TGL announces first expansion with new team

TGL, the indoor-golf league co-founded by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, has announced its first expansion.

The league was founded in 2022 but debuted in 2025 and, shortly after its first season, it has created a new, seventh team.

Called Motor City Golf Club, it will represent Detroit, the largest city in the midwestern state of Michigan. However, fans won’t see the team until TGL’s third season in 2027.

It’s unclear yet which players will line up for the new franchise, but the ownership group is led by Middle West Partners, run by principals Michael Hamp, Peter Hamp and Kevin Kelleher.

The trio all have Detroit roots, with the Hamp family longtime co-owners of the Detroit Lions. Sheila Hamp, in particular, is currently serving as principal owner and chairwoman.

Alongside her husband, Steve, the pair are co-owners of Motor City Golf Club.

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“This is a great moment for Detroit sports and a proud moment for me personally,” said Michael Hamp.

“My grandfather, William Clay Ford Sr., was an avid golfer, and I believe bringing a new format of the game he loved would make him really proud.

“I’m incredibly grateful for our partners at MCGC – it’s an honour to build this team together.

“Detroit’s fans are the most loyal in sports, and we’re excited to represent our city in TGL and build a team that Detroit fans will be proud to support.”

Adding to the ownership group are Rob Walton, owner of the Denver Broncos, and Jordan Rose, president and founder of Rose Law Group, the largest woman-founded law firm ever in Arizona.

Walton and Rose said: “We are excited to be a part of innovating the great game of golf.

“TGL finds a terrific balance between honouring the tradition of the sport while adding elements that will grow its appeal and fan base. We look forward to being a part of Motor City Golf Club.”

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Middle West Partners is also joined by several other co-owners, including Kit Hawkins and Vansa Chatikavanij of Present Ventures.

Kal Somani, co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, Ronin Capital Partners, and RHC Group, an active sports investment firm, are also involved.

TGL chief executive Mike McCarley said of the new franchise: “Detroit is a fantastic sports town.

“The city has a championship legacy and Detroit fans are passionate about their teams and they’ll let you know it.

“The ownership group for Motor City Golf Club will utilise their deep ties to the community and extensive expertise as NFL team owners to forge a TGL team that embodies Detroit’s culture for sports and the region’s love of golf.

“TGL’s inaugural season generated extensive interest in its expansion process and we’re proud to welcome Motor City Golf Club and its ownership group as we build on the league’s continued momentum in the years to come.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.