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I know that there has been some confusion and rumors running rampant concerning recent events involving LinksCorp and Kemper Sports. I have purposely waited until I could copy verbatim what the press release, issued today by the two companies, states. If, after reading this press release, you still have questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Please do this instead of creating or reiterating rumors that are not based on the entire truth of the matter.
As my immediate boss has stressed to the staff and myself, there should be no change at the individual site level except that the staff will receive their paychecks from Kemper Sports Management instead of LinksCorp LLC.
Please review the following press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KemperSports Assumes Management of LinksCorp Courses
NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 24, 2008 – KemperSports and LinksCorp Holdings (“LinksCorp”) have reached an agreement whereby KemperSports will assume management of LinksCorp’s 14 properties, the companies have jointly announced. Several of LinksCorp’s executives and staff, including LinksCorp President Ben Blake, will join KemperSports’ senior management team.
LinksCorp will continue as a holding company, with its properties under contract to KemperSports for marketing and management. KemperSports will assist LinksCorp Holdings in the evaluation and disposition of certain properties in the LinksCorp portfolio.
LinksCorp’s portfolio of private clubs and daily-fee courses is primarily based in the southeastern United States, where KemperSports has been growing over the past several years.
“We are delighted to welcome Ben and the LinksCorp staff to our family of ‘best in class’ properties,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We expect to collaborate to maximize the results of the remaining LinksCorp portfolio and to incorporate the LinksCorp team’s combined decades of operating experience to benefit our portfolio, particularly in the Southeast,” he said.
Ben Blake, who had a successful career at KemperSports before founding
LinksCorp in 1991, will be named an executive vice president of KemperSports.
“This combination will serve to strengthen the management of our LinksCorp properties and staff,” said Blake. “On a personal level, I am excited to be rejoining KemperSports and look forward to becoming a member of its very experienced management team to build on the company’s long history of success.”
Skinner said the transaction would broaden KemperSports’ footprint with the company now operating in 27 states, Puerto Rico and Latin America.
About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports operates golf facilities as well as athletic clubs, lodging venues and major sporting events, including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Chambers Bay, Harding Park, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, The Glen Club, the Chicago Park District golf facilities and Desert Willow Golf Resort. Affiliate KemperSports Marketing & Communications, a sports marketing, events and public relations agency, has produced and managed major national and international events and communications programs, including the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational college basketball tournament, numerous PGA TOUR events and The Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert. For more information, visit http://www.kempersports.com.
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