From a community that was considered to be on the northern outskirts of Tampa, Fla. in 1987, the ClubCorp property has become a central landmark in the “New Tampa” region that has seen its population swell and has emerged as a new retailing center and resort destination.
Bighorn GC, Mission Hills CC Focus on “Lifestyle Amenities”
The updated clubhouse of ClubCorp’s Mission Hills CC in Rancho Mirage, Calif. and the new $70 million clubhouse at Bighorn GC in Palm Desert, Calif. speak to how even clubs in golf-centric areas like the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley region have to “provide more and more off the course,” golf writer Larry Bohannan noted.
2016 Excellence in Club Management Award Winners Announced
The 2016 honorees through the prestigious awards co-sponsored by Club & Resort Business and the McMahon Group include Brett Morris of The Polo Club of Boca Raton (Fla.); Raymond Kondziela of The Ivanhoe Club in Mundelein, Ill.; Joseph Furlow of the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood, Calif.; and Charles C. Johnson of the Detroit Athletic Club. The winners will be recognized at an Awards Dinner held at Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park, Fla., on February 9.
Weatherwax GC, University Club of Jacksonville (Fla.) Host Auctions
With about 700 bidders in attendance, every item at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, Ohio sold at auction on November 20. Contents of the University Club of Jacksonville will be up for auction on December 3, in advance of the ClubCorp facility’s planned December 20 closure.
ClubCorp Reports Tenth Consecutive Quarter of Growth
The Dallas-based owner and operator of private clubs has seen revenue increase $4 million or 1.6% in the third quarter over the previous year, and net income has remained flat. Going forward, the company plans to reduce capital spending, including fewer planned same-store reinventions in 2017, and using excess cash to pay down debt.
Eric Affeldt, ClubCorp CEO, to Be Inducted into Hospitality Hall of Honor
The recognition in October by the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management will culminate a series of student-run events that will include Affeldt’s participation in “Think Tank” sessions along with other hospitality industry leaders.
ClubCorp Shareholder Encourages Company to Sell
FrontFour Capital, which owns around 3.4% of ClubCorp’s outstanding shares, criticized the company’s stock performance, which is down nearly 36% over the past 12 months, and urged the company to sell a select number of non-core, lower-returning clubs to help pay down debt. ClubCorp said it appreciated the shareholder feedback, but is confident in its business strategy.
University Club of Jacksonville (Fla.) to Close After 48 Years
The ClubCorp-operated facility will close its doors on December 20, noting that the closure is a business decision. Three local clubs, Deercreek Country Club, Marsh Creek Country Club and Queens Harbour Yacht & Country Club, are offering preferred memberships to University Club members.
ClubCorp Acquires Heritage GC
The owner and operator of golf and country clubs plans to spend more than $1 million on improvements to the clubhouse, golf course and practice facilities at the Hilliard, Ohio club. The property features an 18-hole P.B. Dye-designed golf course, clubhouse with casual and upscale dining, and private event space.
Mission Hills CC Launches Reinvention Project
The multimillion project at the ClubCorp property in Rancho Mirage, Calif. is scheduled to be completed this fall. The renovation will update the clubhouse foyer and entrance, add a new “Touchdown Room” with a private work zone, improve the Dinah Shore Boardroom, create a new “Anytime Lounge” with a media area, add two dining rooms including the upscale Oak Room, create new climate-controlled wine lockers, and completely renovate the men’s locker room.
ClubCorp Set to Help Unveil Champions Club at Doak Campbell Stadium
The $80 million project for fans of Florida State University football in Tallahassee, Fla. is on schedule to be completed in time for the Seminoles’ September 10th home opener. The 20-year partnership between ClubCorp and Seminole Boosters, Inc. represents “the second generation of alumni clubs” and involves more than 5,000 outdoor seats, 70,000 square feet of air conditioned space and 34,000 square feet of covered rooftop terraces.
ClubCorp Sponsors Austin Connelly on PGA Tour
The 19-year-old who is now in his first year as a professional learned the game as a junior golfer at Hackberry Creek CC in Irving, Texas, a ClubCorp property. The player sponsorship is the first for the management firm.
Taking the Plunge
The management-firm pool continues to get broader and deeper, as more club, resort and golf properties decide they don’t want to face the post-recession world alone.
Plan B
Happily, the majority of clubs have righted their ship by committing to Board governance focused on strategy and an empowered, skilled management team.
ClubCorp’s Year-to-Date Revenue Up 3.9%
The company’s second-quarter revenue was $269 million, an increase of $5.2 million over last year, and year-to-date revenue has increased by $18 million to $483.8 million. ClubCorp also announced the promotion of Mark Burnett to President and Chief Operating Officer.