Billy Casper Golf to Manage Palmbrook CC

The announcement marks the management firm’s first foray into Arizona. The company also announced an extended partnership with Wintonbury Hills GC in Connecticut, which it has managed since 2003.

Billy Casper Golf (BCG) has been selected to manage Palmbrook Country Club in Sun City, Ariz.. The agreement for turnkey management will mark the first venture into Arizona for BCG, which owns and operates more than 130 golf courses, country clubs and resorts. BCG will now take over Palmbrook CC’s member programs, operations, golf course and property maintenance, sales, marketing and public relations, staffing and training, merchandising, restaurant and banquet activities, special events and financial management.

Palmbrook CC, which opened its golf course in 1971 and became a member-owned private country club in 1973, offers an 18-hole, 6,529-yard, par-72 golf course designed by Jeff Hardin. The front nine is protected by well-placed bunkers and mature pine and eucalyptus trees, while the back nine features a creek running adjacent to every hole, as well as three lakes.

“Billy Casper Golf will introduce new and exciting programming to enhance our club’s value to members and guests,” said Bob Obringer, President of Palmbrook CC. “The company’s excellent track record of boosting performances of similar clubs resonated with our Board.”

BCG will also put into use its proprietary “BCGreen” initiative to conserve, protect and enhance the environment at Palmbrook CC, which will include enrolling in the Audubon International “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” program. The designation will increase efficiencies in maintenance, energy, water, pesticides, fertilizer, equipment wear and labor.

Billy Casper Golf also announced that it has extended its partnership with Wintonbury Hills Golf Course in Bloomfield, Conn., which has been under BCG’s direction since 2003. During that time, the club has seen annual growth in golf rounds, non-golf amenities’ usage, and revenues.

Additionally, while under BCG management Wintonbury Hills GC has earned the “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” designation, as well as consistent media rankings among the top municipal courses nationwide and widespread popularity for its Tap Inn restaurant. The club has hosted assignments for the LPGA Futures Tour ING New England Classic and a youth golf program that teaches more than 450 juniors during the summer.

“A partnership extension is the ultimate reward of a job well done,” said Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG. “Billy Casper Golf commits substantial resources to our infrastructure, so course owners like the Town of Bloomfield realize healthy returns on their investments.”

Wintonbury’s Pete Dye-designed, 18-hole, par 70, 6,711-yard layout offers a blend of links-style and forested holes with generous rolling fairways that help golfers navigate the 125 bunkers framing the course.

BCG directs all activities at Wintonbury, including course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.

The management firm says it is currently enjoying a client renewal rate of roughly 95 percent.

Tags: BCGreen Billy Casper Golf bloomfield conn. bob obringer Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary palmbrook country club Pete Dye Peter Hill sun city ariz. Wintonbury Hills Golf Course