Jasna Polana remains a golf club under new ownership ⋆ Local news from Princeton, NJ %

Concert Golf Partners, a Florida-based company that owns 34 upscale private golf and country clubs nationwide, has purchased Jasna Polana.

Some residents had feared, based on the content of the promotional materials distributed when the property was sold, that the exclusive golf club in Princeton would be closed permanently and the property would be converted into residential housing.

Concert Golf Partners was founded in 2011 by Peter Nanula, former founder and CEO of Arnold Palmer Golf Management, and co-founder Susan Dunnavant. Based near Orlando, the company is an experienced and leading buyer of private clubs. The company works to preserve the culture, identity and traditions of each club while making annual investments to improve amenities, service levels and the member experience, company officials said.

Concert Golf’s portfolio includes The Club at Pasadera in Monterey, Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma City, The Club at Longview in Charlotte and The Club at Renaissance in Fort Myers. The golf courses are designed by world-renowned golf architects such as Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.

Jasna Polana, a Polish phrase meaning “bright meadow,” is a 222-acre upscale private golf club and mansion located on Provinceline Road near the Lawrenceville border. The property includes event space, a tennis court, gardens with a reflecting pool, and two private 16-bedroom lodges for overnight stays.

Opened in 1998, Jasna Polana features an 18-hole golf course designed by World Golf Hall of Fame member Gary Player. According to Golfing Magazine, it is considered “one of the most coveted private club memberships” and “among the best private golf courses in New Jersey.” Players reportedly once called Jasna Polana “the best course of its kind” in the world.

The 45,000-square-foot clubhouse was built in 1975 as a private residence for Barbara Piasecka Johnson and J. Seward Johnson Sr., heirs to Johnson & Johnson. The property was designed by renowned architect Wallace Harrison, who also designed Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center and the United Nations headquarters. No expense was spared in the construction of the estate, which was designed to house Piasecka-Johnson’s famous art collection. At the time of its construction, it was one of the most expensive private residences in America.

After the death of J. Seward Johnson, Barbara Piasecka Johnson converted Jasna Polana into an exclusive private golf club, commissioned the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network to manage the facility, and commissioned nine-time major champion Gary Player to design the 6,500-meter golf course in 1998. The course has a rating of 75.0 and a slope of 145. In addition, the club offers a 3.5-hectare practice facility with a 5,577 m² practice tee and four putting areas.

“Jasna Polana will be an exceptional addition to Concert Golf Partners as the company continues to expand its portfolio of world-class, private golf clubs and provides a unique opportunity to advance the advancement and prosperity of the Princeton community,” said José Feliciano, co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital, a member of the Board of Directors of Concert Golf and a prominent alumnus of Princeton University.

In 2020, Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones, donated $20 million to nearby Princeton University to build two dormitories, contributing to Princeton University’s efforts to increase student enrollment by about 10 percent.

“We are honored to invest in a club with such a rich history, located in a community that has had a profound impact on my life. We look forward to contributing to the continued legacy and growth of the club and the vibrant community it supports,” said Feliciano.

Piasecka Johnson’s heirs have spent the last decade searching worldwide for a new owner for Jasna Polana with the help of Cushman & Wakefield. Andy Merin, vice chairman of Cushman & Wakefield, said a variety of investors wanted to buy the property and 20 offers were submitted to buy Jasna Polana.

“We were looking for a new owner who would not only maintain the club but also enhance it for our members. Concert Golf has clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving Jasna Polana’s rich traditions and history,” said Christopher Piasecki, President of Jasna Polana Golf Club. “Their vision is in line with our commitment to providing an exceptional experience for our members and ensuring Jasna Polana continues its legacy and thrives for generations to come.”

Concert plans to invest $3 million in Jasna Polana’s facilities to improve and add to the existing infrastructure, clubhouse and golf course. More than 100 rare works of art will remain on the property.

“Jasna Polana has an immense history, from its ties to the Piasecka Johnson family to its role in professional golf as a former host of the PGA TOUR Champions and the classic Wonderful World of Golf match between Tom Watson and Hal Sutton,” said Jordan Peace, senior vice president of corporate development for Concert Golf. “We are extremely selective in the clubs we add to our portfolio and are honored to be the new stewards of this world-class club. Our mission is to preserve and enhance great private clubs while honoring their culture and traditions in new and exciting ways.”