Renovation Elevates Member Lifestyles with Differentiated Amenities, Offerings and Experiences
Prosper, Texas (Nov. 2, 2023) – Gentle Creek Country Club, a family-centric, private club within an upscale residential golf-and-lifestyle community located just north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, has fully transformed its clubhouse, amenities, and programming with a multi-million-dollar investment. The new facility will serve as a one-stop hub to meet the needs of its dynamic membership and the population growth in the surrounding area.
Inspired by the sprawling landscape and the region’s rich agricultural and equestrian history, the classic Texan clubhouse design was built on the existing exterior of natural stone and wood. Inside, rough-hewn trusses and beams bring rustic warmth to new dining and public spaces. Hand-crafted details and finishes—herringbone flooring, lantern lighting, leather furnishings—enhance the casual, yet sophisticated, atmosphere.
“Gentle Creek is an exceptional private club, and since Arcis Golf purchased it in 2021, we’ve meticulously planned this renovation to elevate our members’ lifestyle offerings,” said Blake Walker, Founder, and CEO of Arcis Golf. “Gentle Creek’s upscale dining, curated experiences, and outstanding golf differentiate this club from all others in this market.”
Dining is now the centerpiece with a large, emerald-tiled, open kitchen in full view of members and their guests. A choice of seating—from cozy tables to large family-friendly banquettes—fosters interaction with the active culinary team, creating a delightful and entertaining culinary experience.
The ever-changing menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients, with an eclectic array of offerings, from small plates, leafy selections (salads and farm-to-table options), to grab-and-go, family meals, and special diet consideration options. There’s a definite taste of the heartland with a new wood burning grill to smoke chops, brisket, ribeye, and seafood.
The newly enlarged bar has 10 beers on tap and is connected to the main dining room via a glass-enclosed wine cellar. An artisan cocktail menu changes weekly as do the international wine selections in the central wine cellar.
An expanded patio provides additional dining space with soft seating and fire features. Live entertainment will be programmed into the weekly schedule. From the patio are dramatic views of the D.A. Weibring parkland-style golf course that meanders through 235 acres of gently rolling terrain and wooded countryside. The award-winning course features subtle elevation changes, strategic bunkering, generous landing areas, and a feeling of movement throughout the course.
Culinary and dietary needs are integrated into the club’s extensive fitness programming, with nutrition coaching and dietary counseling among the special offerings. Gentle Creek Country Club emphasizes a well-rounded fitness experience that promotes overall well-being. A collaborative effort between the fitness and culinary teams ensures healthy offerings that cater to individual dietary needs and preferences.
Gentle Creek’s new fitness center is furnished with cutting-edge FreeMotion equipment and offers personal training along with a robust schedule of complementary class offerings, including Pilates, yoga, circuit training, and other dynamic group fitness classes. A separate group exercise studio affords opportunities to diversify the fitness options with golf fitness, personalized nutrition programs, and recovery services that underscore the club’s dedication to providing a comprehensive and enriching wellness journey for members. Both the men’s and women’s locker rooms were renovated as part of the transformation.
Other new features in the clubhouse include a small meeting and co-working space, and modernized retail experiences.
The club pro shop has become another convenient resource for members. Beyond traditional golf apparel and equipment, this lifestyle retail boutique offers a diverse array of specialty items, including candles, drinkware, marble cutting boards, wine decanters, growlers, tote bags, cashmere throws, pajamas, and yoga mats. Premium brands of apparel, footwear, and accessories include Greyson, G/Fore, Redvanly, lululemon, and 7Diamonds.
Dallas-based Arcis Golf owns and operates nine properties in the DFW Metroplex. The second largest and fastest-growing owner and operator of golf facilities in the United States, Arcis has invested more than $100 million in upgrades, amenities, personnel, training, and systems to make golf and the club lifestyle more accessible at its collection of nearly 70 daily-fee, private and resort clubs. Arcis recently announced the acquisition of Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The company has received numerous honors, including a National Golf Foundation “2023 Top 100 Businesses in Golf.”
To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit www.arcisgolf.com. For further information about Gentle Creek Golf Club, visit www.gentlecreek.com.
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About Arcis Golf
Arcis Golf is a premier operator of golf facilities and has a portfolio of nearly 70 public and private golf clubs in the United States. An industry leader, Arcis Golf continues to transform its portfolio of golf clubs into inclusive, lifestyle hubs with dynamic programming and unrivaled amenities that complement diverse playing experiences. Arcis Golf properties enhance the golf and country club lifestyle to a level of excellence designed to exceed the needs and expectations of family, friends, co-workers, and guests of all ages.
Arcis Golf is also known for innovative management, with a best-in-class leadership team that is reinventing the modern club experience, making it more relevant to the lifestyles of today’s consumers and that appeal to the entire family with more choices in all areas of their lives. The company is committed to enhancing service levels, amenities, and content to broaden the appeal for members and guests at all its properties. Headquarters: 8343 Douglas Avenue, Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75225. Phone: (214) 722-6000. Website: arcisgolf.com.
Media Contact
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
908/963-6013
Two-Time Major Champion and California Native Has Deep Ties to the Arcis Portfolio
Dallas, TX (October 25, 2023) — Arcis Golf — the second largest and fastest-growing owner and operator of private, resort, and daily fee clubs in the United States, has announced that Lilia Vu, LPGA Tour player and World No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings, has become an Arcis Golf Ambassador. Vu brings her remarkable talent and achievements to the Arcis community.
The 26-year-old golfer from Fountain Valley, CA, played collegiate golf at UCLA. In 2021, Vu showcased her skills on the Symetra Tour by securing three titles, setting the stage for her first LPGA victory at the 2023 Honda LPGA Thailand. Her breakthrough moment and first major victory came at The Chevron Championship in April 2023. Vu’s second major victory came four months later at the Women’s British Open, where she dominated the field and won by six shots. Recently, she represented the United States in her rookie appearance in the Solheim Cup. Vu is set to compete in November’s CME Championship in Naples and will play in December’s Grant Thornton Invitational with playing partner Joel Dahmen of the PGA TOUR.
Vu’s golf journey is deeply rooted in Southern California, where she grew up playing at Arcis’ David L. Baker Golf Course in Fountain Valley and practicing at The Oaks Club at Valencia and Valencia Country Club while at UCLA. Her father and coach, Douglas, has been a respected instructor at David L. Baker for nearly a decade.
Blake Walker, Founder and CEO of Arcis Golf, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership. “Lilia is already a bonafide star with unlimited potential, and we are excited to partner with her as she continues to build upon her already remarkable achievements.” He added, “Her deep and long-standing connection to Arcis courses make this a natural and easy partnership for us. We could not be more excited to build upon the relationship and have Lilia formally representing Arcis Golf.”
As part of her collaboration with Arcis Golf, Vu will wear the Arcis logo on her sleeve and make special appearances at Arcis Golf member and community events.
Reflecting on her ambassadorship with Arcis Golf, Vu says, “It feels like things have come full circle with this opportunity to represent Arcis Golf, especially given my history and my dad’s involvement with the David L. Baker Golf Course. I’m honored to represent a brand that values the game of golf as much as I do.” Vu went on to say, “I appreciate Arcis’ approach to inclusion and how they make golf and experiences accessible to the many communities they serve.”
Arcis Golf is committed to supporting and diversifying the game. In March, the company became the new presenting sponsor of the Women In Golf Foundation, Inc. (WIGF) and its 2023 National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship in Stockbridge, GA. Arcis Golf recently acquired Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, GA, which hosts the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Walker said, “Having Lilia represent Arcis is in perfect alignment with our grow the game objectives, as well. She will be an amazing brand ambassador for golfers of all skill levels, genders, and backgrounds.”
Since its founding nine years ago, Arcis Golf has invested more than $100 million in upgrades, amenities, personnel, training, and systems to enhance golf and club lifestyles at its collection of municipal, daily-fee, private, and resort clubs. The company has received numerous regional and national honors, including a National Golf Foundation “2023 Top 100 Businesses in Golf.”
To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit www.arcisgolf.com.
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About Arcis Golf
Arcis Golf is a premier operator of golf facilities and has a portfolio of nearly 70 public and private golf clubs in the United States. An industry leader, Arcis Golf continues to transform its portfolio of golf clubs into inclusive, lifestyle hubs with dynamic programming and unrivaled amenities that complement diverse playing experiences. Arcis Golf properties enhance the golf and country club lifestyle to a level of excellence designed to exceed the needs and expectations of family, friends, co-workers, and guests of all ages.
Arcis Golf is also known for innovative management, with a best-in-class leadership team that is reinventing the modern club experience, making it more relevant to the lifestyles of today’s consumers and that appeal to the entire family with more choices in all areas of their lives. The company is committed to enhancing service levels, amenities, and content to broaden the appeal for members and guests at all its properties. Headquarters: 8343 Douglas Avenue, Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75225. Phone: (214) 722-6000. Website: arcisgolf.com.
Media Contact
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
(908) 963-6013
Event at River Place Country Club Also Supported Austin’s Music Community
DALLAS (Oct. 19, 2023) — Arcis Golf presented Mike Peters—cancer-care advocate and front man of the internationally acclaimed band The Alarm—with a donation of $25,000 for the Love Hope Strength (LHS) Foundation. Blake Walker, Founder and CEO of Arcis Golf, delivered the check during an intimate benefit concert held at River Place Country Club, an Arcis private club in Austin, on Saturday, October 14.
LHS, co-founded by Peters, has a mission to save lives one concert at a time, helping people find quality cancer care, a stem cell donor if needed, and, most importantly, hope. The organization has leveraged the power of music to expand the registry through its “Get on the List” campaign over the past decade, and through its partners has helped transform treatment and support for families affected by cancer across the globe.
“I grew up listening to and admiring Mike and The Alarm,” said Walker. “It’s rare in life to have an opportunity to build a friendship with a rock star who has made such an indelible impression on rock music and headlined festivals and concerts alongside artists like U2 and Bob Dylan. However, it’s even rarer for a rock star to use that platform to make a lasting impact on countless lives around the world through their fight against cancer.”
Saturday started with the LHS three-mile hike through Lakeway City Park in partnership with the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), which directly supports the health and wellness of over 6,700 working Austin musicians. The post-walk celebration at River Place Country Club, set in the rolling hills outside Austin, included an acoustic concert by Peters with special guest Shawn Pander, an Austin-based musician and songwriter.
“For years, Arcis Golf and my friend, Blake Walker, have been incredible advocates of Love Hope Strength,” said Peters. “Their commitment to saving lives and enhancing the communities in which they have a presence is unparalleled. Thanks to Blake and the members of River Place Country Club for recognizing the value of Austin’s musicians and their contributions to making this a great place to live and work.”
According to Peters, “When we established the Love Hope Strength Foundation, we did not expect for it to give us the powerful focus that it has. We never realized how much we would benefit emotionally from raising spirits, raising money, giving time, and giving money to a cause that we care so much about.”
“We’ve said the music will keep us all strong because we firmly believe that,” Peters added. “What we know now is, so will the helping hand that our partners, volunteers and supporters provide for so many others.”
Since 2018, Arcis Golf has sponsored Love Hope Strength benefit events, including concerts at its clubs, outdoor treks in the U.S., Iceland and Morocco, and a World Cancer Day auction. In recognition of Arcis’s continued support, Peters presented an autographed guitar to Walker. Check the LHS website for additional upcoming events.
To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit www.arcisgolf.com.
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About Arcis Golf
Arcis Golf is the premier operator of approximately 70 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 enhance the golf and country club lifestyle to a level of excellence designed to exceed the needs and expectations of family, friends, co-workers, and guests of all ages.
Arcis Golf is also known for innovative management, with a best-in-class leadership team that is reinventing the modern club experience, making it more relevant to the lifestyles of today’s consumers. The company is committed to enhancing service levels, amenities, and programming to broaden the appeal for members and guests at all its properties. Headquarters: 8343 Douglas Avenue, Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75225. Phone: (214) 722-6000. Website: www.arcisgolf.com/
About Love Hope Strength (LHS) Foundation
The Love Hope Strength (LHS) Foundation was established in 2007 by Welsh musician Mike Peters, his wife Jules, and their Texan friend James Chippendale following Mike’s leukemia diagnosis and James’ life-saving bone marrow transplant. Dedicated to saving lives one concert at a time, over $1 million has been raised in the name of LHS to help fund equipment, training, and additional support to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable families affected by cancer across the globe.
With the support of Robert Plant, Ozzy Osbourne, The Stranglers, and a host of others in the music industry, and in collaboration with blood cancer non-profit DKMS, Love Hope Strength has also registered almost 250,000 people onto blood stem cell registries here in the US and in the UK. Incredibly, over 4,500 of those people have been identified as potentially life-saving matches, and this number continues to grow every month.
Led by volunteers and fueled by music, fun, camaraderie, and a desire to give back, Love Hope Strength strives to provide a lifeline for those it serves. www.lovehopestrength.org
Media Contact
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
908/963-6013
Host of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Dallas, TEXAS (October 12, 2023) — Arcis Golf—the second largest and fastest-growing owner and operator of golf facilities in the United States—has acquired Champions Retreat Golf Club near Augusta, Georgia. The transaction closed today; Arcis Golf assumes operations on October 13.
Champions Retreat, a 27-hole private club located just 15 miles from Augusta, brings together the creativity of three icons of the game, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player. Each designer masterfully sculpted his own nine signature holes of championship golf—Bluff (Nicklaus), Creek (Player), and Island (Palmer)—set among 365 acres of Georgia pines and wetlands along the Savannah River. Champions Retreat is the only property in the world with individually designed courses by the “Big Three.”
“The exceptional facility, courses, and amenities add a new dimension to our differentiated collection of private, daily fee, and resort properties. We are uniquely positioned to offer best-in-class golf and innovative programming and content that appeal to the entire family,” said Blake Walker, Founder and CEO of Arcis Golf. “Champions Retreat directly aligns with our strategy of owning and operating preeminent properties and our unwavering commitment to grow the game of golf and transformational lifestyle experiences.”
The club’s irreplaceable offering creates an unmatched lifestyle hub for members and guests. The beautifully designed four-to-eight-bedroom cottages, which each feature a chef’s kitchen and spacious entertainment areas, provide on-site lodging and the perfect accommodations for a family getaway or a golf trip with friends.
Hospitality options include the Grille House, an ever-changing menu centered on Southern flair, and Bluff Overlook, an intimate gathering spot with expansive views from a wraparound deck. The Barn—a 10,000 square foot member and event venue—serves as the central gathering spot for club events and is a preferred location for family celebrations, weddings, or business gatherings.
Along with paying homage to golf’s greats, Champions Retreat supports the game’s future by hosting the first two rounds of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur held every year in late March and early April, which the club has done since the event’s inception in 2019. The final round of the tournament is played at Augusta National Golf Club.
With this acquisition—Arcis Golf’s first in Georgia—the company expands its presence to 14 states. Champions Retreat’s Bluff/Island layout is ranked #10 in Georgia on Golf Digest’s most recent “Best in State Courses” list.
“It has been an immense privilege to see Champions Retreat grow to the stature it holds today,” said Bill Forrest, previous owner of Champions Retreat Golf Club. “The exceptional golf experience will continue to be enjoyed by members, guests and players from all over the world for years to come.”
This is Arcis Golf’s 14th club acquisition in less than two years, having acquired the Pacific Life portfolio of three nationally recognized golf courses, including Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, in June. In addition, since 2019, the company has purchased Dominion Golf Group (five private clubs) and Mickelson Golf Properties (three resort/daily fee and three private clubs), and in 2014, 46 properties from CNL Lifestyles Properties. Arcis Golf now has nearly 70 clubs in its portfolio.
Since its founding in 2014, the company has invested more than $100 million in upgrades, amenities, personnel, training, and systems to enhance the golf and club lifestyle at its collection of private, resort, and daily fee clubs. The company has received numerous regional and national honors, including a National Golf Foundation “2023 Top 100 Businesses in Golf.”
The “Round Up” initiative and partnership with Els for Autism Foundation is one of the numerous ways Arcis Golf promotes a corporate culture of giving and social responsibility. The company supports dozens of local, regional, and national causes, including education, health care, military, adaptive golf, community programs, and grow-the-game initiatives. “Since the company’s inception, we have been committed to the broader communities we serve,” concluded Walker.
To learn more about Arcis Golf, visit www.arcisgolf.com. For further information about Champions Retreat, access the website at www.championsretreat.net.
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About Arcis Golf
Arcis Golf is a premier operator of golf facilities and has a portfolio of nearly 70 public and private golf clubs in the United States. An industry leader, Arcis Golf continues to transform its portfolio of golf clubs into inclusive, lifestyle hubs with dynamic programming and unrivaled amenities that complement diverse playing experiences. Arcis Golf properties enhance the golf and country club lifestyle to a level of excellence designed to exceed the needs and expectations of family, friends, co-workers, and guests of all ages.
Arcis Golf is also known for innovative management, with a best-in-class leadership team that is reinventing the modern club experience, making it more relevant to the lifestyles of today’s consumers and that appeal to the entire family with more choices in all areas of their lives. The company is committed to enhancing service levels, amenities, and content to broaden the appeal for members and guests at all its properties. Headquarters: 8343 Douglas Avenue, Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75225. Phone: (214) 722-6000. Website: arcisgolf.com.
Media Contact
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
908/963-6013