Papago Golf Course

NEWS REALEASES

June 30, 2009
Papago Announces Summer Rates, New 9-Hole Specials

Phoenix, Ariz. — Papago Golf Course has entered its summer schedule and has announced its new summer hours, with tee times now being accepted as early as 5:30 a.m. every day of the week.

As part of its new summer hours, Papago will accept 9-hole tee time reservations from
5:30-7 a.m. and after 4 p.m. each and every day during the month of July. Golfers taking advantage of the “Return of the Back 9” special will tee off on the 10th hole, with greens fees only $12 (cart extra) for Phoenix City Cardholders and $14 (cart extra) for non-cardholders.
“The 9-hole early morning round was widely popular back in Papago's heyday, so we decided to bring it back to give our golfers some playing options,” said Papago general manager Al Murdock.

Papago also has entered its summer pricing season, with rates at $20 (cart extra) for Phoenix City Cardholders and $40 (cart included) for non-cardholders. Mid-twilight offers also will be available during the summer, call the golf shop for more details.

For more information call (602) 275-8428, visit www.papagogolfcourse.net or visit Papago's new Fan Page on Facebook (Papago Golf Course).

Papago Golf Course opened in 1963 under the design of famed golf course architect William Francis “Billy” Bell and quickly became one of the finest municipal golf courses in the country. It was host of the 1971 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, and was the neighborhood city course for some of Arizona's most recognizable junior players, including Billy Mayfair and Heather and Missy Farr. Papago also played host to the 2009 J Golf Phoenix LPGA International, just four months after re-opening following an extensive course restoration project. Papago Golf Course sits on the borders of Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale, surrounded by the beautiful Papago Buttes and is conveniently located less than two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

June 30, 2009
Weekly Skins Game, Mixed Sticks Events Make Return To Papago Golf Course

Phoenix, Ariz. — Papago Golf Course, the home of the 2009 J Golf Phoenix LPGA International, is bringing back two of its more popular golf events, a weekly skins game and a weekly mixed couples outing.

The Papago Skins Game will be played every Monday with tee times ranging from 11 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. There is a $20 cash only buy-in for the skins portion of the event as well as a $20 greens fee (cart extra). The Skins Game is a gross competition with 70 percent of the payout going to the skins, and 30 percent going to the low gross score on the front nine, back nine and total score.

The Mixed Sticks outing is a Wednesday afternoon event where couples are treated to a 9-hole round of golf including cart and range balls. Mixed Sticks is a non-competitive event and welcomes golfers of all abilities. The modified shotgun format begins at 4:30 p.m. and the cost to participate is $20 per person.

For additional information on either the Papago Skins Game or the Mixed Sticks event call the Papago golf shop at (602) 275-8428, visit www.papagogolfcourse.net or view our new Fan Page on Facebook (Papago Golf Course).

March 28, 2009
Karrie Webb and Papago Golf Course both winners at LPGA event

With a 14-under par 274, Aussie Karrie Webb led the field by two shots to capture her 36th career LPGA victory on March 28 at the J Golf Phoenix LPGA International Presented by Mirasou Winery. Her final round 5-under-par 67 was her best score of the four-day tournament, and strong enough to earn her first victory of the season, before a gallery of some 39,000 fans.

Runners up were Jiyai Shin, at 276, 12 under par, In-Kyung Kim at 277, 11 under par, and tied for fourth, Yani Tseng and Suzanne Petterson at 278, 10-under par.

Commenting on Papago's first event since its restoration, Michelle Wie said, "It's really a great track." Christina Kim agreed, adding "The layout is phenomenal."

During the tournament, Papago played host to some 131,000 attendees, who enjoyed the new, attractive look and feel of the course and its convenient viewing vantages. While the course was redesigned primarily for amateur golfers, it stood the test of professional play admirably.

Laura Davies commented, "I love the layout: It's very charming and traditional. I hope it (the tournament) comes back here next year…."

February 5, 2009

2009 Tournament will be played March 26-29
Papago Golf Course to host 2009 Phoenix LPGA Invitational presented by Mirassou

Phoenix, Ariz.— The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Tournament Golf Foundation (TGF) announced today that the 2009 Phoenix LPGA International Presented by Mirassou will be played March 26-29 at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix, Ariz. Owned by the City of Phoenix since 1963, and long considered one of the country's finest and most popular municipal golf courses, Papago underwent an extensive restoration project in 2008. The course reopened to residents of Phoenix in December 2008 and is already receiving accolades from the golf industry for its new and improved look.

"The Phoenix event has long been one of the most popular and storied stops on the LPGA Tour, with past champions ranging from Betsy King to Laura Davies to Annika Sorenstam to, most recently, Lorena Ochoa," remarked LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. "This March we will add an exciting new chapter in the event's history when our players step foot on this beautifully renovated city-owned course. We look forward to engaging with the people of Phoenix in a truly new and unique way as we compete on their championship course for the first time."

"Adding to the excitement of unveiling the new and improved Papago, we are thrilled to announce that its freshly restored greens and fairways will soon be filled by the world's most talented and prolific professional golfers from the LPGA," said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. "We are excited to partner with the LPGA and TGF to ensure this important event stays in Phoenix."

The Papago restoration project is a direct result of a partnership between the City of Phoenix and the Arizona Golf Foundation, a non-profit arm of the Arizona Golf Association. The project is managed by The Golf Guys, LLC, under the direction of Marvin French, one of the principals at the highly acclaimed Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon. As part of the restoration, under the direction of course architect and former Augusta National Golf Club Superintendent, Billy Fuller, all of the greens, tees, fairways and rough have been re-turfed, all of the bunkers have been restored, and select holes have been lengthened so that the course now boasts a championship yardage of 7,333 yards.

"Phoenix is excited that the LPGA has selected Papago Golf Course to host their tournament," said Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton. "The selection of Papago by this prestigious golf tour shows the significant investments made were well worth it and we're looking forward to hosting these championship golfers".

The four-day, 72-hole tournament has been part of the LPGA Tour schedule since 1980. For the past five seasons, Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club, located just outside Phoenix, hosted the event, which has raised more than $4 million over that time to Phoenix-area charities.

"TGF is proud to add Papago Golf Course to the list of prestigious courses hosting our events over the years," said TGF President Tom Maletis. "Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club was a tremendous partner, but the LPGA professionals will surely appreciate the Papago Golf Course experience and the proximity to everything the City of Phoenix has to offer."

For more information on the Phoenix LPGA Invitational presented by Mirassou, go to www.phoenixlpga.com.

December 20, 2008

The Driving Range at Papago Golf Course is now open for use.

It will be open daily and will close an hour before sunset each day. Every Tuesday the range will close at 4:00 P.M. for regular maintenance.

November 7, 2008, City of Phoenix

Papago Golf Course set to re-open to public on December 6

Phoenix, Ariz. — Papago Golf Course, a municipal golf course in Phoenix that opened in 1963, is set to re-open for public play after shutting down in April to undergo an extensive restoration project. Play will be open to the public beginning Saturday, Dec. 6, with tee time reservations being accepted starting Thursday, Nov. 27. Beginning November 27, 2008, tee times will be taken by phone at 602 275-8428. Or, visit Papago.EZLinks.com. Cardholders, please go to papagocard.ezlinks.com to book a reservation.

“We are proud and excited to unveil the new and improved Papago Golf Course,” said John Ferenchak, President of the Arizona Golf Association Executive Committee. “This has been an exciting project and we are optimistic that Papago will once again be one of the biggest names in Arizona golf.”

The restoration project is a direct result of a partnership between the City of Phoenix, the Arizona Golf Association, and the Arizona Golf Foundation, a non-profit arm of the AGA. The project is being managed by The Golf Guys, LLC, under the direction of Marvin French, one of the principals at the highly-acclaimed Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon, while recently appointed general manager Al Murdock, a 23-year veteran of the PGA, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the golf course.
The restoration project is under the direction of golf course architect and former Augusta National superintendent William “Billy” Fuller, and includes re-turfing of all the greens, tees, fairways and rough; the installation of a new irrigation system; removal of trees to improve sight lines and views; and reshaping and adding of bunkers. Tee boxes have been lengthened at holes 1, 9 and 11, adding nearly 350 yards to the course, which will play anywhere from 5,300 yards to nearly 7,400 yards from five sets of tees.

“This is a special place with a lot of history and character, and I am honored to be a part of this project,” Fuller said. “My goal from day one was to keep this restoration as close to the original design as possible, and I feel like we accomplished that.”

The property also expanded the driving range both in width and length, giving Papago the opportunity to host a variety of community sponsored golf programs.

Rates in the winter months will be $44 for Phoenix City Cardholder members and $115 for those without the Phoenix City Card. Off-peak summer rates are $20 for Phoenix City Cardholders and $40 for non-cardholders. Carts also are available for $15 per rider.

Papago Golf Course opened in 1963 under the design of famed golf course architect William Francis “Billy” Bell and quickly became one of the finest municipal golf courses in the country. It was host of the 1971 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, and was the neighborhood city course for some of Arizona's most recognizable junior players, including Billy Mayfair and Heather and Missy Farr. Papago Golf Course sits on the borders of Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale, surrounded by the beautiful Papago Buttes and is conveniently located less than two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. For more information, go to www.papagogolfcourse.net or call (602) 275-8428.

April 4, 2008, City of Phoenix

Papago Golf Course Renovation Set to Begin April 4

The Arizona Golf Foundation, in partnership with the city of Phoenix, is kicking off the renovation of Papago Golf Course, 5595 E. Moreland St., on April 4. The city has signed a contract with the Foundation to renovate the course and to operate it when renovations are complete.
The foundation has committed $9.75 million to the project, funded through Industrial Development Authority bonds. As part of the project, the foundation will install a new irrigation system; restore the greens, bunkers and fairways; and extensively clean up and prune the course's trees. The course will be closed for eight months during construction, with a grand re-opening tentatively scheduled for November. Updates on the Papago Golf Course renovation and all of the city's other championship courses, all of which will remain open for golfers through the renovation, will be available on the city's golf course website at phoenix.gov/golf.

The city chose the foundation for the project earlier this year over two other bidders after a competitive process. As part of their operating agreement with the city, the foundation will be required to hire a general manager; a golf superintendent, a food and beverage manager; a director of golf/head golf professional; and a sales and marketing manager. In addition, the city's golf staff will continue to be involved in the operations at Papago through the establishment of an Oversight Committee made up of at least three city golf personnel. The city of Phoenix will have financial oversight during the entire term of the agreement and will perform regular audits of all financial documents and transactions

April 3, 2008, City of Phoenix

Groundbreaking For Papago Golf Course Renovation Set For April 4

An icon in the Valley's golf landscape will take a big step toward regaining its past glory April 4 at 9 a.m. when the Arizona Golf Foundation, Councilman Greg Stanton, and city of Phoenix officials break ground on the renovation of Papago Golf Course.

What: Groundbreaking for Papago Golf Course Renovation
Where: 5595 E. Moreland
When: Friday, April 4, 9 a.m.

The city has contracted with the Arizona Golf Foundation for the restoration project, which will include installing a new irrigation system, restoration of fairways, greens and bunkers; and extensive clean up and pruning of the course's trees.