Thurmond explained. “It’s going to be like something no one has ever seen before, where you can spend all day up there and just scratch the surface. “It spices everything up, makes it
newer, cleaner, better. ASU Karsten was once like that, and now we get to go through that again, which will be fun.”
MOVERS Scottsdale-based Troon Golf has announced changes to its hierarchy, beginning with Mike Ryan and Bruce Glasco being appointed co-COOs. Glasco joined Troon in 1999 and has served as a vice president of operations and a managing director. He will continue to be based at company headquarters in Florida. Ryan joined Troon in 2001 and was the company’s senior vice president of operations with oversight of clubs, resorts and golf facilities in Florida and Hawaii. He will be based out of Scottsdale. In yet another move(s), Ryan Walls has been elevated to the president of Troon Privé, while former Privé president Jim McLaughlin moves to senior vice president of business development for Troon. . . . Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
Golf Club has been awarded the prestigious 2017 Player Development Award from the National Golf Course Owner’s Association. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes general manager Brady Wilson accepted the award for the Troon-managed facility during the NGCOA’s annual meeting in Orlando. “Our teaching professional Ben Meidl is at the heart of this award for all of his efforts with our player development programs,” Wilson said. “In addition, our current and past head golf professionals have all contributed and spent countless hours to grow the game and develop new golfers.” The award recognizes “the club that has implemented the most successful player development program in an overall welcoming atmosphere for new and returning golfers of all ages.”
www.azgolf.org
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes general manager Brady Wilson (second from left) and Ak-Chin Indian Community vice chairman Gabriel Lopez (third from left) accept the NGCOA award for Player Development from NGCOA CEO Jay L. Karen (far left) and NGCOA executive board president Rock Lucas.
Mike Ryan
Bruce Glasco
SHAKE-UPS John Easterbrook, the long-time executive vice president and COO at Troon, has been named the first Chief Membership Officer of the PGA of America. In the newly created position, Easterbrook will work in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and oversee the core PGA Member- focused areas the organization including education, employment, member services and section business operations. “As the grandson of a PGA professional and son of a college football coach, golf and sports have been a big part of my life,” said Easterbrook, who was with Troon for 20 years. “I am humbled to be selected to serve the 28,000 men and women of the PGA of America.”
THE BUZZ Here’s something you don’t see every day: Longbow Golf Club in Mesa has been cited by Excellent Golf Walks of America (
www.golfwalks.com). “It is delightful to play,” reported the golf- centric website, citing Longbow’s welcoming reception area, shaded courtyard, friendly staff and, of course, walkable fairways. To celebrate, a special walk is planned for the club on April 18 just by visiting
www.longbowgolf.com. Longbow is certainly one of the
busier clubs these days in Arizona. In March, it hosted tournaments for the JGAA, First Tee and SWPGA, as well as a qualifier for the LPGA and the Gateway Classic on the Symetra Tour. In April, it was the host of the AJGA PING Heather Farr Classic, as well as the Western Athletic Conference men’s championship. In May, it will host the U.S. Kids/Arizona State Invitational and the National Junior College Div. II men’s national championship. n
Ryan Walls
Jim McLaughlin Longbow Golf Club SPRING 2017 | AZ GOLF Insider | 37
COURTESY TROON GOLF
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