Tournament Tested. Now it’s your turn at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes

The Par 3 fourth hole is the shortest of the par 3’s at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, measuring 160 yards from the championship tees. Don’t let the yardage fool you, as this hole plays harder due to its undulating green, surrounding greenside bunkers, and variable head wind.
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When one thinks of big time events in Arizona you easily gravitate towards the Waste Management Phoenix Open presented by the Ak-Chin Indian Community. But an Ak-Chin enterprise is quickly becoming the go to locale for events at all levels: professionals, collegiate, amateur, and corporate, charities and the like: Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. Ranked amongst the Top 100 in Golf Magazine and Golfweek Magazine, the Troon Golf-managed Schmidt/Curley design has a tournament list that is longer than most five year old’s Christmas List. 

In terms of professional events, “the dunes” recently hosted the PING Southwest Section PGA Section Championship (who’s winner Jesse Muller was awarded an exemption into the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open) and Web.com Tour Qualifying (ultimately the first step towards qualifying for the PGA Tour). Amateur events include The Saguaro Amateur Championship, Arizona Golf Association Amateur Championships, and U.S. Open qualifying events. The club even plays host to the nation’s top Collegiate events, as a host venue for the University of Wyoming Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Invitational, (who’s host school, Wyoming beat out the likes of Boise State, Air Force and others this fall). 

“We are focused on continuing to build Ak-Chin Southern Dune’s legacy as a premier venue for championship golf and allowing our guests to experience the same conditions, “ states Brady Wilson, General Manager for Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. “We recognize the unique opportunity the sport of golf affords us to allow the fan, spectator and average player to play on the same venues as the professional and elite athletes of the sport…it’s like letting a baseball fan take Batting Practice at Wrigley Field or Chase Field,” added Wilson.

Those who have not yet experienced Ak-Chin Southern Dunes immediately appreciate the pure golf experience that is served up in the 7500+yard routing that was designed by Schmidt-Curley with input from PGA Tour great Fred Couples. No homes or condos line the fairways and the “Australian Dunes-like” design captures stunning mountain and desert views for miles. 

The club just gets better and better as three short years ago the Ak-Chin community “green lighted” a major enhancement effort that improved the course’s playability for leisure players while maintaining the challenges and shot-values enjoyed by the aforementioned tournament competitors. Enhancements included a complete bunker renovation, additional tee boxes, expanded landing areas, and other design improvements on several holes. The changes have been well accepted by all, as evidenced by the recent movement upward in the rankings and just by looking at the club’s busy tournament schedule.  

Another unique offering at the club includes the industry leading #miniDunes. While the practice facility operates as a traditional driving range during the day, in the afternoon it “converts” to a fun-to-play, six-hole, par three short course. This innovative course is one that many golfers are using for fun post-round skins games and horse races. At the same time, it has also become a dynamic “grow the game laboratory”. So much so, that Ak-Chin Southern Dunes was the national award winner for National Golf Course Owners Association Player Development Of The Year award in 2017

The Ak-Chin Southern Dunes experience isn’t limited to amenities that involve green grass. The club is becoming the area’s most sought after dining destination and special event gathering place. Meeting space and cozy dining venues highlight the Arroyo Grille – the name of which was inspired from the Ak-Chin translation meaning “where the water loses itself in the sand,” or “the mouth of the arroyo”. Ak-Chin art is on display throughout the restaurant and even the Arroyo Grille’s logo was designed to connect further into the Ak-Chin symbols for water, arrows and the sun. Led by Chef Neil Magbanua, Arroyo Grille offers the traditional club favorites combined with modern twists on Ak-Chin’s traditional fare. Rotating evening chef specials make Arroyo Grille one of the region’s most popular dining venues. Even if you don’t take in a full meal, the Grille is worth the stop for happy hour libations or to take in a stunning desert sunset while enjoying specialty craft beers.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club is the perfect complement to the Ak-Chin destination that also includes nearby Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino and the Ak-Chin UltraStar Multitainment Center. The club brings together these elements via creative packages available on AkChinSouthernDunes.com or through Troon Golf Vacations – creating a truly exciting destination.  

No matter whether you are looking to plan your next corporate outing, charity event or just your Saturday morning foursome, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is tournament tested and ready for you.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes “At A Glance”
48456 West Highway 238, Maricopa, AZ 85139
Golf Reservations: 480.367.8949 • www.AkChinSouthernDunes.com 

General Manager: Brady J. Wilson, PGA
Head Golf Professional: Jerrin Woodrow, PGA
Sales & Marketing Manager: Devin Lowe
Superintendent: Dan Payson
Managed by Troon Golf

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
18 Holes, Par 72, 5036 – 7517 yards
Architects: Schmidt-Curley Design and Fred Couples
Fall/Winter golf rates range from $89 - $164
Preferred rates offered to Troon Cardholders & Copa Cardholders
Book on-line at AkChinSouthernDunes.com for the Best Available Rate

#MiniDunes
6 Holes, Par 18, 487 Yards
Designed by Brian Curley
Golf rates: $12 Unlimited Play ($9 for Troon Cardholders). Complimentary for Juniors under the age of 17 when accompanied by a paying adult. 

Arroyo Grille
Breakfast: 6 a.m. to noon • Lunch: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Dinner: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is proudly owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community