successful transition from Desert Mountain Golf Club to Phoenix Country Club, all while battling breast cancer. Throughout countless treatments and surgeries, Nelson’s strength not only delivered her back to the health but also to the tournament’s outstanding success in its first year at PCC, as the tournament exceeded all financials goals and tournament attendance doubled from a year ago. . . . Kim Haddow, head golf coach
at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, was honored as the 2017 Coach of Character by the NAIA. Haddow earned the honor from among 250 coaches at the NAIA level. She was selected because she embodies the core values of the award: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and leadship, said NAIA vice president Paige Salveter. Haddow has coached the men’s and
women’s teams at ERAU since 2010, and has won five straight men’s titles in the Cal-Pac Conference, as well as four straight women’s titles in the same conference. Her husband, Mike Haddow, is the team’s assistant coach. . . . For the fourth straight year,
Troon has been named golf course management, development and marketing company of the year by BoardRoom Magazine. “We are absolutely thrilled to once again be recognized by BoardRoom for this incredible honor,” said Tim Schantz, president of Troon.
SHAKEUPS Kierland Golf Club, which was one of the leaders in introducing Segways, Golf Boards and golf bikes is at it again. This time, the Kierland folks are coming out with yet another fun-filled way to enjoy the day — TurfRiders. The mini-motorcycles, which have a top speed of 24 mph, have the golf bag secured to the back of the cycle, with players cruising the golf course both on and off the cart path. “TurfRiders help provide a fun and
exhilarating golf experience,” said Nancy Dickens, direcgtor of golf at Kierland. “They are easy to ride but something most golfers have never experienced. “They continue the Kierland tradition
of creating a unique and different experience, while rounding out the quartet of fun — Segways Golf Boards,
www.azgolf.org
Kierland Golf Club’s new TurfRiders are mini-motorcycles that can carry your clubs, travel anywhere on the golf course and reach top speeds of 24 mph.
golf bikes and now, the TurfRider.” TurfRiders cost $39 for 18 holes
plus green fee, and can be booked along with a tee time at 480) 922-9283 or visiting
www.kierlandresort.com. The Kierland staff asks that you arrive 30 minutes early to learn basic instruction on any of its alternative rides. . . . Club West Golf Club in the
Ahwatukee Foothills has been sold to a group of private investors and the Intertribal Golf Association, a Native American marketing association with a nationwide network of 110 golf courses owned by 63 tribes. Intertribal offers seasonal reciprocity memberships. A spokesperson for Intertribal
declined to give details on the club, which was up for sale with a $2 million price tag, but told the Ahwatukee News: “Big things are going to happen. Stay tuned.” Club West had fallen on hard times,
as previous owner Wilson Gee had turned off the water on the club last summer. With the fairways and greens brown and dying, a group called “Save Club West” had attempted to purchase the property without success. The News reported that Gee is
still battling with the Phoenix Water Services Department over his bills for Club West’s irrigation, which reportedly topped $700,000 a year. Suncor, which sold the course to Gee in 2010, used recycled water for Club West, taking advantage of a treatment plant that the city ran not far from the Club West community. But the city closed that plant in the late 1990s, forcing the club to use potable water instead. . . .
Tonto Verde Golf Club, which
will host the 2018 Arizona Amateur Championship, has completed its bunker renovation process. Architect Mike Gogel completed the redo, which involved using Linebacker Bunker Liner on the bunkers found on the Peaks and the Ranch courses. “The bunkers were originally built
with flashy photography in mind,” said Gogel, an Arizona-based designer. “The members were having an issue with accessing bunkers, and the maintenance staff was struggling with maintaining them. . . . From the response we’ve received, they are (both) very happy.” n
OBITUARY
AZ architect Hardin dies Golf course architect Jeffrey D. Hardin of Wickenburg died on Jan. 1. Hardin, who was a civil engineering graduate from the University of Arizona, built several golf courses in Arizona, mostly with his partner, Greg Nash. Hardin was 84. Hardin’s career included work with
other prominent architects such as George Fazio and Robert F. “Red” Lawrence. Hardin was a long-time member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). Working alongside Nash, they built
such Arizona layouts as Los Caballeros Golf Course in Wickenburg; Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa; El Conquistador Country Club in Tucson; the West Course at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park; and Sky Mountain Golf Course in Hurricane, Utah.
PREVIEW 2018 | AZ GOLF Insider | 39
COURTESY KIERLAND GOLF CLUB
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