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 Posted On Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Creating a Customer Culture 
Creating a Customer Culture A Servant’s Mindset Proves a Triumphant Model The difference is summed up in five profound words, a phrase that has taken Billy Sitton, founder and CEO of Triumph Golf, from aspiring player to one of the most respected multi-course owners and operators in the golf industry. “Service with a servant’s heart,” Sitton said in his disarming, down-home Texas twang. “It’s just that simple. That is the philosophy that drives everything we do. Listen to your members and give them what they want in a professional manner. When you’re looking to make a difference in any operation in any market, that philosophy will always be well received. We’ve also found that you will almost universally be more profitable if you follow that rule.” Sitton stumbled upon this business philosophy more than three decades ago. “I thought I could play for a living,” he said. “A few of the executives from ClubCorp sponsored me through Q School. But they told me that if I didn’t make it, I had to work for them a year. He didn’t make it, but the selflessness of those ClubCorp executives stuck with him and he stayed with the company. “That 12-month commitment turned into 28 years,” Sitton said. He became senior vice president of golf and country clubs, working closely with ClubCorp founder Bob Dedman and his son, Robert, as they grew the company to 376 golf clubs, the largest golf operator in the world.“Mr. Dedman had what he referred to as a three-legged stool philosophy,” Sitton said. “You run the business like a three-legged stool: one leg is the members, one leg is the employees and one leg is the financial partners. If you make all your decisions trying to keep that stool in balance, you will be successful.” So, after almost three decades with ClubCorp, Sitton walked away from a great job to go out on his own. That was the genesis of Triumph. In 2012, he partnered with some of his old buddies from ClubCorp to purchase two clubs: Cypress Lakes in Houston and Pebble Creek in College Station, Texas. Two years later, he purchased Longwood Golf Club in Houston. Then in late 2015 and early 2016, Sitton and his partners purchased two clubs in the Atlanta area, Heritage Golf Links and Woodmont Golf and Country Club. That gave Triumph six clubs in three states. Service with a servant’s heart. Listen to customer needs, explain your plans, deliver on your promises, and then ask for their help in making your club a financial success. “We always say, enhance the value of belonging,” Sitton said. “We strive to make your experience with us so good that when the economy goes bad, you’ll stop going to Starbucks before you drop your membership at one of our clubs. We want to make it that much a part of your life.” That philosophy and business model has worked wonders on all fronts.
 Posted On Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Fairy Tale Wedding at Pebble Creek 
Fairy Tale Wedding: Ryan and Melissa Swope By Melissa Swope Ryan and I met through a mutual friend. He was having a get together one night and we both randomly just started talking and exchanged numbers…and the rest is fairy tale history. He proposed on Kyle Field, the day following his Pro Day at Texas A&M University. As we were on our way to dinner, Ryan got a phone call to do a last-minute interview, taking place at the field, which ended up being a ploy just to get me there. As we were walking toward the 50-yard line, Ryan began telling me he was in love with me and wanted to spend forever together. As he continued with sweet words, he held a football in his hands and said, "If you catch this, it will be the catch of your life." Thank goodness I caught the pass, and just as I realized there was an engagement ring tied to the laces of the ball, Ryan was in front of me down on one knee. He did great and had photographers there to capture this special moment. After taking pictures, we went to the Dixie Chicken to celebrate with our family and close friends. Ryan and I got married on the one-year anniversary of our engagement. Although we had begun our journey to other parts of the country, we knew we wanted to get married in College Station, as this was where we met. We love everything about this town! We chose Pebble Creek because it is such a pretty building, and I love that it is on the golf course. Also, we had a fairly large wedding, so I knew it would be able to accommodate the number of people we wanted to invite. We ended up with around 500 guests. At Pebble Creek, everyone we worked with was absolutely amazing! They worked with us effortlessly to make sure this day was going to turn out exactly how we wanted. The food was great, the club was beautiful, and everything flowed just how we wanted it go. We styled our reception throughout the Clubhouse featuring international food stations that were presented beautifully. This was designed so that we could enjoy mixing and mingling with our guests and family and they could do the same. My favorite part of our wedding day was getting to celebrate with all of our friends; from childhood buddies to lifelong friends we met throughout our years in college and with our amazing families, of course! The most unique part was having my grandpa marry us! The ceremony could not have been more personal; it was perfect. Also, my dad passed away when I was in high school so my mom walked me down the aisle. It wasn't just unique, it was very special. I wouldn’t have changed a thing!
 Posted On Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Pebble Creek Country Club announces the opening of its Group Fitness Room at the Club 
The Club, under the new ownership of Triumph Golf, LLC, has been reviving the Club through a million dollar capital infusion and a renewed energy led by a strong management team with a servant’s heart.
 Posted On Monday, June 24, 2013
Triumph Golf Launches A Website Redesign 
Houston-based Triumph Golf collaborated with Clubessential to launch a redesigned and retooled website the week of June 24, 2013. Triumph Golf is an owner/operator company that invests in the acquisition and operations of Private and Semi-Private Golf Clubs and Resorts. Triumphgolf.com is an introduction to the resources provided by but not limited to all aspects of the club business including: acquisitions, development, marketing, operations and divestitures at some of the premier clubs in the industry.
 Posted On Friday, December 21, 2012
Triumph Club Management Partners with Pebble Creek Interests to Acquire Pebble Creek Country Club  
Triumph Club Management, LLC announced that it has partnered with Pebble Creek Interests on its acquisition of Pebble Creek Country Club [4500 Pebble Creek Parkway, College Station, TX 77845]. Pebble Creek Interests purchased Pebble Creek Country Club from Pebble Creek Country Club, LLC, for an undisclosed amount. The club will be managed by Pebble Creek Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Club Management.
 Posted On Monday, May 14, 2012
Triumph Club Management Partners with Cypress Lakes Investment to Acquire Cypress Lakes Golf Club 
Triumph Club Management, LLC announced that it has partnered with Cypress Lakes Investment on its acquisition of Cypress Lakes Golf Club [18700 Cypresswood Drive, Cypress, TX 77429]. Cypress Lakes Investment purchased Cypress Lakes from One West Bank, owner of record since March 2011, for an undisclosed amount. The club will be managed by Cypress Lakes Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Club Management.