Invited Clubs Unveils Key Updates on Host of Reinvestment Projects at Texas clubs

(DALLAS) – Invited Clubs, the world leader in private clubs, is pleased to share several key updates at properties across its portfolio in Texas that are aimed at enhancing the everyday member experience through reinvestments in fitness, recovery, racquet sports and member lifestyle.

With an emphasis on expanding and upgrading the fitness experience across its clubs, Invited Clubs has worked to incorporate the best training equipment, performance technology and recovery advancements into its offerings. From Technogym equipment that can offer personalized fitness regimens to recovery features like massage chairs, heat therapy and Normatec compression, the investments made at various properties position Invited Clubs as the leader in member experience.

“Our goal is to go beyond what the traditional country club experience is, whether it’s how you prepare for a round of golf to your personal fitness and wellness journey,” said Michele Meleski, SVP for National Fitness and Wellness with Invited Clubs. “The reinvestments we’re pouring into our clubs in Texas give our members more ways to train, recover, play, and connect, knowing that our member-first approach ensures we’re offering the premier club experience in the state.”

At The Hills Country Club in Austin, a reimagined fitness experience will enhance  the way members train and recover. Featuring the latest Technogym equipment, dedicated recovery spaces and personalized wellness tools, the club’s Sports Complex will bring a smarter, more holistic approach to fitness for the entire family. The experience also will incorporate golf performance training, advanced recovery therapies and AI-driven assessments, as well as a Pilates Reformer Studio.

Connected Technogym fitness machines provide real-time feedback for members, while offering immersive workouts and the ability to track performance. Additionally, The Hills features WellCheck, an advanced assessment system that provides personalized insights into key metrics and gives members the relevant context necessary to make the right choices for their health.

In Houston, the Clubs of Kingwood also have focused on enhancing the fitness experience for its members, bringing in top-of-the-line Technogym equipment and creating a specialized golf performance area. The 22,000 square foot fitness center also has a dedicated strength training area, as well as a cardio fitness area and Pilates Reformer Studio. The new fitness center will be ready for members by August 2026.

The expanded fitness offerings are part of a comprehensive reinvestment project across the entire Invited Clubs portfolio as it seeks to continue to position itself as a member-first property with unrivaled amenities that appeal communities across Texas and beyond.

The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch, located in McKinney, also are nearing the final stages of a renovation at The Hills course. Led by World Golf Hall of Famer Lanny Wadkins, the nine-hole course is a complete reimagination that will emphasize playability, while enhancing visuals and sightlines. For instance, a redesigned green complex at the second hole will allow for a wider array of approach shots, such as run-up shots, while new trees along the fairway will block views of a nearby roadway.

These enhancements come on the heels of the recent $22 million renovation on the golf course at TPC Craig Ranch, home to the PGA TOUR’s THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Wadkins led those redesign efforts as well, as the course underwent a comprehensive renovation project that sought to better utilize the natural terrain to create a fair, but stern test for both the world’s best golfers and everyday members.

Branson Golf Destination Reaches New Heights

Growing portfolio, critical recognition statewide and nationally make Southwest Missouri Ozarks a must-visit venue

(BRANSON, MISSOURI) – Branson, Missouri has long entertained visitors with a mix of iconic and ever-growing attractions, from lakes and live entertainment theatres to family friendly venues including Silver Dollar City theme park. Now, world-acclaimed golf is increasingly luring guests to Middle America’s most popular destination.

Branson Golf has again invigorated its portfolio this summer with the opening of Big Cedar Lodge's astounding new 2-acre Top of the Rock Putting Green & Putting Course on July 4, expanding the destination's portfolio to 12 distinct golf experiences while earning widespread national acclaim in Golfweek's latest course rankings.

The new putting complex was designed by Johnny and JP Morris, joining a masterful collection of destination layouts that includes eight 18-hole courses and three Par-3 courses. All lie within 20 minutes of one another and were designed by a who’s who of golf icons, including Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Bill Coore, and Ben Crenshaw.

“Branson Golf’s remarkable growth, fueled in large part by Big Cedar Lodge, has elevated the destination into the upper echelon of golf experiences worldwide,” said Glen Turk of Midwest Golfing Magazine, who has been visiting and playing golf in the region for nearly two decades. “Every time you think the destination has reached its peak, another extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experience raises the bar yet again.”

Further validation of the area’s remarkable playing venues came earlier this month from Golfweek course raters, who voted three Branson destination layouts to its “2026 Top 100 Public-Access Courses in the U.S.” To wit:
Ozarks National – No. 57
Buffalo Ridge – No. 70
Payne's Valley – No. 87

Golfweek's “2026 Best Courses by State” rankings further underscore Branson Golf’s must-play allure. Five destination courses rank among Missouri's top 10, including the state's top four:
Ozarks National – No. 1
Buffalo Ridge – No. 2
Payne's Valley – No. 3
Branson Hills – No. 4
LedgeStone – No. 7

“The continued evolution of Branson Golf’s course inventory ensures unforgettable experiences for every type of golfer,” said Heather Hermen, Explore Branson, Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. “Whether visitors are planning a buddies’ trip, girls’ getaway, couples’ escape, or family vacation, there simply aren't many destinations in North America that can offer this level of variety and quality so conveniently.”

The destination's 12-course lineup now includes:
Ozarks National (18 holes)
Buffalo Ridge (18)
Payne's Valley (18)
Branson Hills (18)
LedgeStone (18)
The Pointe (18)
Thousand Hills (18)
Holiday Hills (18)
Mountain Top (13 holes, par 3)
Top of the Rock (9 holes, par 3)
Cliffhangers (18 holes, par 3)
Top of the Rock (putting course)

All 12 destination courses are located near dozens of restaurants, scores of lodging options, and a plethora of after-golf things to see and do. Branson regularly garners top-rated tourism destination status in America from Trip Advisor.

For more information about the destination, visit ExploreBranson.com.

The Belfry Renews Toptracer Partnership Following Five Years of Success

(Dallas, Texas) — Iconic British venue, The Belfry, has renewed its agreement with Toptracer for a further five years, continuing a partnership that has delivered significant commercial success, consumer engagement growth, and strengthened The Belfry’s position as one of the UK’s leading modern golf destinations.

The renewed agreement follows five years of strong commercial performance and sustained golfer engagement growth across the facility. The Belfry recorded 3.6 million balls hit during its first 12 months with Toptracer, rising to 5.9 million in the corresponding final 12 months of the agreement, reinforcing the venue’s commitment to innovation and premium golfer experiences. The partnership also highlights Toptracer’s ability to deliver an accurate, engaging and gamified practice experience for golfers of all levels.

Having first partnered with Toptracer five years ago, the four-time Ryder Cup host venue will continue to offer golfers access to Toptracer Range technology across its practice facility. 

This offering combines data-driven game improvement with interactive entertainment and technology-led participation designed to meet growing consumer demand for modern range experiences.

As an official partner of The PGA of Great Britain and Ireland - who are headquartered at The Belfry - Toptracer technology is integral to the PGA Member journey, from training and development to everyday coaching practice. Trainees and Members gain access to tools such as Toptracer Coach, enabling them to capture valuable performance insights, benchmark progress, and deliver more effective, personalised coaching.

The partnership also supports wider PGA coaching and participation initiatives across the resort, with Toptracer technology and Toptracer30 integrated within PGA residential and education programmes hosted at The Belfry.

Thanks to the partnership renewal, golfers at The Belfry - which hosts the DP World Tour’s British Masters in August - will continue to access interactive games, competitions, and virtual golf experiences through Toptracer technology, including the opportunity to play the venue’s renowned Brabazon course on the Virtual Golf game mode.

Chris Reeve, Director of Golf and Leisure, The Belfry, said:

 “Installing Toptracer at our academy has been transformative for us and our guests. Not only does it drive high engagement and customer satisfaction, but it turns that into continued commercial success. I can’t imagine our range facility without it.”

Scott Blevins, General Manager, Toptracer, said:

“The Belfry is one of the most recognised venues in golf and we’re so excited to continue to be a part of its journey. The team on site have embraced us from the beginning and we’re immensely proud to have extended our partnership for the foreseeable future.”

The renewal further strengthens the relationship between two brands focused on driving innovation within modern golf.

The Matchbox at Tobacco Road Opens August 1

Tee Times Now Available at TobaccoRoadGolf.com

(Sanford, North Carolina) – The Matchbox, one of golf’s most-anticipated and unconventional short courses opens August 1 at the famed Tobacco Road. Guests can now book tee times for August through December 2026 at TobaccoRoadGolf.com.  

28 years after Mike Strantz carved Tobacco Road into North Carolina’s Sandhills with his signature artistic flair, The Matchbox features a unique collection
of 12 holes winding through trees and around a picturesque pond. With holes ranging from 40 to 105 yards – and many playing under the tree canopy – The Matchbox was constructed using synthetic turf blended into the natural landscape. The result is a visually striking golf experience that brings fun and challenging shots into play.

“This is a special piece of property as it contains spoils shaped during construction nearly 30 years ago,” said Mark Stewart, whose family opened Tobacco Road in November 1998. “The more I’ve walked around this corner of the property through the decades, the more obvious it became that a unique golf experience could be revealed — and we’re excited to share it with Sandhills travelers. Utilizing synthetic turf enables us to deliver consistent playing conditions while maximizing the shade of the existing tree canopy.”

Located near the 12th and 13th fairways of Tobacco Road’s 18-hole layout, The Matchbox was built in just six months requiring no irrigation nor mass clear-cutting trees. The project is a design partnership with Carlton/Marshall Golf Design and Mark White. Justin Carlton trained under White, one of the original Tobacco Road shapers who learned his craft under Strantz.

“There’s a direct line from our past to the present — and we believe The Matchbox will become a must-play experience in its own right,” added Stewart.

“Mike Strantz was a master of scale,” said Lee Marshall of Carlton/Marshall Golf Design. “Having Mark White on the project provides an experienced knowledge of Strantz’ vision that we’re incorporating into our design.”

Multiple holes of The Matchbox play along and over a pond that few fans of Tobacco Road even know existed.

“During the design process for Tobacco Road, we talked about Mike building a par 3 over that pond, but it didn’t make the final routing,” Stewart recalls. “Now we have the opportunity to bring that bit of drama back into play in a different way.”

Additional highlights of The Matchbox include hole 3 which requires an 80-yard blind shot from one of the tee boxes, hole 7 with a 60-yard shot over a cove, and hole 9 that plays through two large mounds and was inspired by the famed opening hole on Tobacco Road.

“The overall concept is to keep it fun with bold features and heroic shot values but also provide a short-game challenge for those who really want to test their wedge game,” added Marshall. “While the longest yardage was dictated for some to play with only one club and a putter, we are creating an amenity unrestricted by that thought process alone. The contours on the greens will focus more on shot selection depending on the type of shot the player decides to execute (high shot with spin at the pin or low shot to feed the ball toward the hole). This will provide a different experience each time the course is played, even without moving the pins to alternate locations.”

For more information on Tobacco Road Golf Club and The Matchbox, visit https://tobaccoroadgolf.com.

Brian Rogish Named 2026 Troon Coach of The Year

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Brian Rogish, PGA, Director of Golf at The Golf Club at Lansdowne in Leesburg, Virginia, has been named “2026 Troon Coach of the Year” by Troon’s Education and Player Development team. The honor celebrates Rogish’s exceptional leadership, innovative programming, measurable player‑development success, and his unwavering commitment to growing the game of golf at every level.

“Brian represents the very best of what coaching in the Troon family stands for, including innovation, leadership, mentorship, and a deep commitment to helping players grow and enjoy the game,” said Troon Global Director of Coaching Tim Mahoney. “His impact at Lansdowne is extraordinary, and his influence on players, families, and fellow professionals is undeniable. We are proud to recognize him as the 2026 Troon Coach of the Year.”

Over nearly a decade at Lansdowne, Rogish has transformed the club’s instructional academy into one of the region’s most dynamic and impactful player‑development environments. His coaching philosophy is centered on long‑term growth, retention, and enjoyment and has created clear developmental pathways for golfers of all ages and abilities. From early‑childhood introduction programs to competitive junior coaching and adult beginner development, Rogish has built a system that meets players where they are and guides them toward sustained improvement.

“I'm incredibly honored to receive this recognition from Troon. While my name is on the award, it's really a reflection of an amazing team, supportive members, and families who have embraced our vision for player development,” said Rogish. “I've always believed that teaching golf is about much more than improving a swing. It's about creating confidence, building relationships, and helping people fall in love with the game. When you focus on developing players at every stage of their journey, you don't just grow golfers, you strengthen clubs, communities, and ultimately the future of the game. I'm grateful to be part of an organization like Troon that shares that belief,”

Under Rogish’s leadership, Lansdowne’s academy has achieved remarkable results, including nearly 3,000 additional junior rounds annually, one of the region’s strongest junior pipelines, and consistent year‑over‑year growth in player engagement and retention. His programs span Operation 36, PGA Junior League, college‑prep pathways, on‑course coaching, club fitting, PGA HOPE veteran programming, and more – each delivered with intention, enthusiasm, and a commitment to excellence.

Rogish’s influence extends beyond instruction. Since 2016, academy revenue has grown multiple times over, with nearly 30 percent of new club memberships directly tied to academy programming. His leadership has strengthened family engagement, enhanced member retention, and elevated the club’s overall performance. Rogish has introduced unique programming such as Swing & Serve Camps, parent‑child events, Glow Golf experiences, indoor simulator training, and seasonal analytics integration. These initiatives have expanded participation, modernized instruction, and created memorable experiences for players and families.

Rogish also embodies Troon’s commitment to community impact. Last season, he and the academy team organized a multi‑day junior event that raised more than $100,000 for Folds of Honor and Leashes of Valor, called the Lansdowne Cup. This further demonstrates his belief and that of the team around him, that golf can be a powerful platform for giving back. Watch the YouTube documentary showcasing a behind-the-scenes view of what goes into the planning and execution of the Lansdowne Cup.

The Troon Coach of the Year Award honors instructors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, player development, mentorship, and commitment to growing the game. Rogish exemplifies each of these qualities and continues to elevate the standard of coaching within the Troon portfolio.

Past Troon Coach of the Year Honorees:
David Curtis – The Classic Club / Westin Mission Hills / Yocha Dehe
Mo Gesualdi – St. Johns Golf & Country Club
Tom O’Brien – Tiburón Golf Club
Ryan Mahoney – Troon North Golf Club
Josh McCormick – Tiburón Golf Club

Troon Selected to Manage The Crosby Club

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected to manage The Crosby Club, a private club in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Troon Privé, the private club division of Troon, will oversee club operations, agronomy, food & beverage, and membership sales and marketing.

Located in the San Diego foothills on Bing Crosby's former Rancho Santa Fe ranch property, The Crosby Club is an exclusive private club and golf community. Named in honor of Crosby, The Club is known for its elegant architecture, championship golf, and luxury lifestyle. Golf architect Brian Curley and PGA TOUR legend Fred Couples co-designed The Club’s 18-hole golf course, which opened for play in 2004. The 6,796-yard, par-70 layout features dramatic elevation changes, scenic valley views, and an expansive practice facility.

“Returning to The Crosby Club is a true privilege – Troon helped establish the foundation here more than 20 years ago, and we are honored to once again work alongside ownership to elevate the member experience and advance the standard of excellence at this exceptional Southern California property,” said Troon Vice President of Operations, Justin Lake.

"We are thrilled to partner with Troon Privé to enhance the member experience at The Crosby Club. Troon's world-class expertise aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering an unparalleled luxury lifestyle and championship golf experience for our members and their families," said Bando Group.

Beyond golf, members of The Crosby Club enjoy a fitness and wellness center with personal training and group classes, three tennis courts and four pickleball courts with certified instruction, a year-round heated junior Olympic-size swimming pool with cabanas and a hot tub. Multiple dining venues complete the Club's premier recreational and social experience.

For more information on The Crosby Club, visit www.thecrosbyclub.com.

Troon and Trident Marine Group Announce Strategic Partnership

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, and Trident Marine Group, an Annapolis, Md.-based full-service marina management company, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing service offerings and expanding market reach for both companies.

As part of the agreement, Troon and Trident will collaborate on existing and new business opportunities, leveraging their complementary strengths to deliver unparalleled services to current and future clients. This partnership combines Troon's global expertise in golf and club management with Trident's specialized expertise in marina ownership, operations, consulting, and development.

The partnership expands the capabilities of both organizations to deliver integrated management, consulting, and advisory services across golf, waterfront, hospitality, recreational, and mixed-use destinations. Together, Troon and Trident provide owners and developers with a unified team that supports projects from planning and development through day-to-day operations. By combining complementary expertise, the partnership streamlines execution, enhances the guest and member experience, and helps maximize long-term asset performance.

“We admire the experience and capabilities of Trident and their owner/president Jeremy Parks, a respected leader in the marina industry,” said Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz. “We look forward to working together to extend Trident’s impact in the industry and to broaden Troon's hospitality management offerings.”

Additionally, Trident will benefit from Troon's expansive network of properties and 11 U.S. regional offices, facilitating growth beyond its current East Coast presence. The partnership aligns with Trident's strategic objectives to broaden its service offerings and client base, leveraging Troon resources in food and beverage, retail, and HOA management.

“We recognized early on that Troon and Trident share many of the same values,” said Trident Marine Group Owner and President Jeremy Parks. “We believe in building strong teams, operating with purpose, and putting our clients first. Bringing those strengths together allows us to provide owners with one coordinated team that understands the complexities of destination properties and is committed to delivering lasting value."

For more information on Trident Marine Group, visit www.trident-marine.com. For more information on Troon, visit www.Troon.com.