Dallas, Texas (May 17, 2018) – Blake Walker, CEO of Dallas-based Arcis Golf, is a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of The Year® 2018 Award in the Southwest region. The award recognizes entrepreneurs who excel in areas such as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Now in its 32nd year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities and more than 60 countries throughout the world.
Walker was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Regional award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, who will then also be eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur of The Year National competition in November.
“To be named as a finalist is an incredible honor for Arcis Golf and our nearly 4,000 strong team who strive each and every day to create extraordinary experiences for our members and guests,” said Walker. “Being chosen is a reflection of Arcis Golf’s transformational leadership team, as we continue to approach the club business from an entirely new perspective. It is rewarding to see our collaboration recognized by EY.”
Walker, an innovator who is reimagining the club lifestyle experience, has developed Arcis Golf from a small start-up five years ago to, now, the second largest fee simple owner-operator of golf facilities in the United States, expanding its portfolio to nearly 60 private, resort and daily-fee clubs.
Arcis’s meteoric rise earned the No. 2 ranking on the annual Dallas 100™ list for 2016 by the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business, as well as the No. 2 ranking in the Travel & Hospitality category, and No. 171 overall, on the 2017 Inc. 5000 list recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Providing inventive direction that complement exceptional golf and lifestyle experiences, Arcis Golf has invested more than $60 million in upgrades, amenities, programming and content, personnel, training, and systems to maximize the growth and future success of its unique collection of clubs.
“We are thoroughly reinventing each of our golf facilities to be more relevant to today’s consumer,” Walker said. “We are reimagining the way our members and guests live, connect and play. We bring a tailored sense of community to today’s consumer. Because at Arcis Golf, lifestyle matters.”
Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the United States by SAP America, Merrill Corporation, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In the Southwest region, sponsors also include Colliers International, Haynes and Boone LLP, RHSB, Marquee Event Rentals, Smith Frank & Partners, D CEO Magazine, and SocialStrategy1.
About Arcis Golf
Arcis Golf is the premier operator of public and private golf clubs in the United States and an industry leader, providing dynamic direction and unrivaled amenities that complement diverse playing experiences. Arcis Golf properties tailor each element of the golf and country club experience to exceed the needs and expectations of members and guests of all ages. The Arcis Golf portfolio is supported by Arcis Equity Partners, LLC through strategic acquisitions that build and sustain the company’s leadership position in upscale golf and club experiences.
About Entrepreneur of The Year®
Entrepreneur of The Year®, founded by EY, is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership, and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing, and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national, and global awards programs in more than 145 cities and more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy
About EY’s Growth Markets Network
EY’s worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight, and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/sgm or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients, and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
