Club and Resort Talks

On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas chats with Danny Klein, Editorial Director of QSR and FSR Magazines, about the confluence of golf, dining and entertainment (think Topgolf). Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed a clubhouse renovation project that happened at Atlanta National Golf Club. The upgrade included an overhaul of the design and menu at Pete’s Restaurant, as well as the construction of both a golf performance center and a simulator lounge. The two highlighted the beginning of an improvement happening at the Ocean Point golf course at the Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort in South Carolina. The project, which is being overseen by Dye Designs Group, will include reconstruction and reshaping of bunkers, and replacement of cement cart paths with crushed limestone that will tie in with the natural elements of the area. Phil and Rob noted the opening of a 102-bay, three-level Topgolf site in Durham, N.C. The site is expected to employ about 500 people, and is the third Topgolf venue in North Carolina and the 89th to open in the U.S. Lastly, they noted this past week’s kick-off of the Club + Resort Business Model Club Webinar series. On April 9, Phil moderated a program with three leaders from Atlanta Athletic Club discussing the unique products and services that can be found inside the pro shop of the 21st century.

The upcoming solar eclipse, another night golf course in Arizona, and a potential new labor rule that would affect country clubs were some of the topics discussed by Club + Resort Business Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren during the latest episode of Club + Resort Talks. There are multiple clubs and resorts in the solar eclipse’s path of totality that are hosting parties and watch parties with food, beverages, music and other activities. Arrowhead Golf Club in Minster, Ohio, Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club in McKinney, Texas, and Byrncliff Golf Resort & Banquets in Varysburg, N.Y. are hosting special events. Any clubs that host eclipse gatherings are encouraged to send photos and videos to Phil at pkeren@wtwhmedia.com. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. will use its six-hole short course, #miniDunes, for night play starting April 26. The #miniDunes golf course originally opened for play in 2014 and has holes that range from 60 to 115 yards. Fifteen poles with 88 LED light fixtures shine down and illuminate the golf course while up-lighting will allow golfers to track ball flight through the night sky. They will have tee times, but walk-ins are available, too. The Department of Labor (DOL) is proposing to increase the exempt salary threshold for certain white-collar exemptions, potentially raising it from about $35,000 to about $55,000 annually. This change is expected to impact around 3.6 million workers. Rob and Phil discussed the fact that, if the rule was implemented, it would compel club general managers to make some important decisions regarding budgeting and payroll. Rob and Phil also discussed two projects happening at clubs in Florida: The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach, Fla. is collaborating with Peacock + Lewis Architects and Planners to develop a comprehensive amenities master plan; and Vineyards Country Club in Naples, Florida recently began construction work for the redesign and renovation of its 18-hole, Mark McCumber-designed championship North golf course. Rob and Phil also briefly reviewed the plans for the upcoming stories and webinars in the Club + Resort Business Model Club program.

In this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Jason Pearsall, Managing Partner with Revive Golf Management, about Pearsall’s decision to open the Warren Valley Golf Course in Dearborn Heights, Mich. earlier than usual. Revive Golf Management is operating the golf course in a lease agreement with the city of Dearborn Heights. Due to the mild weather conditions and a high level of interest from some regular players, Pearsall determined that it was a good idea to open the course during the first half of March. Pearsall discusses the challenges associated with opening a golf course for the season earlier than usual, and offers advice to other golf course managers who might be thinking about making a similar move. Phil and Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas also talked about The Seagate Golf Club in Delray Beach, Fla. re-opening its course following a $14.5 million renovation project. The club closed its course in April 2023 for the upgrade work, re-opened the back 9 in December 2023 and recently re-opened the front 9. The revamped course has improvements to the greens, fairways, tees, bunkers, irrigation, drainage, turfgrasses, landscaping, as well as the driving range and practice facilities. Phil and Rob discussed a Texas golf course that is slated to re-open after being closed for several years. The former Cape Royale Golf Course in Coldspring, Texas, which closed six years ago and has since laid abandoned, is scheduled to re-open in spring-summer 2026 and will be renamed TRA Lake Livingston Regional Public Golf Course. Landscapes Unlimited has been selected by the Trinity River Authority to direct the re-development. Heading northwest, the C+RB editors looked at a joint venture partnership that was recently established between The Wilderness Club in Eureka, Mont., and Escalante Golf. Escalante will oversee more than $15 million worth of expansion and improvements, while managing golf operations, hospitality, food & beverage, and real estate development and sales. Escalante’s plans also involve transitioning Wilderness Club from a semi-private club model back to a fully private club, in honor of its founder’s original vision.

In this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rob Thomas chats with Scott Lambert, Atlanta Country Club Superintendent, and David Birdwell, a member and former Club President, to talk about a major renovation project. The multi-faceted renovation included significant infrastructure updates and design alterations to the golf course as well as new and improved practice facilities and additional off-course amenities to enhance the experience for current members and future generations. The project was led by golf course designer Beau Welling and his firm, Beau Welling Design. Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also touched upon a New York town that's considering slicing into one of its golf course for a residential development. The 18-hole layout at Brighton Park Golf Course in Tonawanda, N.Y. may be converted into 12 holes if a plan comes to fruition. Town officials are eyeing this property because the town has limited land available for new, larger-scale residential development. “There will be a revolt,” warns Paul Wzontek, Vice President of the Brighton Park Golf Club Board of Directors, about the proposal. Lastly, Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa, Ariz. has increased its tech usage by 30% in the first three months after partnering with Inrange on its driving range. Dobson Ranch has already utilized the gamification of practice to host Long Drive, Nearest to Pin and Shrinking Target (a skills challenge unique to Inrange) contests. “Numbers don’t lie – we are killing it right now,” said Matt Stark, VP of Partnerships for Dobson Ranch.

On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas speaks with Jonathan Fralick, VP, Racquet Sports for Invited Clubs. Fralick discusses a number of programs across the Invited portfolio, including two grow-the-game initiatives — First Serve and Right Start. First Serve is a comprehensive junior pathway to ensure organization, player development and member enjoyment with clear goals and proven developmental success. The Right Start program is designed for entry-level adults interested in learning or returning to tennis and pickleball, successfully building a community of players who learn and develop together in a social setting. Fralick also talked about inclusivity, technology and speculated on what the future may hold for racquet sports across the club space. Thomas was also joined by Senior Editor Phil Keren. The two discussed some of the latest news from Club + Resort Business, such as three new short courses. Officials at Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, Fla. say all 19 holes on its fourth golf course, The Chain, will open for preview play March 31. The short course, which was designed by the world-renowned duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, brings a new concept to the golf offerings at the resort with options for six and 13-hole loops or a 19-hole round. “When you take strength and length out of the equation, golf becomes much more fun for a vastly expanded group of players,” Coore says. Work is continuing on the construction of the nine-hole Clover golf course at Killearn Club in Tallahassee, Fla. The course will be walking-only and will offer five par-3 holes of varying lengths and four short par-4 holes. MacCurrach Golf Construction of Jacksonville, Fla. continues to execute construction with Aqua Turf International, responsible for the redesigned irrigation system. Construction is expected to conclude in May. Also, golf course architect Tom Clark goes behind the scenes of The Battlefield at Oklahoma’s Shangri-La Resort—a 3,000-yard, par-54 layout with more than 100 feet of elevation change. Each hole on The Battlefield is named in honor of an Oklahoma veteran of World War II.

On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Elsbeth Hurry, Co-Founder and CEO of ZIGIT. ZIGIT’s new proprietary technology allows golf course owners and operators to sell canned and bottled alcohol through attractive, stand-alone ZIGIT-enabled machines (boxes) at locations along golfers’ journeys. Purchase eligibility is validated through ID verification / authentication and facial recognition, and drinks are dispensed typically within 30 seconds. Poised to transform convenience in conformance with regulations, ZIGIT meaningfully increases golfer satisfaction and alcohol sales at golf courses, country clubs and resorts. ZIGIT impressed at the 2023 PGA TOUR Wells Fargo Championship and is enjoying success at the American Airlines Arena, home to the NBA Dallas Mavericks and NHL Dallas Stars, as well at other sports and entertainment venues. Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed some of the latest news from across the industry. Swing Racquet + Paddle in Raleigh, N.C., which is being called the “Disney World for Racquet Sports,” will include 80 indoor and outdoor courts for tennis, pickleball, padel, ping pong and more. The center will have a restaurant, bar, training facility, and walking trails that will connect to a local system. It is expected to create more than 300 new jobs, and a total economic impact of $360 million in just the first three years. An upcoming vote at the Detroit (Mich.) Golf Club will determine whether a full renovation will be put into motion. The estimated cost is expected to be $16.1 million and would be paid for largely through a one-time assessment for members. The club also would allocate $2.2 million from Rocket Mortgage Classic funds for the project and voting by members will begin March 6 and close March 16. An approval rate of more than 60% is being required by the prospective lenders working with Detroit Golf Club. Lastly, Omni Amelia Island (Fla.) Resort enlisted architect Beau Welling to renovate its Oak Marsh Golf Course. One of the chief goals of the project, which has a projected reopening date of Oct. 1, is to protect the architectural feel of Pete Dye’s original 1972 creation. The new renovation of Oak Marsh will join Little Sandy—the resort’s unique and entertaining 10-hole, par-3 course—and accompanying 18-hole putting course, both also the creation of Beau Welling Design.

In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Phil Keren speaks with R.J. Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Placer.ai, about the company’s recent examination of location intelligence metrics at country clubs. Placer.ai is a location analytics company that examines mobile data to create foot traffic estimates for any physical location in the U.S. Placer.ai recently conducted an examination of visit rates at 50 country clubs around the country. The company also looked at some demographic information for 12 of the sites. One of the more intriguing findings was that the median age of country club visitors has declined from 2019 to 2023. Phil spoke with Hottovy about this finding and some other data points that merit country club leaders’ attention. Phil also talks with Rob Thomas about: Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Nick Nurse purchasing his childhood country club, Carroll Country Club in Carroll, Iowa: an analysis of a large government database that finds pickleball-related injuries are rising; and two clubs—Quail Ridge Golf Club in Grove, Okla. and Pomona Golf Course and Country Club in Egg Harbor City, N.J.— that are seeking new owners.

On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas spoke with Jake Gordon, CEO & Co-Founder of Noteefy, about how golf courses can drive more revenue with less effort. KemperSports, Landscapes Golf Management, Streamsong, and Sand Valley, to name a few, have already partnered with Noteefy. A few of the highlights: - Drive incremental revenue: Noteefy gives every golfer their own personal assistant to help find tee times at your course. This enables golfers to play more, with less effort - delivering increased revenue; - Decrease unfilled cancellations: By some estimates, over 20% of online tee times get canceled and go unfilled for busy daily fee courses. This is leaving up to $50,000 in revenue on the table for operators; and - Improve customer experience: The process of endlessly calling and refreshing to find tee times is frustrating and archaic. With Noteefy, tee times are seamlessly delivered to the customers. Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed what the Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course is planning to engage residents during the winter season. Also, The Club at Olde Cypress is readying for a grand transformation. A multi-million-dollar clubhouse renaissance at the Naples, Fla. club will redefine luxury living in Southwest Florida. Among the many highlights of the project are the addition of a 2,500-sq.-ft. covered bar and dining area on the first floor and anew 2,000 sq. ft. kitchen to support the casual and fine dining options Executive Chef Caesar Fernandez and his team serve daily. Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Victor, N.Y. unveils golf course transformations, clubhouse upgrades, and a new pickleball facility. Recent endeavors at the club have centered around a new vision that encapsulates their core values—remain a family-focused, golf-first club that offers a member experience unparalleled in the marketplace. Last, but not least, Rob and Phil discussed the exciting Model Club initiative and encouraged viewers to visit www.clubandresortbusiness.com to learn more about the honored Pro Shops.

Here is the intro: In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Phil Keren speaks with Pete Wilson, Co-Founder of Grass Clippings, about his company opening a lighted golf course at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe, Ariz. The course began operations on Dec. 1 and has been well-received in the Tempe community. Phil first spoke with Wilson in September about the plans and now seemed like a great time to catch up on how the night golf operation is going in the southwest. Phil and Rob Thomas also discuss a new racquet club called Padel + Pickle opening in Olivette, Mo. later in February; Mineola (Texas) Country Club’s plan to rebuild its clubhouse on the same site where the previous structure burned down last August; and the recent completion of a major renovation of the golf course at Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach, Fla.

In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Santiago Gomez, Founder and CEO of Padel Haus. Santiago shares the origins of padel, a sport invented in Mexico in 1969, combining elements of tennis, racquetball, platform tennis, and squash. Padel involves playing with walls, adding a unique dimension to the game. Santiago discusses the rapid global growth of padel, noting that the demand for their locations has significantly increased. Santiago’s journey into Padel started in Mexico as a teenager, playing with his parents. After a career in finance and running restaurants, he decided to open the first padel club in New York, seizing the opportunity during the COVID pandemic. Despite initial uncertainties, the success of the first club in Miami encouraged him to introduce padel to New York, considering the city’s openness to new experiences and its diverse population. The interview covers the expansion of Padel Haus, with locations in Williamsburg, Domino Park, and Dumbo neighborhoods in Brooklyn. The facilities include indoor and outdoor courts, steam rooms, showers, juice bars, lounges, and social areas. Santiago announces the opening of a fourth location in Nashville, highlighting the city’s potential and growth. Looking ahead, Santiago envisions Padel Haus expanding to around 50 locations within five years. He predicts that Padel will reach 30 million participants in the U.S. and become an Olympic sport, possibly by the Los Angeles or Brisbane Olympics. Santiago expresses confidence in Padel becoming the most-played racquet sport globally, citing its unexpected growth in various countries worldwide. Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed a project at Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz. where tee complexes were revitalized, the course’s 60 sand bunkers were restored, and playing corridors were opened to showcase panoramic views. Arcis Golf’s Construction Division led the project using the Better Billy Bunker liner system and a specialty blend of sand from Gillibrand Materials in Simi Valley, Calif. In addition, Rob and Phil talked about Concert Golf Partners finishing a multi-year, multi-million-dollar capital improvement project at MacGregor Downs Country Club in Cary, N.C. LED lighting was installed in the Lakeside Room and the upstairs conference room for a more updated look, and new carpet and paint were added throughout the facility. The C+RB duo also shared thoughts on a fun story out of Hobe Sound, Fla.: Ted Crocker, 85, on Jan. 15 recorded a hole-in-one for the second time at Heritage Ridge Golf Club in Hobe Sound. Here’s the remarkable thing: He made the ace 23 years to the day after notching his first hole-in-one at the same course. Perhaps he should use the numbers “1” and “5” on a lottery ticket.

On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Rob Thomas speaks with Alicia Nissel, General Manager of The Downtown Clubs in Houston, Texas. Nissel discusses what the club does to attract and retain members, as well as looking into her crystal ball to see what the industry can expect five or 10 years down the road. Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed two golf industry conferences that are happening in January: The 2024 PGA Show is Jan. 23-26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Conference and Trade Show is slated for Jan. 29-Feb. 1 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz. The operative word for this year’s PGA Show — the largest global gathering for the business of golf — is “more.” The event will offer a packed show floor with more participating companies, more exhibit space, pavilion enhancements and a new concert lounge in Hall E of the convention center. The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is the biggest annual event covering the design, construction and management of the course. It is designed for golf course superintendents, architects, builders and the companies that support them. Rob and Phil also talked about a company CEO and his friends teaming up to open a new racquet facility in Minnesota. The Heights Racquet & Social Club in Mendota Heights, Minn., features pickleball courts and Minnesota’s first padel court. An additional item of discussion was the opening of ‘Crossroads,’ Palmetto Bluff, S.C.’s new reversible nine-hole course from the golf architecture firm, King-Collins Golf Course Design.

On this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Kevin Clarke and Nick Markel from The Country Club of Buffalo about their club hosting its second annual Sporting Clays Invitational on Nov. 3 and 4. Clarke, who chaired the event and served as captain of The Country Club of Buffalo’s sporting clays team, talks about the details of the competition, while Markel, the club’s General Manager, discusses the work that his staff performed behind the scenes. This year, The Country Club of Buffalo welcomed teams from six other clubs to the shooting tournament: Long Vue Club and Golf Course in Verona, Pa., The Country Club (Pepper Pike, Ohio), Medinah (Ill.) Country Club, The Country Club (Brookline, Mass.), Country Club of Rochester (N.Y.), and Kirtland Country Club in Willoughby, Ohio. The club is planning to welcome an expanded field in 2024. Phil and C+RB Editor Rob Thomas also talk about a man named Paul Mast helping Cedar Crest Country Club in Quincy, Ill. replenish one of its irrigation ponds. They also detail the plans for the construction of a Topgolf venue in Greensboro, N.C., and discuss Tanglewood National Golf Club in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, now operating under new ownership.

In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Phil Keren speaks with the leaders at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach, Fla., about the club garnering the No. 1 ranking in the 2023 Club + Resort Business Top Ranked Clubhouses program. Ryan Walls, CEO and General Manager at BallenIsles Country Club, Laura Young Cray, Clubhouse Director, and Becky Collison, Director of Marketing and Communications, discuss the $35 million renovation of the grand clubhouse in 2018. They also talk about what it means for the club employees and members to receive the Top Ranked distinction, as well as what makes their clubhouse unique. The listing of Top Ranked Clubhouses for 2023 appears in the December issue of Club + Resort Business and can also be viewed online at clubandresortbusiness.com. Phil and Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas also discuss a member purchasing a club in Oklahoma, the progress occurring with a golf course in Utah that is being designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design firm, and a Connecticut club’s withdrawal of a plan to build pickleball courts due to concerns from neighbors about noise.

In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Editor Rob Thomas speaks with Tom Everett, President of Landscapes Golf Management. Landscapes Golf Management has been in a news a lot lately, with new projects in both Traphill, N.C. (Contentment Golf Club) and Sioux Falls, N.D. (Mapleton Golf Club). Everett also penned a popular column for Club + Resort Business—How Do You Cultivate Culture That Produces High Performers?—in September 2023. Senior Editor Phil Keren joined the conversation to discuss the latest news from across the club and resort industry. Topics included T36 at Baytown (Texas)—a double-loop track that makes the most out of limited acreage. The innovation is similar to the amazing work being done by Agustin Pizá and Pizá Golf. Phil and Rob also talked about work at Mesa (Ariz.) Country Club being done with climate change in mind. The project includes modernizing its irrigation system to help save an estimated 21 million gallons of water a year – or more than 10 percent of its current water use. The club is also aiming to eliminate 20 to 35 acres of the course’s 125 acres of irrigated grass. Also, the much-anticipated opening of Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills in Tempe, Ariz. is upon us! The club introduces night golf to the area. Lastly, there are even more alternative entries to golf with Putts and Pins and Club Regatas. Putts & Pins in West Des Moines, Iowa features gamified mini golf, duckpin bowling and arcade games with an electric pop vibe inspired by ’80s and ’90s rock culture, while Club Regatas in lima, Peru has introduced a certified Pitch and Putt layout designed by Agustin (Augie) Pizá, Founder of Pizá Golf.

Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Danita Osborn, Director of Membership and Marketing at Shadow Wood Country Club in Estero, Fla., about the club earning the No. 1 spot on the 2023 C+RB Top Ranked Patios listing. This listing can be viewed at clubandresortbusiness.com and appears in the August issue of C+RB. Osborn discussed what the honor meant for the club, as well as the two patio projects that occurred in 2022, and the organization’s efforts to create a strong connection between its members and employees. Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas also checked in with Phil to hear about Phil’s recent visit to Warren Valley Golf Course in Dearborn Heights, Mich. The course was designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1922 and opened as a 36-hole layout in 1923. Both courses closed in 2022, but the West Course was re-opened in April 2023. Warren Valley officials said work was done to upgrade the greens and bunkers, and those improvements have garnered a lot of positive feedback from golfers. A steakhouse, lounge, cigar bar and banquet hall are being constructed on the property, and those sites are eyed for completion in spring of 2024. Rob and Phil also discussed the planned opening of Pickle of Penn, a pickleball-focused country club in Carmel, Ind., and the recent completion of Waynesville (N.C.) Inn & Golf Club’s 18-hole resort facility.

On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Joe Conforti, Director of Golf at the Club at Olde Cypress sits down with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas to talk about taking members on golf trips. Conforti and Thomas recently participated in the Annie’s Revenge Jamaica Pro-Am—a first for Rob, but Joe’s fifth trip to the Caribbean for the event. Presented by the Jamaica Tourist Board and The Golf Connection, Annie’s Revenge was sponsored by COBRA PUMA Golf, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, Appleton Estate Rum, and Jamaica Tours Limited. The 54-hole event was played on the championship courses at the Tryall Club, Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon. C+RB Senior Editor joined the podcast to discuss some recent news from around the industry, such as a development proposal that may consolidate two Florida courses (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/dev.... A large-scale redevelopment proposal would create a hybrid 18-hole layout between Lake Wales Country Club and the adjacent Oakwood golf course community in Lake Wales, Fla. If approved, the project would add up to 1,424 new homes, townhomes, cottages and apartments. Also, Grey Oaks Country Club recently completed a renovation of its Pine Course (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/gre.... The Naples, Fla. club enlisted renowned golf course restoration specialist Andrew Green for the project. The renovation now offers enhanced aesthetics with strategic bunker placement, challenging green surrounds and larger greens for a variety of pin placements. “The course design reflects the latest trends to give a lot more open space around the green, and that means golfers will have a lot of variety to approach the shot,” said Marty DeAngelo, Senior Director of Golf at Grey Oaks. Lastly, Keren and Thomas talked about Streamsong readying to unveil The Chain (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/str.... The non-traditional 19-hole short course by renowned designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, meanders through the Central Florida resort’s rugged terrain. Preview play on around half of the holes is currently open for resort guests, with the remainder planned for opening on Dec. 1. Read deeper into these articles (and more) at www.clubandresortbusiness.com.

Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with two leaders from The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Ga., about the club earning the No. 1 spot in the 2023 Club + Resort Business Top Ranked Pro Shops Program. Haley Pickering, the club’s Golf Shop Retail Manager, and Steve Justman, Director of Golf at the club, talked about what meant to earn the top ranking, as well as the unique offerings of each of the club’s four soft goods shops and the services provided by its golf performance center. The Top Ranked Pro Shops listing appears in the November issue of Club + Resort Business. Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about The Territory Golf & Country Club near Duncan, Okla. experiencing an increasing number of new memberships and member inquiries from nearby drive markets including Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth. The uptick is due to growing waitlists at neighborhood golf and country clubs across the U.S., leaving would-be members searching outside their hometowns for destination clubs. Another topic of conversation was Grass Clippings’ plan to offer night time golf on a regular basis at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz. On Dec. 1, Grass Clippings will become Arizona’s first fully lighted golf course as crews are currently finalizing the installation of LED lighting. Rob and Phil also discussed how KemperSports and its facilities recently surpassed the $2 million milestone in fundraising efforts for its longtime partner Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military men and women and first responders.

In this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, editor Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas chats with chats with Rob Goodhue, Director of Culinary Operations and Executive Chef at Hunters Run Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla. Chef Rob has started a podcast of his own, named "Rare Talk." In his first episode, available on Spotify and iTunes, he talks about Restaurant Picks When Traveling: Vacation Dos and Don'ts of Dining. Example ... Don't expect a great steak at a place that serves a wide variety of other foods. In additional episodes, Chef Rob will cover BBQ, Country Club Dining vs. Public Restaurants, and the "Skinny on Steaks." Check it out and subscribe for interesting culinary topics. Thomas and C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed the recent news from across the industry. From club openings at the Arizona Biltmore, Alabama's Pines Crossings and the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra, Fla., to a brand new private club breaking ground in Traphill, N.C., there was a lot to cover. Also, be sure to read Kevin Daniel Lalumiere's most recent column—Create the ‘Something’ They Will Return To (Tactics for Retaining Seasonal Workforces). The golf and tennis seasons are almost over across much of the country. What can these clubs do to ensure their valuable staff will return in 2024? The boss at The Country Club of New Canaan has some great ideas to share.

In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Mark Lewicki, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Lance Lauer, Acting Director of Grounds, at The Country Club of Castle Pines. In 2020, the Castle Rock, Colo. club opened its most unique golf amenity called The Crags—a massive, one-acre putting course built on a series of rocky crags on the western cliff directly behind the clubhouse. Learn more about the process and how this amenity has been received by members and guests. Keren and Editor Rob Thomas also discussed recent news posted on www.clubandresortbusiness.com, such as the work being done by PGA HOPE, charitable initiatives by Troon-affiliated properties and the upcoming Top Ranked Pro Shops initiative.

Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Pete Wilson, a co-founder of Grass Clippings, about his company’s effort to bring night golf to Arizona. Wilson founded the company with some of his longtime friends in an effort to honor the work of greenskeepers. While it started as a firm that offered a clothing line that represents greenskeepers, Grass Clippings recently added a golf course to its portfolio when it assumed operations of Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona. The company signed a 50-year lease with the city of Tempe to take over operations at the golf course and assume responsibility for capital improvements. They have a lot of work planned, including renovating the clubhouse and driving range, and building an outdoor entertainment/concert venue. Another feature that they will soon unveil is offering night time golf on a regular basis. Night golf is expected to begin at Rolling Hills Golf Course in early November. Wilson talked about why he and a group of friends started the company, as well as why they decided to operate a golf course and offer night time golf. He also reviewed what he thought country club GMs should consider if they’re thinking about offering night time golf on a regular basis. Phil spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about reopenings that are happening at different golf courses across the country following closures due to fires and a critical mistake by an employee. Both the Bay Course and the Plantation Course in West Maui, Hawaii, will reopen after being closed following the Maui wildfires in early August. The courses and facilities were spared, but about one-third of the courses’ employees lost their homes and possessions. Construction of a new clubhouse at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. will start in November and is expected to be finished in either late 2025 or during the first quarter of 2026. The original clubhouse caught fire and burned down in February 2022. Ross Bridge in Hoover, Ala. has been closed for about a year after a mistake by an employee caused permanent damage to 14 of the 18 greens. A member of the maintenance staff at Ross Bridge mistook a bag of herbicide for green sand, and then spread it on almost every green on the property, effectively poisoning the sensitive bent grass. Work has been done to convert the greens from bent grass to a more heat-tolerant TifEagle Bermuda grass. The course is scheduled to reopen in mid-October. Rob and Phil also discussed the planned opening of the Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., and the kick-off of construction of a new 18-hole golf course at Windsong Farm Golf Club in Independence, Minn.