Pro Shop acquisition of GolfWRX

[hwwong]

Not sure where else to post this, but hadn't seen any news on the forums regarding the recent acquisition. 

 

This is great if true:

"Under Pro Shop, GolfWRX will remain editorially independent and community driven, while gaining support to Pro Shop’s creative and production capabilities and expanded PGA Tour access."

 

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/07/23/pro-shop-acquires-website-golfwrx-as-it-continues-to-build-out-its-portfolio/

 

 

<<<<CLOSED THIS THREAD AND STARTED A NEW ONE HERE. CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE IT>>>>

Edited July 26 by easyyy
Started a new one

[StoutKing]

Can't blame anyone for taking the $$$

[TiScape]

What’s “pro shop”? 
 

*nvr mind. Read the link! 😂 

Never heard of it previously 

**looks like any harsh reviews of Happy Gilmore 2 will b frowned upon 😬

haha

Edited July 25 by TiScape

[Fairways_and_Greens]

Interesting. So Pro Shop has been around a year and is the producer of Full Swing and Creator Classic…

 

They’ve bought WRX, Skratch, Sugarloaf, and who knows what else. 
 

Chad Mumm is one owner that spent most his life on video content at Vox. Joe Purzycki, the other owner is Vox media and looks to be the money guy. Curious to who is funding all these acquisitions….

 

Skratch got worse in the last year and I had to unfollow. Curious to see how this goes. 

[Pnwpingi210]

I’ve seen some Chad mumm interviews.  Hopefully things don’t change around here……

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

2 hours ago, hwwong said:

GolfWRX will remain editorially independent and community driven,

Is easy to say now.  And what else are they really going to say?

 

I guess we'll see.  Congrats on the payday, Founders!

[Rory4Pres]

Maybe, just maybe, they can finally come out with an android and apple app.

[Pnwpingi210]

[JimMLINY]

What could possibly go wrong?

[WesternRacing]

4 hours ago, Fairways_and_Greens said:

 

Chad Mumm is one owner that spent most his life on video content at Vox. Joe Purzycki, the other owner is Vox media and looks to be the money guy. Curious to who is funding all these acquisitions….

 

 

They’re VC backed and also have investment from the PGA Tour.  Sounds like they’re trying to do for golf media what they did for broader media at Vox.  Vox has done pretty well.

[QuigleyDU]

They hiring? lol!! I am pretty good at golf and can talk it up with the best of them. lol 

[getair23]

1 minute ago, QuigleyDU said:

They hiring? lol!! I am pretty good at golf and can talk it up with the best of them. lol 

Long commute from Down Unda? 😃

[QuigleyDU]

8 minutes ago, getair23 said:

Long commute from Down Unda? 😃

If the price is right! lol. I have made the trip before to shoot coyotes. 

[DFS PFD]

More advertising inbound...

[bobfoster]

Holy Moly. 

 

Slightly odd, however, that we found out through a normal discussion thread with a website link - and not by an official announcement by the WRX boys. 

 

Really wonder if (and/or how) our community is going to change. 

 

This is actually really big news.

Edited July 26 by bobfoster

[hwwong]

4 minutes ago, bobfoster said:

Holy Moly. 

 

Slightly odd, however, that we found out through a normal discussion thread with a website link - and not by an official announcement by the WRX boys. 

agreed. I found it through social media. Searched the forums first and found nothing. 

[CPT_LHR_ATL]

Quote

The acquisition marks another strategic step in Pro Shop’s mission to build a modern golf company designed to super-serve the full spectrum of golf fans. Since launching just over a year ago, Pro Shop has served as lead producer for the hit Netflix docuseries “Full Swing,” launched the Creator Classic presented by YouTube, served as co-producer on the upcoming “Happy Gilmore 2″ film and acquired lifestyle apparel brand Sugarloaf Social Club. The company also operates Skratch, a digital content hub delivering short-form storytelling, longform IP and social-first coverage.

 

I can't wait to be super-served by a modern golf company launched just over a year ago!

 

So f****** pumped.

 

Woo.

[bobfoster]

4 minutes ago, CPT_LHR_ATL said:

 

I can't wait to be super-served by a modern golf company launched just over a year ago!

 

So f****** pumped.

 

Woo.

Problem with the internet is that you can't see body language, facial expressions, or hear intonation. But I suspect I hear a note of sarcasm here? 😂

Edited July 26 by bobfoster

[subcrazy12]

Unfortunate news. They basically ruined Sugarloaf in record speed and Skratch isn't as good either.

 

I don't blame anyone for taking the money but it's unfortunate

[CPT_LHR_ATL]

16 minutes ago, bobfoster said:

Problem with the internet is that you can't see body language, facial expressions, or hear intonation. But I suspect I hear a note of sarcasm here? 😂

 

“It’s so incredibly hard to build real community online, and GolfWRX has done that in a really meaningful way and in a scaled way,” Pro Shop co-founder & CEO Joe Purzycki said. “It’s just an amazing thing to interact with. From a Pro Shop perspective, we just love the community aspect of what they built, the scale of it and the engagement. It’s a really hard thing to replicate, and we’re excited about being stewards of that community.”

 

One of the best ways to cultivate your community is to not inform or engage your community about big changes affecting your community. Allegedly.

[tatertot]

Wonder what kind of non-compete agreement was signed.

[Hawkeye77]

10 hours ago, bobfoster said:

Holy Moly. 

 

Slightly odd, however, that we found out through a normal discussion thread with a website link - and not by an official announcement by the WRX boys. 

 

Really wonder if (and/or how) our community is going to change. 

 

This is actually really big news.

 

I'll see your "odd" and raise you "bizarre".

 

A little late now for an announcement here if one was ever contemplated - not a good look at all for the "community" or a good vibe about the new owner IMO.  

 

I'm guessing current ownership not allowed to talk until it was final and at that point in the hands of the new owner who gets to direct communication about the change, and now we know the level of care for the members coming from that direction, but probably lots and lots of details the world will never know, nor has a right to know. 

 

I'll be sure to track my "ClubWRX" when it comes for renewal - no sense in which the site needs money from the members now, IMO. I'll spend the money in my actual pro shop. 

Edited July 26 by Hawkeye77

[Holy Moses]

Who had owned this site up until it was sold? 

[1t2golf]

6 minutes ago, Holy Moses said:

Who had owned this site up until it was sold? 

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/57923/how-and-when-was-golfwrx-created/ 

 

[CyFan]

I’ve been on this site for nearly 20 years and enjoyed everything.  Hoping an ownership change doesn’t ruin its legacy.

[RSinSG]

99% of my time on WRX is in the forums with an occasional visit to an article I get an email about. I really don’t know what goes on in the rest of the site so any changes there won’t affect me. I’m hoping the forums won’t be ruined by corporate ownership as I’ve seen happen to other sites.

 

I’ve been a since 2014 and was a lurker for several years before joining. The WRX forums are where I get my golf fix, and I feel like I’ve gotten to know people here though I realize that is an illusion as in reality it’s anonymous postings from strangers. That said, WRX has some very witty posters, as well as very knowledgeable experts that make browsing on the site not only entertaining but a good use of my time as I’ve learned a lot over the years.

 

I truly hope things don’t change.

[hwwong]

44 minutes ago, 1t2golf said:

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/57923/how-and-when-was-golfwrx-created/ 

 

 

"That lead me to believe that I was in the wrong place and needed to find a place that wasn’t motivated by profit but was motivated by the simple objective to create a place that was for the golfers well being and no other reason. Due to the lack of options out there we started GolfWRX. It was built for golfers by golfers. The owners all have day jobs and careers that do not lean on proceeds from GolfWRX. All the money GolfWRX has made to date has gladly been reinvested in to the site to make it better for the members. We do not sell equipment and will not do so in fear of spinning reviews and opinions.

 

...

 

Let me say this again. I (and many others) didn’t dedicate the last 8 years on this site to make money. This place is not a business as much as it is a sacred place we have built for golfers. We have this special place here that will always stay clean and unbiased. I am fortunate that I don’t need the money that we could make here. Money that we have generated here has all gone back to the company to make it better and better. Wait and see what we are going to do next for 2011! I have a career and have always been very lucky and fortunate in my business life. I started WRX not make a buck, but to have a special place were we can be proud to support and be a member."

 

 

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

12 hours ago, tatertot said:

Wonder what kind of non-compete agreement was signed.

Related, if the alleged new owners are involved in selling new and used golf equipment, what pressure may that put on B/S/T?

 

Sorry for the pessimism.  IME, rarely has an ownership change on something like this, improved things for the customers.  'En-(word not allowed)tification', OTOH?  Yeah, I've seen that a lot.  We'll see.

[Holy Moses]

2 hours ago, 1t2golf said:

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/57923/how-and-when-was-golfwrx-created/ 

 

Thanks. I’ve seen that thread before. I didn’t know if there was an ownership change between now and then.

[NV825]

As long as the forum side doesn't have any drastic changes, like a membership fee, then it really doesn't matter who owns this place to me.