TUCSON, Ariz. – BoardRoom magazine, in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, has named The Club at Starr Pass in Tucson, Ariz., a Distinguished Golf Destination with an ELITE Designation, The Hallmark of Excellence for a golf course. This merit-based designation recognizes exceptional golf courses that exceed expectations in the quality of service and amenities, facilities, and most importantly the teamwork of the staff and management.
“Excellence is not an act but a habit, and The Club at Starr Pass has made excellence a habit in every aspect of their facility,” said John Fornaro, Publisher and Co-founder of BoardRoom. “Congratulations to David Loomis and his entire team on their remarkable achievement in demonstrating exceptional governance, providing an outstanding golf experience, and maintaining high-quality facilities. Your hard work and commitment have truly set a benchmark for others to follow, and exemplifies what a Distinguished Golf Destination is.”
Developed by industry leaders, BoardRoom magazine and Forbes Travel Guide, the Distinguished Golf Destinations designation is the most prestigious and valuable accolade a resort, semi-private, daily-fee or public golf course can achieve. The Distinguished Golf Destinations program is not a popularity contest where industry insiders simply decide who makes the cut behind the scenes. Instead, Distinguished Golf Destination status is earned through a process where every aspect of your facilities, course(s), and operation are evaluated against the most important of all measures: Golf Experience.
“This honor belongs to our team. Their care shows up in every round, every meal, and every interaction with our Members and guests, and it confirms we are taking The Club at Starr Pass in the right direction. We will keep investing in the Club and the experience we deliver, and we are proud to help remind golfers that Tucson, with its deep golf history, has long been one of the country’s premier golf destinations,” said David Loomis, general manager of The Club at Starr Pass.
Owned by Southwest Value Partners, The Club at Starr Pass and JW Marriott Starr Pass continue to evolve as a desert destination where membership and stays are not simply accommodated, but thoughtfully experienced; where refined simplicity, nature, and a strong sense of place come together.
For more information on The Club at Starr Pass, visit www.theclubatstarrpass.com.
About The Club at Starr Pass
Set in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains, just minutes from downtown Tucson and easily accessible from both Tucson International and Phoenix Sky Harbor airports, The Club at Starr Pass is the premier club experience on Tucson’s west side. Part of the luxury Starr Pass resort, leisure, and residential community, which also includes the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, the Club offers Members and guests six state-of-the-art pickleball courts, pools, a striking clubhouse, and Creosote Sonoran Kitchen and Cocktails – named for the desert plant that gives the Sonoran region its clean, signature scent. At its heart are 27 holes of championship golf across three nine-hole routings; Pioneer, Gambler, and Palmer. Robert Cupp and PGA TOUR professional Craig Stadler designed the original 18 holes in 1987, and Arnold Palmer added nine more and refreshed the original layout in 2003. Each layout features dramatic elevation changes among iconic saguaro cacti and desert arroyos. Starr Pass has hosted the PGA TOUR’s Tucson Open and legends including Palmer, Phil Mickelson, Payne Stewart, and Nancy Lopez, and in December 2026 will host Stage Two of PGA TOUR Q-School for the second consecutive year. The Club is also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, reflecting its commitment to environmental stewardship.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, providing services at locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries. In addition to private, daily fee, resort and municipal golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Management, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers, Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
