Historic clubhouse mansion and Gary Player-designed golf club in Princeton, N.J. was once owned by Johnson
& Johnson heir J. Seward Johnson
PRINCETON, N.J. and ORLANDO, Fla., July 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Concert Golf Partners has
acquired TPC Jasna Polana ("Jasna Polana" or the "Club"), a
historic private club near Princeton
University.
Jasna Polana, (pronounced "YAZ-na Pol AH-na"), a Polish phrase
that translates to "bright meadow," is a 222-acre, upscale private
golf club and mansion. Opened in 1998, the Club is currently a
licensed and operated property of the TPC Network operated by the
PGA TOUR, and features an 18-hole golf course designed by World
Golf Hall of Fame Member Gary Player. Jasna Polana is considered
"one of the most coveted private club memberships" and "among the
top private golf courses in New
Jersey," according to Golfing Magazine. Player
reportedly once described Jasna Polana as "the finest course of its
type" in the world.
Based near Orlando, Concert
Golf Partners has a willingness to spend to buy the very best clubs
in the United States, and elevate
the member experience through continuous re-investment and high-end
service. Selected from a competitive pool of 20 bidders, Concert
Golf was chosen by the Piasecka Johnson Family for its vision and
mission to preserve and enhance the esteemed country club for years
to come.
Jasna Polana joins Concert Golf as the 34th club in its
portfolio, aligning with a prestigious portfolio of facilities,
such as The Club at Pasadera (Monterey,
California), Gaillardia Country Club (Oklahoma City), The Club at Longview
(Charlotte), and The Club at Renaissance (Fort Myers, Florida).
Jasna Polana is a stunning American legacy property and a
premier addition to the collection of private clubs in Concert
Golf's portfolio. The 46,000 sq. ft. clubhouse was
constructed in 1975 as a private residence for
Barbara Piasecka Johnson and J.
Seward Johnson Sr., a Johnson & Johnson heir. The mansion was
designed by renowned architect Wallace
Harrison, who also designed Rockefeller Center, Lincoln
Center, and the United Nations Headquarters. No expense was spared
in creating this grand, yet unique mansion, which was designed to
accommodate the famed Piasecka-Johnson art collection. At the time
of its construction, it was one of America's most expensive private
residences.
Since becoming a private club in 1998, Fortune 500 company
leaders and captains of industry have joined Jasna Polana, given
its tremendous prestige.
"Jasna Polana will be an exceptional addition to Concert Golf
Partners as the company continues to elevate its portfolio of
premier, private golf clubs, and provides a unique opportunity to
foster the progress and prosperity of the Princeton community," said José Feliciano,
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clearlake Capital, a member of
Concert Golf's Board of Directors, and a prominent Princeton University alum.
In 2020, Feliciano, with his wife Kwanza Jones, gifted
$20 million to nearby Princeton University to build two dormitory
buildings, contributing to the University's efforts in increasing
the undergraduate student body by about 10 percent. "We are humbled
to invest in a Club with such a rich history, situated within a
community that has profoundly shaped my life. We look forward to
contributing to the continued legacy and growth of the club, and
the vibrant community it supports," said Feliciano.
The Piasecka Johnson heirs conducted a worldwide search for a
new steward of Jasna Polana over the past decade with the help of
Cushman & Wakefield, and it became clear that Concert Golf was
the right choice to preserve the Club.
"We sought a new owner who would not only maintain the Club but
also elevate it for our members. Concert Golf clearly demonstrated
a strong commitment to preserving the storied traditions and
history of Jasna Polana," said Christopher
Piasecki, President of Jasna Polana Golf Club. "Their vision
aligns with our dedication to providing an exceptional experience
for our members, ensuring that Jasna Polana continues its legacy,
and to thrive for generations to come."
After J. Seward Johnson passed away, Piasecka Johnson converted
Jasna Polana into an exclusive private golf club, retained the PGA
TOUR's TPC Network to manage the facility, and hired nine-time
major champion Gary Player to design
the 7,100-yard golf course in 1998. The course boasts a 75.0 rating
and a slope of 145. Additionally, the club offers a 3.5-acre
practice facility featuring a 60,000 sq. ft. practice tee, four
putting greens and practice bunkers.
The property today also includes event spaces, a tennis court,
gardens featuring a reflecting pool, and two private lodges with 16
bedrooms for overnight accommodations. More than 100 works of rare
fine art will remain on the property. Concert plans to invest
$3 million in amenities at Jasna
Polana to enhance and complement the existing infrastructure,
clubhouse, and golf course.
"Jasna Polana boasts an immense history, from its ties to the
Piasecka Johnson family to its role in professional golf as a past
host of the PGA TOUR Champions and the classic Wonderful World of
Golf match between Tom Watson and
Hal Sutton," said Jordan Peace, Senior VP of Corporate Development
at Concert Golf. "We are extremely selective about the clubs we add
to our portfolio, and we are honored to be the new stewards of this
world-class club. Our mission is to preserve and enhance great
private clubs, while honoring their culture and traditions in new
and exciting ways."
"With its rich history and status as a community staple in
Princeton, Jasna Polana garnered
significant interest, an exceptional 20 offers, despite current
capital market conditions," said Andy
Merin, Cushman & Wakefield Executive Vice Chairman. "We
conducted a thorough sales process that resulted in a strong
response from a variety of investors, reflecting the unique value
and appeal of this property."
About Concert Golf Partners
Concert Golf Partners
features a boutique portfolio of 34 upscale private golf and
country clubs nationwide, with a focus on preserving the unique
culture, identity, and traditions at each of our clubs. We achieve
this through consistent annual capital investment aimed at
enhancing amenities, service levels and the overall member
experience, while building and maintaining a thriving club
environment. Each club features both a strong membership base and
financial position. Concert Golf Partners was founded in 2011 by
Peter Nanula, former Founder and CEO
of Arnold Palmer Golf Management, and Susan
Dunnavant, Co-Founder and COO.
Based near Orlando, the company
is an experienced and premier buyer of private clubs since its
founding. Concert Golf's portfolio features a unique blend of
iconic and select clubs, with courses designed by world-renowned
golf architects, including Tom
Fazio, Jack Nicklaus,
Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer. With significant investment
capital, Concert Golf strategically searches for both exclusive and
up-and-coming private clubs to join our collection. This includes
both formerly developer-owned clubs, such as The Club at
Renaissance in Fort Myers,
Florida, as well as long-time member-owned clubs, such
as The Club at Pasadera in Monterey,
California.
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SOURCE Concert Golf Partners