ClubCorp continues to acquire clubs to broaden its reach and appeal, and it announced a new partnership with Topgolf.
The largest owner of clubs acquired Medina Golf & Country Club in Medina, Minnesota in June, its first club in Minnesota. With the addition of the formerly member-owned private club, ClubCorp now has clubs in 28 states.
ClubCorp plans to spend more than $2.5 million over the first two years to reinvent the club, bringing new contemporary dining and lifestyle features to the clubhouse and patio, plus improvements to the golf course, golf practice facilities and aquatics.
“We are very excited to add Medina Golf & Country Club to our family of clubs,” said Mark Burnett, ClubCorp COO and president. “As our first club in Minnesota, and, specifically the rapidly growing Minneapolis market, Medina fits our acquisition and reinvention criteria perfectly – a beautiful family centric club, located in a growing residential community, that offers a wide range of amenities, including 18 holes of championship golf and a nine-hole par-3 where we can introduce golf to our beginners while expanding the practice opportunities for our more avid golf members.”
Located 20 miles west of downtown Minneapolis, Medina Golf & Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course, which has been host to numerous amateur golf tournaments. Amenities include a 45,000-square-foot clubhouse with casual and upscale dining and a Grand Ballroom overlooking the golf course, four Har-Tru clay tennis courts and large pool with a diving board, slide and zero-depth entry kids’ section with water spouts. During the snowy season, Medina offers two powder trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
“The members of Medina Golf & Country Club are thrilled to be joining the world-class portfolio of ClubCorp clubs,” said Michael Mathews, president of the club. “As an already thriving club, we look forward to the significant benefits, services, and investments ClubCorp will provide us to further strengthen and enrich our club and the membership experience at Medina.”
Medina members will be eligible to participate in ClubCorp’s O.N.E. (Optimal Network Experiences) program, which provides benefits like 50 percent off a la carte dining at the member’s Home Club. In addition, members can enjoy benefits at other clubs, including complimentary green fees and dining when traveling.
ClubCorp also announced a strategic partnership with Topgolf, in which Topgolf will provide new technology and benefits to ClubCorp members and ClubCorp will provide special offers and experiences at its clubs.
“Topgolf is leading the next generation of the sport and constantly innovating to attract new fans to golf,” said Erik Anderson, CEO of Topgolf. “Our alliance with ClubCorp signifies our commitment to not only help Topgolf guests transition to green grass, but also refresh how ClubCorp and Topgolf fans play both on and off the course.”
While specific program elements are yet to be finalized, Toptracer Range, Topgolf’s newly released product for driving ranges, could bring a more interactive format to the private clubs’ driving ranges. Players can track their ball flight path as they hit, receiving real-time insights on speed, distance, angle and accuracy for a more interactive, gamified experience.
“Both Topgolf and ClubCorp have been leading the industry in encouraging fun golf entertainment,” said ClubCorp CEO Eric Affeldt. “That’s why a ClubCorp and Topgolf collaboration is so interesting.”
Topgolf Swing Suite, a social experience featuring Topgolf simulators, lounge seating, HDTVs and food and beverage service, would give ClubCorp members year-round, climate-controlled practice space where they could perfect their swings in the off-season. Topgolf’s first Swing Suite, launched earlier this year, is located at the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston. Topgolf recently made an investment in Full Swing Golf, the company behind the simulator technology, to expand its Swing Suite business.
Topgolf plans to offer ClubCorp members special offers to visit its sports entertainment venues. Likewise, ClubCorp plans to provide added value to Topgolf Platinum Members with exclusive tournaments at ClubCorp properties, as well as special offers and programs at clubs across the country.
“We’re thinking differently by giving people new ways to enjoy the game – on the course, at Topgolf, even on their phones and through other interactive experiences,” Anderson said. “This is just the beginning of what Topgolf and ClubCorp can do together.”