GreatLife Golf & Fitness, one of the fastest-growing companies in golf, acquired its second course this year, and fifth in the last 14 months with the addition of Abilene County Club, in Abilene, Kan.
The Ozakie, Kan.-based company now manages 13 courses, and plans to launch a fanchise business model soon. The system would allow third parties to use GreatLife Golf & Fitness’ resources and license its name in the operation of golf courses.
Abilene County Club is the company’s first municipal golf course. Most others are private clubs. Rick Farrant, owner of Great Life, said he is in negotiations to acquire or manage additional Kansas courses. GreatLife also signed a management contract to operate the Salina Elks Golf Course in January and has begun construction of a new fitness center at the Salina, Kan., course. Farrant is considering converting the grass at Abilene Country Club to Zoysia. He has already begun construction of a new fitness center at Abilene County Club, which will replace the fitness facility at Chisholm Trail Golf Course, another GreatLife-owned property.