By John Dobberstein, Editor
A golf industry group that began managing The Club at Forest Ridge last year announced plans to take the club fully private in November, which will end the club’s longtime status as a top daily fee course in the state.
Bobby Jones Links, a boutique golf management company based in suburban Atlanta, announced last May that it was managing the club, which opened in 1989 on land that was once a working cattle ranch owned by L.S. Robson, grandfather of the club’s developer and founder, the late Joe Robson.
BJL told golf magazines this week the decision was made, “after a year of tremendous growth and investments in top-tier member amenities.”
The Club at Forest Ridge is known for its upscale lifestyle amenities and surrounding master-planned community. Officials said they’ve been working to improve customer service and facilities, including the indoor racquet sports, pool, dining area and clubhouse. Officials said about 100 new members joined the club last year.
David Robson, the Club’s CEO, said that confirmed it was the right time to transition to fully private membership. “This is a defining moment for the club, our team, and our members. The pride in what we’ve built and the excitement for what’s ahead are at an all-time high,” Robson said in a statement.
The Club also announced the appointment of a new general manager, Oklahoma native Cody Lack. He is a 24-year Class A PGA of America Golf Professional. BJL says Lack has 30 years of experience in the golf industry and worked in 7 states throughout his career, including more than 13 years of overseeing full-facility operations.
Lack was general manager at Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado, Ark., and was head professional at Rose Creek Golf Club in Edmond when it opened in 2004. He ran Meadowlake Golf Course in Enid from 2009 to 2017.
“Seeing how this incredible property has grown, I’m very excited for the opportunity to be part of something special at Forest Ridge,” Lack said in a statement. “It’s a place that’s rich with culture and amenities and it’s in an ideal location.”
Amy Buchanan, vice president of revenue management at BJL, said Lack is “well-versed on the golf and food-and-beverage parts of the business, has executive skills, and a good executive level background. He comes to us very well rounded to manage a property the size, scope, and vision of The Club at Forest Ridge. Most importantly, he brings a renewed leadership to our team.”
“Today’s private clubs must be dynamic and offer amenities and program for members of all ages and interests. Cody has been successful in his career transitioning properties — that experience is invaluable to us as we move through this transition to being private,” said Ken Nicholas, vice president of operations at BJL.
The Club at Forest Ridge has an 18-hole, Randy Heckenkemper-designed championship golf course, as well as two clubhouses, Southern style dining, and a private social club called The Ridge Club featuring a fitness facility, resort-style pool, tennis courts, pickleball and newly opened indoor climate-controlled racquets dome.
Other private clubs in Broken Arrow include Cedar Ridge Country Club — which hosted a stop on the fledgling LIV tour in 2023 — Indian Springs Country Club, Broken Arrow Golf & Athletic Club and The Golf Club of Broken Arrow. Membership options for The Club at Forest Ridge are on the club website at www.theclubatforestridge.com.
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