DALLAS, Texas – Arcis Golf, the nation’s fast growing golf course owner/operator, has acquired three courses from Pacific Life: Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas, and Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
This story was first reported by Golf Inc. magazine.
Pacific Life began acquiring golf courses in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Tijeras Creek in 1996. It previously sold other courses, including two to Brown Golf Management in 2019. Grayhawk, Angel Park and Tijeras Creek represented the company’s last three courses and were sold at auction.
Blake Walker, founder and CEO of Arcis Golf, said the company rarely participates in auctions, but that this portfolio was a unique opportunity to add properties located in the some of the company’s core markets.
“For me, the acquisition is very emblematic of what we have done historically in other cities,” Walker said. “We have been very intentional to take an organic growth approach.”
Walker founded Arcis in 2013 and acquired 46 courses from CNL Lifestyles Properties in 2014. That acquisition gave the company a base of courses nationwide, but also required the company to sell off assets that were not a good fit. Since then, the company has been aggressive, but more focused.
It has acquired 13 courses in the last two years, including Dominion Golf Group and its five private clubs. In 2021, it acquired Mickelson Golf Properties and its three Resort/Daily Fee courses and three Private Clubs.
With this acquisition, Arcis continues to be one of the fastest-growing golf companies in the U.S., with private, resort, and daily-fee properties in its core metropolitan areas. It is one of a few large buyers that focus on regions regardless of the type of facility.
“We are able to vertically integrate [these courses],” Walker said. “As our customers grow in their career, they can grow with us. It provides greater optionality for the consumer.”
With the addition of Grayhawk Golf Club, Arcis has 16 clubs in Arizona. Grayhawk is known for hosting top-tier competitive tournaments, including the recently completed NCAA Men’s and Women’s Division I Golf National Championships. Past events have included the Frys.com Open and Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf on the PGA Tour.
Angel Park Golf has been an icon of Vegas golf for more than three decades and is Arcis’ fourth property in the greater Las Vegas area.
Tijeras Creek Golf Club is a Ted Robinson-designed course and is Arcis Golf’s seventh course in Southern California.
Arcis, which has nearly 70 clubs in its portfolio, plans to invest in all three clubs, with an emphasis on the culinary experiences and course conditioning.
Arcis Golf has invested approximately $100 million in the past four years on property upgrades, new amenities, personnel, training, and systems to create extraordinary experiences and forge emotional connections with members and guests.
Walker said the three courses were well managed and he expects to retain all employees.
