|
|
|
|
DALLAS, Dec. 16, 1999 - ClubCorp, the world�s largest owner
and operator of golf clubs and resorts, announces that it has signed a
letter of agreement to develop Traditions Golf and Country Club in Bryan,
Texas. The country club will cater to the alumni membership of Texas
AM University as well as serve as the home fairways to the Texas AM University
men and women golf teams.
�This is a wonderful example of how the private sector is pairing with public institutions, like Texas AM, for mutual benefit,� said Robert H. Dedman Jr., CEO of ClubCorp. �By developing and operating this country club, we are creating a revenue source for the school that hadn�t existed previously.� ClubCorp has developed similar �university club� concepts such as the Boston College Club for alumni of Boston College; the Carolina Club for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University Center Club for Florida State University; the University of Texas Club for the University of Texas at Austin; the George Washington Club for George Washington University; and ClubFlorida for the University of Florida. ClubFlorida is the only other university club at this time to be developed as a country club, which is complete with a golf course. The university club concept was developed as a way to tap into a pre-existing
membership, while providing the school a facility from which to operate
its many alumni programs. The popularity of each individual university
club can be directly correlated to the strength of the school spirit among
alumni. �That is why a university club at Texas AM University is
such a great fit,� said Ken Kasten, senior vice president over new ClubCorp
business. �We sought out Texas AM because of its reputation for immense
alumni loyalty and traditions.�
A limited number of memberships will be available, but they are not offered exclusively to Texas AM alums. �Our men and women golf teams will have a first-class, world championship, tournament-style golf course for their practice and playing,� said Wally Groff, Texas AM athletic director. �This will benefit the golfing program for years to come because of what it will do for our recruiting efforts.� The signed agreement includes the participation of Golden Bear International, the city of Bryan, C.F. Jordan, and Campus Hotels of Chicago, Ill. Golden Bear International, headed by PGA legend and golf course designer Jack Nicklaus, is in the process of designing the 18-hole, championship-caliber golf course. Mr. Nicklaus also plans to sit on the club�s board of governors. The city of Bryan, Texas, welcomes the development of Traditions Golf and Country Club. The city has made the land available for lease and expects the development to contribute significantly to the area�s tax base. C.F. Jordan is a 30-year-old professional construction company that has completed more than $4 billion worth of projects for both public and private clients across the country. With headquarters in El Paso, the company also has offices in Dallas, San Antonio and College Station. Campus Hotels has agreed to oversee the development of a hotel on the property adjacent to Traditions Golf and Country Club. In addition to the golf course, club house and hotel, a residential component is a part of the overall plan. Founded in 1957, Dallas-based ClubCorp has $1.5 billion in assets and
is the world leader in delivering golf, private club and resort experiences.
Internationally, the company owns or operates more than 230 golf courses,
country clubs, private business clubs and sports clubs and golf resorts,
with more than 23,000 employees. Among the company�s most recognized
golf properties is Pinehurst in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C., site of
the 1999 U.S. Open Championship.
|
|