Dallas golf course operator buys six Arizona clubs from Phil Mickelson

A fast growing golf course operator in Dallas is acquiring six Arizona clubs from a company founded by tour veteran Phil Mickelson and his business partner.

Arcis Golf, founded by Blake Walker, a Southern Methodist University graduate, closed the deal with Mickelson Golf Properties on Monday. Mickelson founded the company with Steve Loy, a former coach who recruited the left-handed player in 1987 to play for him in the state of Arizona.

The six properties include three upscale private clubs and three daily fee facilities. Arcis Golf now owns 15 properties that are accessible by car from Phoenix. The purchase price was not disclosed.

“These exceptional additions to our portfolio support our strategy of owning and operating outstanding properties in any of our major hubs or expansion markets,” Walker said in a statement.

The private clubs that Arcis join are Stone Canyon Club north of Tucson and Golf Club in Chaparral Pines and Rim Golf Club, both in Payson. The public courses are McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler, and Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear.

In the past few years, Arcis has invested over $ 75 million in upgrades to its collection of private, resort, and public courses.

Arcis operates 66 golf clubs in the United States, including nine public golf courses in Dallas-Fort Worth. It is the second largest operator of the sport behind Dallas-based ClubCorp.

“Since entering the golf arena, Arcis Golf has created a remarkable sensation with aggressive growth and a rapidly growing portfolio of courses,” said the National Golf Foundation, which named it one of the top 100 golf companies in 2020.

“Funding from Fortress Investment Group, one of several private equity firms that invested in the golf industry after the Great Recession, helped fuel that momentum,” the foundation wrote on its website. “But the focus is also on lifestyle experiences in its facilities, with a particular focus on improved amenities outside of the golf course.”

Arcis Golf is supported by Arcis Equity Partners, a private equity firm that Walker also leads. Its largest purchase to date was 46 courses from CNL Lifestyle Properties for $ 306 million in 2014. It received what it calls a major investment last fall from Atairos, another public company.

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