Tempe, Ariz. (March 21, 2024) – Tickets are now on sale for the Grass Clippings Open, a two-day golf tournament and concert series April 19 and 20, 2024 at Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills. The first event of the 2024 Grass League season, the world's first high stakes par-3 golf league, the Grass Clippings Open will feature 75 two-person amateur teams competing for a $100,000 purse in a no-stroke, scramble, low gross format. The tournament will be broadcast live on the Bleacher Report (B/R) website, award-winning B/R app and social channels. Country Music star Easton Corbin headlines the Friday evening concert, while Saturday’s concert headliner will be announced soon.
On both Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20, gates open at 9 a.m. with live music from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and golf action taking place from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Event tickets, which include access to golf, live music, and food venues are available atwww.GrassLeague.com with Two-Day passes available for $65 each and One-Day passes $40 each.
“This is a true collaboration of Grass League, Grass Clippings, and TNT Sports / Bleacher Report to deliver the first of its kind ultra-competitive, high stakes par 3 golf competition held under the lights. The Grass League is set to make history—offering a new product of competitive golf for both players and fans. This is golf broadcasted in primetime,” said Grass Clippings Co-Founder Jake Hoselton.
Played at Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, Arizona’s first fully lit 18-hole golf course, and founded by brothers Jake and Jimmy Hoselton, Connor Riley, Pete Wilson, and TJ Forster, the Grass Clippings Open will showcase a blend of competitive spirit and diverse entry paths. The event begins the night of April 17 with a no-stroke, 18-hole qualifying scramble tournament, from which 18 teams emerge to join the final lineup of 75 teams. These selected teams then engage in the gripping 36-hole Grass Clippings Open April 19 and 20. Saturday’s final round will also include a one-million-dollar shootout. The 75 teams competing in the Grass Clippings Open will consist of:
• 20 Franchise Teams: Each franchise is entitled to field two teams, fostering local representation.
• Past Champions: Two spots are reserved for previous winners, honoring their legacy and skill.
• 13 Sponsorship Exemptions: These entries are granted to teams sponsored by various entities, adding a commercial aspect.
• 22 Exempt Independents: These teams secure their place by finishing in the top 30 of the previous year's tournament, ensuring consistency and quality.
• 18 Qualified Teams: These teams earn their entry through an intense qualifier held the night of April 17, two days before the main event. The qualifier features 54 teams vying for the top 18 positions. The top 18 from the qualifier complete the tournament's roster. The qualifier will be a shotgun start at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17.
• The top 20 teams from the Grass Clippings Open gain automatic entry into next year's tournament, creating a cycle of excellence and competition.
Grass League teams are divided by regional markets, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Minnesota, Michigan, Canada, Tampa Bay, and New York. Team investors include Dodgers’ Manager Dave Roberts; Golf.com Founder Michael Lazerow; investment firm Social Leverage; founder of Manor Jeremy Davis; and Eberg Capital, among others. Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills is planning another Grass League tournament in the fall strictly for professional golfers as the League will feature both amateur and professional tournaments.
On March 2, 2023, the Tempe City Council approved Grass Clippings’ plan to overhaul and operate Rolling Hills Golf Course. Grass Clippings executed a long-term lease with the City of Tempe, and took over the property on July 1st of last year, with Troon immediately assuming management of daily operations. Scottsdale-based WestHawk Capital partnered with Grass Clippings to lead a $15 million round of equity capitalization to finance the complete renovation of the facility, including the installation of lights and the full F&B and amenity package currently under development. The golf course reopened on Friday, November 3rd following a four-month golf course renovation project and rye grass overseed, construction of a newly designed 9th hole, new tee boxes, installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system to improve turf quality, and a new 15,000 sq. ft. practice putting green. Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills then opened to night golf play on Friday, December 1, 2023 and has instantly become a favorite destination for golfers. More than 78 LED lights illuminate the golf course, which plays as a par 54, par-3 golf course at night and as an executive-length golf course (with par 3s and 4s) during the day. Golfers are able to track ball flight through the night sky on holes that range from 90 to 200-plus yards, while enjoying 360-degree views of downtown Tempe, Sky Harbor Airport, downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Zoo and the nighttime silhouette of Papago Buttes.
The introduction of lights and night golf is just the beginning for the golf and entertainment venue, the flagship location for Grass Clippings’ cutting-edge vision. The team recently unveiled a refurbished golf shop and is in the process of renovating the clubhouse, adding a new Mexican food restaurant and a patio bar. In addition, Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills will add a hilltop bar near hole 8, an activity lawn and video display, and an entertainment site for live music, markets, and events, with full completion of all projects targeted for fall 2024.
For more information on Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, visit https://grassclippingsaz.com.
About Grass League
The Grass League is the world's first high stakes par 3 golf league, uniquely embracing both professional and amateur events in team-based formats. Grass League events are set on lighted par 3 courses with the flagship host site located in the Phoenix market. The League welcomes qualifiers, encouraging broad participation and the discovery of emerging talents. With teams divided by regional markets, the League drives a sense of rivalry and community involvement. This innovative approach to team ownership and competitive play marks an exhilarating new chapter in the world of golf. The initial teams in the League are Los Angeles, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Minnesota, Michigan, Canada, Tampa Bay and New York. Flagship host site in Greater Phoenix, AZ - Grass Clippings Rolling Hills (1415 N Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85288).
About Grass Clippings
Grass Clippings was originally founded in 2018 as a company dedicated to growing the game of golf and celebrating the greens keepers that make the game possible. In 2019, after hosting the first Grass Clippings Open, Grass Clippings launched a line of golf apparel and opened its first retail shop, located at 39th St. and Campbell in Phoenix. The Grass Clippings Open grew rapidly and by 2022 had outgrown its venue. As co-founder Pete Wilson explained, “We needed a venue we could grow with.” The Grass Clippings Open is poised to be the greatest par 3 golf tournament in the world. Follow Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills on Instagram at @grassclippings.rollinghills and on Twitter @GrassClippingsc.
About WestHawk Capital
WestHawk Capital is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based investment management firm who partners emerging real estate sponsors with scalable investment strategies to accelerate the growth of their platforms. Additionally, WestHawk partners with operating businesses who require strategic real estate investments to achieve their growth. WestHawk has partnered with Grass Clippings to capitalize the real estate in the rollout of a pioneering concept in par 3 night (lighted) golf courses, beginning with the 2023, $15 million funding for the transformation of Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona. WestHawk makes these investments both directly and through its affiliated commercial real estate investment operating platform Alignment Realty Capital. For more information, visitwww.westhawkcapital.com.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 875-plus locations in 45-plus states and 35-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com