Omni PGA Frisco Resort
[Frisco, TX] Like other U.S. cities, Dallas is falling short of centralized economic growth due to sprawl, racism, politics and just bad economic growth strategies and management.
It’s no wonder that, when PGA of America elected to move from south Florida to north Texas, it chose Frisco, a Dallas exurb.
It’s no wonder that, when the highly regarded Byron Nelson Golf Tournament sniffed at Dallas’ Trinity Forest Golf Club (“created explicitly to attract prestigious golf championships back to Dallas”) for a couple of years, it then chose McKinney (another Dallas exurb, conjoined to Frisco). “Doomed from the start: The Byron Nelson’s short run at Trinity Forest wasn’t a failure, but it was always a bad idea,” wrote The Dallas Morning News.
It is also no wonder why the City of Frisco put together a more successful incentive package to win both the PGA and golf championships:
“The PGA Frisco project is a public-private partnership that includes PGA of America, Omni Hotels & Resorts, the City of Frisco and the Frisco Independent School District. The project spans 660 acres of a larger 2,500-acre development being master planned by Hunt Realty Investments and includes two 18-hole world class courses, a 10-hole short course, 30 acre practice facility, 500 Omni PGA Frisco Resort with a 127,000 sq. ft. convention center, as well as a unique golf themed retail experience, 40,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, 10,000 sq. ft. performance center and the PGA of America Headquarters and NTPGA Headquarters.
“The golf courses, tournaments and hotel and conference center are estimated to have an $2.5+ billion economic impact over the next 20 years. This signature development will anchor north Frisco, which utilizes 400 acres +/- of floodplain and adds to the portfolio of professional sports already located in Frisco.
“The project also includes a 3.5-mile-long, 14’ wide paved hike and bike trail. Public access to 65% of annual available golf rounds will be available, along with discounts for Frisco residents.”
And, so, here we are. From cotton fields to high cotton.
Set to open just steps from the recently opened PGA of America headquarters, Omni PGA Frisco Resort will be “the new showcase of modern American golf where players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the game. In addition to unique simulation and coaching experiences, Omni PGA Frisco Resort will be home to ample play options.”
The resort features two 18-hole championship golf courses, Fields Ranch East – designed by Gil Hanse – and Fields Ranch West – designed by Beau Welling; The Swing, a lighted ten-hole, par-3 short course (for night play); and The Dance Floor, a “two-acre putting course and entertainment area.” (What?)
“Sun-up to sundown fun” (so noted) will be available in the “PGA District,” where guests will be able to find a variety of restaurants, virtual game experiences and programmed entertainment.
The resort will also feature “500 guest rooms and suites, 10 four-bedroom ranch houses, four pools, including an adults-only rooftop infinity pool, a full-service Mokara Spa, Lounge by Topgolf, and more than 127,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.”
The Omni PGA Frisco Resort opened May 2, 2023. We doubt many Dallas dignitaries will be on hand. They’re still trying to cotton what happened.
OMNI LINKS