GreatLIFE ranks among top 10 management companies, fastest-growing

This piece is presented by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness has been named among the top 10 largest golf management companies in the industry, according to Golf Inc. magazine, and also is the fastest-growing company on the list.

In 2016, GreatLIFE reported managing 34.5 courses. That almost doubled this year, as the company now manages 63 courses.

“GreatLIFE reported the most growth in the past year,” the magazine noted. “It went on an acquisition binge in 2016, adding a dozen 18-hole equivalent courses.”

Golf Inc. went on to report that GreatLIFE’s future growth will come through franchisees.

“It is the first golf management company to get franchise approvals, and it offers a low-cost membership plan for golf and fitness,” the magazine wrote.

GreatLIFE got so large through its network of courses that reaches from Kansas to Missouri, South Dakota and Iowa.

“We’re going to get really big. We’re definitely changing the paradigm of what golf is,” CEO Tom Walsh Sr. said. “From an economics standpoint, it certainly helps because of the relationships and buying power we have.”

GreatLIFE has finalized a franchise agreement for the Salt Lake City market, and “we think between now and the end of the year, we’ll have five to 10 franchisees in the works,” Walsh said. “We’re working with some national golf management companies about possibly partnering. We’ve had a lot of interest.”

GreatLIFE has found success helping manage municipal courses and through affiliate agreements in communities such as Beresford, Brookings, Vermilion and Yankton. The real and potential financial benefit to cities is becoming obvious, president Donn Hill said.

“We’ve looked at a lot of financials from other municipal golf courses, and we’re able to operate Willow Run less expensively than municipalities in some other places,” Hill said. “We’re able to keep our courses in great shape for less. Part of that is the efficiency of private enterprise. As we grow, I think there’s a golden opportunity to teach this in other places and bring that attitude of friendliness and keeping things clean.”

The positive culture also helps attract employees, Walsh added.

“One of the surprises has been the quality of people we’re able to attract. Millennials, especially ones in exercise science and nutrition, they want more than a paycheck. They want to make a difference and have employment that means something in affecting people’s lives.”

Because GreatLIFE is only a few years old in Sioux Falls, Walsh said members are still realizing all the benefits the larger organization provides.

GreatLIFE members can golf at 18 courses in the Kansas City area and 25 around Topeka and Wichita, Kan.

“There’s several courses that were $10 million or $12 million facilities, country clubs we’ve acquired down there, and essentially they’re open year-round,” Walsh said.

Some of the signature courses include Staley Farms Golf Club in Kansas City, Falcon Ridge Golf Club in the southwest suburbs and the nearby Canyon Farms Golf Club.

The out-of-state benefits combined with local extras such as free movies at West Mall 7, discounts and free days at other family attractions are helping add to the value proposition and grow membership, Walsh said.

“We’re more than a gym. We’re more than a golf course. We’re a lifestyle.”

GreatLIFE has developed several stay-and-play packages for members.

Pricing is based on three-day packages with double-occupancy hotel stays. Tax included. Incidentals not included. Includes all cart and green fees. Provided meals up to a $20 value; alcohol and gratuity not included.

GreatLIFE Journey (3-day)

The Kansas Package 1 – $259-$289 GreatLIFE member price; $389-$404 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Canyon Farms
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Falcon Ridge
    • Lunch at Falcon Ridge
    • Afternoon tee time at Shawnee Country Club
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 3
    • Golf at Deer Creek
    • Lunch or dinner at Deer Creek

Contact Lindsay Jones to book.

316-684-4110, ext. 222

[email protected]

www.greatlifegolf.com

The Kansas Package 2 – $259-$289 GreatLIFE member price; $389-$404 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Tallgrass Country Club
    • Hotel at Tallgrass Inn
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Tallgrass Country Club
    • Lunch at Tallgrass Country Club
    • Afternoon tee time at Tallgrass Country Club
    • Hotel at Tallgrass Inn
  • Day 3
    • Golf at Tallgrass Country Club
    • Lunch or dinner at Tallgrass Grille

Contact Lindsay Jones to book.

316-684-4110, ext. 222

[email protected]

www.greatlifegolf.com

The Missouri Package 1 – $289-$294 GreatLIFE member price; $404-$414 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Staley Farms
    • Hotel at Stoney Creek
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Drumm Farm
    • Lunch at Drumm Farm
    • Afternoon tee time at Drumm Farm
    • Hotel at Ameristar Casino
  • Day 3
    • Golf at St. Joe Country Club
    • Lunch or dinner at St. Joe Country Club

Contact Katie Roeffner to book.

866-365-1950, ext. 18

[email protected]

www.greatlifegolf.com

 

The Osage National Package – $289-$294 GreatLIFE member price; $404-$414 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Osage National
    • Hotel at Osage National
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Osage National
    • Lunch at Osage National
    • Afternoon tee time at Osage National
    • Hotel at Osage National
  • Day 3
    • Golf at Osage National
    • Lunch or dinner at Osage National

Contact Katie Roeffner to book.

866-365-1950, ext. 18

[email protected]

www.greatlifegolf.com

 

The Kansas City Package 1 – $244-$269 GreatLIFE member price; $379-$394  non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Hillcrest Country Club
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Prairie Highlands
    • Lunch at Prairie Highlands
    • Afternoon tee time at Prairie Highlands
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 3
    • Golf at Deer Creek
    • Lunch or dinner at Deer Creek

Contact Tiffany Knipp to book.

816-350-9900

[email protected]

www.greatlifekc.com

 

The Kansas City Package 2 – $289-$294 GreatLIFE member price; $404-$414 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Canyon Farms
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Deer Creek
    • Lunch at Deer Creek
    • Afternoon tee time at Hillcrest Country Club
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 3
    • Golf at Staley Farms
    • Lunch or dinner at Staley Farms

Contact Tiffany Knipp to book.

816-350-9900

[email protected]

www.greatlifekc.com

 GreatLIFE Journey (five-day)

Need a little longer getaway? Stay a little longer and take advantage of one of our five-day packages. Premier GreatLIFE locations like Osage National, Tallgrass and premier Kansas City locations await your arrival. Here are some suggested GreatLIFE Journey packages for GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness Plus members and their guests.

Pricing is based on five-day packages with double-occupancy hotel stays. Tax included. Incidentals not included. Includes all cart and green fees. Provided meals up to a $20 value; alcohol and gratuity not included.

The Kansas Package – $485 GreatLIFE member price; $695 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Canyon Farms
    • Hotel at Hyatt Place
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Falcon Ridge
    • Lunch at Falcon Ridge
    • Afternoon tee time at Shawnee Country Club
    • Hotel at Ramada
  • Day 3
    • Morning tee time at Tallgrass Country Club
    • Lunch at Tallgrass
    • Afternoon tee time at Tallgrass Country Club
    • Hotel at Tallgrass Inn Wichita
  • Day 4
    • Golf at Prairie Highlands
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 5
    • Golf at Deer Creek
    • Lunch or dinner at Deer Creek

Contact Lindsay Jones to book.

316-684-4110, ext. 222

[email protected]

www.greatlifegolf.com

 

The Missouri Package – $485 GreatLIFE member price; $680 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at Hlilcrest Golf Course
    • Hotel at Stoney Creek
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Drumm Farm
    • Lunch at Drumm Farm
    • Afternoon tee time at Blue Springs Golf Course
    • Hotel at Isle of Capri Casino
  • Day 3
    • Morning tee time at Hail Ridge
    • Afternoon tee time at Osage National
    • Hotel at Osage National
  • Day 4
    • Golf at Osage National
    • Lunch at Osage National
    • Hotel at Hampton Inn
  • Day 5
    • Golf at Staley Farms
    • Lunch or dinner at Staley Farms

Contact Katie Roeffner to book.

866-365-1950, ext. 18

[email protected]

www.greatlifegolf.com

 

The Kansas City Package – $545 GreatLIFE member price; $785 non-member price

  • Day 1
    • Golf at St. Joe Country Club
    • Dinner at St. Joe Country Club
    • Hotel at Hollywood Casino
  • Day 2
    • Morning tee time at Canyon Farms
    • Lunch at Falcon Ridge
    • Afternoon tee time at Falcon Ridge
    • Hotel at TownPlace Suites
  • Day 3
    • Morning tee time at Deer Creek
    • Lunch at Deer Creek
    • Afternoon tee time at Hillcrest Golf Course
    • Hotel at Ameristar
  • Day 4
    • Morning tee time at Drumm Farm
    • Lunch at Drumm Farm
    • Afternoon tee time at Blue Springs Golf Course
    • Hotel at Ameristar
  • Day 5
    • Golf at Staley Farms
    • Lunch or dinner at Staley Farms

Contact Tiffany Knipp to book.

816-350-9900

[email protected]

www.greatlifekc.com

 

 

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GreatLIFE ranks among top 10 management companies, fastest-growing

GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness has been named among the top 10 largest golf management companies in the industry, according to Golf Inc. magazine, and also is the fastest-growing company on the list.

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