Rekortan’s Tim Jordan talks AP Ranch and aligning values for the common good
Partnership fuels athlete development with cutting-edge tracks and community impact.
Tim Jordan started with AstroTurf in 2007, working with synthetic surfaces for various sports. Over time, as tracks became a part of the offering, and when Sport Group acquired AstroTurf, it opened new doors, including direct sales and installation. By January 2023 he was overseeing the Rekortan brand as Vice President and General Manager for Sport Group in the Americas. It’s been a fascinating journey, especially getting to work on projects like AP Ranch, which align so well with Rekortan’s values.
Tell us how the partnership with Athletic Performance (AP) Ranch came about.
AP Ranch was looking to rectify some problems with the initial track, and Greg Sholars—who runs the ranch—reached out. Greg’s vision for the ranch is truly inspiring. It’s not just about track surfaces or sports but about giving back to the Fort Worth community and creating opportunities for underprivileged athletes. That resonated with us deeply.
So, we came in and installed our Gel G13 system, and it was more than just fixing a track. It was about supporting the growth of the ranch’s mission, helping them with indoor sprinting applications, and becoming a long-term partner in their community efforts.
What sets AP Ranch apart in your eyes, and why did Rekortan choose to partner with them?
AP Ranch, under Greg’s leadership, focuses on much more than just athletics. Greg’s story—coming from a tough background and using sports as a pathway to success—speaks volumes. He’s dedicated to offering the same opportunities to others, particularly those who might not have the means to pursue athletics at a high level. Greg is all about helping young athletes develop, not just as competitors but as people. That’s what drew us to AP Ranch. Their values align with ours, and we saw an opportunity to go beyond just providing a track. We wanted to help them reach more athletes, provide better resources, and give these kids the chance to succeed—whether it’s through sports or academics.
“The Gel system offers a perfect balance. It’s fast and provides the right amount of hardness, which allows for peak performance. But at the same time, it has force reduction properties, which means athletes can train day in and day out without the risk of injury that comes from harder surfaces.”
How has the new G13 Rekortan track impacted the athletes and the community at AP Ranch?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The athletes who train there—many of them are nationally ranked or even potential Olympians—are seeing great results. The Gel system offers a perfect balance. It’s fast and provides the right amount of hardness, which allows for peak performance. But at the same time, it has force reduction properties, which means athletes can train day in and day out without the risk of injury that comes from harder surfaces.
For these young athletes, especially those aspiring to compete at the highest levels, injury prevention is crucial. They’re running faster and recovering better, and that’s a huge win for them. Plus, having a state-of-the-art facility like AP Ranch right there in Fort Worth is a game-changer for the community.
It sounds like the track has really transformed their training environment. Have any notable athletes trained at AP Ranch?
Absolutely, although we can’t always say much about that. Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabrielle Thomas are among the big names in track and field who’ve trained there. There are others, too, but what’s really remarkable is that beyond the Olympians, there are high school and college athletes coming through who are top ranked in the country. It’s a breeding ground for future talent. And we’re proud to be a part of that.
How has the partnership with Greg and AP Ranch extended beyond the track?
Greg has been a tremendous resource. His connections in the track and field world are extensive, and he’s helped us realize opportunities we wouldn’t have had otherwise. For instance, we recently secured a project with Texas Christian University (TCU), and a lot of that was thanks to Greg. He’s a TCU alumnus, and his endorsement of Rekortan carried a lot of weight.
Beyond that, Greg’s mission aligns with our values, because he’s not just training athletes, he’s helping them become better people—through education and community engagement. That’s something we really believe in at Rekortan, and it’s why this partnership feels like such a natural fit.
Can you tell us more about the facilities at AP Ranch?
It’s impressive, that’s for sure. It’s more than just a track—it’s a full-scale athletic development center. Inside the track is a full football field, and professional athletes train there during the off-season. They’ve also got a state-of-the-art basketball facility that top teams use when they’re in the area. There’s an indoor sprint track we installed, along with a full weightlifting facility, a nutritional café, and even a golf practice hole.
Greg and his team have really thought about the long-term vision. It’s like a smaller-scale version of IMG Academy in Florida, but it’s growing. They’re creating a space where athletes in multiple sports—track, football, basketball—can come to develop their skills in a world-class environment.
What’s unique is that it’s not just about churning out athletes. Greg’s mission is to develop good men and women, because being a great athlete is only part of the equation. You need to be a good person first and foremost. He stresses using athletics as a pathway to college and he wants to see these young people succeed in life.
It’s incredible to see how this partnership has evolved. Any final thoughts on what this means for Rekortan?
This partnership with AP Ranch is about so much more than a track. It’s about building relationships, supporting a community, and aligning with people who share your values. For Rekortan, it’s been a huge win—not just in terms of business but in terms of making a difference. Greg’s vision is big, and we’re excited to be a part of it, helping these young athletes reach their full potential, both on and off the track.
Learn more about Rekortan’s partnership with AP Ranch here.
Rekortan is part of the world’s biggest installation network. Rekortan is available in North America and globally through our network of expert installation partners, and via Polytan in EMEA and Asia Pacific.