The wide-ranging marketing company Buffalo Groupe – which has a large client list in various parts of the golf industry – has been acquired by ClubWorks, a Florida-based company focused on the club, leisure and hospitality industries.
Based in Charleston, S.C., Buffalo Groupe will retain its identity as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ClubWorks. Kyle Ragsdale will remain as CEO, and Emily Clark was promoted to president and chief marketing officer of Buffalo Groupe. Both will join ClubWorks’ board of directors.
Buffalo Groupe was founded more than two decades ago and was spun out of Billy Casper Golf as Buffalo Agency in 2019 before being rebranded as Buffalo Groupe with clients in golf, travel and real estate. With a roster of some 100 employees nationwide, its clients have included the USGA, fitting company Club Champion, Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic, Omni Hotels, Golf Channel and many others.
“Buffalo Groupe was founded on the premise that golf and other highly engaged ‘escape’ industries represent an incredible marketing vehicle,” Ragsdale said in a media release announcing the acquisition. “Our roster of clients and passionate team members have validated our strategy.”
ClubWorks was formed in 2022 as a professional services platform with subsidiaries that now include Peacock + Lewis, JBD JGA Design and Architecture, Private Club Films, Visionary Spectacle Studios and GGA Partners.
“Our portfolio of companies is purpose-built, assembling best-in-class firms with focused expertise to meet the diverse needs of club, leisure and hospitality businesses,” Michael Leemhuis, chairman and CEO of ClubWorks, said in the media release. “With the addition of Buffalo Groupe, we’re elevating our offering with industry-leading expertise in creative, digital marketing, events, public relations and research as a significant value-add to existing clients and prospects.”