The golf course at the University Place, Wash. property was closed in October 2018 so its fine-fescue greens could be replaced with poa annua, after complaints about the “dirt-and-sandpaper” greens that were seen throughout the world when the course was the site of the 2015 U.S. Open.
Desert Willow Golf Resort Named KemperSports Facility of the Year
In addition to the Palm Desert, Calif. resort earning honors as the management firm’s top property for 2019, individual awards announced at its annual Leadership Conference included naming Randy Morrison of Heron Lakes GC as GM of the Year, Ryan Young of Chambers Bay GC as Golf Pro of the Year, and Will Bell of…
Thornberry Creek at Oneida Selects KemperSports to Manage Property
Thornberry Creek in Green Bay, Wis., has 27-holes of golf, including the Original Iroquois, a par-36 9-hole layout, offering two unique greens per hole with the option of 9 or 18 holes. The property also includes a 68,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse that features the Sports Pub & Grill and multiple banquet venues.
Troon’s Cliff Drysdale Unit to Manage Tennis Operations at Sand Valley
The arrangement brings together two major management companies at the central Wisconsin resort destination—Troon, which acquired Cliff Drysdale Tennis in July 2018, and KemperSports, which has managed Sand Valley since its inception. Sand Valley boasts 15 grass courts, making it one of fewer than 10 public grass-tennis facilities in the U.S.
Joliet CC Selects KemperSports to Manage Property
KemperSports, which now manages 13 properties in Illinois, will lead a transition to semi-private status – allowing public play at the historic course for the first time. Joliet Country Club will be renamed Joliet Golf Club.
Meetings Set for Direction of Utah, California Courses
The city of Logan, Utah will hold a public hearing on January 29 to discuss the controversy over its talks with Great Life Golf & Fitness for management of Logan River GC. Also on January 29 In Stockton, Calif., a City Council meeting will update the status of Swenson Park GC and a plan to…
New Jersey, New York Courses Move to Privatization
In Niagara Falls, N.Y., a players’ group that has existed for over 80 years has expressed interest in forming an LLC to take over operation of the Hyde Park Municipal Golf Course through a unique arrangement with the city. Middlesex County, N.J., has accepted a bid from Billy Casper Golf for a one-year contract to…
Joliet (Ill.) CC Opening Golf Course to Public Next Year
Plans have been announced for the private club to be managed by KemperSports and the golf course and restaurant to open for public access. Portions of the club will remain available to members only. The Joliet (Ill.) Country Club’s golf course will be opened to the public in 2019, the Joliet Herald-News reported. The club,…
Nicklaus Course at Bay Point Golf GC to Re-Open October 8
A three-month renovation for the course at the Sheraton Bay Point Resort in Panama City, Fla. included the conversion of all 18 greens to Ultra-Dwarf Tif-Eagle Bermuda and new sand and drainage for 23 greenside bunkers. The course at the KemperSports-managed property is the only Nicklaus Design in Northwest Florida. It was originally designed by…
Chambers Bay GC Closes to Replace Fescue With Poa
The golf course at the University Place, Wash. property will be closed beginning October 1st until March 2019, to redo all of its greens. Chambers Bay officials hope the change will help it attract another major golf championship, after complaints about its “dirt and sandpaper” greens when it hosted the 2015 U.S. Open. Chambers Bay…
Forest Creek GC Set to Reopen After $5.1M Renovation
The project at the Round Rock, Texas property that is managed by KemperSports was funded by city savings and is expected to make the club financially self-sufficient, according to the city’s Chief Financial Officer. A new lighted driving range is being touted as a key new amenity that will help turn Forest Creek into “a…
Full Privatization Considered for Lawrence (N.Y.) Yacht & CC
The Village of Lawrence’s Board of Trustees is listening to pitches from many different leading management companies for taking over the club’s operations. The village privatized the club’s golf course maintenance operations in 2012 and realized significant savings. The possible privatization of the village-owned and -operated Lawrence (N.Y.) Yacht & Country Club was the focus…
Mammoth Success
Mike Keiser and his family members are playing an increasingly influential role in the game of golf. And keeping their glass more than half-full in the process. Is golf’s glass half-full, or half-empty? Readers of the recently released Annual Golf Industry Report from the National Golf Foundation (NGF) will tell you that, despite the ongoing…
Heath (Texas) G&YC Selects KemperSports
The management firm will oversee all operations of the new club, which will be part of a 787-acre lakefront, master-planned, resort-style community on Lake Ray Hubbard northeast of Dallas. The Heath G&YC clubhouse is scheduled to open this summer, with the 27-hole championship golf course, designed by Roy Bechtol, opening for play in the fall…
KemperSports to Manage Sequoyah National GC
The Cherokee, N.C., property, owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee, opened in 2009 as one of two Robert Trent Jones II Signature Designs in the state. Sequoyah National serves as one of the amenities for the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, and features a par-72, 6,600-yard course with bentgrass greens and bluegrass fairways. KemperSports has…