PHILADELPHIA – Historic Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester, Pa., has been acquired by Concert Golf Partners from an ownership group led by brothers John and Steve DiMarco.
Located on 130 acres of land granted by King Charles II to Pennsylvania founder William Penn during the pre-Colonial era, Penn Oaks is the 37th upscale private club to join the Concert Golf portfolio, and the fourth in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey region, following White Manor Country Club (Malvern, Pa.), Philmont Country Club (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.), and TPC Jasna Polana (Princeton, N.J.).
Concert Golf Partners is a boutique club hospitality company that invests its own capital to fund projects and build new amenities.
Based near Orlando, Concert Golf is highly regarded as the industry’s “go-to” private club experts. Concert sets the standard for impeccable quality by continually elevating the stature of both its existing clubs and acquisitions, so that its members can access the finest private clubs and enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences.
“This reflects our commitment to ‘The Concert Way,’ an innovative, multi-step program that Concert Golf pioneered and perfected over the years to welcome clubs into our network, and facilitate a smooth transition for both members and the previous ownership,” explained Concert Golf Partners COO, Susan Dunnavant.
“Concert makes annual capital investments in our clubs aimed at elevating the amenities, service levels, and overall member experience, while building and maintaining a thriving club environment.”
Concert is highly selective about the clubs it adds to its portfolio. As the only purely private club owner, Concert Golf delivers its signature level of service to our exclusive member clubs. When selling a club, it is imperative to partner with industry experts who specialize exclusively in the upscale private club industry.
“Penn Oaks is a key strategic addition to the Concert Golf portfolio, as it greatly complements our private clubs in the region and across America,” said Concert Golf Partners Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Jordan Peace. “This is another step forward in our mission, as we look to preserve the legacy and heritage of Penn Oaks, enhance its amenities, and enable the club’s membership to thrive.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic that the ownership group at Penn Oaks, led by John and Steve DiMarco, selected Concert as their trusted successor.”
The club’s storied history serves as an integral part of its culture. In 1965, the par 71, 6,610-yard championship golf course was designed by architect Russell Roberts and set along land that long predates the Revolutionary War. To pay homage, a distressed tree on the golf course was recently preserved and converted into a landmark—a wood-carved statue of William Penn. With a memorable and challenging track that traces its heritage, the course carries a 131 slope and 71.4 rating.
“When we bought Penn Oaks, our goal was to create a world-class hospitality experience centered around a terrific golf course,” said Penn Oaks Co-Owner John DiMarco. “Many years later, we’re proud of the relationships we’ve built with our membership and staff. As we got to know the leadership team at Concert Golf Partners, it was clear they were highly committed to a vibrant future for everyone at Penn Oaks.”
In addition to a short-game practice facility and driving range, Penn Oaks is home to “The Nest,” a stunning 18-hole putting course on real grass. The course evolves and changes every two days for a fresh challenge each visit. Ideal for both casual players and serious golfers, it combines fun with skill-building, resembling the strategic play of pool, but with a golf twist.
Penn Oaks was honored in recent years by both The Knot “Best of Weddings” and Wedding Wire’s “Couples Choice Awards” as a 5-star setting for brides and grooms. With crystal chandeliers, a large dance floor, white fireplace and a scenic view of the golf course, the club’s signature William Penn Ballroom is elegant and spacious.
The club’s covered patio features a bar corner and an open deck for cocktails, with a trail to a gazebo that sets the scene for a highly elegant wedding venue, one of the most coveted along the Main Line.
In addition to Penn Oaks and TPC Jasna Polana, other recent acquisitions by Concert Golf include: The Georgia Club(Athens, Ga.), Golf Club of the Everglades (Naples, Fla.), and The Club at Pasadera (Monterey, Calif.).