Popular Arizona municipal course undergoing $4 million renovation

Papago Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona, will undergo a four-month golf course renovation. The project begins in June and is expected to be completed by October 2022. The course will remain open for play during the renovation.

The Arizona Community Golf Foundation and a private donor are funding the $4 million project at the City of Phoenix-owned and Troon-managed course. ACGF President Gregg Tryhus is overseeing the project and Troon’s senior vice president of golf course development Ron Despain is guiding project management and design enhancements. Heritage Links and Casa Verde Golf are executing the construction work.

With construction of the new Arizona Golf House beginning in 2023 adjacent to ninth green, 18th green and Evie’s Pavilion, renovations include moving the ninth and 18th green complexes as well as the first and 10th tees. The ninth green will be relocated to the edge of the existing pond, creating a risk/reward par 5, while the 18th green will be repositioned creating a new angle for golfers’ approach shots. The current 442-yard, par-4 sixth hole will be lengthened as the green complex will be relocated and moved back 20 yards. In addition, bunkers are being rebuilt and renovated, many tee complexes will be leveled, and new cart paths will be added around tees and greens. The removal of 10 acres of turf will further reduce water usage.

An open house is scheduled for May 26 at Papago Golf Club to show hole renderings and describe the enhancements. Temporary greens will be set on the sixth, ninth and 18th holes, and temporary tees will be used on the first and 10^th holes. Papago Golf Club close for overseeding on Oct. 3 and the renovated course reopens Oct. 24.

“The revitalization of Papago Golf Club continues with this series of upgrades and improvements,” Papago Golf Club general manager Daryl Crawford said.  “The bunker renovations and tee leveling will be welcome improvements, while the enhancements to ninth and 18th holes will help us prepare for the new and exciting Arizona Golf House. With the course remaining open during renovations, many of our regular golfers will be able to track the progress of the enhancements.”

 Originally designed by Billy Bell in 1963, Papago Golf Club has hosted numerous events, including the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, Phoenix Open qualifying and a LPGA tournament. Papago is home to Arizona State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams, and the teams’ indoor/outdoor practice facility.