Meriwether Companies, a private real estate investment and development company, has acquired Morgan Run Club & Resort in Rancho Santa Fe, California, from Invited.
This story was first reported by Golf Inc. magazine.
The new owner plans to spend $25 million to renovate the private club over the next three years. The sale price was not disclosed.
The 27-hole golf course was built in 1965 and known as the Whispering Palms Country Club. The name was changed to Morgan Run in 1993 and acquired by Invited in 1999. Invited, formerly Club Corp, has been primarily a buyer in recent years. However, it has sold a few properties, and recently sold its third-party management business to Troon.
Morgan Run sits on 200 acres and features tennis and pickleball courts, a pool and fitness facility, a restaurant, private event space and a 76-room hotel.
“We recognized an incredible opportunity to shape the future of what we consider to be a true diamond in the rough, a classic Southern California golf escape with rich history dating back to the 1960s,” said David Likins, partner at Meriwether Companies in a news release. “We believe there is a gap in the market for a more casual, vibrant and community-oriented club that aligns with the north coastal San Diego market.”
Construction will be phased to allow the resort to remain open during the renovation. There will be investments in the golf course including re-grassing, irrigation and bunkering. Planned improvements include a new pool and casual dining area; upgrades to the dining, banquet and fitness spaces of the clubhouse; converting the existing spa into a communal recovery area; and a renovation of the tennis, pickleball and sports courts.
“Racquet sports are having an exciting moment and we’re looking forward to transforming this sector into a key pillar of the club,” said Graham Culp, partner at Meriwether Companies in the news release. “Guests and members can look forward to a new world-class racquet facility and programming that rivals the best in California.”
Meriwether Companies is developing Coral Mountain in La Quinta, Calif, which will feature a David McLay Kidd golf course, and was previously involved in the development of Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas, and Frost Creek in Eagle, Colorado.