This piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.
One year after transitioning to employee ownership, GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness is beginning to see how a shift is taking shape — not only in its culture but also how employees think about their futures.
The Sioux Falls-based unlimited golf and fitness business announced its transition to an employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP, in April 2025, creating a structure that allows eligible employees to earn shares in the business over time. While the financial impact still is taking shape, leadership said the first year has reinforced something deeper: a sense of shared purpose.
“The cool thing is not a ton has changed in terms of the way we do things, but I think there’s just been more intentionality behind how we focus on being good stewards of our membership revenue,” president Nick Ovenden said…