Life Coach in Troon, AZ

The joint venture team of Ryan Companies US, Inc., Cadence Living and a controlled affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, a leading private global investment firm, announced today the completion of Acoya Scottsdale at Troon. The Ryan designed and built project received its certificate of occupancy nearly two weeks early and residents will begin moving in on November 2, 2020.

Acoya Scottsdale at Troon consists of 135 independent and assisted living units offering 22 floorplans ranging from 585 square feet to 2,385 square feet. The new community is situated on six acres of land between Pinnacle Peak and Troon Mountain.

“Given the project site’s shape and topography, our team leveraged extensive 3D modeling to include multiple terraces and entrances,” said Beau Dromiack, southwest director of architecture, Ryan A+E, Inc. “For example, the main entrance transitions to a dramatic, two-story space with a glass wall that frames Pinnacle Peak – a memorable aesthetic that helps differentiate this community.”

Acoya Troon offers contemporary interior finishes designed by award-winning Thoma-Holec Design, underground parking and several amenities.

“We are proud to be opening the doors of this resort-style development in Scottsdale,” said Dan Schwaegler, Senior Vice President, Starwood Capital Group. “Preleasing has been strong and as the first of four senior living projects under development across the United States with Ryan Companies, we are excited to see how well the community is being received in the marketplace.”

Acoya Troon’s garden level includes a music room, salon and spa, theatre and fitness room while the first floor provides residents with a bistro, a great room, formal and private dining options, art therapy and a library. Additionally, there is a game room, PGA golf simulator, bar and lounge, casual dining, a community room and outdoor dining on the second floor. The community also has a resort-style pool, walking path, rooftop patio and valet parking.

“Our team was laser-focused on meeting the need for luxury senior living demand in North Scottsdale,” said Rob Leinbach, principal, Cadence Living. “We’ve created something really special in the Troon area – a state-of-the-art, high-quality community with an abundance of amenities.”

This is the second Acoya development in Arizona with several more planned in the pipeline.

“The combination of incredible partners, the best in-house design-build team and a site with 360-degree views led us to achieving our goal of creating an unmatched, luxury senior living community where residents can thrive,” said Tyler Wilson, vice president of real estate development, Ryan Companies.

Ryan Companies has built over 40 senior living communities throughout the country and Acoya Scottsdale at Troon is the fifth senior living project completed in Ryan’s western division. Cadence Living will add Acoya Troon to their management portfolio which consists of 24 communities and over 4,000 residential units.

For more information about the community, visit www.acoyatroon.com.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - I would bet my life savings you'll have better luck than I did during your next winter golf vacation in the Valley of the Sun.

I watched my favorite team choke in the Fiesta Bowl (I don't want to talk about it), got rained out of much of my round at Stonecreek Golf Club and virtually snowed out of another round in Sedona. California's "atmospheric river" hit Arizona at just the wrong time.

Don't let my bad luck deter you: Phoenix/Scottsdale is still the best place to be in America from January through March if you're a golfer. There's a reason we rank this golf mecca seventh among the World Top 100 Golf Destinations.

From the Fiesta Bowl to the upcoming valley-wide party hosting the Super Bowl in Glendale and the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale during the same February weekend - and capped off by spring training in March - there's always something going on. And, most of the time, the sun never stops shining.

Whether you're a regular visitor or coming for the first time, we've rounded up what's new for 2023. These changes may guide where you want to stay or play on your next trip.

Thankfully, the weather softened for a three-day stay at Rancho de los Caballeros, a dude ranch in Wickenburg that's one of America's unique golf experiences. While my wife and daughter were riding horses, I was playing golf on a serene and secluded golf course that's more like a classic parkland layout than the target-style desert golf courses surrounding it. New owners are investing heavily, expanding the clubhouse and adding new accommodations. With so much to do - skeet shooting, ax throwing, relaxing at the spa, Saturday night BBQ bonfires and all-inclusive dining packages - it's the perfect outdoor family vacation where golfers can sneak away to play and not be missed. A new tee currently growing in has stretched the 17th hole into a par 5, creating a rare par-73 routing that ends on back-to-back par 5s. Golf the cowboy way - Yeehaw!

The first phase of an $80-million renovation at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa was completed last September. The work enhanced the 869 guest rooms and 81 suites, the lobby and debuted a new flagship restaurant called Tía Carmen. Phase 2 construction began in October to expand the resort's five pools and lazy river to include three new water slides, cabanas and an adult pool, plus a private VIP spa area.

Multiple area golf courses underwent renovations last summer to prepare for high season this winter. A four-month renovation completed last fall at The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale has improved playing conditions on its beautiful North and South courses in Carefree. The North saw the renovation of all bunkers, while the greens on the South Course were redone with new TifEagle Bermuda.

A bunker renovation completed on the Red Course at the Wigwam Arizona Resort in Litchfield Park rebuilt all 44 traps using a new Polylast Bunker Liner system. Tan sand was replaced with new, higher-quality white sand as well.

By the end of February, the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix will have added a new golf shop, underground cart parking and member facilities in a new building adjacent to the current clubhouse. The second phase of improvements will soon break ground on a new clubhouse that houses event space and a restaurant to replace the existing building. This summer, a renovation will start on the Adobe Course. The project will install a new, more efficient irrigation system, plant new drought-tolerant TifTuf Bermudagrass throughout the course, renovate green complexes, level tee boxes and rebuild bunkers with the Capillary Concrete lining system for better drainage.

The private Terravita Golf & Country Club in Scottsdale reopened its newly renovated golf course to member play last November following an $8.5-million renovation and enhancement project. Golf course architect Phil Smith led the seven-month project where all 18 greens were re-designed, rebuilt and grassed using TifEagle Bermuda grass; tee boxes repositioned; fairways reshaped; and a new state-of-the-art irrigation system installed. All bunkers were repositioned, reshaped and rebuilt with Capillary Concrete.

Papago Golf Club’s $4-million renovation wrapped up last October. Construction of a new Arizona Golf House, which will eventually break ground to house the Arizona Golf Association and other local golf organizations, required some changes to the existing layout, moving the 9th and 18th green complexes as well as the 1st and 10th tees. The 9th green was relocated to the edge of an existing pond, creating a risk/reward par 5, while the 18th green was repositioned to create a new angle on approach shots. The current 442-yard, par-4 sixth hole was lengthened after the green complex was moved back 20 yards. In addition, all golf course bunkers were renovated, many tee complexes leveled and new cart paths were built around tees and greens. More than 10 acres of turf was removed throughout the course, further reducing water usage, a key for the future of golf in America's drought-ravaged Southwest (except, evidently, when I visit).

Bored with your traditional range session? The addition of Toptracer Range technology is trending throughout the valley. Golfers practicing can analyze the data of their shots or play games thanks to Toptracer's ball-tracking technology. It's available at courses such as Bellair Golf Park in Glendale; Longbow Golf Club, Augusta Ranch and Dobson Ranch in Mesa; Troon North in Scottsdale; Greenfield Lakes in Gilbert and others.

DALLAS, Dec. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: BHR) ("Braemar" or the "Company") today announced that it has successfully closed on a mortgage loan for the 210-room Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The non-recourse loan totals $100.0 million and has a three-year initial term with two one-year extension options, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The loan is interest only and provides for a floating interest rate of SOFR + 3.75%. The Company also announced that it plans to use the majority of the proceeds from the new loan to pay off a more expensive loan secured by the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado Beach, which has a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 6.00%.

"We are very excited about our recent acquisition of the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale and are pleased to be able to finance this asset on favorable terms given the current volatility in the capital markets," said Richard J. Stockton, Braemar's President and Chief Executive Officer. He continued, "With this attractive new financing, we are able to reduce our weighted average interest rate across our borrowings by paying off a more expensive loan."

Robert Douglas, a real estate advisory firm that specializes in providing capital solutions in the hospitality industry, assisted Braemar with this transaction.

Braemar Hotels & Resorts is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in luxury hotels and resorts.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and assumptions in this press release contain or are based upon "forward-looking" information and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements about the Company's strategy and future plans. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. When we use the words "will likely result," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside Braemar's control.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation: the impact of COVID-19, and the rate of adoption and efficacy of vaccines to prevent COVID-19, on our business and investment strategy; our ability to repay, refinance or restructure our debt and the debt of certain of our subsidiaries; anticipated or expected purchases or sales of assets; our projected operating results; completion of any pending transactions; risks associated with our ability to effectuate our dividend policy, including factors such as operating results and the economic outlook influencing our board's decision whether to pay further dividends at levels previously disclosed or to use available cash to pay dividends; our understanding of our competition; market trends; projected capital expenditures; the impact of technology on our operations and business; general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock and preferred stock; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel; changes in our industry and the markets in which we operate, interest rates or the general economy; and the degree and nature of our competition. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in Braemar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently known to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations can change as a result of many potential events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and other objectives may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider this risk when you make an investment decision concerning our securities. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will be attained or that any deviation will not occur. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, changes in expectations, or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

SOURCE Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Skiing and golf have a lot of things in common, but one of the things most travelers overlook in golf is the concept of regional and nationwide passes. In skiing these have been wildly popular, and these days, most frequent skiers buy one. I have written extensively on the leaders, Ikon Pass and Epic Pass, and most recently, the best ski resorts to use these passes at this winter if you have one.

But golf has a similar concept that far few travelers know about - despite the fact that it is 25 years old and predates its ski peers - and this is the time of year to consider it, since it is an annual investment and New Year’s is coming fast.

Just as the most popular ski passes are offered by the two biggest operators in the ski industry, Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company, the golf industry’s leading frequent player program comes from Troon Golf, the global leader in golf course management. Troon is to golf what brands like Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton are to the hotel industry, bringing a high level of customer service, facilities, food and beverage, amenities and course conditions to the more than 750 golf courses it operates in more than 30 countries and nearly every U.S. state.

It is not only the world’s largest professional club (private and public) management company, it has many of the best resorts and courses on its roster. These include many Top 100 ranked stunners (2022 Golf Magazine, Golf Digest or Golfweek lists) such as Gamble Sands, The Quarry, Cascata, Princeville, Tetherow, Quintero, Wilderness Club, Giants Ridge, Wickenburg Ranch, and a favorite of mine, the Plantation Course at Kapalua, the number one ranked course in Hawaii. In the Scottsdale area, one of the nation’s best golf road trip destinations, they run the table with Troon North (36), Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, the Phoenician, the Boulders (36), Papago, Quintero, Kierland, whirlwind and more. Ditto for Hawaii: Kapalua (36), Ka’anapali (36), Mauna Lani (36), Princeville, and several others.

The Troon Card is not the same as a skiing pass in that it does not give you unlimited free rounds (I wish!), but it has similar geographic breadth and cost savings appeal for frequent golfers and especially golf travelers. All versions of Troon Cards also cover Troon’s international locations, such as the superlative Dumbarnie Links in Scotland’s St. Andrews, Spain’s famous Finca Cortesin, the new PGA National in the Czech Republic, and what is fast becoming one of the hottest destination golf resorts in the world, Greece’s Costa Navarino, which includes three 5-Star hotels and four 18-hole courses - and has a Mandarin Oriental on the way. There are courses in Australia, Central America, Mexico, Asia, and the Middle East, while notable Caribbean resorts include Bahia Beach and Rio Mar in Puerto Rico, the Ocean Club and Baha Mar Royal Blue in the Bahamas and PGA Ocean’s 4 in the Dominican Republic.

The National Troon Card is the top tier version, good at every public facility in the Troon network, more than 150 Troon-affiliated courses worldwide. For those who are planning a single road trip or stay closer to home, Troon cards also come in several lower priced regional and state versions (again, just like skiing): Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and West Coast regions, plus state cards for Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas/Missouri, and New York. In addition, some state-specific cards also include nearby “bonus states” as well as international. For instance, Hawaii includes Nevada and Oregon, while Arizona includes Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

All are available as either a TwoSome or a FourSome Card (for two or four golfers to enjoy preferred pricing). Card benefits include up to 50 percent off the standard rate for the Cardholder and a guest at all participating Troon-managed and affiliated courses for tee times up to three days in advance. For those who want to plan further out, advance tee times can be booked with Troon Card’s Best Rate Guarantee and 15 percent off golf fees at check in. Troon Cardholders also enjoy exclusive heavily discounted replay rates (from just $25), cardholder only 9-hole and twilight rates, and complimentary clinics to help improve their golf game. Cardholders can treat their friends to “2 for 1” golf offers (five times a year for regional cards, 10 for the National) and celebrate their birthday in style with a 25% “birthday round” discount. Additional savings include 10% off merchandise at participating golf shops and golf course restaurants, 25% off club rentals, and a new benefit added for 2023, discounts of up to 35% off Avis car rentals.

As a way of honoring and thanking first responders as well as active duty, veterans, reserve and U.S. military retirees, a specially priced Patriot Troon Card is available. The similar discounted Inspire Troon Card is for healthcare professionals and teachers. A portion of all proceeds from Patriot and Inspire Troon Card sales will be donated to charitable organizations that support military (Folds of Honor Foundation), first responders (Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation), healthcare professionals (Direct Relief) and teachers (Donors Choose).

The National Card is $699 for two and $999 for four, while the state cards range from $79-$869 depending on the number of golfers and state chosen. The regional cards offer some of the best values, and the West Coast is $189/$239 and includes California, Oregon, Washington and Utah. The Northeast ($199/$299) includes New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia. The Southeast ($129/$189) includes Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. The Midwest ($99/$149) includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Cards are now on sale and are good through the end of 2023.

When the vaunted golf course design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw came to Fort McDowell, Arizona, they weren’t given the first choice of land on the extensive We-Ko-Pa property in the Sonoran desert.

That’s not to say they were about to play second fiddle, just that there was already an 18-hole golf course at We-Ko-Pa, the Scott Miller-designed Cholla course. The Cholla, residing on some of the highest ground in the area, delivers breathtaking views of the Superstition mountains with a test of target-style desert golf.

More 'Where We're Playing': Pinehurst No. 1

Coore and Crenshaw couldn’t compete with that, nor did they want to. Instead in their Saguaro layout they envisioned a different kind of experience, one that would look like it could have been there first–opening one year or 100 years before the Cholla.

“We tried to find ground that we felt was indicative of golf and golf design; in other words naturally suited to golf without doing many alterations to it,” Coore says. “I remember when I first came out to walk around, there was some discussion, ‘do we go into the hills even higher?’ That presentation already existed here, we gravitated more toward the gently rolling ground, with the idea it would be a contrast to the existing course.

“If a project has two or more courses, they should be different.”

In an area with a number of terrific two-course properties such as Talking Stick, Troon North and TPC Scottsdale, there may not be a different one-two punch than We-Ko-Pa Golf Club. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation resort is a half-hour from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport but feels far more remote, with a five-story hotel/spa and casino but without residential development and retail.

The Saguaro is the walkable throwback course, with greens close to tees and walking paths marked from tees to fairways. The namesake cactuses dot the layout along with many other species of desert plants, it’s also not surprising to see roadrunners and coyotes making themselves at home.

The razor-sharp cacti and wildlife, which can include rattlesnakes in the summer, is best enjoyed from a distance and the Coore-Crenshaw course has deliberately wide fairways to help in that.

“The desert landscape can be pretty hostile,” Coore says. “If you start missing fairways, things can happen that are not necessarily the most pleasant.”

Golfers of all abilities can navigate the Saguaro course with one sleeve of balls, which is always welcome when the greens fees approach $300 in-season. The Cholla has more forced carries and demands more pinpoint approach shots, provided you can concentrate while taking in the breathtaking landscape.

Which experience is better? That’s a hard question to answer but the easy decision is to play both, especially if you ran away from a gray Midwestern winter for a desert golf vacation.