Private Equity Firms Tee Off for Golf Deals 'Fore' IRR

Private equity firms started off 2014 by taking more than half of the golf transactions available on the market, according to data. Next, it remains to be seen if PE firms can manage to hit their way out of the rough: some retailers are facing a shortage in sales, which could in turn impact golf investors. There are big names on the course, and in the stores: OMERS Capital Partners, Riverside Co., and others, looking to do deals for everything for aftermarket golf cart parts to entire courses and academies to teach the next generation of players (and, buyers!). As the gentlemen's game faces a tough future, can GPs tee off on transactions?