08/19/2026
TEDC Investor Spotlight:
Ji Choi, Cascades Country Club
Many of Tyler’s longtime residents are familiar with the beautiful Cascades Country Club, but sitting down with Director of Operations Ji Choi gives additional insight into the vision behind the club, the family committed to its future, and their commitment to Tyler.
Ji and her family’s company, M&P Group, acquired The Cascades in October 2021, but their connection to the club goes beyond a business investment. They were drawn to its history, its longtime members and the opportunity to become part of the Tyler community.
M&P Group’s investment in golf extends beyond Tyler. In addition to The Cascades Country Club, the group owns two clubs in the North Texas area, including Coyote Ridge Golf Club in Carrollton.
That experience in creating and operating golf destinations is part of what M&P Group brings to The Cascades, while still recognizing the history and character that make the Tyler club unique.
For Ji, becoming involved with TEDC was one of the first ways she began finding her place in a new community.
“We were pretty new to the Tyler area, so we thought this was the best first step,” Ji said.
Through TEDC, they learned more about what was happening throughout Tyler and, perhaps even more importantly, began building relationships with other local business owners. Those relationships reflect something Ji has come to appreciate about Tyler during her three years living here.
Having spent her life in Dallas before moving to East Texas, she was surprised by just how connected the community feels.
“It truly is different in the sense that everyone here is very welcoming, and it’s all about the community,” she said. “You go to the grocery store, and you’re going to know at least one person.”
She has also been impressed by Tyler’s commitment to supporting local businesses and charitable organizations.
“I’ve never seen a community so big on giving back,” Ji said.
That same sense of community is what Ji and her family hope people find at The Cascades. The property has a history stretching back to 1959, when it was known as Briarwood Country Club. Some families have been connected to the club for decades. Ji’s family understood that history when they purchased the property, and they have worked to invest in it while
maintaining the sense of community that makes it special.
Since acquiring The Cascades, ownership has invested more than $4 million in reconstruction of the facility following damage from the February 2021 winter storm. They continue to reinvest in the property, from improvements on the golf course to the current roof project, which is being completed by local contractor Yosemite Roofing.
But Ji is quick to point out that The Cascades is about much more than golf. Along with the 18-hole course, members enjoy dining, a luxury swimming pool, tennis, pickleball, fitness facilities, golf instruction and regular social events designed for everyone from young families to couples and longtime members.
For someone who spends so much of her time at the club, Ji also enjoys seeing what the rest of Tyler has to offer. A self-described “foodie,” she likes trying new restaurants around town, most recently Tia Juanita’s, as well as taking classes at Club Pilates. Ji is also watching Tyler’s growth with excitement. The Cascades has seen an influx of new
members, including families relocating from Dallas and California, while new development continues to move toward the west side of Tyler.
And there may be more ahead for The Cascades itself. Ji said the family is looking at ways to expand and improve its event space, and they have even discussed the possibility of boutique-style lodging on the property as part of their long-term plans. Those ideas are still in the planning stages, but they offer a glimpse into how the family is thinking about the club’s future.
For Ji, though, the vision comes back to something simple: making The Cascades a place where people feel at home.
She said one of the best compliments they receive is that the community feels “warm and welcoming.” That is exactly the reputation she hopes to continue building—a place that feels like a second home for the people who spend time there.
As Tyler continues to grow, Ji and her family are here and ready to grow with it. Through TEDC, they’ve had a front-row seat to the work happening across Tyler to support local businesses, attract new investment and continue growing the “paycheck” businesses that strengthen our local economy. For Ji, it’s another reminder that investing in Tyler means being part of a community that is always looking toward what’s next.
