JONESBOROUGH, TN & IRVINE, CA (December 10, 2024) – Evergreen Partners, an emerging owner-operator of private golf and country clubs, is pleased to announce the acquisition of The Blackthorn Club from its founding developers, Rab Summers and Duke Ingram.
Since its establishment in 1997, The Blackthorn Club has set the standard for premier private club living in Northeast Tennessee. The vision of the Summers and Ingram families brought to life an esteemed full-service country club featuring an Arthur Hills-designed championship golf course, a stately clubhouse offering multiple indoor and outdoor dining venues, a 17,000-square-foot indoor tennis and fitness facility, four outdoor tennis courts, three pickleball courts, a children’s playground, and a junior Olympic pool. The Blackthorn Club has earned national acclaim for its culinary excellence, ranked #19 in the nation, and for its exceptional golf course, which has hosted elite amateur and collegiate tournaments that launched the careers of five major champions.
A Legacy Entrusted to Evergreen Partners
“When Evergreen Partners approached us, we hadn’t planned to sell and lacked a defined succession plan,” said Duke Ingram, Co-Owner and Founding Partner. “But their vision for The Blackthorn Club and commitment to maintaining its legacy gave us confidence. As proud residents of this community, surrounded by friends and neighbors, we sought a successor who could uphold the values we’ve cultivated over decades. We recognized that the operator’s quality and the club’s long-term success would influence home values and the reputation of the community we built. With Evergreen, we found a partner who shares our dedication to excellence and community.”
In a letter to club members, Co-Owner and Managing Partner, Rab Summers added, “At this stage in our lives, it became clear that transitioning the club to a trusted partner for the next few decades was the right decision. Evergreen impressed us with their experience, focus on member and employee satisfaction, and plans for future investment. We’re thrilled to recoup some of our initial investment and now simply enjoy the club as members alongside our friends and family, knowing it’s in capable hands.”
A New Era of Stewardship
Matthew Hobbins, Founder and CEO of Evergreen Partners, shared: “It is an honor to be entrusted with the next chapter of The Blackthorn Club’s history—a responsibility we embrace with enthusiasm and care. Our team is dedicated to thoughtful investments in both the property and its people, with a focus on enhancing the member andemployee experience. At its heart, private club living is about fostering connection and belonging. We are excited to build on the vibrant spirit of Blackthorn’s membership and continue the remarkable legacy established by the Summers and Ingram families.”
Steve Windham, incoming General Manager, echoed this sentiment: “We’ve appreciated the warm welcome from both the members and team. The area’s strong growth, highlighted by USA Today’s ranking of nearby Johnson City as the #1 place to live in Tennessee, makes this an opportune time to invest in the club and the surrounding community. The sizable waitlist of members seeking to join Blackthorn is further evidence of the strong foundation we intend to build upon.”
About Evergreen Partners:
Evergreen Partners specializes in acquiring and operating private golf and country clubs, focusing on elevating the member and employee experience through thoughtful investment and community engagement. Evergreen’s people-first culture, unique model of broad employee ownership, and commitment to relentless hospitality has attracted significant investment capital and a team of passionate, high-quality operators.
Media Contact
Matthew Hobbins, Founder & CEO
matthew@evergreenclubs.com | 949.482.8008
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