Championship to feature teams from across the U.S.
Tempe, Ariz. – The Troon Access Grass League (GL) Championship Presented by GolfNow will take place December 5 and 6 at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Ariz., and will feature 44 two-person teams from around the U.S. competing in a 36-hole scramble tournament over two days. On Thursday, Dec. 5 tournament gates open at 3 p.m. with round one beginning at 5 p.m., while on Friday gates open at noon with round two beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Championship’s Award Ceremony and Roxx N Roll Afterparty starts at 9 p.m. on the Grass Clippings Event Lawn. Tickets for the Troon Access GL Championship Presented by GolfNow are $10 per day or $17.50 for two days and are now on sale at www.GrassLeague.com. The Championship will be streamed live.
Grass League, the world’s first high stakes par 3 golf league, features teams from regional markets, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Minnesota, Michigan, Canada, Tampa Bay, New York, Dallas and more. Team investors include Good Good Golf, Wyndham Clark, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manager and recent World Series Champion Dave Roberts, Golf.com Founder Michael Lazerow, investment firm Social Leverage, and Eberg Capital.
Early team and player announcements include, but are not limited to:
- Phoenix UNITED: George Gankas & Nick Mason
- Hollywood HITTERS: Mardy Fish
- Minnesota MUSKIES: Drew Kittleson & Drew Stolz
- Los Angeles ROSES: Sarah Schmelzel, LPGA & Carson Kemp
- Scottsdale STRIKERS: Johnthan Kaye & Kenny Coakley
- Dallas HORSEMEN: Brad Dalke
Additional players will be announced by team owners in the coming weeks.
The 2024 GL Championship is sponsored by Troon Access, Scottsdale-based Troon’s new loyalty program, and GolfNow, the leading online tee time marketplace and provider of golf course operations technology and services. Through the new Troon Access and Troon Access+ programs golfers enjoy preferred pricing and an enhanced booking experience at over 150 Troon-affiliated courses across the U.S. Program benefits include up to 15 percent off best available rates, extended booking windows, and exclusive access to member-only events. Troon Access+ members receive even greater savings, with discounts of up to 50 percent for last-minute bookings, and additional perks such as merchandise discounts and partner offers. Troon Access and Troon Access+ members receive 20% off tickets to the GL Championship and additional special giveaways will occur for other “special opportunities”. For more information on Troon Access visit www.Troon.com/Access.
“The Grass League is bringing a great blend of exciting golf, entertainment and social experiences to the industry and to the golf mecca that is Phoenix / Scottsdale,” stated Kris Strauss, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Troon. “We are excited to partner with both GolfNow/NBC Sports Next and the Grass League to help activate what will be a truly epic event.”
Fans purchasing the two-day GL Championship ticket package before November 15th will be entered into a drawing for a shot at $1 million. The $1 million shot will take place on Friday starting at 3:30 p.m. from 170-yards on the 18th hole at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills. The first person to make a hole-in-one will win the $1 million prize. The GL Championship will include live and DJ music, food trucks, a beer garden, greenside hospitality tents and the Roxx N Roll Afterparty.
About Grass League
Founded by Jake Hoselton, Jimmy Hoselton, Connor Riley, and Pete Wilson, the Grass League is the world’s first high stakes par 3 golf league, uniquely embracing both professional and amateur events in team-based formats. Grass League events are set on lighted par 3 courses with the flagship host site located in the Phoenix market. The League welcomes qualifiers, encouraging broad participation and the discovery of emerging talents. With teams divided by regional markets, the League drives a sense of rivalry and community involvement. This innovative approach to team ownership and competitive play marks an exhilarating new chapter in the world of golf. Teams in the League are from Los Angeles, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Minnesota, Michigan, Canada, Tampa Bay, New York, Dallas, San Diego and more.
About Troon
Troon manages the daily operation of Grass Clippings Rolling Hills. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, delivering services at over 900 locations across 45 states and 35 countries. Troon also manages homeowner associations, private residence clubs, and a diverse range of hospitality venues. Troon’s family of brands includes award-winning divisions in food and beverage, club management, and recreational services. Its global reach and innovative approach to enhancing guest experiences make Troon a leader in the leisure and hospitality industry. For more information on Troon, visit www.Troon.com.
About GolfNow
GolfNow is an innovative technology brand operated by NBC Sports Next, a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within Golf and Youth & Recreational Sports. Creating frictionless ways for golfers and golf courses to better connect, GolfNow’s online tee-time marketplace is the largest in the world and offers more than 3.5 million registered golfers a variety of ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and the ability to easily book tee times online and via mobile devices any time of day.
About Grass Clippings Rolling Hills
On March 2, 2023, the Tempe City Council approved Grass Clippings’ plan to overhaul and operate Rolling Hills Golf Course. Grass Clippings executed a long-term lease with the City of Tempe and took over the property on July 1st of last year, with Troon immediately assuming management of daily operations. Scottsdale-based WestHawk Capital partnered with Grass Clippings to lead a $15 million round of equity capitalization to finance the complete renovation of the facility, including the installation of lights and the full F&B and amenity package currently under development. The golf course reopened on Friday, November 3, 2023 following a four-month golf course renovation project and rye grass overseed, construction of a newly designed 9th hole, new tee boxes, installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system to improve turf quality, and a new 15,000 sq. ft. practice putting green. Grass Clippings Rolling Hills then opened to night golf play on Friday, December 1, 2023 and instantly became a favorite destination for golfers. More than 78 LED lights illuminate the golf course, which plays as a par 54, par-3 golf course at night and as an executive-length golf course (with par 3s and 4s) during the day. Golfers are able to track ball flight through the night sky on holes that range from 90 to 200-plus yards, while enjoying 360-degree views of downtown Tempe, Sky Harbor Airport, downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Zoo and the nighttime silhouette of Papago Buttes.
The introduction of lights and night golf is just the beginning for the golf and entertainment venue, the flagship location for Grass Clippings’ cutting-edge vision. The team unveiled a refurbished golf shop in May 2024 and is in the process of renovating the clubhouse, adding a new Mexican food restaurant (Glenrosa) and a patio bar. In addition, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills will add a hilltop bar near hole 8, an activity lawn and video display, and an entertainment site for live music, markets, and events, with full completion of all projects targeted for 2025. For more information on Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, visit https://grassclippingsaz.com.
About WestHawk Capital
WestHawk Capital is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based investment management firm who partners emerging real estate sponsors with scalable investment strategies to accelerate the growth of their platforms. Additionally, WestHawk partners with operating businesses who require strategic real estate investments to achieve their growth. WestHawk has partnered with Grass Clippings to capitalize the real estate in the rollout of a pioneering concept in par 3 night (lighted) golf courses, beginning with the 2023, $15 million funding for the transformation of Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona. WestHawk makes these investments both directly and through its affiliated commercial real estate investment operating platform Alignment Realty Capital. For more information, visit www.westhawkcapital.com or contact Gary Linhart at gary@westhawkcapital.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
