MOVERS&SHAKEUPS


ASU has big plans for Papago


Troon adjusts hierarchy; PGA names Easterbrook


“U


nique,” “state of the art,” “spectacular” and “the best in the nation” are the


words that are being tossed around to describe Arizona State’s new practice facility and team clubhouse that are planned for Papago Golf Course. But for ASU golf coaches Missy Farr-Kaye and Matt Thurmond, you can sum up this joint venture between the Arizona Golf Community Foundation, the City of Phoenix and ASU in just one word: “Yes.” Ultimately that’s what Farr-Kaye


and Thurmond expect to hear when they bring future recruits to what will be ASU’s new home of golf for the Sun Devils as well as the golfing public. Or as Thurmond, the men’s coach, spun it: “It’s going to be the kind of facility where a recruit can’t say, ‘No.’ ” The Arizona Golf Community


Foundation (AGCF), created to serve the best interests of both the City of Phoenix and ASU, will develop the public clubhouse, the ASU golf house and a practice facility for the team in the coming year. Ground-breaking on the clubhouse being designed by Douglas Fredrickson Architects of Scottsdale begins in June. Former ASU alum and PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson will be the creator/builder of the practice facility. “There is no doubt iconic Papago Golf


Course is exceedingly valuable to the City of Phoenix and Arizona, and we’re excited to spearhead the evolution of the space,” said Gregg Tryhus, president and owner of Grayhawk Development and the president of the AGCF.


36 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRING 2017 An artist’s rendering of the new Arizona State golf house and practice tee at Papago Golf Course. “While public access will be protected,


promoted and maintained as it has existed these past three years that the AGCF has been overseeing Papago, providing a practice facility for ASU’s women’s and men’s golf programs will allow them to continue to build upon their championship golf program pedigrees.” Long considered an historic landmark


and the poster course of the City of Phoenix’s municipal golf system, Papago was renovated into a top-tier playing experience in 2007 while retaining the accessibility and price of a public city golf course open to all. It’s a win-win, said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, pointing to a 30-year lease signed between the city and the university. “The City of Phoenix is proud to


partner with ASU and the AGCF to enhance one of the city’s top recreational attractions,” Stanton said. “Papago Park is a special place in our city — designated as one of Phoenix’s points of pride — and through the efforts of the Arizona Golf Community Foundation, Papago will reach even more people in our community with dedicated social spaces and by serving as a new home for ASU’s golf program.” Mickelson also has high hopes


for the ASU complex, which includes 6,750 square feet of air-conditioned meeting space and 2,400 square feet of exterior covered space, and his proposed


practice area, which includes a short- game area and a special driving range complete with a designated fairway. “Arizona State’s facility is going


to be home to the single-greatest short game training space in the country,” Lefty promised. The move from ASU Karsten,


the current home of the Sun Devils, to Papago certainly has Farr-Kaye revved up. “I am excited to return to a


golf course that became such a special place for my family,” ASU’s women’s coach, noting that she and her late sister, Heather Farr, grew up playing golf at Papago. Thurmond said a timetable remains


uncertain for when ASU Karsten will officially close and Papago becomes home to the Sun Devils. However, the Papago project will happen sooner than some might think, he added. “ASU Karsten is open, but it


won’t be forever,” Thurmond said. “To date, it’s been a long process, but once the building starts at Papago, it’s a fast buildout.” Thurmond called the clubhouse, ASU


golf house and practice facility “Phase One.” When Phase One is finished, he added, the parties will move on to enhancements to the golf course. “We’ll have a much more extensive practice facility with unlimited options,”


www.azgolf.org


By AZ GOLF Insider Staff


COURTESY ASU


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