By Lilly Riddle
Two prominent Orange County golf clubs, Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club — located at 25291 Vista Del Verde — and Aliso Viejo Country Club — located at 33 Santa Barbara Dr. — have been sold in a transaction totaling over $120 million. The deal, one of the largest in the region this year, according to a report from the Commercial Observer, involved the transfer of ownership from Dallas-based club operator Invited (formerly ClubCorp) to an Irvine-based firm, STI USA Corp. Property records indicate that the 36-hole Coto de Caza club sold for nearly $81 million, while the 18-hole Aliso Viejo club sold for $40.6 million.
Coto de Caza, a former hunting preserve whose name translates to “preserve of the hunt,” according to the report is a historic property established in 1995. It boasts two courses designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. and stands as Orange County’s first private, 36-hole country club. The club’s facilities include a 23,081-square-foot clubhouse with a 14,000-square-foot fitness center, 10 racquet courts and multiple pools, per the report.
Aliso Viejo Country Club features an 18-hole course redesigned by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus. According to the report, the club’s expansive 216-acre lot houses a 36,000-square-foot clubhouse equipped with a fitness center, locker rooms, a dining room and card rooms.
While STI USA Corp. has not publicly commented on the acquisition, sources indicated to the Commercial Observer that the firm has ties to a wealthy Korean family with a multinational conglomerate. These sources suggest that the purchase of the two clubs is a “passion project” for the new owners, per the report.
Invited, the seller in this transaction, has been divesting properties since 2020, with more than 20 clubs sold for a combined $275 million. According to the report, the sale of Coto de Caza and Aliso Viejo marks the company’s exit from the Orange County market. However, as part of the deal, Invited will continue to manage both clubs.
This transaction reflects the dynamic nature of the real estate market in Orange County and the enduring appeal of golf as a leisure activity and investment opportunity. While the future plans of STI USA Corp. for the two clubs remain undisclosed, the substantial investment made in this acquisition suggests a commitment to maintaining and potentially enhancing the golfing experience for members and guests.
