Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, Located At JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Added To Marriott Golf Portfolio
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – September 25, 2006 – Marriott Golf, the world’s largest resort golf management company, today announced that it will assume management of the golf facilities at Starr Pass Golf Club, home to 27 holes of Arnold Palmer Signature Golf, located at the 575-room JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.
As part of its management of Starr Pass Golf Club, Marriott Golf will oversee all aspects of the club operation, including golf course maintenance, instructional programs, food and beverage services and overall golf programming.
"We are very excited to bring the Marriott Golf management expertise to Starr Pass Golf Club, located in one of the country’s premier golf destinations," said Claye Atcheson, Vice President, Operations, Marriott Golf. "As this facility will make an excellent addition to our portfolio of prestigious golf properties, we are excited to further enhance the golf experience for guests playing the great Arnold Palmer Signature Course at Starr Pass."
Located only minutes west of downtown Tucson at the foot of the resort, Starr Pass Golf Club is tucked into the Tucson Mountains, allowing golfers to escape the city and experience championship golf in the lush, Sonoran Desert terrain, featuring canyons, ravines and desert washes.
Built in 1986 under the auspices of designers Robert Cupp and PGA Tour Professional Craig Stadler, Starr Pass has long been a favorite of golfers seeking an enjoyable challenge. Starr Pass also played host to the PGA TOUR’s Tucson Open from 1986 to 1996, and is the site of Phil Mickelson’s first professional victory played as an amateur in 1991.
Palmer Course Design Company recently completed a renovation of the current 18 holes of championship golf, while adding an additional nine holes, making it a 27-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Facility.
Completing the golf experience at Starr Pass is a visit to the 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, offering casual dining with stunning views from the terrace deck, and private dining in The Palmer Room. The Golf Shop has the latest in top-quality equipment, rentals, golf fashion and products. In addition, Starr Pass Golf Club boasts a modern practice area featuring a putting green, chipping area and driving range.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf currently manages 60 golf courses at 45 facilities in 14 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is currently the largest resort golf operator in the United States. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, and Fairfield Inn brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune® magazine. In fiscal year 2004, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $10 billion, and the company had approximately 133,000 employees at year-end 2004. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Contact:
Ari Edelman
aedelman@mastrocomm.com
Michele Kruchkowski
mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com
Mastro Communications
732-469-5700