Robert Rowling, the man behind TRT Holdings, had never imagined owning 26 golf courses, but the Covid pandemic changed everything. During the pandemic, he invested $500 million into the game of golf, culminating in the construction of the Omni PGA Frisco in Texas. This golf resort spans 660 acres on the former Fields Ranch in Frisco, Texas, featuring two championship courses designed by Beau Welling and Gil Hanse. The property also includes a 500-room resort and spa, guesthouses, and a members-only clubhouse, making it a premier destination for golf enthusiasts.
The Omni PGA Frisco has already hosted prestigious events like the Senior PGA Championship and is set to host the Women’s PGA Championship in 2025, the PGA Championship in 2027, and the Ryder Cup in the future. The resort offers a variety of amenities for both seasoned golfers and beginners, including a two-acre green called the Dance Floor and a 10-hole, par-3 course that is lit until 10 p.m. The facility also features a bar and grill, indoor practice range spots, and full food and beverage services, making it a unique experience for golf enthusiasts.
The resort is part of the larger Fields Ranch development, a $10 billion master-planned community that will include 10,000 homes, a 600-unit condo tower, and 18 million square feet of retail and office space. TRT Holdings, founded by Robert Rowling in 1989, owns and operates Omni Hotels & Resorts, which boasts 60 properties across America and Canada, including 26 golf courses. The company generated an estimated $3 billion in revenue last year and has minimal debt, making it a profitable venture for Rowling.
Rowling’s journey into the hospitality industry began in the early 1990s when he acquired two hotels in Corpus Christi. His interest in hotels stemmed from their ability to produce a steady stream of cash, unlike oil wells that diminish over time. Over the years, he expanded his hotel portfolio, acquiring Omni Hotels for $500 million in 1996 and investing in properties like the Mt. Washington resort in New Hampshire and Amelia Island in Georgia. Rowling’s vision for Omni Hotels was to differentiate it from other hotel chains by vertically integrating its operations and focusing on long-term value.
Omni Hotels has established public-private partnerships with various cities to build convention center hotels, financing growth projects with cash from operations. Rowling’s personal guarantee on TRT Holdings projects has made them attractive to municipalities looking to invest in hospitality infrastructure. The success of projects like the Omni Frisco in Texas and other upcoming ventures demonstrates Rowling’s commitment to innovation and long-term growth. With plans for new developments in Fort Lauderdale, Raleigh, and Mexico, TRT Holdings continues to expand its footprint in the hospitality industry, with golf resorts at the forefront of its growth strategy.
