Phoenix, Ariz. – Papago Golf Club has been named the 2020 “Arizona Golf Course of the Year” by the National Golf Course Owners Association of Arizona (NGCOA Arizona). The NGCOA Arizona Awards Committee recognized Papago for the club’s overall excellence, its relationship with Arizona State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams, the superlative practice facilities and new clubhouse.
The NGCOA Arizona Course of the Year award honors an Arizona golf course demonstrating four criteria: exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of ownership and management, outstanding contribution to its community, and significant contribution to the game. The Course of the Year Award winners come from the NGCOA Arizona’s core membership, which make an outstanding contribution to the game of golf in their markets, and are model operations to their peers.
“The club’s partnership with Arizona State University, coupled with the recent clubhouse construction and traffic rerouting, helped set Papago apart from the other candidates for this year’s award,” said Marc Connerly, Executive Director, NGCOA Arizona.
Papago Golf Club is owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a division of Troon. Long considered the finest municipal golf course in the state, Papago was originally designed by William Francis (Billy) Bell in 1963. Located minutes from downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Sky Harbor Airport, the course provides spectacular views of Phoenix from its unique, strategic setting at the base of Papago Buttes. Following a $5.9 million golf course renovation in 2008, which helped improve course conditions and modernize the routing, Papago is once again considered one of the top municipal golf courses in the country.
In late 2018, through a public/private partnership between the City of Phoenix, Arizona State University and the Arizona Golf Community Foundation, Papago opened the state-of-the-art Lou Grubb Clubhouse, Lou’s Bar and Grill and Evie’s Pavilion, along with upgraded public practice facilities and a private practice facility for the Arizona State University men’s and women’s golf teams.
“We are incredibly honored by the NCGOA Arizona award,” said Papago Golf Club General Manager Daryl Crawford. “Papago’s storied history and longtime love affair with locals are well documented. We are so pleased to share our new and approved amenities with our guests.”
Papago Golf Club is the fourth Troon-affiliated golf course to be named “Arizona Golf Course of the Year” by the NCGOA Arizona in the last four years, joining Troon Country Club in 2019, Westin Kierland Golf Club in 2018 and Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club in 2017.
For more information on Papago Golf Club, visit www.papagogolfclub.com or call (602) 275-8428. And to make a reservation or learn more about Lou’s Bar and Grill and Evie’s Pavilion, visit www.lousbarandgrill.com or call (602) 358-7004.
About NCGOA Arizona
The National Golf Course Owners Association of Arizona (NGCOA Arizona) represents more than 400 golf courses in Arizona, responsible for the employment of more than 41,000 Arizona citizens, with wages in excess of $1.5 billion and a state-wide economic impact exceeding $3.9 billion. NGCOA Arizona was established in January 2015 by the National Golf Course Owners Association to further its mission of enhancing the lives of golf course owners and operators by making their businesses more profitable, more efficient, better managed and more stable. NGCOA Arizona focuses on state-level issues, education, networking and advocacy – and serve the business needs of golf courses through uniting the Arizona golf industry and driving the business of golf.
About Papago Golf Club
Designed by William Francis “Billy” Bell, Papago Golf Course opened in 1963 as a crown jewel of the City of Phoenix’s municipal portfolio. It hosted the 1971 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, and incubated some of Arizona’s most recognizable talent. In 2008, the par-72, 7,333-yard layout underwent a renovation to restore and enhance Bell’s original work in time to host the 2009 J Golf Phoenix LPGA International. Papago sits on the borders of Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale, surrounded by the Papago Buttes less than two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. For more information, visit www.papagogolfclub.com or call (602) 275-8428.
About Lou’s Bar & Grill
Lou’s Bar & Grill is part of the brand-new, state-of-the-art Lou Grubb Clubhouse at Papago Golf Club. OB Sports Management is responsible for restaurant, clubhouse and golf course operations. Reservations may be made by phone at (602) 358-7004 or online at www.LousBarAndGrill.com. for more information on how to reserve Evie’s Pavilion for your next event, call (602) 237-6324 or visit papagoevents.com.
About OB Sports
Papago Golf Club is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success in the golf industry. Acquired by Troon in April 2019, OB Sports currently provides management services to more than 60 golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Founded in 1972, OB Sports has grown through the years delivering comprehensive and personalized services to daily-fee golf courses, private clubs and resorts. The company was named a “Top 100 Business in Golf” by the National Golf Foundation in 2018. For more information, visit obsports.com or call (480) 948-1300.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 435-plus locations around the globe, including managing 470-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 485-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 40-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Green Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
