Scottsdale, Ariz. (February 13, 2017) – Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club was awarded the prestigious 2017 Player Development Award from the National Golf Course Owner’s Association at last week’s NGCOA Golf Business Conference in Orlando, Fla.
The Player Development Award recognizes the NGCOA member who throughout the year has implemented the most successful player development program, providing effective return-on-investment and an overall welcoming atmosphere for new and returning golfers of all ages. According to the NGCOA, the recipient of this award must be well rounded in offering programs that encourage non-golfers to come to the course, new golfers to come back to the course and beginning golfers to raise their level of play to core golfer.
“We are so proud and excited to win this national award,” said Brady Wilson, general manager, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. “Our teaching professional, Ben Meidl, is at the heart of this award for all of his efforts with our player development programs. In addition, our current and past head golf professionals have all contributed and spent countless hours to grow the game and develop new golfers.”
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, a Troon-managed facility, offers a multi-faceted approach that attracts new golfers of all ages, genders and demographics. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes has developed programs that are specifically tailored to the audience, including ladies clinics, junior clinics and new golfer instruction and social outings.
To assist in attracting new golfers, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes created a “convertible” driving range. The facility serves as a traditional driving range during the day, but once the twilight hours hit, the range converts into a six-hole par three short course. The club named the course #miniDunes to appeal to a younger audience, while also increasing social media awareness.
“#mini Dunes is our laboratory to grow the game,” added Wilson. “We use the facility to introduce new golfers, young and old, to the game of golf.”
The club also engages the Ak-Chin Indian Community and brings in women, juniors, and encourages new golfers from the Community to learn the game. After school programming targets the Ak-Chin youth and includes van transfers to/from school, complimentary instruction, play on #miniDunes, complimentary use of clubs and fun activities mixed in such as SNAG golf games, water balloon fights, and “bunker jumping.”
For more information on Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, call 480-367-8949 or visit www.akchinsoutherndunes.com.
About Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
The Ak-Chin Indian Community, which owns the nearby Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casi no and the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle, has brought together championship-style golf and world-class gaming and entertainment. Gaming and golf packages are now available through Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, creating a truly exciting and multi-faceted destination, pleasing to a wide range of visitors. The course sits on 320 acres of land that was once a part of the Ak-Chin’s original May 1912 reservation before it was removed by Presidential Executive Order in late 1912. Nearly 100 years later in 2010, the Community recovered its sacred land when they purchased Ak-Chin Southern Dunes after it was originally developed as a private club. The course currently boasts several coveted accolades that include Golfweek’s list of the “Top 100 Resort Courses,” “Best Courses You Can Play,” and “Top Casino Courses,” as well as Golf Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company, with more than 270 golf courses in its portfolio. Also specializing in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues, the company oversees operations at Troon Golf, Honours Golf, Troon Privé (the private club operating division of Troon) and Troon International properties located in 36 states and 31 countries. Additionally, there are 57 Troon affiliated properties featuring 79 courses that have been recipients of a “Top 100” ranking by national and international publications. Troon properties include Princeville Makai Golf Club, Kauai, Hawaii; Centurion Club, London, England; The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, Ariz.; The Bay Club, Berlin, Md.; Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich, England; and CostaBaja Golf Club, in La Paz, Mexico. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
Covering the business of golf!
