Rob Thomas

The Northern Virginia club hosted its inaugural Jr. Open Golf Tournament with an eye toward growing the game for the future. Director of Golf Jim McGrath said the club is trying to show younger players that golf is something they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. The club is also offering special rates…

The nine-hole course has been planning to add a back nine for more than 20 years. The club was approved to use a portion of land from the neighboring Energy Capital Sports Complex to add onto its existing property six years ago. The estimated cost for the project is about $650,000.

Owners of the nine-hole Sonora, Calif. course have had the debt-free property on the market for the past year for $1.8 million, or $1.5 million with conditions. PLGC Partners purchased the course for $1.6 million, plus another $500,000 for the business, in 2007. Another $500,000 was then invested to remodel the pro shop, pave the…

Despite objections, the city council cleared the way for staff to seek proposals for the Lester Park and Enger Park municipal courses. The city seeks to redevelop the properties to provide housing, with at least 20 percent of any new units offered at rates consistent with affordable housing standards. Any sale of public golf course…

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The 45-year-old Newport Beach, Calif. club received a notice that set off fears among members that it would have to close at the end of August. But talks with Fluter Properties, which owns part of the land where the club operates, then ensued to arrange a renewal of the club’s lease. The club includes 16…

While the clubhouse is still gutted, golfers recently returned to the  Lynn Haven, Fla. property, though the course looks much different. Prior to Hurricane Michael, Panama CC had an estimated 5,500 trees. Now, only a few hundred remain. Until renovations are completed, players will rent equipment and carts from a mobile home in the parking…

The nine-hole Ponds at Battle Creek in Maplewood, Minn. would close at the end of the 2020 season, under a proposed Ramsey County budget. A study concluded that the county’s five courses were competing against each other because they were too similar and recommended differentiating them as a low-cost “value” course, a middle-range “standard” course…

A teen was seriously injured at Fun Town Water Park in Crystal Beach, Texas, after a friend dared him to pull up a grate inside a pool and he was sucked into the drainage system. The Texas Department of Insurance said that the property had been operating all summer without proof of an inspection.

In this episode of Club and Resort Talks we chat with Scott Harmelink about how he turned a basic driving range into the place to be in Sioux City, Iowa. With some imagination and in-house labor, Green Valley’s range is now host to entertaining evenings with music, prizes and a boost in F&B—attracting both Millennials…

A redesigned clubhouse and lively restaurant, a renovated 18-hole course (with the second to follow), and a renewed focus on members, guests and staff has positioned The Club at New Seabury on the Nantucket Sound for its next stage as a not-so-hidden gem. 

Club + Resort Business Associate Editor Rob Thomas and Head Golf Professional Barry Friedman discuss the benefits of having a pair of golf simulators at Valley of the Eagles. Golfers can warm up before a round, while Friedman and his staff are able to offer guests immediate feedback during lessons. During the long winter months…

Valley of the Eagles is home to 18 holes of championship golf and the Black River Tavern. Head Golf Professional Barry Friedman sat down with Club and Resort Business Associate Editor Rob Thomas to discuss what Jack Nicklaus did with the design and what Troon is bringing to the table on the management side. No…

Club + Resort Business thanks Valley of the Eagles for opening their fairways and clubhouse to our team. The Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course is managed by Troon and offers 18 holes of championship golf, the Eagle 5 Loop and a full-service restaurant in the Black River Tavern. While on the property, try a Valley of…

The Wilsonville, Ore. golf club, which operates as an independent for-profit business, and the homeowners association that includes a country club operation are discussing a possible merger that could leverage a new clubhouse annex, which was purchased in 2018 for $620,000 and hasn’t been renovated, into hosting more large-scale events like weddings and golf tournaments.…