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Golf Club Scottsdale to Add New Practice Facility Amenities

(SCOTTSDALE, AZ) -- The Golf Club Scottsdale, one of the top-ranked private golf-only clubs in the country, is building on its acclaimed reputation with news of an expanded practice facility.

The Golf Club Scottsdale announced Jan. 4 it plans to expand its practice facilities by more than an acre, highlighted by a new 6,500 square-foot driving range tee, a 3,500 square-foot Bentgrass putting green and a 4,500 square-foot Bentgrass chipping green. The new practice areas are anticipated to be ready for play by summer of 2010.

This past spring, the Golf Club Scottsdale's existing practice facility was ranked No. 45 on Golf Digest's list of "The 75 Best Practice Areas" in the U.S.

According to Ed Shimkus, the club's director of agronomy, the new features will be landscaped so they remain private from the rest of the nearly 14-acre site. "Our golf instructors will be able to host clinics and give lessons without disrupting other members' activities," he said.  

Renowned for its  top-notch golf instruction, an addition of this scope makes sense, even in the midst of a recession, according to the club owner.

"This is a testament to both the quality of our golf instructors and the tremendous interest our members have in perfecting their games," said Matt McIntee, vice-president of Crown Golf Properties, which owns the Club.  "We are pleased to be able to enhance this aspect of the club and give our members an even better experience starting this summer."

The existing practice facility is highlighted by multiple tee surfaces that offer a wide range of shot angles with north and south options to counter the prevailing wind. The generous eight acres of fairway has five prominent target green locations surrounded by sand bunkers to emulate actual golf course playing conditions. The adjacent 2-acre short game area is dominated by a 10,000 square foot Bentgrass putting green and features two chipping greens and three separate sand bunkers to accommodate a variety of needs.

 Like most golf clubs in the southwest, the Golf Club Scottsdale has had a water conservation plan in place since it opened in 2004.  "The turf acreage used for these new features will be traded equally from other areas of the driving range with zero net gain of turf," Shimkus said.

One of the last courses to be designed by world-renowned architect Jay Morrish before his retirement, the Golf Club Scottsdale was immediately recognized as one of "The Top 10 New Private Courses" in the U.S. by Golf Digest. The club membership is limited to 350 and will never be predicated on residential real estate ownership.  Its membership deposit ($110,000) is non-equity and refundable upon transfer of the membership.  Each membership allows Club privileges for the member, his or her spouse and children under age 23.

Club owner Crown Golf Properties, a subsidiary of Henry Crown and Company, has developed and currently owns some of the top golf course developments in the country, including Snowmass Golf Club (Snowmass, Colorado), The Little Nell Hotel (Aspen, Colorado), and Ojai Valley Inn and Spa (Ojai, California).

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Troon Golf Picks up Management Contract at New York's Canyon Club

(ARMONK, NY) -- Troon Golf, the world's largest golf course operator, recently announced it was assuming management of The Canyon Club in Armonk, N.Y.

The Canyon Club, originally founded in 1974, is a private golf and country club nestled on 160 acres overlooking the town of Armonk. The 6,350-yard championship course's pristine conditions are a perfect fit for upscale Westchester County - an area known for world-class golf clubs such as Winged Foot and Westchester Country Club. The Canyon Club offers full country club amenities including 14 har-tru tennis courts and a 60,000 square-foot clubhouse. The clubhouse provides services for private and corporate functions and an outdoor cocktail terrace.

Canyon Club Partners II, LLC of New York City recently purchased the club from Mitsubishi International, which had owned the property since 1974. The club's new ownership group is just one example of the many changes that will be implemented, including a clubhouse renovation project that will be completed in time for the 2010 season.

 "We are excited to partner with Canyon Club Partners II, LLC on what is sure to become one of the most desirable private facilities in the region," said Hud Hinton, Troon's president/chief executive officer. "We are confident that combining the club's existing amenities and future improvements with the skill and experience of Troon Golf will result in extraordinary guest and member experiences."

New programs planned for The Canyon Club will be tailored specifically for the entire family,  emphasizing golf and tennis lessons that utilize the latest teaching technology and talented teaching professionals. Plans also include re-establishing the club as a premier venue for private functions and social events, offering high quality food and beverage services.

 "We are delighted to have prestigious Troon Golf on board as the club's management company as we move forward rapidly with our plans to reposition The Canyon Club as a full-service country club with an outstanding list of amenities," said Jeffrey B. Mendell, a principal in the club's new ownership. "As a long-time resident of Armonk, I am particularly pleased to be involved in the revitalization of this club which has been such an important part of the local community for nearly four decades.

Overall, Troon Golf operates golf properties in 31 states and 26 countries. Among its high-profile properties are Oneida Golf and Country Club, in Green Bay, Wis.; Troon North Golf Club, in Scottsdale, Ariz.; One & Only Ocean Club, on Paradise Island, Bahamas; and The Grove, in London, England.

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