After a slow fourth quarter for new golf course management deals, 2012 has started with a bang. The three largest operators in the United States — Troon Golf, Billy Casper Golf and ClubCorp — have all announced news deals over the past 21 days.
ClubCorp, the Dallas-based private club giant, has been focused on acquisitions and ownership in recent years. But in mid-January it announced a management deal with LPGA International, a semi-private club in Daytona Beach, Fla. The course is home to the LPGA Tour, and serves as the site of the final stage of the LPGA Tour Qualifying School. It features two 18-hole courses, and an 80,000-square-foot natural turf practice area.
ClubCorp said that while it is focused on strategic acquisitions, there are clubs in today’s environment that would benefit from the company’s professional knowledge and resources.
“Old ClubCorp did a few more management deals than new ClubCorp,” Eric Affeldt said in the fall. “We’ve taken the position [that] we would do lease or management if they provided an avenue toward a future purchase or they provide significant value to our network. We would lease or manage a high profile course that members would think is cool.”
Billy Casper Golf (BCG) announced three deals in late January. It is taking over management of Sapona Country Club in Lexington, N.C., Bay View Golf Park in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Hanover Country Club in Ashland, Virginia.
The Vienna, Virginia-based company assumed management of 21 new properties in 2011.
Sapona Country Club, an 18-hole private club, is the company’s fifth course in North Carolina. It opened in 1967 and is 45 minutes southwest of Greensboro.
Bay View Golf Park was recently acquired by Windward Church of the Nazarene, and will target families and juniors. The 18-hole course is a 3,269-yard executive course with a 40-stall, double deck driving range and 36-hole mini golf course.
Hanover Country Club is an 18-hole private club that was renovated in 2006. BCG will waive initiation fees and the first two months dues for 50 new members in order to kick start sales.
Meanwhile, Troon Golf continues to grow outside of the U.S. It was selected by Orascom Hotels & Development to manage Taba Heights and El Gouna, both resorts in Egypt.
“Troon will assist us in coping with the upscale movement we are witnessing in Taba Heights and El Gouna,” said Gerhard Niesslein, the new CEO of Orascom Development Holding AG. “
Troon Golf, the world’s largest management company, also recently announced the opening of Turtle Dunes Country Club located within a master-planned community in Acapulco, Mexico.
Turtle Dunes is an exclusive, full-service country club, and the 18-hole course will only be accessible to members and guest of The Fairmont Acapulco Princess and The Fairmont Pierre Marques hotels.