Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined local business and government leaders for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Omni PGA Frisco Resort on Tuesday.
Omni PGA Frisco Resort Vice President Jeff Smith opened the event by welcoming guests and contextualizing the project.
“We are opening today as a top ten destination resort in America,” he said, noting that work on the golf course and resort began 1,362 days — nearly four years — ago.
Smith thanked the many partners who, over the course of several years, helped make the project happen. He explained his belief that, in the next 10 to 15 years, one of the top players in the world on either the PGA or LPGA would be the direct result of the new installation.
“That kid is going to come from Frisco, Texas, because of what this project means for the game of golf,” he claimed.
TRT Holdings Owner Bob Rowling then introduced Gov. Abbott, highlighting how Texas has led the nation in economic development under Abbott’s leadership. TRT Holdings, based in Dallas, is the company that owns Omni Hotels in addition to various oil and gas investments.
“I thank God for Texas and I thank God for Greg Abbott and his leadership,” Rowling said. “There’s not a harder working human being in this country than him.”
“If you don’t think leadership matters, contrast Texas to California under Gavin Newsom,” Rowling said, noting that the economy in Texas has rebounded from COVID far faster than in California.
Gov. Abbott then took the stage and thanked Rowling, heralding his leadership and personal merits, which helped drive the success of this project.
“This place, a few years ago, was nothing more than a typical field of dreams,” Abbott said. But, through the work of Rowling and all the various stakeholders, it has become a “golfing and resort Mecca that is going to grow and expand.”
The governor called the project a “Texas-sized investment” that has turned the region, and Frisco specifically, into a “dream destination for golf lovers across the globe.”
“Even more growth and investment here in the Frisco area,” Abbott continued, adding, “This is going to be a bustling area that will provide prosperity for decades to come.”
“Texas has the fasted growing economy out of anywhere else in America … Texas is the economic jobs engine of America,” Abbott explained. “Texas is the place that businesses want to locate.”
“We’ve gone from ranking 12th in the world from when I became governor to being ranked 8th in the world if we were our own nation,” Abbott said, referencing how the state’s GDP compares to independent countries.
“So in the 187 years since Texas was founded, there has never been a better time to be a Texan,” the governor claimed.
Abbott then presented a printed proclamation to Rowling in recognition of the occasion and ended his remarks by saying, “God bless Texas.”
TRT Holdings President Blake Rowling spoke next, highlighting the business aspects of the project and detailing how the facilities will provide employment and recreational opportunities for local residents.
“It’s going to be a beehive of activity unlike anything else,” the younger Rowling said. He profusely thanked the people who spent years striving to bring the project to fruition.
Omni Hotels & Resorts President Kurt Alexander spoke next, agreeing that “Texas is a great place to do business.” He welcomed the guests to the facilities and detailed the specifics of the entertainment options available at the resort.
“Welcome to the new modern home of golf,” Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said before introducing members of the Frisco government. He highlighted that the Frisco ISD golf teams would utilize the facilities for training.
“This has far exceeded anything that we could have ever dreamed of,” the mayor added. “Join me in giving them a warm Frisco welcome.”
The speakers, led by Abbott, then cut the ribbon, officially opening the property.
The Omni hotel is situated squarely on the PGA complex, which will be the new home of the PGA and Northern Texas PGA headquarters.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony represented the culmination of years of planning and construction and well over a half billion dollars in investments.
The golf courses on the grounds were designed by Gil Hanse and Beau Welling. The Fields Ranch East course will host the Senior PGA Championship May 24-28.
