The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), the nation’s dominant force in managing sports and recreation complexes, officially announced its expansion into the golf industry Thursday with the acquisition of Northeast-based Spirit Golf Management.
The deal marks the birth of SFC’s new Golf Division, integrating Spirit Golf’s award-winning portfolio of municipal, private, and residential properties into SFC’s massive national network. While Spirit Golf will continue to operate under its established brand, the merger allows SFC to bring professional golf management to its public-sector partners across the country.
SFC’s entry into the sport comes at a time of record-breaking participation. By bringing Spirit Golf into the fold, SFC aims to replicate the firm’s success in “character-building” and community-focused programming.
“Spirit Golf has built an extraordinary reputation for improving communities through best-in-class programming and guest experience,” Jason Clement, founder and CEO of SFC said. “This partnership allows us to introduce golf into our broader ecosystem of youth sport and recreation experiences.”
Spirit Golf currently manages or consults for 10 facilities across the Northeast. Key properties now joining the SFC national platform under full management include:
- Westlake Golf & Country Club (Jackson, N.J.)
- Clearbrook Golf Club (Monroe Township, N.J.)
- Makefield Highlands Golf Club (Yardley, Pa.)
- Five Ponds Golf Club (Warminster, Pa.)
- Harlem Valley Golf Club (Wingdale, N.Y.)
The acquisition brings approximately 160 employees to SFC, led by two of the most respected names in regional golf. Mike Attara, the 2025 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year, will serve as SFC’s Senior Vice President of the Golf Division. Joining him is Kevin Beirne, the current NJPGA President and recipient of the 2024 NJPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award, who will serve as Vice President.
A major component of the deal is the Spirit Golf Academy. SFC plans to take the academy’s proven curriculum—developed by PGA Professionals—and scale it nationwide. This includes a unique “multi-sport” approach, where golf programming will be piloted at SFC youth camps and community events to introduce young athletes to the game alongside traditional sports like soccer or basketball.
“Our focus has always been to make golf more accessible,”Attara said. “Through SFC’s network, we have the resources to expand youth programming and integrate the Spirit Golf Academy model to facilities nationwide.”
