Seattle, Troon renew management agreement

The deal runs through 2040 and covers a quartet of Emerald City courses.

West Seattle Golf Course
West Seattle Golf Course.
Courtesy of Seattle Parks and Recreation

Troon finalized a 15-year management agreement renewal with City of Seattle to operate the municipality’s four golf facilities. Seattle-based Premier Golf Centers, a Troon company, will continue to manage the City of Seattle’s golf facilities.  

Seattle’s golf facilities are located throughout the Emerald City and include Interbay Golf Center, Jackson Park Golf Course, Bill Wright Golf Course at Jefferson Park and West Seattle Golf Course.

“21 years of driving golf operations forward — built on trust, teamwork, and passion,” said Patrick Merriam, golf operations manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation. “Here’s to the next chapter and the fairways ahead serving Seattle’s golf community.”

The new management agreement runs through 2040 and includes a five-year renewal option. As part of the agreement, Troon/Premier Golf will support various capital improvements to help further facility enhancements.

“We are very excited to continue our long-standing relationship with the City of Seattle,” Troon operations VP Ryan Whitney said. “The contract renewal demonstrates a shared commitment to providing affordable and accessible golf to the Seattle area.” 

The renewal agreement follows recent announcements that the Chicago Park District and Forest Preserves of Cook County both agreed to 10-year management extensions with Troon to operate their golf facilities. With more than 150 municipal courses, Troon is the largest operator of municipal golf facilities in the U.S., with relationships structured as management agreements, lease agreements or a combination of both depending on the needs of the municipality.

The company also provides consulting services to municipal golf courses on operations, marketing, agronomy, customer service, community engagement, capital projects and more.

Premier Golf Centers was founded in 2001 by Bill Schickler. Troon acquired the golf management company in September 2019; it now manages 12 golf courses across the Puget Sound region.