Featured Arizona Golf Course Stories

Omni Tucson National Resort, located in the foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains, has much more to offer than just championship and desert-style golf courses. This summer, the resort is showing off some of its other amenities with several specials.

MESA, Ariz. – Augusta Ranch owner and general manager Don Rea announced today that Augusta Ranch raised more than $5,000 for the Folds of Honor Foundation at the inaugural Folds of Honor Foundation Celebration Golf Tournament, held Saturday, Mar. 31 at Augusta Ranch. Folds of Honor was the benefiting charity for the tournament, and ALL proceeds raised from the event will go to spouses and children of men and women injured or killed in action while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The Folds of Honor Foundation is a charity that is close to us at Augusta Ranch, that is why we donated the golf course to host this charity golf tournament to honor our country’s military heroes,” Rea said. “We were pleased at the turnout and are happy to be able to write a $5,000 check to this inspiring organization.”

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Ahwatukee Golf Properties, owners of five Phoenix area golf facilities announced they have officially changed their company name to the Foothills Golf Group. The new name will provide a better tie to the geographic location of the facilities owned by the group and also tie into the company’s most recent course acquisition: The Foothills Golf Club. This course was added into their Phoenix portfolio in December of 2011. Other Foothills Golf Group facilities include Club West Golf Club, Ahwatukee Country Club, The Lakes Golf Club and The Duke Golf Club.

“Our new name better embraces our facilities that grace the foothill region of this part Phoenix. It also creates new marketing and branding opportunities that will tie these popular facilities together more cohesively,” stated Terry Duggan, president of the Foothills Golf Group.

Jake Chanen, Katie Dunaway Take Green Jacket Honors At First Annual Arizona Short Course Classic At Augusta Ranch

MESA, Ariz. – Jake Chanen, a 13-year-old junior golfer from Phoenix, Ariz., and 16-year-old junior golfer Katie Dunaway from Gilbert were the overall winners in the Men’s and Women’s categories, respectively, at the First Annual Arizona Short Course Classic Presented by Nike Golf held at Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa.

Chanen shot 4-over par on the par-61 course over 36 holes, good enough to take top honors not only in his age group (Boys 13-14), but in the Men’s overall category as well, edging out Tyler Apps (Men’s Division), who finished 1-shot back at 5-over for the tournament.  Kevin Walters (Men’s Division) finished third in the Men’s overall at 6-over par.

Dunaway matched Chanen’s efforts and made it a clean sweep for the Junior contingent, shooting 11-over for the tournament to win her age group (Girls 15-18) and the Women’s overall.  Alisa Snyder (Girls 13-14) finished one shot back of Dunaway at 12-over in the Women’s overall, while GraceMarie Schian (Girls 15-18) finished third overall at 15-over par.

During this past week (March 12-18) the ladies tee'd it up at the 2012 RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup event at Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix. After several beautiful days of typical Arizona weather, the final round suffered through three rain delays, wind gusts, hail and overall nasty weather conditions. Congratulations to Yani Tseng, who outlasted the weather and the rest of the field to finish 18-under-par for her 14th career LPGA Tour victory!

I was hosted overnight by Talking Stick Resort, a relatively new property located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community. It boasts a 240,000-square-foot casino and award-winning restaurants like the Orange Sky on the 15^th floor, where you can take in the stunning Arizona sunsets. If gaming is your idea of a good time, check out Talking Stick Resort, www.talkingstickresort.com.

Golf at Troon North. In a word: breathtaking. Everything you've read or heard about this course is absolutely true, as it sets the standard by which all other area courses are measured. The primary reason I wanted to visit Troon North was to meet with Brett Brooks and find out about Summer Family Golf. Visit www.troonnorthgolf.com to learn more about the upcoming 2012 sessions for the entire family. The real lesson here is not to be intimidated by Troon North's challenge and reputation. They offer a thoroughly enjoyable golf experience for everyone!