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ARIZONA GOLF APRIL 2025

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Editor’s Letter

COVER THE GAP

Rest assured, all of us here at

course that came from the

AZ GOLF have been in these

mind of course designer and

situations on the course, and

longtime Arizona resident

as with many things related

Forrest Richardson over

to this great game, the

30 years ago. And you will

parallels to these scenarios

see why Lou’s Bar & Grill at

The Rules of Golf allow us

often inform the decisions we

Papago Golf Club is not your

to fill our golf bags with no

make as we push ourselves

typical 19th hole, but a true

more than 14 clubs, and it is

to communicate relevant,

gathering spot for everyone in

our responsibility to choose

entertaining, informative and

the local community.

the appropriate one to cover

evergreen content to you,

yardages from 30 to 300

our members. This magazine

with as few gaps as possible.

provides us the opportunity

And, if we successfully build

to bring to life people and

our dream set of sticks that

personalities who have had

satisfies any potential yardage,

a significant impact on golf

trajectory, spin or distance, we

in the state, courses that are

are still left with the challenge

uniquely Arizona, special

of selecting the appropriate

places to visit, interesting

club for each shot.

things to do and of course

How many of us have gone through all the calculations, referenced our GPS and laser rangefinders, walked off

reinforce the core services of the Association including the World Handicap System and the Rules of Golf.

We are excited to share with you this latest presentation of Arizona Golf Insider magazine and look forward to continuing our conversation with you through evolved storytelling in this print publication, digital communications and social media. The stories of golf in Arizona and their connection to AZ GOLF and our membership are too important not to share.

distances to sprinkler heads,

This April issue of Arizona Golf

and still find a shot flying over

Insider highlights all these

our intended target while our

things and more. You will read

friend who has already won

about what is considered to

the front side sarcastically

be the first desert-style golf

comments, “Looks like you

course ever built with Desert

Jason Knybel

had too much club.”

Forest Golf Club. You will hear

jason@azgolf.org

Let me know your thoughts.

about Arizona golf course owner and PGA of America President Don Rea and his passion for the game. You will experience the fantasy golf

Arizona Golf Insider

ARIZONA GOLF INSIDER 7600 E. Redfield Rd, Suite 130, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 944-3035 | azgolf.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

John Souza, President Tim Hulscher, Vice President Jackie Bertsch, Vice President Vera Ciancola, Treasurer Greg Mast, General Counsel

At AZ GOLF, we exist to connect golfers with the greatest game on this green earth. As the governing body of Arizona golf, we continuously strive to elevate the sport and unlock access for all levels of players — embracing beginners’ road to refinement while celebrating competition amongst champions.

ARIZONA GOLF INSIDER (ISSN 2765-9054) is published four times per year by AZ GOLF. It is supported by member dues, utilizing $5 per member

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Abe Candelaria III Harry Cavanagh Jr. Victor Ferreira Tameka Fox Hartman Jay Pennypacker Joe Shershenovich, PGA Rod Tomita

A Z G O L F S TA F F

Catherine Carmignani, Executive Director

S TA K E H O L D E R R E L AT I O N S

per year. No part of this magazine may be reproduced for use as an advertising, publicity or endorsement item without written approval from AZ GOLF. Arizona Golf Insider is offered on a subscription basis for $12.95 annually. Individual copies may be obtained by forwarding $5 to the address above. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AZ GOLF, 7600 E. Redfield Road, Suite 130, Scottsdale, AZ 85260-1101

Alex Tsakiris, Assistant Executive Director/Head of Stakeholder Relations Mike Mason, Director, Handicapping & Course Rating Peg Tanner, Volunteer Manager

F I N A N C E & A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

Daniel Shoup, Head of Finance & Administration Vivian Kelley, Accounting Administrator Robyn Noll, Director, Technology Susan Woods, Senior Manager, Accounting

Produced for AZ GOLF by

MEMBERSHIP

Anj Brown, Head of Membership Sharon Goldstone, Customer Relations Manager Eric Hickenlooper, Membership Services Manager Kathy Laux, Club Services Coordinator

M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

Jason Knybel, Head of Marketing and Communications Brandon Genson, Senior Manager, Communications Meagan McEnery, Senior Manager, Brand Partnerships

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Logan Rasmussen, Head of Championships Amy Fruhwirth, Championships Manager Austin Pelias, Championships Manager Everett Priddy, Championships Manager Kylie Shoemake, Championships Manager U S G A P. J . B O A T W R I G H T I N T E R N

Chloe Wood

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FCP President

George Fuller Ma n a g i n g E d i t o r

Tom Mackin Designer

Randi Karabin | Karabin Creative Contributors

Tod Leonard Joe Passov Forrest Richardson Brian Whitlark

in this issue Front Nine

Halfway House

Back Nine

Club Room

10 | News & Notes

24 | Green Highway

40 | Shutterbug

52 | 19th Hole

30 | Profile

48 | Industry Q&A

56 | Allied Associations

14 | Column

An Arizona Golf Life

16 | Sustainability

What Lies Beneath

18 | Classic Course

San Diego Swing Don Rea

34 | Designer Golf

Lost Fathom Links

Desert Forest Golf Club

Par-3 Holes

Lou’s Bar and Grill

John K. Solheim CEO, PING

50 | Challenge Hole

Grayhawk Golf Club

Supporting Golf in Arizona

58 | Instruction

Amy Fruhwirth

60 | Rules of Golf 62 | Handicapping 64 | Parting Shot

30 16

52 40 Arizona Golf Insider

ALLOW US TO REINTRODUCE OURSELVES

@azgolfassociation

Executive Director’s Letter

Ben Hogan once said, “The

that brings us together, we

As we turn the corner on what

most important shot in golf

all know that golf is so much

was a wonderful winter, many

is the next one,” and I can’t

more than that. And you, your

of you are preparing for earlier

help but think that such

stories and experiences, are

mornings and warmer rounds.

a sentiment is extremely

what make up that “so much

Wherever you are in your golf

relevant for AZ GOLF at

more.”

game in 2025, we invite you

this moment in time. Our Association continues to grow, along with the game, with strategic planning underway which will guide our direction for years to come. With the organization focused on an exciting new chapter, I remain dedicated to being out in front, communicating with our membership and engaged with various constituent groups important to AZ GOLF. We welcome all opportunities to share our story.

We recognize that this Association has gone through significant change over the years and although our

the AZ GOLF community.

We are here to bring together

Here’s to a great summer

those who have a shared

of golf, memories and

passion for the game and

camaraderie.

those that wish to make golf a part of their lifestyle. Whether

service and act as a resource for you all locally, regionally and nationally. While the handicap index is something

See you on the course!

you’re just beginning your golf journey, working hard to chase a number or simply having a good time, golf is us all.

golf enthusiasts. We provide

entire community.

purpose remains unchanged.

an experience that connects

passionate community of

with a little something for our

Thank you for being part of

to be one of the largest Allied country, serving a vast and

member benefit — a magazine

brand may have evolved, our

With that … AZ GOLF is proud Golf Associations in the

to enjoy this great revamped

Catherine Carmignani

As a leader in the golf community, we are embracing change while continuing to create meaningful opportunities for our community to enjoy, improve and connect through golf. The next chapter for AZ GOLF is all about enhancing the experience for our members, welcoming new players and celebrating the game in fresh and exciting ways. Arizona Golf Insider

Front Nine | News + Notes

POY Honors Throughout the year, members compete in AZ GOLF Championships and events, Arizona sanctioned events and USGA qualifiers and Championships, earning points with the goal of finishing atop the rankings and winning the coveted Player of the Year (POY) Award for their respective division. For 2024, Chris Kamin (Men’s Division), Leigh Klasse (Women’s & Senior Women’s Division) and John Schaller (Legends Division) were honored as Players of the Year, and Sean O’Donnell received the Mayfair Award honoring the player with the lowest weighted tournament scoring average for the year.

John Souza Current Executive Committee member John Souza was named president of AZ GOLF during the Association’s Annual Meeting held on Feb. 19 at Phoenix Country Club, succeeding outgoing president Tim Brown. Souza brings a wealth of leadership experience within the golf industry, serving at PING for 44 years and playing an active role on the AZ GOLF Executive Committee. He will lead the Association’s strategic growth, shape its direction and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders to benefit members and the broader golf community.

Association Awards Each year, AZ GOLF honors individuals for their dedication and exemplary service to the game of golf in Arizona. This year, the Association is proud to celebrate Bob McNichols with the Dr. Ed Updegraff Award, Cori Matheson (above) with the Dorothy Pease Champion of Golf Award and the duo of Tom Atkinson and Bob Smith with the Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year award.

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UPCOMING EVENTS AZ GOLF’s event season is in full swing, featuring championships, competitive and social events for all levels of golfer. Upcoming events include the Arizona Four-Ball Championship, the Men’s and Women’s Arizona Mid-Amateur Championships and Match Play Championships. For the full schedule of events, including the One-Day Series, Senior Cup Series and AZ GOLF Social Series, visit azgolf.org/play-golf.

Inaugural Arizona Parent/Child Tournament On May 18, AZ GOLF will host the inaugural Parent/Child Tournament on the Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club. Two-person teams with multiple divisions available for different parent/child pairings will compete in an 18-hole scramble format. This event is sure to be a fun and memorable experience for families, bringing together players of all ages to enjoy friendly competition on the course.

LPGA Ford Championship Qualifier Top amateurs in the region competed in March at Terravita Golf & Country Club in Scottsdale for two spots in the Monday qualifier for the LPGA Ford Championship March 27-30 at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler. AZ GOLF Executive Director Catherine Carmignani (left) congratulated Asia Young (-4) and Alexis Lamadrid (+2) for punching their ticket into the final qualifier. Although neither advanced further, congrats to both on playing well. Arizona Golf Insider

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Front Nine | Oasis

An Arizona Golf Life

BY JOE PASSOV

To quote the inimitable Francis Albert Sinatra, “When I was 17, it was a very good year.” At that age I attended my first Phoenix Open, a rainy affair at Phoenix Country Club that lasted only 54 holes, with Ben Crenshaw crowned champion. My parents, brother, two sisters and I had left behind the frigid winters of Cleveland, Ohio, six months prior for a new life in the desert Southwest. We were mostly tennis players. Little did I know the outsized role Arizona golf would play in my family’s fortunes over the next five decades. The first round in my adopted state occurred in October 1978. The venue, Orange Tree Golf Club, was so close to our Scottsdale home we could hear “Now on the first tee” announcements from our backyard. My sister Lori and I played the back nine on an autumn Sunday, and I wrote a postcard to my grandfather, Papa Dan back in Ohio, that gushed over the mountain backdrops. It was the beginning of me writing — and gushing — about Arizona golf. I later played regularly with Papa Dan, including at Orange Tree, where he took lessons well into his 80s. “I’m not getting off my right side,” he would fret. But then he would recall his doctor telling him for perspective, “Be happy you’re still looking down at the grass and not up at it.” Dan’s oldest son, Edward, accompanied him — and me — on many occasions. “Eddie” as he was known, was my dad — and easily my best buddy on any buddies trip. Nobody I knew loved golf more than my dad. Eddie hit his final shot in November 2016. He had just found a bunker at Sedona Golf Resort’s ninth hole and before he could play his recovery shot, his heart gave out. By then, Pop was a part-time starter and ranger at the course, and in the aftermath my family and I (including

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Lori wasn’t the only family member to exchange nuptials on one of the state’s greatest golf courses. On a November afternoon in 2001, I tied the knot with Betsy Ryan at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale. Amid the turfgrass, cacti and mountain setting to the right of Raptor’s 18th hole, a bona fide golf geek moment occurred. Just prior to us exchanging vows, the minister gestured and spoke to how fortunate we were to be gathered at this lovely Grayhawk golf course and I blurted out, “A Tom Fazio design.” Betsy married me anyway. My mother Lois didn’t share our passion for playing the game, but she singularly encouraged me to pursue writing. Since leaving tennis and the legal field behind in 1991, I have spent the next three-anda-half decades realizing every golf travel writing dream, playing in all 50 states and 35 countries. Before I embarked on that journey, however, I discovered Arizona. I’ve played 225 different courses in my adopted home state so far, including 29 that are no longer with us. Early on, I dragged my younger brother John or

my sister Kathryn — not a golfer!) were

my best friend Brad on dozens of these

comforted by the outpouring of support

adventures though pines, palms, saguaros

and generosity from the Sedona staff,

and sagebrush. We always had fun.

led by General Manager Jeremy Hayman, and by all the golfers who had come to

My 1991 golf writing debut featured two

call my dad “friend.” A plaque honoring

stories for this very publication, then

Eddie Passov — with his Rotary Club

called the Arizona Golf Journal. The

motto, “Service Above Self” embossed

first piece detailed how Jack Nicklaus

— still resides in a juniper tree on the left

came from 12 shots back after 36 holes

side of the ninth fairway.

to capture The Tradition at Desert Mountain. The other posed the question,

My sister Lori played junior tournaments and then earned a landscape architecture degree at the University of Arizona. She studied to be a golf course architect, but instead married one, Ken Kavanaugh. They were wed on the Desert Highlands golf course in 1991, with their wedding photos featured in Golf World magazine. She also became an award-winning golf photographer and today works for the First Tee – Tucson and coaches the Sabino High School Girls golf team.

“Is the Senior Tour a Closed Shop?” In

“I’ve played 225 different courses in my adopted home state so far, including 29 that are no longer with us.” —JOE PASSOV

the next issue, two course reviews with my byline appeared. I never looked back. Frank Sinatra closed the song mentioned above with, “But now the days are short. I’m in the autumn of the year.” I’m not a kid anymore. Yet I’m thrilled to have two stories in this issue of Arizona Golf Insider. If you’re reading them — and perusing the rest of the magazine — undoubtedly you and I have at least one thing in common: a love for Arizona golf.  Arizona Golf Insider

Front Nine | Sustainability

What Lies

BENEATH

IMPROVING SOIL CONDITIONS RESULTS IN A BETTER GOLF EXPERIENCE FOR ALL. BY BRIAN WHITLARK

Brian Whitlark is Regional Director, West Region, USGA Green Section. Since 2007 he has conducted 25 course visits annually in Arizona and approximately 100 annually throughout the West. We asked him to describe his job and how it affects the courses we play. One of my primary responsibilities is to visit golf courses and inspect what golfers see, including how the courses look, how they are prepared for a playing surface and the health of the turf in various parts of the course. To do that I check the turf’s foundation, which is underground. I use a soil profile tool and drive that down about seven inches into a green. When I pull that up, it allows me to look at the quality of the root zone; not only what the root depth and root health look like, but also what the soil composition looks like. Are there layers that may

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NEW PHOTOS TO COME? restrict water movement or root development? Are there different color changes in the soil that may indicate salinity challenges or anaerobic conditions? A black layer can indicate overwatering and layering in the soil. TOP LEVEL FINDINGS

I also focus on the top eighttenths of an inch underneath the green. The composition of that layer has a huge influence on agronomics and playability. It can indicate how water moves into and through the green. If I see a dark organic matter layer there, oftentimes it means that there’s a spongelike zone at the surface that you can kind of squeeze water out of. That’s always a bad sign. It means the course probably needs to do more aeration or sand topdressing.

Most golfers think aeration

fairways, tees and roughs.

deal of time talking about

just makes holes in the

The golf industry is always

bunkers; at others it may be

greens. But a typical aeration

seeking access to reclaimed

about the cart paths or a new

event only touches about six

water because golf facilities

maintenance facility. It’s not

percent of a green’s surface

are committed to minimizing

just turf health and playing

due to spacing between the

use of potable water or

conditions — it’s every aspect

tines that punch holes into

groundwater.

of golf course maintenance

the turf. So approximately 94 percent of the green remains untouched during that process. O N LY I N A R I Z O N A

Typically we test three to five greens on a course during a

Everyone would like to see more of that done in Arizona,

I love going to golf courses,

but courses usually don’t

discussing their challenges,

have the plumbing needed

and coming up with solutions.

to access that type of water.

In turf management, it

That’s really a big deal. The

takes two years to three

downside of the reclaimed

years for golfers to really

water is that it does contain

see improvements in many

elevated salts, but golf course

cases. There are so many golf

superintendents are extremely

courses in Arizona where the

knowledgeable, and they can

soil is extremely compacted

implement strategies to deal

and poorly drained, so that is a significant challenge for

That top level has such a big

visit, taking about 10 samples

impact on how the golf ball

from randomized areas on

interacts with the surface. If

each of those greens. We try

that level is black and there’s

to do that about the same

too much water, then the

time every year because

greens are probably going to

the variables change from

with that.

be quite soft, ball marks are

month to month. In Arizona,

going to be deep, and the

overseeding plays a big role

After every site visit I produce

greens are more likely to be

in course maintenance. I don’t

bumpy. I also send samples to

want to test right before or

a lab and compare the results

right after overseeding, just

to thousands of greens the

because things are changing

USGA has tested nationwide.

so much during that time.

That helps me give a course guidance on cultural practices, like aeration, sand topdressing and nitrogen inputs.

Another unique factor in Arizona is that a lot of the water used for irrigation contains elevated salt levels, and that is certainly

operation.

a summary report that is organized into observations and recommendations for each topic that was discussed during the visit. At some courses we spend a great

almost every facility in the southern part of the state. That’s why so many courses here employ aggressive sand topdressing programs and multiple aeration events annually. Those processes can disturb golfers, but they ultimately will have a big impact on soil health, which translates into better turf and playing conditions. 

something that I test for on Arizona Golf Insider

RED’S Legacy

Desert Forest Golf Club, a low-key monument to trailblazing design

BY JOE PASSOV

@azgolfassociation

COURSE IMAGES: PATRICK KOENIG

Front Nine | Classic Course

Tucked away on quiet Mule Train Road, one mile east of the Carefree Sundial and cloaked in near solitude, sits one of the purest expressions of innovative course architecture in the U.S. Created in 1962 by Robert “Red” Lawrence, the Desert Forest Golf Club embodies nearly every virtue of a classic course, even though its design was unique for the time.

Arizona Golf Insider

Carefree town founders K.T.

architecture buffs warmed to

Jenkins conferred Honorable

Palmer and Tom Darlington

this inspired achievement and

Mention status on Desert

envisioned Desert Forest

word spread.

Forest’s par-5 seventh hole in

serving as the centerpiece of their fledgling community. The town’s success was hardly guaranteed, let alone the club. Downtown Scottsdale was more than 20 miles away, and the major population center of Phoenix sat nearly 40 miles from the first tee. Who would join Desert Forest, jabbed into inhospitable terrain, so

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Tom Weiskopf found his way to this outpost in 1965, during his rookie season on the PGA Tour. He returned a 4-under-par 68. Weiskopf would ultimately pay his own way to join the club in 1979 and later served as design consultant. Also in 1965, renowned sportswriter Dan

his listing of the 18 greatest holes in America. Chalk it up to a remarkable design. LE AST DISTURBANCE PHILOSOPHY

Prior to the construction of Desert Forest in the early 1960s, Phoenix-area golf courses typically resembled Midwestern parkland layouts,

far away from everything?

carpeted in wall-to-wall

As it turned out, golf course

turf, with fairways framed

Front Nine | Classic Course

by imported trees. Desert Forest changed that. “Leave the desert unmarked,” was Lawrence’s mandate to his crew. With a minimalist approach that preceded similar work from Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw by 30 years, Lawrence created an influential, enduring, low-profile masterpiece that melded seamlessly with its desert surrounds.

“The genius of Desert Forest’s design is in the shapes of the fairways and the contours of the putting surfaces.” – BRADLEY KLEIN

“First and foremost, Desert

design is in the shapes of the

Forest was knitted into the

fairways and the contours of

fabric of the land,” says Jeff

the putting surfaces. Few golf

Newell, head golf professional

courses built in the modern

at the club since 2012. “Very

era of bulldozer construction

little dirt was moved when the

respect the native ground

golf course was being built.

contours like Desert Forest.”

Red Lawrence worked closely with his shaper to focus on using the natural contours.”

Another classic virtue associated with Desert Forest is its Old World walkability, a

Indeed, as architectural

rarity among the sprawling

scholar Bradley Klein noted

real estate-oriented layouts

in his 2004 club history, “The

that populate the Valley.

genius of Desert Forest’s

The next tee is generally conveniently accessible from

Arizona Golf Insider

Coore/Crenshaw associate,

won medalist honors — in

the alterations resulted in

perfect weather. Slender

improved sightlines from

landing areas, fast, cunningly

the tee, reshaped greenside

contoured greens and difficult

bunkers to better interact with

recoveries make Desert Forest

the greens, increased distance

likely the most demanding

from the tips (to 7,203 yards),

stroke play tournament course

recaptured green sizes and

in Arizona.

some internal contouring to the putting surfaces.

“The joke among members is that you want to have ‘white

What didn’t change was the

on green’ — meaning you will

remarkable routing, nor any of

often sacrifice distance for

the individual hole corridors.

accuracy off the tee because

Each tumbles over and

you want your golf ball on the

zigzags through raw desert

grass,” says Newell. “Once

via islands and ribbons of

in the fairway, you must be

turf. Trees from mesquites to

precise with your approach.

palo verdes, and cacti from

Miss an elevated green and

saguaro to cholla, handsomely

the deflected shot might leave

frame and punishingly

you 15 to 25 yards away, or in

threaten every shot.

a bunker.”

it easy on the legs and feet.

Votes for “best hole” vary

As with any great course,

Further incentive to walk was

considerably — another

Desert Forest will occasionally

provided by former Director

indication of greatness. Some

yield to a low round. Five

of Golf Brandon Rogers, who

choose the 13th, others the

years ago, 2007 WM Phoenix

several years back initiated a

hole Dan Jenkins lauded, the

Open winner and club

caddie program which thrives

551-yard, par-5 seventh, which

member Aaron Baddeley held

today.

sports a risk/reward tee shot

the course record of 61. That

to a split fairway bisected

score was bettered by Korn

by a hostile plot of thorny

Ferry Tour player Jeremy Paul’s

plants. Still others opt for the

60. Most recently, member

535-yard, par-5 16th, with its

Wil Bateman, also a Korn Ferry

narrow, sloping fairway and

competitor, shattered the

a pesky mesquite tree about

barrier, posting a 59.

Champions at Desert Forest Golf Club include Meghan Bolger (2007 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur); Jackie Cummings (1990 U.S. Senior Amateur); and the Arizona State Men’s golf team (2024 Pac-12 Championship).

the previous green, and the gently rolling terrain makes

The orientation of the holes also maximizes views of the indigenous desert and of the local landmarks. “Lawrence took great care when routing tee boxes and green complexes to provide excellent vistas of Black Mountain and the foothills of the surrounding mountains,” says Newell. The most significant reworking of Desert Forest concluded in December 2013. Undertaken by architect Dave Zinkand, a longtime

150 yards from the green. The drivable 329-yard, par-4 14th (rendered reachable by Zinkand’s work) and the formidable 467-yard, par-4 18th also garner acclaim. B E AU T Y A N D B R AW N

Belying its low-key environment and serene natural setting, Desert Forest sends scores soaring early and often, with potential disaster lurking on all 18

When set up for tournament competitions, however, Desert Forest reverts to its longstanding reputation as a rattlesnake in the brush: Mess with it and it’s eventually going to bite you. In April 2024, the club hosted the collegiate Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship and over 72 holes, only two players broke par. Stanford’s Karl

holes. At the 1990 U.S. Senior Amateur, 6-over-par 150

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PHOTOS OF BOLGER AND CUNNINGHAM COURTESY USGA; PHOTO OF ASU MEN’S TEAM BY THOMAS FERNANDEZ

Front Nine | Classic Course Vilips won the tournament at

to the top at Desert Forest,”

a golf course here, you would

2-under-par. Eleven months

says Newell.

simply drive by none the

later, Vilips captured the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open. In second place at the Pac-12 tourney, 1 stroke back, was Ryggs Johnston of Arizona State. Late in 2024, Johnston hauled in a victory at the prestigious Australian Open. “To have the two top finishers of that championship already win on a stage that big is evidence that the cream rises

There is no pool or tennis or pickleball at Desert Forest; this is a haven for golf purists. Newell acknowledges the course’s supreme strategic

wiser. Peace and tranquility away from the day-to-day bustle of life is what so many of our members appreciate about the property.”

challenge and its scenic

A golf course that whispers

allure yet cites the setting

its virtues rather than shouts

and ambience for why Desert

them? Now that’s refreshingly

Forest is so cherished.

classic. 

“You often feel like you are the only golfers on the course when you’re playing,” he says. “If you didn’t know there was

Arizona Golf Insider

SAN DIEGO SWING

@azgolfassociation

Halfway House | Green Highway

TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE THE GOLF: The pedigrees of the cliffside North and South courses speak for themselves — 57 years of hosting PGA Tour events and two U.S. Opens. Of course, that makes it extremely tough to get a tee time. But not impossible. There is the 90-day advance reservation system, though it’s not cheap at $50 per player, on top of hefty green fees. The other option is walking up on the day of play, and you’d be surprised how well this can work. Singles are all but guaranteed to get on if you show up early enough, and twosomes have a chance, though the wait could be long. One more thing: Unless the South is an absolute bucket list item for you, choose the North. It’s more fun, playable and the views are just as spectacular.

An insider’s guide to golf and more. BY TOD LEONARD

As San Diegans, we see you, our Arizona friends. Or “Zonies,” as we’re wont to call you. (No offense intended.) June rolls around and the pilgrimage begins on Interstate 8 West as you escape your scorching temperatures for our beaches, parks, zoo, amusement parks and blissfully cool nights. With that said, a San Diego native would like to offer some recommendations for a few favorite golf experiences and pair them with suggestions for fun that might be a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the effort. Kind of like driving 350 miles to get to the beach.

OFF-COURSE: Yes, it looks terrifying, those paragliders floating high above the beach near the Torrey Pines courses. In reality, if you can get over the idea of running to jump off a cliff to get in the air, it’s truly magical. The joy of soaring above such gorgeous scenery will rank up there with anything you’ve ever done. Promise.

Arizona Golf Insider

MT. WOODSON GOLF CLUB THE GOLF: Tucked in the hills of Ramona, Mt. Woodson is something of a hidden gem and like no other course in Southern California. The holes on the shortish track shift like a rollercoaster through massive boulders and oak trees, and in a

AVIARA GOLF CLUB THE GOLF: For a high-end playing experience on the north coast, Carlsbad’s Aviara is tough to beat. The Arnold Palmer design is notable for the variety of its visuals, and those encompass both the golf test and foliage beautiful enough to belong in a botanical garden.

one-of-a-kind feature, there’s a

OFF-COURSE: Not far from screaming

winding wooden bridge between

riders on Legoland’s rollercoasters is the

the second and third holes that

area’s most underrated attraction: the

is right out of an Indiana Jones movie. Enjoy the ride! OFF-COURSE: Twenty-five miles east of Mt. Woodson is San Diego’s most wellknown mountain town, Julian. Established in the 1870s during the gold rush, Julian is a yearround attraction for its quaint main street, many unique shops and, most notably, it’s apple pie. People drive for hours to eat one piece.

Museum of Making Music. It’s small, but packed with displays about instruments we all know and others that look and feel like musical unicorns. The most fun comes in getting to try some of the pieces.

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Halfway House | Green Highway

BALBOA PARK GOLF COURSE THE GOLF: Hundreds of planes flying every day into San Diego’s airport zoom directly over the Balboa Park layout, but most out-of-towners don’t even realize it’s there. Put it on the must-play list, because the reasonably priced, century-old layout is a strong and sometimes quirky test that offers fantastic, elevated views of the downtown skyline. OFF-COURSE: A stroll through the main promenade at Balboa Park is always a relaxing treat, and we offer a couple of recommendations: the nature in the freshly renovated Botanical Building, and the technology in the Fleet Science Center, where there are dozens of cool experiences for adults and kids. Arizona Golf Insider

CORONADO GOLF COURSE THE GOLF: For our money (and it’s relatively inexpensive), this is the quintessential San Diego round, with views of the Coronado Bridge, San Diego skyline, Hotel del Coronado and yachts anchored in the bay. Give us a round at Coronado and beers on the patio afterward, and we couldn’t be happier. OFF-COURSE: The best way to see the island is on bike; rent those at the Coronado Landing, where there’s shopping, dining and the ferry dock. Not to mention wonderous views of the skyline. From there, peddle through picturesque neighborhood streets across the island and make a stop at the Hotel del Coronado to laze by the beach and people watch.

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TOP PHOTO COURTESY SINGING HILLS GOLF CLUB MARKETING

Halfway House | Green Highway

SINGING HILLS GOLF CLUB THE GOLF: If you’re itching to

OFF-COURSE: Among the

tee it up as soon as you cross the

many Indian casino/hotel

state line, we highly recommend

offerings in the area, Sycuan

the 36 holes at Singing Hills in

Casino Resort is one of the

east El Cajon. One of the area’s

finest, and it’s right down the

most beloved and historic

street from the golf courses.

facilities, Singing Hills is managed

There is most of what you’d

meticulously by the Sycuan Tribe

want in a Las Vegas stay —

and features two championship

gambling, fine dining and a

tracks of equal quality.

hotel with all the luxuries. Arizona Golf Insider

Halfway House | Profile

Mr. President

BY TOM MACKIN

The winding career path of Arizona’s Don Rea, president of the PGA of America. How do you go from being a minor

said, ‘You only live once and you can

league baseball umpire and part-time

always go back to college.’ Famous last

UPS driver to becoming the 44th

words. I went to umpire school the next

president of the PGA of America? Ask

year and started working in the minor

Don Rea. He completed that improbable

leagues around the country. And I never

journey last November. And no, he can’t

got that degree.”

believe it either. Rea, who operates Augusta Ranch Golf Club, a par-61 public golf course in Mesa, started on that circuitous path in Scottsdale. “My father was a big baseball fan who traveled there annually for spring training,” said the Las Vegas native. “He always stayed at Woolley’s Petite Suites, and that’s where all of the umpires stayed, so he got to know many

the chin by manager Lee Elia during one intense argument — but more importantly, met his wife Karen, an Arizona native, while working spring training games in Scottsdale. Nine years into the job though, Rea still had not received the coveted call up

“When I was in the middle of my junior

changed his life. A few years earlier,

at San Diego State, he insisted I come visit him, so I spent a week hearing all of the umpire’s stories. Jim Evans and Ted Hendry were starting an umpire school at the old Compadre Stadium in Chandler. My dad said ‘You gotta go to it.’ I wanted to get my degree, but he

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experiences — including being bit on

of them.”

year studying aerospace engineering

A PIVOT TO GOLF

Rea accumulated plenty of memorable

to the major leagues. That’s when golf during an off-season job as a UPS driver, the last stop on his route was Riverview Golf Course in Mesa (which closed in 2012 and became the site of the Chicago Cubs minor league complex).

“I never would have guessed this would happen. I mean, it’s not like I aspired to be the president of the PGA.” —DON REA

Arizona Golf Insider

“They called me ‘River,’ as in ‘Ol’ Man River,” he recalled. “Sean Ferris (now tournament director at Desert Mountain Club) was my first boss.” He quickly moved into the golf shop and was then promoted to general manager at Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills, a facility run by the same owners as Augusta Ranch. “I could never just teach for 50 hours a week, and I couldn’t sit in a cubicle and pay invoices for 50 hours a week, either,” he said. But being a general manager was perfect. “I would walk around the course and it’s like you own a restaurant, you own a retail shop. You’ve got this landscaping company. You get to make flyers, you get to coach and teach. You get to fix golf clubs if you want. I thought, this is the greatest job ever. You could do all these different things in one day. That sounded exciting to me. And you’re at a golf course! If I want to pull into a parking lot at my job, the parking lot at a golf course isn’t too bad.” When Eagle Mountain was sold in 2007, a course management company was going to run Augusta Ranch. Instead, Rea started his own company to run it and landed that Clockwise from above: Rea in his days as a baseball umpire; Augusta Ranch Golf Club, where his golf career began; and the facility’s Toptracer Range.

“That’s where I met Jim Mooney, who was the head pro and general manager there, and he was so nice to me,” said Rea. “Sometimes I would get done with my deliveries and have an hour with

former umpire who worked at an equity company to buy the course. A decade later, the course was sold to the local HOA, which then leased the facility to Rea.

balls here?’ He would let me use his new

He proceeded to put his experience in

eventually I asked him, ‘How do you get in the golf business?’ He said, ‘You’ve got to be a member of the PGA.’ And I was like, all right. Away I went.” By 1999, Rea had left umpiring and started working full-time at the then brand-new Augusta Ranch as an outside services attendant, cleaning clubs and washing carts alongside teenagers half his age. @azgolfassociation

sold, and Rea partnered with a fellow

nothing to do. Jim said, ‘Why don’t you hit Beryllium PING clubs. I always liked golf, so

gig. A year later, Augusta Ranch was being

the minor leagues to good use. “I used to see all the crazy promotions teams would do around the country, so I thought, ‘Why can’t we do that in golf?’” he said. That led to a cornhole league in the parking lot, movie night on the driving range, a fishing/golf tournament and night golf

Halfway House | Profile

Professional because none of us gets super rich doing it,” he said. “We just do it because we love the game.” And Rea, who previously served as PGA of America secretary and vice president, is a firm believer in the impact the game can provide in return. “Golf is good for the economy. It’s good for the environment. It’s actually good for you. You can build relationships that go across generations. And then obviously there’s all the basics of golf and rules and integrity. But my three main priorities as president are our PGA Coach program, mentoring the next generation of PGA Professionals and legislative advocacy for the industry.” While Arizona is known for the 5 Cs (Cotton, Cattle, Climate, Copper, Citrus), Rea, who serves on the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association Board of Directors, thinks that motto needs a sixth C: Courses. “I really do, because the golf courses are doing a lot for the

events, among other ideas. In November

state of Arizona. When I was president

2022, 21 Toptracer bays were installed

of the Southwest PGA Section, I used

on the range, creating an instant hit in

to say that I truly believe a four-day golf

both participation and revenue. “That’s

trip to Arizona turns into a four-month

the best thing we’ve done,” he said. “It’s

winter stay, which turns into a forever

inviting people to the game in a very

resident of the state, and that’s a good

relaxed way because it’s not golf to them.

thing to have.”

They’re just hitting balls with friends. But I’m planting a seed that they don’t know

While he’s far too busy these days to

and I’ll continue watering that until they

reflect on the unusual journey that led

become a golfer.” FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

Rea will have his hands full during his two-year term as PGA president, notably with the Ryder Cup this September at Bethpage Black in New York, as well as industry issues — especially the planned rollback of the golf ball — that will impact his 31,000 members. “I take a lot of solace in the fact that any decision we make, nobody loves golf more than a PGA

him to the peak of his profession, Rea

“If I want to pull into a parking lot at my job, the parking lot at a golf course isn’t too bad.”

feels more than ready to take on all that it brings. “It’s crazy. I never would have guessed this would happen. I mean, it’s not like I aspired to be the president of the PGA. But I know I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. I know it.” 

—DON REA

Arizona Golf Insider

Halfway House | Designer Golf

Lost Fathom Links

The location was a secret never revealed. The “Who’s Who” roster of members? Also never made public. Looking back now, it’s as if Lost Fathom Links never existed. Well, it didn’t. Except in the fertile mind of Arizonabased golf course architect Forrest Richardson. In the 1990s, Forrest and his wife Valerie owned a graphic design and marketing firm based in Phoenix. It was his “real” job at a time when he was also trying to make his mark in the world of golf architecture. One day the Gilbert Paper Company in Wisconsin called and asked the Richardsons to come up with something different to help showcase one of their premium paper products. The idea for a fantasy golf club was developed. “DeForrest” came up with an unbelievable course located in a non-descript tropical world, weaving together a complete story that made it nearly believable. He called it Lost Fathom Links. Introduced with a yardage book, scorecard and membership application, the “course” was full of surreal hole layouts. When the company distributed the promotional material, those who filled out and returned the application were sent a course bag tag and other “member only” keepsakes. On the following pages is a taste of what those fortunate Lost Fathom Links members might have faced if fantasy ever became reality.

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THREEHOUR TOUR

380 YARDS | PAR 4 Figuring that island greens were interesting, DeForrest purposefully routed the links to take advantage of this string of rocky islands. That devil.

Arizona Golf Insider

NEEDLE

430 YARDS, PAR 4 Is that really a fairway? Yes, but of the slimmest variety. One chap hit putter, putter, putter, putter, putter, putter, six iron, and added two putts for a nine. Not a bad strategy.

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Halfway House | Designer Golf

CASUAL WATER 470 YARDS, PAR 4

Recently, the greenkeeper staff has managed to remove a few ponds from the original design. The oddest luck, however, is with the poor soul who winds up in a sand trap.

Arizona Golf Insider

17 HOLY GROUND 385 YARDS | PAR 4 Every so often a guest will walk from the green here having taken nary a shot from the sand. But we submit that this is a rare occasion.

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Halfway House | Designer Golf

LAST BUT NOT LEAST 465 YARDS | PAR 4 Reality awaits just a few hundred yards across that swampy marsh and then across it one more time. This

18 finisher is no meek golf hole.

Arizona Golf Insider

ONE SHOT WONDERS

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Back Nine | Shutterbug

ACES HIGH IN ARIZONA

Short holes often produce the longestlasting memories. A hole-in-one can generate a lifetime of conversation, and even near misses are brought up time and again. Every par-3 offers the possibility of the seemingly impossible happening, although the general odds of making an ace are estimated to be 12,500 to 1. Still, these holes can often stop you in your tracks with their views, perhaps nowhere more so than in Arizona, where the landscape can range from a pure desert setting to tree-framed panoramas at higher elevations. Here is just a small selection of the most scenic par-3 holes in the Grand Canyon State.

VENTANA CANYON CLUB AND LODGE MOUNTAIN COURSE | 3RD HOLE

Arizona Golf Insider

QUINTERO GOLF CLUB 9TH HOLE

“A shot that goes in the cup is pure luck, but a shot to within two feet of the flag is skill.” — Ben Hogan

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Back Nine | Shutterbug

SEDONA GOLF RESORT 10TH HOLE

Arizona Golf Insider

GRAYHAWK GOLF CLUB RAPTOR COURSE 8TH HOLE

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Back Nine | Shutterbug

Arizona Golf Insider

SEVEN CANYONS GOLF CLUB 14TH HOLE

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Back Nine | Shutterbug

“I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that beauty means a great deal on a golf course; even the man who emphatically states that he does not care a hang for beauty is subconsciously influenced by his surroundings.” — Dr. Alister MacKenzie

WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB SAGUARO COURSE | 15TH HOLE

Arizona Golf Insider

Back Nine | Industry Q&A

John K. Solheim

INTERVIEW BY TOM MACKIN

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PING

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, John K. Solheim was named the third-ever CEO of PING, the Phoenix-based equipment company, in 2022. Arizona Golf Insider talked with him about the loyalty of PING employees, advice from his predecessors and his favorite parts of the job. ARIZONA GOLF INSIDER: How important is it that PING has stayed in Arizona since your grandfather moved here in 1961? JOHN K. SOLHEIM: We’re very proud of our Arizona heritage. I guess I’m one of the rare ones at my age to be from here, and have lived most of my life here. I think it’s a great place for a golf company to be. We’ve got weather that we can play golf in year-round. We’ve got our own testing range here, so we can test year-round. We’ve got a great employee base that works here, many of them for a long time. So it’s really been a good fit for us. The cost of living here, I think, is good. It’s a business-friendly environment. We’ve got great people that work for us. Even if they’re not from here and they’re hesitant (to move), they get out here and they’re like, yeah, it’s not too bad.

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Why have so many employees stayed at PING for such a long time? I would say we do our part to do right by our employees, whether it’s through bonuses, or just a good solid career and good health care. And it’s a fun business. I think just how tangible our product is gives people a sense of pride about what they do and the craftsmanship that goes into it. One silver lining from COVID has been a boom in rounds played. Did the golf equipment business see a similar bump? Pre-COVID 2019 was our best year ever, except for maybe a few years way back. I remember just sitting here thinking, I don’t know how we’re ever going to beat this year. Everything just worked. Then COVID came and I didn’t even know if we were going to be in business in six months. But I was at home at Moon Valley Country Club and saw people playing golf all day long while I was on phone calls. The demand for golf equipment continues to be stronger than pre-COVID, so it’s been a bump that seems to be sustaining. I feel like people have picked up the sport and haven’t put it down, and tee times are still booked. And there’s more diversity. So we’re kind of fishing in a bigger pond for customers, because more women, more minorities and more kids are all playing golf now. What do you consider your primary responsibilities as CEO? I came up through engineering so I’m still very close to that. Making sure we get the product right, making sure we’ve

“So from the engineering perspective, when you think you have the perfect design, it can alway be better.” —JOHN K. SOLHEIM

got the right products. Do we like the design concepts? Does it test well? Kind of like the final check on that sort of stuff, and then, as we look out and call it a five-year product plan, do we have the right products? Are we working on the right products where the industry is? And how do we best meet the needs of our customers? I still see that as key to what I do. Where I think I can help move the needle a lot is in the marketing side: what our message is and what our budget is.

What’s on the short-term horizon for PING? I have full confidence that our product pipeline over the next couple of years to the next five years down the road has lots of great ideas that we are prototyping and testing. And to me, it’s exciting, even with a potential golf ball rollback coming, which will kind of flip everything up in the air because all of a sudden now we will all be hitting it shorter and getting re-fit for our equipment.

Any advice or words of wisdom from your dad or your grandfather that you turn to these days in your current role? I guess with my grandfather, Karsten, the ones popping into my mind right now are, “Deal with all the problems today. Don’t worry about tomorrow’s problems.” And then my dad stressed that every little detail matters. So from the engineering perspective, when you think you have the perfect design, it can always be better. And that used to drive me crazy. But I kind of realized, you know what? Every time I thought this is nuts, this is ready to go, we ended up weeks or months later coming up with a better answer, and it ended up being the right call to wait. What are your favorite parts of the job? Getting to play all the new equipment way before everybody else! But we’ve also had good success and have been able to provide some very good bonuses to our whole team at our annual Christmas lunch. That’s been very rewarding. 

“The demand for golf equipment continues to be stronger than pre-COVID, so it’s been a bump that seems to be sustaining.” —JOHN K. SOLHEIM

Arizona Golf Insider

18 GRAYHAWK GOLF CLUB RAPTOR COURSE | 18TH HOLE | PAR 5

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Locker Room| Challenge | Rules ofHole Golf Back Nine

GRAYHAWK GOLF CLUB “The right fairway bunker is the best target line from the tee with all but the biggest hitters coming up just short of it. This opens up options to go for the green in two or layup to within wedge distance. Either way, the landing areas slope significantly from left to right, requiring careful placement to the left to avoid the water along the right side of this getable par 5.”

— TRAVIS MCCUTCHAN, PGA Assistant General Manager / Director of Golf, Grayhawk Golf Club

HOLE YARDAGES RAPTOR TEE | 521

PALO VERDE TEE | 494

TERRA COTTA TEE | 430 HEATHER TEE | 361

DID YOU KNOW? The 18th hole, known as “Big Sky,” is the third longest of the four par-5s on the Tom Fazio-designed Raptor Course. The longest? The 650-yard 11th, which is also the No. 1 handicap hole.

Arizona Golf Insider

BEE HIVE OF FLAVOR

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Club Room | 19th Hole

BY GEORGE FULLER

Lou’s Bar & Grill raises the bar on what a restaurant at a golf course can be. Call it a 19th hole if you will, but Jenna Cordova, director of food & beverage at Lou’s Bar & Grill at Papago Golf Club in Phoenix, will disagree. “We’re a standalone restaurant that happens to be at a golf course,” she said. To bolster her point, she shares that more than half of the customers who frequent Lou’s are non-golfers, with even more on weekends. “We get a lot of young families,” she shared. “Some days there are 75 kids running in the grass behind the patio. We want it to have a backyard feel.” We visited on a Thursday evening at 5 p.m. Players were just finishing their rounds and dropping in for a beer and some food before heading home, a 120-person fraternal reunion was filing into Evie’s Pavilion adjacent to Lou’s for a sit-down dinner, a musician was strumming guitar Arizona Golf Insider

Club Room | 19th Hole REGULAR FOOD

prime rib (from Phoenix icon

have a cauliflower crust and

dog-friendly patio and servers

DONE WELL

Sterling Foods) on a toasted

vegan cheese option.

were buzzing around making

The dinner menu is very

hoagie roll served with house

sure customers were settled

approachable. First glance

made au jus. The enchiladas

in and happy. In other words,

reveals some standard golf

are made with slow-roasted

it was a typical Thursday

course fare: tacos, pizza,

barbacoa dished in a bed of

evening at one of Arizona’s

burgers, salads. But then

red sauce, red onions, cotija,

most popular courses.

your eye shoots to the top

cilantro and créma.

and singing on the expansive,

“When you look around this place,” said Papago’s General

right corner of the menu to a section called Lou’s Picks.

Lou’s pizza, it needs to be said that these 14-inch bad boys are truly tempting. The usual suspects include pies topped with pepperoni, cheese,

“The idea of the restaurant

meat lovers and mushrooms.

when it opened in 2018 was to

More new-age toppings (with apologies to my New York

Manager Daryl Crawford,

“Those are the most popular

serve ‘regular’ food,” Cordova

“it’s like a beehive. There’s so

items,” Cordova said.

said, “but do it really well.

and New Jersey pizza purist

Chef Oscar Monroy adds

friends) include poached figs

one more layer on top of that

with blue cheese crumbles,

philosophy. Chef likes to say

arugula, and candied walnuts;

he ‘cooks for the whole table.’”

and pineapple and ham.

much going on. Our guests view Papago as a community hub where families can enjoy the views and great food while their children participate in our First Tee program or roam the grassy playground area that surrounds the patio.”

These include Lou’s French Dip, fish and chips, porkbraised taquitos, and flaming hot @$$ wings (served with a carton of milk to cool your

What that means in practice

mouth).

is that if one family member

Closer inspection, though, shows that there’s more to the story. The French Dip, for example, is sliced to order

And while we’re talking about

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wants something gluten free, there are plenty of choices. Vegan? Yep, there’s an Impossible Burger with nondairy aioli. Even the pizzas

SEASONAL, F R E S H & C R E AT I V E

The menu changes three or four times a year for seasonality and to add new dishes. One of the newest additions to the current menu

There’s music on the patio

hub of golf programming,

is a fried cauliflower appetizer

Thursday through Saturday

education, recreation and

that is paired with curry aioli,

from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.,

community engagement,” the

pickled Fresno chilis, mint,

November through May. On

building will house the new

spiced pumpkin seeds, cotija

warmer evenings the patio

headquarters for AZ GOLF, the

and olive oil.

is filled with families, kids

Arizona Alliance for Golf and

and dogs. Fire pits add to the

several other organizations

buoyant atmosphere, and on

and nonprofits whose

colder evenings heat lamps

collective goal is to protect

keep everyone toasty.

and promote golf.

created something delicious

“We’re right in the middle of

“We’re all about connections

there!”

everything,” Cordova said.

at Papago,” Cordova said,

“The Phoenix Zoo is nearby,

“and Arizona Golf House will

as is the airport. The ASU golf

only make those connections

teams practice here, Scottsdale

stronger.” 

“I thought, how could those flavors go together?” Cordova said. “But then I tried it. Somehow, Chef Monroy

The 80-strong food & beverage staff also handles catering for weddings of up to 750 people (15-20 per year), special events at Evie’s Pavilion and a variety

is a short drive away. Our golf course and practice range are busy every day.”

of gatherings throughout the

In the coming months, Arizona

year such as birthday parties,

Golf House is scheduled to

anniversaries and even

open right next door to Lou’s.

celebrations of life.

Designed to be “the statewide

Lou’s is open seven days a week, three meals a day, including brunch on Sundays.

Arizona Golf Insider

Club Room | Allied Associations

WHO’S WHO

Working On Golf’s Present and Future The Arizona Alliance for Golf The golf landscape in Arizona is served in many

As the Association responsible for amateur golf in the region, AZ GOLF executes core services such as the World Handicap System and the Rules of Golf, hosts over 95 championships, competitive and social events throughout the year and keeps members informed with Arizona Golf Insider magazine and various digital communication vehicles. The Southwest PGA is one of 41 sections of the PGA of America, serving the state of Arizona and Clark County in Southern Nevada. Southwest PGA members are on the front lines of golf in the region as the experts in golf instruction and leaders growing the game for future generations. The men and women who work every day to keep our courses playable are the

capacities by numerous allied associations working

golf course superintendents. In Arizona,

to keep the game open, vibrant and growing, and AZ

Course Superintendents Association

the Cactus & Pine Chapter of the Golf

GOLF is just one piece of that puzzle. Through the

of America (GCSAA) leads the way in

leadership and vision of Gregg Tryhus, President of

while advocating for critical issues

course management and maintenance

the Board of Directors for the Arizona Alliance for Golf,

affecting golf in the region including

these allied associations began to come together

environmental safety.

under one umbrella in 2020, aligning resources, thought leadership and influence in support of golf in Arizona. The following will provide insight into the associations that make up the Arizona Alliance for Golf as well as the function of the Alliance as a whole.

water conservation, pesticide use and

Golf facilities are more than the courses that we play on, they are the clubs that manage them. The 80 affiliated clubs represented in the Greater Southwest Chapter of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) work together as part of the Association to enhance their service to the club community and serve as leaders in the management and operation of clubs across the region.

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Developing the next generation of golfers is crucial for the healthy growth of golf in the future. Since 1983, the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) has provided opportunities for Arizona youth to learn, grow and compete in the game of golf and granted scholarships annually to support participants as they continue their journey in college. Associated with the JGAA is LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix. Much of golf’s recent growth has come through more women playing the game, and Girls Golf of Phoenix is building a foundation for continued growth in the future by empowering girls with confidence and inspiring

advocating for the game at the local, regional and state levels of government. “To truly create a unified voice for golf, we need every golfer in the state to be part of the effort to educate the public on the

them to dream big.

economic, charitable and social

The First Tee is a name recognized

of Arizona, whether they play or

nationally as providing affordable access at courses and learning centers for young golfers. In Maricopa County, the First Tee - Phoenix facilitates this access to those who may not have the prospects to play otherwise, all while working with juniors to instill key values that golf provides: responsibility, courtesy, honesty and

benefits golf provides to all citizens not,” said Gregg Tryhus. The associations mentioned, along with The Thunderbirds, Desert Mashie Golf Club, the National Golf Player Development Foundation, AZ Caddie and Leadership Academy, Visit Phoenix and Warbird National Golf Club, support and participate in the critical work of the Arizona

integrity.

Alliance for Golf. There are also

COMMON GOALS

hospitality and community

The Arizona Alliance for Golf aims to

associations, and individual golfers

unify, protect and educate Arizona

that are part of the Alliance that

residents, both golfers and non-

have helped create and finance the

golfers, about the game of golf and

efforts to date. These companies

the positive impact it has now and in

and individuals are integral to the

the future. It provides a unified voice,

successful work of the Alliance. 

promoting the fiscal impact the game brings, philanthropic benefits

Arizona Golf House, the new home of the Arizona Alliance for Golf (above), is nearing completion at Papago Golf Club.

numerous private golf companies,

Future issues of Arizona Golf Insider will feature stories from across the Alliance, providing a look into how these organizations work to keep the game we all love healthy and prospering now and in the future. For more information on the Arizona Alliance for Golf, visit azallianceforgolf.org.

in the state, conservation efforts from across the industry and a voice

Arizona Golf Insider

Club Room | Instruction Amy Fruhwirth, Championships Manager for AZ GOLF, played on the LPGA Tour for 12 years and

Low and Slow

is a member of the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame

WITH AMY FRUHWIRTH

Starting your swing on the right path is the first step in a successful outcome. Here is a drill that will help you do that. 58

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Using a mid-iron, set up with a golf ball directly behind the clubhead.

2 Focus on a smooth takeaway along the line so that the ball is pushed straight back away from you.

As you begin your backswing, focus on keeping the club low to the ground while moving the clubhead slowly away.

If your takeaway is too steep, the ball will not be pushed back and if your backswing is too far inside or outside, the ball will move back offline.

Practicing with this drill will help promote a more controlled and efficient takeaway leading to improved ball striking and more consistency in your swing. 

Arizona Golf Insider

Club Room | Rules of Golf

Hitting the Mark THE DOS AND DON’TS OF MARKING YOUR GOLF BALL ON THE GREEN

We all remember the scene in “Happy Gilmore” where Happy’s bearded caddie uses a cracker to mark his ball on the green. While “play it as it lies” is the most prominent Rules of Golf question that came from this movie mainstay, the idea of what constitutes a ball marker should not be overlooked. The Rules of Golf define a ball-marker as: “An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment.”

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Locker Room | Rules of Golf

Let’s take a moment and review this definition a bit deeper. The one requirement for a ball-marker identified in the definition is that it must be artificial. This means that you are not allowed to use a leaf, stick, rock or other natural objects to mark your ball on the green. There are examples provided in the definition of a tee, coin or small piece of equipment with the interesting inclusion of “such as” prior to these examples. This means that while it is suggested that your ball be marked with a small object, your marker is not technically limited in size. If your playing partner decides to use their shoe, cell phone, towel or hat to mark their ball, don’t be so fast to jump in with your judgement on their choice of ball-marker. They are well within their rights under the Rules of Golf to use these objects if they choose. But while larger objects are allowed to be used, they are not recommended as it is more difficult to accurately replace your ball where it was originally marked. So, feel free to get creative with your choice of ball-marker, just be sure that you follow the definition of what constitutes a ball-marker and adhere to Rule 14.1 Marking, Lifting and Cleaning Ball and 14.2 Replacing Ball on Spot to continue playing within the Rules of Golf. 

Arizona Golf Insider

Club Room | Handicapping We all drive to the golf course with an idea in our head of how we would like to play on that particular day. You might have a Handicap Index® of 15 and hope

Target Golf

DETERMINE WHAT YOU SHOULD SCORE EVERY TIME OUT

to break 80 for the first time, or you might have just recently found single digits and want to post a round low enough to keep you there. While we all may have different motivations for the scores we aspire to shoot on any given day, there is a way to identify what you “should” score with the help of the information available to you through the World Handicap System. Understanding your “target score” is fairly simple, and something you can do pre-round with the help of the GHIN App that you can download for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. But first we should clarify that your target score is the score you’ll shoot if you “play to your handicap.” In general, golfers shoot their target score 15-20 percent of the time, so if you hit that target score, you’ve probably had a pretty good day. Now back to the GHIN App and determining your target score. The first step is identifying the Course Handicap™ for the specific set of tees you are playing. Adding this number to par for the same set of tees will give you your target score. So, if your course handicap is 16 and par is 72, your target score for the day would be 88. By starting each round identifying your target score, you can determine if you are playing the correct set of tees and set a realistic goal for the day. Here’s to you hitting your target in your next round. 

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The first step is identifying the Course Handicap™ for the specific set of tees you are playing. Adding this number to par for the same set of tees will give you your target score.

Arizona Golf Insider

Club Room | Parting Shot

Arizona Gold

In the 1970s, Karsten Solheim

was looking for a unique way to thank and reward golf professionals for using a PING putter en route to victory. He decided to commemorate each victory by creating two gold-plated replicas of the winning putter. One he gave to the champion. The other he kept at the company’s Phoenix, Ariz., headquarters. Both were engraved with the player’s name and the name of the tournament he or she won. The collection quickly grew, requiring several moves into increasingly larger rooms. There are now more than 3,400 putters in what is referred to as “The Gold Putter Vault.”

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ARIZONA GOLF INSIDER

APRIL 2025