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PHOENIX-A pair of Valley natives and avid golfers have turned their hobby into a business to establish Swing First Golf LLC, a company that will focus on owning and managing golf courses in the Phoenix metro area.

Swing First Golf, formed by Michael White and David Ashton, has made its first acquisition with the $2.6-million purchase of the Golf Club at Johnson Ranch, an 18-hole, par 72 championship course in the San Tan Foothills area of the Southeast Valley. "We've been playing the course since it opened in 1997 and we really liked the course and the area," says White, managing member of Swing First Golf who will serve as general manager. He's managed golf courses in the Phoenix area for more than 10 years.

The company purchased the Club, located on 120 acres within the planned community of Johnson Ranch at 433 E. Golf Club Dr., from Johnson Ranch Holdings, managed by Sunbelt Holdings of Scottsdale, Johnson Ranch's developer. White tells GlobeSt.com that he and Aston called upon Ralph Brekan of Brekan Enterprises to help them find a course in the Valley that fit their budget. The Golf Club at Johnson Ranch immediately stood out as the best choice, he says.

"It's a rural setting, but it's a growing area," White says, adding Pulte Homes has a new active adult community going up around the course. "We think that will be a huge draw for membership."

Plans call for Swing First to offer a golf academy under the direction of Jeff Lundgren, golf director. The academy will offer instruction, junior clinics and tournaments for students.

The company also plans to break ground in April 2005 on a 3,000-sf, $400,000 club pro shop. The facility will be available for tournament bookings, meetings, weddings and other events.

"Down the road we'd like to have four to five more courses," White says. Swing First Golf got a loan for the club from Arizona Bank & Trust, according to White.

Instant Insights /

$3M Buys Johnson Ranch Golf Club

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