Troon, a golf management company based in Arizona that has experienced rapid growth over the past few months, was selected to manage Tobacco Road, one of the best courses in America: Sanford, North Carolina.
Tobacco Road, designed by Mike Strantz in 1998 and opened to the public in 1999, has gained a cult following among players who are looking for something new. Tobacco Road’s extreme greens, as well as its terrain and other features have kept the tee sheets full for many years. It ranks No. Golfweek’s Best 2023 list, which ranks the top public-access golf courses, places North Carolina at No. 6 out of a very crowded state. The course is also tied for No. It also ties for No.
These rankings do not necessarily reflect the opinions of diehard golf fans. Many of them would place what is, in many ways, a nontraditional layout in the top few modern courses in the U.S.
Tobacco Road is a favorite among players who enjoy the challenge of a course that plays like a videogame. It offers shots and challenges unlike any other. Strantz was not interested in the status-quo of golf course design and was not afraid to make his designs louder.
No. The clubhouse at Tobacco Road Golf Club is visible from 18 (Courtesy Tobacco Road Golf Club).
It’s a lot of fun, and many people say it is as much an art form as a course. After decades of family-run management, the course will be managed by Troon, one of the world’s largest golf and hospitality management companies.
Mark Stewart, Tobacco Road Golf Club’s founder, said: “After carefully evaluating our management options of Tobacco Road we are thrilled to select Troon for the uncompromising design of Mike Strantz.”
Troon is on a roll lately. It has acquired several management companies. The company manages 840+ 18-hole courses. It manages a number of top-tier private clubs and daily-fee golf courses.
In a media release, Troon’s director of operations Dana Schultz stated that “Troon feels proud and honored to be a partner with Tobacco Road founder Mark Stewart.” This Top-100 course has been run by a family for many decades. We are excited to carry on the Stewart Family vision and welcome golfers to Tobacco Road Golf Club.”
