Par 3 Grass League Attracts Tour Veterans And Amateurs Under The Lights

Forbes

17-05-2025

Quiet before the evening storm of golfers at the 2025 Grass Clippings Open.
When the sun dips behind the red sandstone Papago Buttes,nocturnal desert creatures come to life. So, too, does Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, a 3,428-yard executive course by day that transforms into a fully-lighted, 18-hole, 2,712-yard Par 3 course after sunset (Par 54). Golfers don't require night vision goggles or glow in the dark golf balls because the entire course is illuminated by more than 78 brilliant LED lights. Located in Tempe, near Sky Harbor Airport and the ASU campus, the course opened to night golf in December 2023, following a major renovation and improvement project.
There are an estimated 22 night golf courses in the United States, in 13 different states, but none approaches the Grass Clippings vision executed by its founders. In 2023, the Grass Clippings team of entrepreneurs inked a 30-year partnership deal with the City of Tempe to refresh and operate the city-owned Rolling Hills. Not only were significant on-course improvements made, but a driving range, putting green, patio bar and restaurant were added, as well as course lighting, elevating the property into a prime golfing and social destination.
Fans watch from hospitality around the green.
With Troon brought on to manage daily operations, the principals continued their out of the (tee) box strategies to develop a structured, national, competitive Par 3 league, complete with an official governing body, franchises, teams, monetary purses, sponsors and media partners.
The Grass League is now the newest entry on the competitive golf landscape. Billed as 'The World's First High Stakes Par 3 Golf League,' it is a concept that intrigued CEO Jake Hoselton and his partners years ago.
Said the 31-year-old innovator, 'We were interested because nowhere in golf was anyone running competitive events on Par 3 courses. The USGA didn't even rate or slope Par 3 courses. So, we thought, 'we can really own this category, right?' '
He added, 'This was all part of the master vision. Back in 2019, we hosted the first Grass Clippings Open at a different Par 3 course. At that moment, we knew that Par 3 golf and a team format was the road to take. We want to be different in almost every regard, but we want to honor competition, and we want to honor green grass golf.'
And why not do it under the moon, stars and lights?
Hoselton and his partners – Jimmy Hoselton, Connor Riley and Pete Wilson – made Rolling Hills the flagship course and the League formally launched with two events in 2024.
The Grass League is currently composed of 11 franchises, each with six teams of two, selected by franchise owners. In addition to the 12 franchise players, unaffiliated teams competed in the recent Grass League Qualifier to earn a spot in the unique Grass Clippings Open (GCO) Draft, where two extra teams of two were added to each franchise bench.
The franchises are based geographically throughout the U.S. and Canada, and each has a mix of professionals, amateurs, plus-handicappers, tour winners, and golf/social media personalities.
Phoenix United was well-branded with their apparel.
Explained Hoselton, 'We really believe in this format because it inherently provides a platform where for the first time, maybe in all of sports, professionals, amateurs, men and women of all ages are competitive to play on the same tee box, with the same rules, in the same camera lens, for the same purse. And I think the power of Par 3 golf and team-based Par 3 golf really allows that to happen.'
Par 3 golf is not 'less than.' It demands accuracy, a short game and solid putting. With major focus these days on hitting the long ball, par 3 courses offer something completely different, with a broad appeal.
Among the franchise players are PGA caddies Ricky Romano (Rickie Fowler) and Joe Greiner (Justin Thomas); professional Michael Block, who qualified for the PGA Championship; former professional tennis player and celebrity golf tournament competitor Mardy Fish; Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Barry Enright; and long drive competitor Sarah Camarena, one of just four women in the competition.
The recently concluded 2025 Grass Clippings Open presented by Gila River Resorts & Casinos, the first of three season events, was a huge success according to golfers, fans, franchise owners and Grass League executives. A capacity crowd of 4,000 wandered the course each day of the two-day, 36-hole tournament, with most staying for 19th hole afterparty concerts by Bryce Vine and Quinn XCII.
Two nights of hip-hop and electronic music were part of the overall party atmosphere at Grass ... More Clippings Open 2025.
The atmosphere was electric day and night. Adult beverages were plentiful, a mobile golf cart DJ 'booth' blasted music throughout the grounds, and patrons were handed placards to raise that read 'LOUD!' instead of the usual 'QUIET' expected at PGA TOUR events. The buildout was immense, with a stage, spectator stands, food trucks and concessions.
Camarena's partner Madison Pool enjoyed the experience, in spite of their team's lackluster performance.
'I think the event went great and the conditions of the course are amazing. Super. The greens are pure, absolutely pure,' said the Ladies European Tour (LET) aspirant, who also recently served as a golf consultant on the movie Happy Gilmore 2.
Former Arizona Diamondbacks closer and popular local celebrity Archie Bradley is a huge Grass League fan, so much so that he was tapped to emcee the Draft, introduce the musical acts and provide live, on-course commentary during the final night of competition.
'I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever heard,' he said of Grass Clippings and the Grass League. 'This is only going to grow and get bigger. And so I'll tell anyone who's listening to get on board now.'
Former MLB pitcher Archie Bradley tests his braodcast chops as an on-course commentator at the Grass ... More Clippings Open 2025 finals.
For Jacques Wilson and Lincoln Johnson, teammates on the Michigan Auto Aces, this year's tournament far surpassed their rookie event last year.
Said Wilson, 'It's way bigger. Just the amount of people that are out here and the way that all this is run, it's so much more professional. It's starting to feel more like a tour event.'
Added his partner, 'And I think too, the caliber of players that are starting to buy into the process of what Grass League stands for means we're seeing deeper and deeper fields every single time an event is held. It's only going to get better and bigger.'
Speaking for the Grass Clippings team, Hoselton wholeheartedly agreed, stating enthusiastically, 'It was a screaming success. I mean, it was just a complete home run. It was the first time I think all the franchises sort of knew their role and were very competitive on the course and inside the ropes, but also competitive as far as trying to be the coolest and best franchise they could be to attract fans. It was really all we could ask for.'
Loud Please instead of Quiet Please at the Grass Clippings Open 2025
Franchises span the globe from Canada to Dallas, Los Angeles to New York, and parts in between.
Franchise owners/investors are as eclectic and varied as their teams.
They include Good Good Golf (Dallas Horsemen), U.S. Open and multiple PGA TOUR winner Wyndham Clark (San Diego Munis), Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts (Los Angeles Roses), Golf.com founder Michael Lazerow (New York Blue Birds) and Eberg Capital (Michigan Auto Aces).
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles before the ... More game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on May 11, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by)
The plan is to add one franchise per year for the next several years, but in a very thoughtful and selective manner. Not just anybody can purchase a franchise. According to Hoselton, potential franchisees are carefully evaluated on specific criteria:
He explained, 'We want these owners to already be pillars in their own community because the biggest piece of owning a franchise is building a fan base, right? We want people that can connect with fans in that local market to cheer them on when it's tournament time.'
Hoselton cited Dave Roberts, who is obviously very well known in the baseball world, but is also an avid golfer who formed an ownership syndicate that's well-connected to golf in Los Angeles.
Roberts is excited about his role with the Los Angeles Roses.
'I just love the idea of playing under the lights, playing a tournament style and different formats,' he said. 'It's just a lot of fun and I believe in night golf and the Par 3 competitions. It's a great vibe and great entertainment.'
Franchise owners must be well capitalized in order to spend on marketing and branding, especially in the early phases.
Running a franchise is a complex business entertainment venture. It involves populating the franchise, making deals with players, executing marketing plans, obtaining sponsorships, creating an identity that includes visual branding (logo, caps, apparel), and effectively promoting the franchise and driving revenue on their own.
But the return on investment can be significant.
Explained Hoselton, 'When you buy a franchise, you own all of the rights and monetization channels of your team, You own all of the merchandise, You can spin off media channels, social media, YouTube. Franchises come in at a purchase price and they own the asset and can ultimately sell it with League approval.'
Franchises also participate in League-wide revenue sharing, essentially the stream that is fueled by the League itself. The revenue pool is generated by ticket sales, sponsorships, media rights deals, merchandise, and food and beverage sold during the tournaments. The League contributes 20% of its revenue to the pool that is distributed to each of the franchises participating in that season.
On top of that, franchises have the opportunity to win significant purse money at events. The GCO's $100,000 purse paid out the top 10 spots, with $40,000 for first place and $20,000 for runner-up. Franchises receive the purse money and pay it out to teams and individual players based on deals they have in place.
Team New York Blue Birds celebrates the -19 victory of teammates Jake Byrum and Kurt Watkins.
The application process to become franchise #12 will open this summer and it is anticipated that $750,000-$1,000,000 may be the ballpark buy-in price, depending on the ownership market and other variables.
Grass Clippings has managed to successfully take the best elements from LIV Golf, TGL and even PopStroke to create an entirely new sporting competition, one that is accessible to all skill levels. The success of family-friendly PopStroke is based on the fact that anybody can putt. LIV is about franchises and team golf, as is the Grass League. And while TGL also has regional teams and rivalries, Grass League takes place outdoors, not simulated in an arena.
TGL does have the advantage of a prime time broadcast window, as opposed to traditional golf that airs on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. GCO organizers took note, and day two finals aired on Peacock during Saturday night prime time, under the lights.
The two remaining events this season – the August Summer Grind in San Diego and the December season-ending Grass League Championship at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills – will be broadcast on Golf Channel during prime time.
Team Los Angeles Roses reading putts.
The Grass Clippings team knows their demographic exceedingly well and understands why Golf Channel is excited to become a Grass League broadcast and distribution partner.
Explained Haselton, 'Your typical 30-year-old golf fan isn't going to Golf Channel to consume golf content right now. They're going to YouTube and social media. We cater to a younger audience and can give Golf Channel the ability to showcase something cool, fun and cutting edge.'
The Grass League future might include a woman-owned franchise and/or niche franchises like former professional athletes who competed on the same team.
There may even be a shot clock added to address pace of play, making the tournament more consumable and easier to cover from a broadcast perspective.
'But I think the bigger thing is this is just the beginning, right?' marveled the Auto Aces' Wilson. 'We're only in year two and for the growth this has seen from last year to now, it's astronomical. And you know, Grass League to the moon!'