1 million ace … on water

Thomas and other Team Troon golfers teed it up on a floating box in Las Vegas to raise money for charity. Breaking Par documented the event.

What do Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland, Matt Kuchar, Cheyenne Woods, Alex Noren and Matthew Fitzpatrick have in common?

For starters, they are all part of Team Troon, a group of professional golfers representing the Troon brand. And as part of a recent renewal of the Team Troon initiative, these golf pros took on their most novel challenge yet. Make a hole in one. From the water.

That’s right. Our partners at Breaking Par — a half-hour monthly show on Fox Sports Networks throughout the United States — documented the challenge in a recent episode, where J.T. and company traveled to Rio Secco Golf Club in Las Vegas to raise money for local charities impacted by COVID-19. Each competitor was boated out to a 12-by-12, fully turfed floating tee box in the middle of a pond. From there, each had an opening shot from 145 yards. If that ball went in the hole, they would win $1 million (half of which would go to a charity of their choice).

Afterward, the golfers tried to put three more shots from the same tee box as close to the pin as possible. The closest of these would net the winning contestant an additional $10,000 to be put towards charity.

“I’ve never hit a shot off of an island tee box before, so it definitely stands in a league of its own,” said Thomas.

What happened next?

Coronavirus: Can you still play golf in Arizona?

Can you still play golf in Arizona? For now, the answer is yes. The coronavirus has put most of life around the world on hold, restricting activities in which groups of people gather, especially indoors. With 45 confirmed cases as of March 19 – but …

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Can you still play golf in Arizona?

For now, the answer is yes.

The coronavirus has put most of life around the world on hold, restricting activities in which groups of people gather, especially indoors.

With 45 confirmed cases as of March 19 – but zero deaths – Arizona has taken many measures to combat the pandemic. The number of reported cases in the state is likely much higher than the numbers reflect because of limited testing availability.

The City of Phoenix has declared a state of emergency, forcing the closure of bars and moving restaurants to takeout, delivery and drive-thru but statewide, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has not shut down on-site consumption at restaurants and bars, as leaders in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio and Washington have. Nor has he shuttered state parks and museums, like New Mexico’s governor, or said he’s weighing a statewide curfew, like New Jersey’s top executive.

As for the golf, in Tucson, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe has closed down operations until April 13 of its Casino Del Sol and Sewailo Golf Club, home of the University of Arizona’s men’s and women’s golf teams. A statement on its website says:

“We are taking these steps because our priority (our community) is our team members, our guests, and the wider community of Tucson, Southern Arizona, and the State of Arizona. We believe that by doing this we will help to reduce the impact of the virus in our community, and that makes this the right thing to do.”

Tee it up

March is one of the prime times for golf in the state, which typically draws countless out-of-towners, many of whom pay upwards of $200 to enjoy the better courses in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area.

A check of the different city websites shows that municipal courses have available tee times. Those include Papago Golf Course, home to Arizona State’s men’s and women’s teams, and Grand Canyon University Golf Course, home to the GCU men’s and women’s teams.

That appears to represent the response of the overall Arizona golf community: We’re open for business.

Grayhawk Golf Club, which has two 18-hole courses – Raptor and Talon – was set to host the 2020 NCAA men’s and women’s golf championships in May for the first of three consecutive years. Those championships are off, canceled along with all other spring sports championships by the NCAA. But Grayhawk is still open for business and taking daily tee times, including a 36-hole special.

Troon, which operates 55 golf properties in Arizona, including Quintero Golf Club, a high-end course course ranked No. 2 on Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play, hasn’t closed any facilities. Other courses on Troon’s roster include Troon North, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, Boulders Resort, Talking Stick and Kierland. A statement on its website says:

“We remain positive and hopeful as to the ultimate outcome of this situation, and recognize it will take time to resolve itself. We will continue to evaluate and adjust our approach in accordance with direction from the relevant federal, state and local health authorities and medical professionals.”

San Marcos Golf Course in suburban Chandler, built in 1913, the year after Arizona achieved statehood, is remaining open. The course holds the distinction as being the first green grass golf course in Arizona.

Arcis Golf, which operates 61 clubs in eight states, including six daily-fee courses in the Phoenix area, sent an email on Wednesday night declaring that its facilities will remain open.

“We believe that we can make the greatest positive impact by doing what we do best – serving our community. … by keeping our golf courses and other outdoor recreational amenities open for play and relaxation. Whether on the range or course, social distancing protocols will be continually implemented to allow families to enjoy a little fresh air and the games that they truly love.”

Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play in Arizona

All courses, as of March 19, 2020, are open, unless noted below.

1. We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)
2. Quintero GC, Peoria
3. Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain (Saguaro/Tortolita), Marana
4. Wickenburg Ranch, Wickenburg
5. TPC Scottsdale (Stadium), Scottsdale
6. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, Maricopa
7. Troon North (Monument), Scottsdale
8. We-Ko-Pa (Cholla), Fort McDowell
9. Troon North (Pinnacle), Scottsdale
10. Ventana Canyon (Mountain),Tucson
11. Verrado GC, Buckeye
12. Boulders Resort (North), Carefree
13. Sewailo GC, Tucson CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 13
14. Laughlin Ranch, Bullhead City
15. Boulders Resort (South), Carefree
16. Apache Stronghold, San Carlos
17. Grayhawk (Raptor), Scottsdale
18. Talking Stick (North), Scottsdale
19. Grayhawk (Talon), Scottsdale
20. La Paloma GC (Ridge/Canyon), Tucson
21. Gold Canyon Golf Resort (Dinosaur Mountain), Gold Canyon
22. Papago Municipal Golf Course, Phoenix
23. SunRidge Canyon, Fountain Hills
24. Victory at Verrado, Buckeye
25. Los Caballeros Golf Club, Wickenburg
26. Kierland GC, Scottsdale
27. Camelback GC (Ambiente), Scottsdale
28. Wigwam Golf Club (Gold), Litchfield Park
29. Ventana Canyon (Canyon), Tucson
30. Wildfire at Desert Ridge (Faldo Course), Phoenix

Local associations reaction

The Arizona Golf Association did announce that tournaments scheduled through the end of March have been canceled but that players can still play the courses they signed up to play, just not as part of a tournament. The Southwest Section PGA announced on its website that events through April 15 have been canceled.

azcentral.com contributed to this report.