54 Launches ION 54 - Energising End-to-End Golf Solutions Worldwide
Industry leader unveils a first-of-its-kind integrated model uniting the full lifecycle of golf investments, development, operations, and commercial performance
London, 19th December 2025 — Global sports and entertainment group 54 today announced the launch of ION 54, an innovative new platform that unifies the company's extensive golf expertise under one energised, interconnected system.
ION 54 brings together strategic advisory, sustainability, development & construction, marketing & creative, agronomy, pre-opening & club management and sales & tourism into a single, seamless delivery model; connecting every stage of the golf value chain to deliver greater reliability, consistency, and sustained long-term value for investors, enterprises, developers, and destinations around the world.
Importantly, ION 54's offering also includes support for golf asset evaluation, transactions, and capital engagement ensuring investment decisions are aligned with operational reality and long-term performance.
At its core, ION 54 is designed to remove the fragmentation that hinders the golf industry. By integrating every discipline under one framework, ION 54 accelerates decision-making, sharpens execution, and ensures stronger commercial outcomes.
Leadership Commentary
Ed Edwards, CEO of 54, commented:
"Golf is in 54's DNA. With ION 54, we've built a structure that energises the entire lifecycle of multi-purpose golf investments ensuring planning, development, and operations work seamlessly together. This is how we protect investment value and deliver sustained performance.
Fragmentation has long challenged our industry. Multiple specialists working in isolation inevitably leads to misalignment, inefficiency, and costly corrections late in development. ION 54 removes that risk. It creates a single line of accountability and a connected, end-to-end framework that delivers tangible results from initial planning through to long-term operation."
54 has spent the past several years strategically strengthening its global capability through targeted investments, partnerships, and ecosystem expansion. Today, the group's unified network spans every major discipline of golf development, operations and performance, including commercial and capital-focused services that support investors and asset owners throughout the transaction lifecycle.
ION 54 not only incorporates the expertise of its own industry-leading team, but also relies upon the wider expertise and experience of three further groups: 54's wider service offering of Advisory, Commercial, Marketing and Events, 54's portfolio companies and its partner network.
Partner & Client Testimonials
Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, and member of the ION 54 partner network, said:
"ION 54 represents an exciting moment for the global golf industry, bringing new opportunities to scale sustainability and innovation across the breadth of 54's activities. We are delighted to be connected in bringing expertise, insights and non-profit industry programs to strengthen the resilience, profitability and wider social and environmental contribution of developments and destinations."
Rick Shiels, Founder of Rick Shiels Media, a 54 portfolio company since 2017, commented:
"ION 54 represents the ideal platform for us to expand beyond traditional content and into new areas of the golf industry. Built on our long-standing relationship with 54, the new ION 54 model brings their golf expertise, specialist skills and commercial thinking together within a single, integrated platform. By connecting creativity through content with tangible impact, it enables us to explore previously under-leveraged opportunities across golf, without losing sight of our audience."
John Clarkin, Founder of Turfgrass, part of the 54 family since 2024, said:
"Many of the world's leading golf developments would have benefited greatly from a more connected and coordinated delivery process. ION 54 will ensure they do. It gives investors a smarter, more reliable framework; one that considers every stage of a project end-to-end. We are proud to contribute to this vision and confident it will deliver exceptional value worldwide."
Andrew Johnston, General Manager, Sentosa Golf Club and longstanding 54 client added:
"What excites me about ION 54 is the way it brings everything together within a genuinely connected ecosystem. Being able to develop sustainability, major tournaments, brand and global positioning as interlinked parts of the same journey rather than independent workstreams, strengthens an already clear direction for our business."
Nuno Sepúlveda, Co-CEO Sports & Leisure, Details, a founding ION 54 client, commented:
"Our collaboration with 54 has been defined by strong alignment, deep expertise and a shared focus on excellence. What ION 54 does is bring that way of working together into a single, well-connected framework. For destinations like ours, it provides the confidence to innovate, evolve and continue setting new benchmarks on the world stage."
How ION 54 Works: A Fully Integrated Model
ION 54's operational model encompasses a system of four interconnected service streams, utilising expertise from its internal talent, 54's wider service offering, 54's portfolio company family and its partner network.
1. ION 54 Services
Capital Markets & Investment Advisory Asset Evaluation · Transaction Support · Divestment Strategy · Due Diligence · Post-Acquisition Integration
Strategic Advisory Master Planning · Feasibility & Market Analysis · Business Modelling & Planning · Revenue & Loyalty Strategies · Cost Optimisation & Data Insights · Project Oversight
Sustainability Economic, Social and Environmental impact modelling · Circular economy principles · Carbon footprint reduction · Sustainability certifications
Development & Construction Course Design Collaboration · Construction & Project Management · Recruitment & Training
Marketing & Creative Brand & Creative · Social Media & Advertising · PR & Earned Media · Live Events · Digital · Fan Development
Agronomy Agronomy & Maintenance Advisory · Tournament Preparation & Events
Pre-Opening & Management Business Modelling & Budgeting · Operational Setup & Systems · Agronomic Planning & Grow-In · Sales & Marketing Strategy · Project Management · Club Operations & Business Planning · Finance & Shared Services · Sales, Marketing & F&B
Sales & Tourism Revenue & Sales Strategy · Product Development · Sales Distribution Partnerships · International Sales Networks · Loyalty Programs
2. 54 Services
- Advisory — Providing strategic development, benchmarking, feasibility analysis and programme design to guide sustainable growth and informed decision-making.
- Commercial — Structuring rights, creating and valuing IP, managing partnerships, and delivering impactful sales strategies that maximise revenue potential.
- Marketing — Building brands, creative campaigns and integrated communications, delivering impactful distribution and activation across diverse global audiences.
- Events — Designing event concepts, managing operations, and elevating fan and guest experiences through innovative, seamless engagement at every touchpoint.
With global offices in London, Sotogrande, Singapore, Riyadh, Adelaide, West Palm Beach, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh.
3. 54 Portfolio Companies
- Turfgrass – Agronomy, Project Advisory and Management
- Golf Development Solutions – Development & Construction Management
- Rick Shiels Media, Finch Golf Media, Creator Sports Network – Global Media Channels
- Entourage – Digital Loyalty & Engagement
- MOB Film – Creative Production
- Red Door Live – Event Infrastructure & Activation
- Behind the Volt – Tech-led Experience Design
- Voxa – Talent Representation
4. ION 54 Strategic Partnerships
- 59Club – Service Quality Assurance
- CMAE – Education & Talent Development
- GEO – Sustainability
- GCAE – Governance & Standards
- Caddy Clubhouse – Caddy Training, Education & Governance
Global Client Portfolio
ION 54 already supports a number of the world's most prominent golf investments and destinations, providing strategic oversight and operational excellence at every stage of development.
Selected Clients of 54 & ION 54: Adare Manor (Ireland), Qiddiya (KSA), NovaWorld (Vietnam), The Grove (UK), Sentosa (Singapore), Red Sea Development (KSA), Finca Cortesin (Spain), Details (Portugal), Plover Cove (Hong Kong), The Institute (US), Talaat Moustafa Group (Egypt), Antognolla (Italy), La Finca (Spain), Comporta Dunas (Portugal), Castiglion Del Bosco (Italy).
About ION 54
ION 54 is an integrated global golf solutions platform developed by 54. By energising and connecting every phase of the golf value chain; from capital markets & investment advisory, strategic advisory, sustainability, development & construction, marketing & creative, agronomy, pre-opening & club management, and sales & tourism, ION 54 provides the industry's first fully accountable, end-to-end system designed to optimise performance and long-term value for investments, developments and world-class golf destinations.
Media Contact
For all media enquiries relating to ION 54: Sam Czornyj, Marketing Director E: sam.czornyj@ion54.com
For all media enquiries relating to 54: Susan Barron, Senior Brand & Communications Manager E: susan.barron@weare54.com