A public/private partnership between the City of Phoenix, Arizona State University (ASU) and the Arizona Golf Community Foundation (AGCF) will began construction of a new, state-of-the-art clubhouse and practice facility at Papago Golf Course in July, 2017. The clubhouse, which includes a restaurant and bar, is expected to be completed spring 2018. Additional elements include a private, world-class ASU Golf team practice facility, improvements to the public practice facilities and a new convenient entrance to the course off McDowell Road, all of which are scheduled for completion fall 2018.

The AGCF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting public golf in Arizona, and was given course management responsibility in 2014. Papago Golf Course is managed under contract with OB Sports who will continue to oversee day-to-day golf course operations.

No City of Phoenix taxpayer funds will be used for the project. Funding for the clubhouse was secured through donations made by the Lou and Evelyn Grubb Foundation – a fund at the Arizona Community Foundation – assisted by their son, Dan Grubb, on behalf of the Grubb family. A practice facility solely for use by ASU’s Men’s and Women’s Golf teams will be developed from capital received from Arizona State University and the ASU Foundation. The clubhouse and ASU Golf team building were designed by Gold Nugget Award winner, Douglas W. Fredrikson, AIA, Douglas Fredrikson Architects of Phoenix. The ASU Golf team practice area was designed by Phil Mickelson Design and Rummel Construction Inc. is the builder for both projects.

“We are thrilled to break ground on this extremely exciting project,” said Gregg Tryhus, President of the AGCF. “This will ensure Papago Golf Course can return to being the crown jewel of public golf in Arizona. The clubhouse will be not just for golfers, but also an outstanding place for anyone to meet friends for lunch, dinner or to catch a game on TV. We are extremely grateful to Dan Grubb for his support and to Doug Fredrikson who designed the new facility. And on top of all that, the project will provide ASU Golf teams with a first-rate facility worthy of their excellence.”

Improvements to the public practice facility, as well as the new entrance road off McDowell Road, are scheduled to begin in Q1 of 2018. Additionally, the current public-use practice facility and tee-surface area will be significantly increased from its current size, and new practice facility targets, as well as new putting and chipping areas, are also planned as the project moves forward.

The Papago Golf Course practice area will be closed toward the end of first quarter 2018 and reopen fall 2018. Papago Golf Course will remain open throughout the project.