Troon founder Garmany to retire as CEO, remain as Chairman

Troon founder Dana Garmany will step down as chief executive officer of the management company on March 31. 

Garmany confirmed the official retirement date Dec. 6 during a VIP event unveiling the renovated Pinnacle Course at the company’s flagship Troon North Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Current President Tim Schantz will succeed Garmany as CEO, part of a transition strategy that has been in place for some time. Garmany will remain as chairman of the board of the company he founded in 1990. 

In his new role, Garmany said he will focus on working with the Troon board on long-term strategic goals and big-picture issues across the golf industry.

He said day-to-day operations “will continue as usual” at the world’s largest golf management company, which has more than 270 courses in its portfolio.    

“We have built a strong team, so there will be no changes in the operation,” he said. 

Under Garmany, Troon has expanded its reach not only by adding management and lease contracts but through acquisitions. It purchased Honours Golf and its portfolio of 16 courses in 2014, and CaddieMaster, a provider of caddie services, in 2015. 

More recently, Troon in July closed a deal to buy Cliff Drysdale Management, the largest tennis club management firm in the U.S. 

Through those entities and its Troon Privé and Troon International subsidiaries, the company now operates in 330 locations around the globe.

In 2017, Leonard Green & Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, acquired majority ownership in Troon from Kohlberg & Co. Leonard Green’s portfolio includes investments in the Container Store, Shake Shack and numerous other entities. 

Garmany, a fixture on Golf Inc.’s annual “Most Powerful People in Golf” list (including No. 1 in 2018) over the past 28 years has grown Troon from a single course into to the world’s largest management company, with more than 270 courses in its portfolio. 

He initially stepped down as CEO at the end of 2009, but returned to that role a year later. 

During his 35 years in the golf industry, Garmany has received numerous honors. The University of Alabama graduate and former PGA professional, has been inducted into the Southwest Section PGA Hall of Fame, the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame and the University of Alabama Hospitality Hall of Fame. He was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by the HSBC International Golf Forum. 

Schantz, a licensed attorney, joined Troon in 1998. He has more than 25 years’ experience specializing in corporate and real estate transactions and has been a key player in Troon’s rapid expansion during the past 15 years. 

 

Company Information

Address:

,

General Information

Top Executives

Executives





Courses