Dalton, Ga. (Aug. 14, 2020) — The Recreational Group, a leading provider of residential and commercial surfacing products, has acquired Engineered Turf Inc., a fast-growing, customer-centric manufacturer of synthetic grass used in commercial and residential landscape, sport and putting green applications.

Engineered Turf manufactures high-quality grass in more than 20 varieties, used for athletic fields, playgrounds, putting surfaces, lawns, pet care and more. All the products made in the Dalton, Ga. manufacturing facility use materials sourced from companies in the United States. Engineered Turf has managed to double their sales even through the pandemic.

The Recreational Group (RG) oversees a diverse line of American made surfacing solutions, including XGrass, Tour Greens, VersaCourt and Swisstrax. The acquisition allows for vertical integration of all synthetic grass products from fiber through tufting to installation, which will result in enhanced quality control and product innovation.

Engineered Turf CEO, John Tidwell has been in synthetic turf for more than 20 years. Founded on the principle putting relationships first, customers choose Engineered Turf for the high level of customer service and because it has remained true to its small business roots.

“We are thrilled John trusted RG as his partner to take Engineered Turf to the next level,” said Ron Bennett, CEO, RG. “Engineered Turf in a very short amount of time has earned its reputation as the preeminent synthetic turf manufacturer. We have the expertise, the capital and the relationships to continue to grow this remarkable and expanding business.”

Tidwell will remain as President of Engineered Turf, with Stacey Hewitt staying on as Vice President of Manufacturing, and Shawn Keeter remaining as Vice President of Sales.

“I was impressed with RG from the beginning, especially its leadership and capabilities, to take our customer focused model further and faster throughout the market,” said Tidwell. “We will continue to concentrate on our clients and delivering the best manufacturing solutions, while RG will be critical in growing our footprint, improving our marketing and tightening our supply chains. This partnership will help us enhance our overall offering directly to the consumer and the flooring industry as a whole.”

RG continues to look for add-on acquisitions across a range of verticals within the recreational surfacing industry, including artificial turf and modular flooring. Because the company is vertically integrated, it is seeking to add installation companies, dealerships, manufacturing entities and brand names to its organization.

RG opened a 21,000-square foot showroom and distribution center in central Florida and entered into a partnership with Turf Tek USA to become the exclusive seller of XGrass residential and commercial surfacing products in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in the second quarter. The company acquired SwissTrax, the leading provider of plastic tiles used as floor covering in garages, hangars, and event spaces, late last year.

About RG

The Recreational Group is a leading provider of recreational surfacing products including artificial turf used for playground, golf and landscaping needs, outdoor and indoor sport tile, garage tile, wood flooring, and safety foam for use underneath synthetic turf. Learn more by visiting www.recreationalgroup.com.

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Media Contact:

Thornton Kennedy

PR South

C | (404) 210-0363

thornton@prsouth.net

Global sports and entertainment community to open venues in Greater China (including Mainland
China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) and the Philippines

DALLAS, Nov. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Topgolf Entertainment Group, a global sports and entertainment community, continues its global expansion by entering into a franchise agreement with Sports Entertainment Asia, H.K. Limited (SEAL) with plans to open venues in Greater China (comprising Mainland China, Hong Kong,Macau and Taiwan) and the Philippines.

“This franchise partnership marks a pivotal step in the Topgolf growth story. We take a bold and purposeful approach to connecting communities around the globe, and one of the ways we are doing this is through strategic partnerships to expand our presence in international markets,” said Topgolf Chief Executive Officer Dolf Berle. “The SEAL management team has extensive experience developing iconic hospitality brands as well as food and beverage brands in this region, and we are thrilled to see this partnership come to fruition.”

Through this agreement, each Topgolf venue will be owned and operated by SEAL, which is comprised of Hong Kong-based Parkview Leisure & Entertainment Company Ltd., and SEAL TG US, LLC, led by JLM Financial Partners and Chaucer Global, both of which have extensive experience developing leading brands in the U.S. and across Asia. The SEAL franchise leaders are in active pursuit of premier destinations to highlight Topgolf’s special blend of technology and entertainment that builds and connects communities.

“We view Topgolf as an ideal entertainment destination across Greater China with a broad appeal for families, youth, companies and people of all ages wanting to connect and have fun together,” said SEAL Chairman Tony Hwang. “We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Topgolf and expanding its global sports and entertainment community to our markets.”

Currently, Topgolf operates 57 venues worldwide including 53 in the U.S., three in the United Kingdom and one in Australia. Plans are also underway to open new venues in additional U.S. and U.K. markets, as well as Mexico, Dubai and Canada. Topgolf also recently announced plans to expand in central Europe in partnership with another new franchise partner.

“We see significant white space for Topgolf’s global growth and are looking forward to expanding our technology-driven experience in new regions around the world,” said Topgolf Entertainment Group Executive Chairman Erik Anderson. “To have attracted a partner as experienced as SEAL is a testament to Topgolf’s growth journey over the last 20 years driven by unmatched experiences.”

At Topgolf venues, Guests can create meaningful experiences and discover common ground through friendly competition and fun, no matter the occasion. Venues feature a chef-driven menu, hand-crafted cocktails, live music, high-tech gaming, corporate and social event spaces, and more.

For more information about Topgolf, please visit www.topgolf.com or follow @Topgolf on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and LinkedIn.

ABOUT TOPGOLF ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Topgolf Entertainment Group is a global sports and entertainment community that connects nearly 100 million fans in meaningful ways through the experiences we create, the innovation we champion and the good that we do. What began as a technology that enhanced the game of golf now encompasses a range of unmatched experiences where communities can discover common ground at brand expressions including Topgolf venues, Lounge by Topgolf, Toptracer, Toptracer Range, Topgolf Swing Suite, Topgolf Studios, Topgolf Live, World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf and Driving for Good.

ABOUT TOPGOLF VENUES
Topgolf venues, the first brand expression of Topgolf Entertainment Group, connect communities of fans in meaningful ways through technology, entertainment, food and beverage, and the belief that Topgolf is a place where one can discover common ground no matter the occasion. These venues feature high-tech gaming, climate-controlled hitting bays, a chef-driven menu, hand-crafted cocktails, music, corporate and social event spaces, and more. Topgolf venues entertain more than 20 million guests annually at nearly 60 locations across the U.S. and internationally.

ABOUT SEAL: SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT ASIA, LTD., HONG KONG (SEAL)
SEAL, the exclusive developer and franchisee for Topgolf across Greater China, was founded and is led by the principals of Parkview Entertainment & Leisure, JLM Financial Partners (JLM) and Chaucer Global. Parkview Entertainment & Leisure was founded by Tony Hwang of the Parkview group, who serves as the Chairman of SEAL. JLM, led by Larry Meyer and Trey Owen, is an Austin, Texas based private investment firm focused on multi-unit and scalable businesses in the U.S. and Asia with a primary focus on health and wellness, beauty, lifestyle/entertainment, as well as recreation. Chaucer Global, whose founder Joe Canterbury helped expand Starbucks across Asia and the world, invests in and helps expand high potential consumer & lifestyle brands across the U.S. and Asia.

Media Contact:
Kara Barry
Head of Communications
Ph: 214-501-5028
E-mail: press@topgolf.com

SOURCE Topgolf Entertainment Group

Additional assets available online: Photos (1)
http://press.topgolf.com/2019-11-12-Topgolf-Entertainment-Group-Announces-Major-Expansion-in-Asia-ThroughNew-Franchise-Partnership

JLM Financial Partners and Eagle Merchant Partners Sell United PF Partners to American Securities
Largest, Fastest-Growing Area Developer Within the Planet Fitness System Acquired by New York Private Equity Firm

ATLANTA, Jan. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — American Securities, a leading U.S. private equity firm, has acquired United PF Partners (“United PF”), the largest and fastest-growing area developer within the Planet Fitness system, from JLM Financial Partners and Eagle Merchant Partners.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, United PF serves more than 1 million members across more than 160 locations in 14 states. United PF was founded in November 2016 through the consolidation of five leading Planet Fitness franchisee groups. It has nearly tripled its club count through a successful organic and M&A growth strategy.

“We are very excited to partner with American Securities as we seek to continue to expand our platform through numerous growth avenues,” said Trey Owen, CEO and Founder, United PF. “JLM Financial Partners and Eagle Merchant Partners gave us the support and the space to be the best Planet Fitness operators in the system, while making it possible for us to expand our geographic footprint and introduce more health-conscious members to the Judgement Free Zone®.”

Planet Fitness is one of the largest and most prolific franchisors of fitness centers in the United States. As of Sept. 30, 2019, Planet Fitness had more than 14.1 million members and 1,899 clubs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Mexico. The company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, called the Judgment Free Zone®.

Larry Meyer, Chairman, JLM Financial Partners, added, “As strong proponents of the growing fitness and wellness market, we are extremely proud of United PF’s growth and success during our investment. Trey Owen and his team have been excellent partners, outstanding stewards of the Planet Fitness brand and we wish them continued success.”

“Our partnership had a clear vision to invest in Planet Fitness as the market leader,” said Andrew Hirsekorn, Partner, Eagle Merchant Partners. “In partnership with JLM and under Trey Owen’s strong leadership, we were able to build a top tier management team, acquire additional Planet Fitness markets and build new clubs in attractive whitespace.”