Golf’s Par 3 Grass League Gets $2.75 Million Funding To Fuel Expansion

Celebration at a Grass League match at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona, the Par 3 league’s flagship venue.

Grass League

Grass League, the world’s first high-stakes par-3 golf league, has closed a $2.75 million round of funding to help accelerate its mission to establish par-3 golf as a standalone sport. The round was led by Creator Sports Capital – the investment firm behind Good Good Golf’s recent $45 million fundraise – and Old Tom Capital, signaling strong investor confidence in the league’s innovative approach to competitive golf.

Founded in 2023, the Grass League has quickly evolved from startup concept to a competitive outlet for professional and amateur golfers that’s built a worldwide audience through digital storytelling and its high-energy format. The league’s events have attracted ex-professional athletes such as former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel and tennis player Mardy Fish, golf creators like Good Good Golf, LPGA professionals including Sarah Schmelzel, Lauren Coughlin, and Allison Lee, and PGA Tour caddies such as Joe Greiner (Justin Thomas) and Ricky Romano (Rickie Fowler).

“This fundraising round will be used to build a strong foundation for long-term league growth,” said CEO and co-founder Jake Hoselton. “Specifically, we’re expanding our media team to elevate and expand content production capabilities. The fundraise will also be used to expand the executive team hiring a seasoned front office and commissioner.”

The moves represent a significant professionalization of the league’s structure, positioning Grass League to amplify visibility of its competitive format as well as its 11 teams and players across both digital and live platforms. The league currently streams live events on Peacock, YouTube, and Golf Channel’s linear broadcast.

Expansion Beyond Arizona

While the league’s flagship venue at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona, has served as its home base, expansion plans are in motion.

“The Par 3 golf movement is accelerating across the U.S., and we’re seeing a wave of new course developments, many of which are being designed with lights and media infrastructure in mind,” Hoselton said.

The league is actively pursuing venues that mirror the culture and energy of its Arizona home, especially short courses and Par 3 facilities that haven’t previously hosted competitive sanctioned events. Among them is Goat Hill Park in Oceanside, California, which in August is hosting the league’s two-day Summer Grind and will have its traditional par 65 “short course” routing modified to play as an 18-hole par 3 layout. Each of the league’s 11 franchises will field four 2-person teams, with the 88 golfers competing for $100,000 in prize money.

“In just two seasons, the Grass League has cemented Par 3 golf as a legitimate opportunity for golfers to gain exposure, win purse earnings, and secure endorsement deals to support their career,” said Hoselton. “The unique format levels the playing field, allowing both men and women and professionals and amateurs to compete on the same course for the same prize money.

“This capital will allow us to continue expanding the league’s reach, elevating the competition, and bringing the excitement of Par 3 golf to a rapidly growing fan base,” Hoselton added, noting that many of the most action-packed fan experiences at traditional tournaments are at par 3 holes like the 17th at TPC Sawgrass during the Players Championship or the 16th at TPC Scottsdale during the WM Phoenix Open.

Scaling the Format

The 2026 season promises significant expansion – both of the league’s calendar and competitive ecosystem.

“Expect more tournaments, including celebrity pro-am style events that lead into our marquee competitions – similar to how traditional tours build event momentum,” said Hoselton.

A key component of this expansion is scaling the Grass League Match series, hosted by social media golf personality Paige Spiranac. These matches will now count toward franchise standings and will be filmed and released in a YouTube style series with the goal of deepening fan relationships with franchises and players.

Franchise Growth and Ownership Diversity

The league currently has 11 franchises representing cities across the U.S. and Canada, and has opened applications for a 12th through a request-for-proposal process. In terms of what Grass League is looking for, Hoselton points to three key things: “strong market, strong ownership group, and strong ties to that respective sports market.”

The diverse ownership base – one that ranges from Good Good Golf (Dallas Horsemen) and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark (San Diego Munis) to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (Los Angeles Roses) – has been “absolutely essential” to the league’s early success.

Said Hoselton: “Just like in major sports leagues, each ownership group brings a unique identity, shaped by their backgrounds, industries, and the communities they represent.”

Investor Confidence in the Vision

The investment confidence reflects trends in not only the popularity of golf and the game’s evolution but sports entertainment more broadly.

“The brilliance of The Grass League lies in its transformation of a universal pastime into a compelling, creator-driven sport,” said Brian Kabot, Co-Managing Partner of Creator Sports Capital. “What impressed us most is how they’ve built more than just a league; they’ve cultivated a vibrant digital community where passion and creativity are the main event.”

Matthew Erley, Managing Partner at Old Tom Capital, emphasized the league’s alignment with evolving sports consumption patterns as it positions itself as a viable alternative to traditional competitive golf.

Said Erley: “Grass League’s franchise-driven, media-first model not only reinvents what a professional golf league can look like, it expands who gets to participate and who gets to watch.” It also might help determine who the best Par 3 golfers in the world are.