Larry Fitzgerald, Andy Roddick Among Investors In Golf’s Whoosh Platform

Golf operations software might not be the most exciting part of the golf business, but it’s another vital part of a booming industry that’s drawing investors.

Whoosh, Inc., which was founded in 2022 to provide intuitive operations and hospitality solutions primarily for private golf and racquet clubs, has closed a $10.3 million Series A funding round involving a handful of venture capital firms as well as professional athletes. Former NFL receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., a future Hall of Famer, is among a group of notable investors that also includes former pro tennis player Andy Roddick and professional golfers Kurt Kitayama and Alison Lee.

With its modernized digital platform – including a cloud-based reservation system – Whoosh has brought cutting-edge technology to club managers and hospitality providers, helping create a better way to communicate with members and customers while streamlining workflows for operations staff.

The new funding allows Whoosh to take it’s platform already used by many of the top private golf clubs in the U.S. to more public facilities, creating greater access for recreational players and better enabling operators to provide the highest levels of hospitality.

“We intend to further enhance our product to meet the needs of facilities of all sizes, and scale our operations to match the increased demand we are seeing from North America and beyond,” said Whoosh CEO and co-founder Colin Read, noting that accelerated growth in ‘eatertainment,’ resorts, and additional racquet venues will also be part of the company’s strategic plans.

The $10+ million round of financing comes after Whoosh announced a partnership with Square, a move designed to revolutionize the way public golf courses and daily-fee facilities manage operations and commerce. New integrations are expected to be completed later this summer, the company said, and its public product will be further refined before year-end, a move that should help solidify Whoosh’s standing as a leader in omni-channel data experiences.

Fitzgerald, who played 17 years in the NFL, is an avid golfer and member at several private golf clubs – among them Whisper Rock (Arizona), Seminole (Florida) and Spring Hill (Minnesota) – and said he was sold on the “game-changing” technology after seeing how it elevates the member experience.

“I was proud to invest in Whoosh because I’m excited about bringing this technology to even more facilities, enabling better hospitality and creating greater digital access in the sports industry,” said Fitzgerald.

Among the institutional investors participating in the Series A funding round led by AlleyCorp are 8VC, Alaris Capital, Bienville, Craft Ventures, Eberg Capital, Operator Partners, and Raptor Group. In addition to its cloud-based, tablet-focused tee sheet, Whoosh’s booking tools put reservation control in the hands of players – whether for golf, golf simulators, and lessons, racquet sports, fitness, and more.