GGA Partners, one of the leading consulting firms in private golf clubs, has joined forces with ClubWorks, a year-old professional services platform that has already shaken up the private club market.
Led by founding partner Stephen Johnston, GGA Partners broke away from KPMG in 2006 after 14 years at that firm. Johnston is based in Toronto, but the company has hired consultants in other locations, including Phoenix and Dublin, Ireland.
ClubWorks launched in February 2022 with Jefferson Group Architecture in Rhode Island and Peacock + Lewis in North Palm Beach and Naples, Fla., as co-founders. It hired Henry Wallmeyer as President & COO. Wallmeyer had been President of the National Club Association.
With the acquisition, GGA will retain its brand, leadership team and professional staff. It has worked closely with the CMAA and is well respected in the industry.
“This investment is strategic on many fronts, as the collective experience and expertise of the ClubWorks companies will help GGA better serve our clients by addressing often requested, and required, services by clubs and hospitality businesses around the globe,” Johnston said. “Our existing clients will continue to be served by our entire GGA team, now stronger than ever, and will have access to even more exceptional research, support and additional services.”
ClubWorks plans to “accelerate” the expansion of GGA’s offerings to the ClubWorks client network, including strategy and operations consulting services, transaction advisory services, as well as executive search.
The unmatched strategy, finance and analytics expertise of GGA will benefit our clients immensely and make them the perfect addition,” said Michael Leemhuis, Chairman and CEO, ClubWorks. “This acquisition furthers our mission to build a world-class professional services platform while adding some of the best strategic minds in the private club and hospitality world to our leadership team.”
Leemhuis, who was previously CEO and GM at Congressional Country Club for 16 years, joined ClubWorks in July.