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The world’s largest golf course management companies grew by 8 percent over the past year, and now operate 1,653 18-hole equivalent golf courses, up by 21 percent from 2006. Here is a summary of the 25 largest in order of size:

It was the largest equity conversion of a private club in history — six courses and clubhouses for $73.5 million. And despite the fact that there had been lawsuits in prior years, mistrust and a ton of money at stake, all parties to the Desert Mountain conversion were happy with the end result when it closed this past December.

That was a testament, in part, to the attorneys who worked on the case.

In a year of turmoil, a host of new power brokers are reshaping the golf landscape. Our annual power list reflects the significant change afoot with the balance of power shifting overseas.

It was a tough year, and not just for Tiger Woods.

Some of the industry’s largest management companies are also growing at the fastest pace, fueled by struggling golf courses looking for help.

The Ritz Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana, Ariz., Tullymore Golf Club in Stanwood, Mich., and Moon Valley Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., are the 2009 winners in Golf Inc. magazine’s annual Clubhouse Competition.
 
“We are pleased to honor these outstanding clubhouses, ” said Katina Cavagnaro, publisher of Golf Inc. “The quality of the entries was exceptionally high.”
 
The Links at Terranea in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas in Balchik, Bulgaria, have been honored as the winners in Golf Inc. magazine’s annual Development of the Year contest for 2009.
 
“This was one of the most competitive Development of the Year contests in recent memory,” said Katina Cavagnaro, publisher of Golf Inc. “Despite the slowdown in golf development around the globe, we found that the quality of the entries was exceptional.”
 

Who are the movers and shakers that wield the most clout in the golf industry? Golf Inc. counts down the individuals who influence the business of golf

One of the most eagerly anticipated announcements each year is Golf Inc.’s list of the Most Powerful People in Golf.

For the past eight years, Golf Inc. editors annually have ranked the 35 individuals judged to have the most ability to influence the development of courses and communities, the operation of courses, the equipment used by golfers and the rules and administration of the game.

Management company execs, suppliers look for silver lining

Golf Inc. State of the Industry survey results for management company executives and the industry’s product providers and vendors echo the less-than-optimistic forecasts of owners, managers, builders and developers.

Still, management company executives believe there are some reasons for optimism, despite their generally pessimistic responses to the majority of survey questions.

Owners’ and developers’ optimism dims as economy hits hard

The economic realities of the current global business climate have left both golf facility owners and managers and builder/developers significantly less optimistic about the golf industry than they were a year ago, according to responses to the second annual Golf Inc. State of the Industry survey.

Golf Inc. Green Award 2009Proactive approaches to environmental sensitivity, sustainability and conservation win top honors in second annual competition

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