Matthew Fazelpoor//March 26, 2026//
The basics:
- Sports Facilities Cos. acquires Lambertville-based Spirit Golf Management
- Deal launches new Golf Division within national sports operator
- Spirit Golf manages 10 facilities across NJ, NY and Pennsylvania
- Founder Attara to lead division, expanding youth and community programs
The Sports Facilities Cos. acquired Lambertville-based golf management firm Spirit Golf Management. The move marks a significant expansion into the golf sector and establishes a new Golf Division within the national company.
Terms were not disclosed.
Spirit Golf will continue operating under its existing brand. The addition brings a strong New Jersey presence and regional footprint, including management of Clearbrook Golf Club in Monroe Township as well as Westlake Golf & Country Club in Jackson. It also boasts other properties across the Northeast in New York and Pennsylvania.
The company specializes in municipal golf operations, youth development and community-focused programming. It currently supports 10 facilities across the region. The brand is also home to the Spirit Golf Academy, which provides instruction and player development programs for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
Getting in the Spirit
SFC Chief Executive Officer Jason Clement emphasized the strategic and community impact of the move. “Golf has a unique way of building character and challenging every participant, no matter the ability level. Participation has exploded over the last decade in every measurable demographic,” he said. “Spirit Golf has built an extraordinary reputation of improving communities through best-in-class programming, strong operations, and optimal guest experience. Their approach aligns with our mission to improve the health and economic vitality of the communities we serve.”
“With Spirit Golf inside the SFC Network, we are expanding our ability to support public-sector partners while introducing golf into our broader ecosystem of youth sport and recreation experiences,” Clement said.
As part of the deal, Spirit Golf founder Mike Attara will lead the new division as senior vice president, alongside Kevin Beirne, who will serve as vice president. Attara is a PGA of America Golf Professional for more than 35 years and the 2025 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year. Meanwhile Beirne, the current NJPGA president and 2024 NJPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient, joins Attara in guiding the division’s growth.
Eric Sullivan, partner at SFC, underscored the importance of the leadership team joining the organization.
“Mike and Kevin bring deep golf expertise to SFC, and this partnership positions us to better serve the communities we partner with while adding meaningful operational and business resources to Spirit’s portfolio,” said Sullivan. “At SFC, we win with people, and the Spirit team makes us better.”
Making golf more accessible
Attara highlighted the alignment with SFC’s mission and the opportunity to expand programming.
“Our focus has always been to make golf more accessible while creating welcoming environments for players of all ages,” said Attara. “Our standard of excellence in operations, teaching & coaching, event management, community engagement and customer service aligns perfectly with SFC’s mission.
“Through SFC’s network, we have additional resources allowing us to expand youth programming and integrate the Spirit Golf Academy model to off course facilities nationwide.”
The acquisition, which brings approximately 160 full-time and seasonal employees into SFC, will support the organization’s plans to integrate golf programming into its broader sports and recreation offerings, including youth camps and community-based events.
Spirit Golf’s participation in Greenlight Advisors’ Certified Partner Program aligns with its continued work supporting municipalities and public-sector partners.