Ace Golf Awarded Large Business of the Year 2012 From Tarpon Chamber

The Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce awarded Ace Golf, including the Wentworth Golf Club and Crescent Oaks Golf Club the 2012 Large Business of the year this month at the Annual Awards Meeting. 

Chamber President, Sue Thomas, presented the plaque and trophy to Crescent Oaks General Manager, Jerry Couzynse. Ms. Thomas shared the main reason Ace Golf won this award was “due to their success and enthusiasm in turning around properties with their large investment in renovation for improvement and beautification. More than laying new sod, Ace Golf has partnered with the community to achieve mutual success.”

Family-owned, Ace Golf is Tampa based and has been in the golf business for 19 years.Ace Golf owns Wentworth Golf Club and Crescent Oaks Country Club in Tarpon Springs, Pebble Creek Golf Club in Tampa and the Ace Golf Ranges in Brandon and Riverview. 

The completely renovated Crescent Oaks Golf Club joined Wentworth Golf Club last year as semi- private open to the public for the first time ever.

Though Ace Golf has only been in Tarpon Springs since January 1, 2011, the company entered Tarpon Springs in a big way by acquiring two unprofitable (Crescent Oaks was actually closed) country clubs and turning them around in a very short time. Crescent Oaks alone went from 0 employees to over 40 and from no revenues to almost $2 million annually. Wentworth went from 30 employees to 40 and this year will do about 40% more revenue than the club did in 2010 when members owned it.

Owners Bill Place & Su Lee are applying the same formula for success that made their Pebble Creek Golf Club one of the top courses in the bay area. By buying underperforming clubs, investing heavily in improvements, and then expanding services, the couple is able to turn the clubs around quickly and create more jobs. After $1.5 million in investment, both Wentworth and Crescent Oaks golf courses are in top condition, their banquet rooms expanded, and Wentworth now has an Irish Pub open to the public.

As a local, family owned company, Ace Golf is focused on the community and raising money for charities like the Pinellas Police Athletic League (PAL). Ace donated all funds from a tournament last January to PAL and is hosting another on December 8 at Wentworth Golf Club. For only $25 and an unwrapped teen’s present, any golfer may play the PAL Tournament and support at-risk youth.