ASU set to take over Papago

[fore_life]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/05/12/phoenix-papago-golf-course-asu-pact/8987837/

 

Looks like it's all a go, wonder what the "approved rates" for locals will be?

[wcb231]

Don't like the idea of only giving city residents half the tee times. That, to me, sounds like there's going to be a rate hike unless the "already approved" rates are what's literally already in place.

[fore_life]

I may be mistaken, but I think if they increased the local rates by more than like $5, it would drive away alot of their core business and reduce their current profitability.

Speaking personally, the city card rates are they only reason I play there. I like the course and for an occasional $40 in the winter, it's a solid value. But if it were $50 for a resident(walking) then I'd be fine just taking it out of the winter rotation of Dobson/aguila/vistal/occasionally maryvale.

It's a great course that's in good shape (par 3's my only beef) but I've always felt that's it's a good deal for city card owners but over priced for out of towners, but still cheaper than peak Scottsdale golf and it's nice and close to the airport.

You would have to think that building a large clubhouse and restetaunt would increase operating costs, but good for them if they can do it, keep everyone happy, and still turn a profit.

[jewofgolf]

I think the rates have to go up. I'm with dropping it from the rotation if twilight gets above 32 walking.

[Bazzer]

Anyone sad about the death of the Karsten course?

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Bazzer' timestamp='1399963793' post='9284765']
Anyone sad about the death of the Karsten course?
[/quote]

I'm guessing the Solheim family are not particularly thrilled.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='Bazzer' timestamp='1399963793' post='9284765']
Anyone sad about the death of the Karsten course?
[/quote]

Nope...bulldoze it and get some apartments with hot young ASU tenants running around!

[jewofgolf]

[quote name='Bazzer' timestamp='1399963793' post='9284765']
Anyone sad about the death of the Karsten course?
[/quote]

I played there for the first time this spring and I am. I like it a lot - I think it's a fun change up.

[Bazzer]

[quote name='jewofgolf' timestamp='1399997239' post='9286653']
[quote name='Bazzer' timestamp='1399963793' post='9284765']
Anyone sad about the death of the Karsten course?
[/quote]

I played there for the first time this spring and I am. I like it a lot - I think it's a fun change up.
[/quote]
Yeah, I liked it a couple years back when I was there for work. Nice variety of holes, walkable, challenge enough for me. I would play there frequently if I lived in the area. Is there a date for closing it announced?

[StarFleetGolfer]

[quote name='Bazzer' timestamp='1399963793' post='9284765']
Anyone sad about the death of the Karsten course?
[/quote]



Yes I really like the course and reasonably priced in the winter.

[90isagoodday]

[quote name='Bazzer' timestamp='1399963793' post='9284765']
Anyone sad about the death of the Karsten course?
[/quote]

Nope that Pete Dye is an a******! Is that what they're doing? Bulldozing so ASU can take eminent domain?

[YMark]

Karsten sucks just like most Pete Dye courses.

[poppyhillsguy]

Never liked Karsten, but really enjoyed the food inside the clubhouse.

[azgolfer44]

Reviving this thread to share some recent information I learned.  A "Golf House" is going to be built on or near the 18th hole green at Papago this summer.  It will be the home of the AGA, SWPGA, JGAA, and other related golf organizations.  Consequently, the 18th and 9th greens at Papago will be moved.  The 18th will be moved to the south and sounds like it will shorten the hole.  The 9th will be moved east further behind the pond.  The 1st and 10th tees will need to be moved as well.  During construction, the course will have some temporary greens, but I have not seen any designs.  

 

Over the courses of 5 years, Papago will have gone from a modular trailer, to 4 separate buildings on site, including ASU's private practice facility (which looks sick but never been invited back there). I suppose this is the product of a developing city/state, but it is a little disappointing to be constructing another building at Papago with questionable  benefit to the residents of Phoenix.  Although I really like Papago, tee times are becoming more and more scarce every year, and I imagine this won't help.  It also seems like there is ample commercial real estate along 52nd street, but I am guessing the public land will be "donated" for this project.

[Argonne69]

On 5/16/2014 at 2:14 PM, YMark said:

Karsten sucks just like most Pete Dye courses.

 

Oy veh. Kiawah Ocean. Whistling Straits. French Lick. PGA West Stadium. Sawgrass. The Brickyard. Yeah, they all suck. Sheesh. 

 

[YMark]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Oy veh. Kiawah Ocean. Whistling Straits. French Lick. PGA West Stadium. Sawgrass. The Brickyard. Yeah, they all suck. Sheesh. 

 

 

Wow, bringing up a post from 7 years ago. I said most, not all. And Karsten sucked and I'm sure most on this thread that have played it would agree.

[Argonne69]

7 minutes ago, YMark said:

 

Wow, bringing up a post from 7 years ago. I said most, not all. And Karsten sucked and I'm sure most on this thread that have played it would agree.

 

No doubt Karsten was subpar, but you said most Pete Dye courses sucked. I've played dozens of Dye courses, and the vast majority do not suck.

 

Curious, what other Dye courses have you played that sucked?

 

 

Edited November 24, 2021 by Argonne69

[YMark]

4 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

No doubt Karsten was subpar, but you said most Pete Dye courses sucked. I've played dozens of Dye courses, and the vast majority do not suck.

 

Curious, what other Dye courses have you played that sucked?

 

 

 

Well maybe I was hard on Pete. But, I've played Red Mountain, La Quinta and Karsten and didn't care for any of them. I've played PGA West Stadium and while I thought it was a hard course, I liked it. I'm playing Kiawah Ocean in February and hopefully I'll like that. 

[whatsupwithgolf]

I've played Dye's Walk in Indy which is a fun track, my big qualm with Dye is his tracks are too hard usually. I was playing in the Papago league and told the guy who runs the AGA got that deal going to build the golf house. Sounds like a total scam with that guys connections and why they're doing that, too bad

[fore_life]

The aga was responsible for the initial fumble handling Papago, as well as the cluster***k at Apache stronghold.

[jatrain]

Yeah, it’s going to be frustrating if this f*cks up 9 and 18 (and 1 and 10) while adding nothing of value for anyone besides those who work for those organizations. 

[YMark]

I played Papago on Friday and walked for $46. But $12 for a medium bucket of balls is a bit pricey. And then there was some woman's tournament and 3/4 of the range was reserved for them, which left 6 spaces for every other golfer. Not to mention the stupid mask policy is in effect in the clubhouse.

[fore_life]

Crazy, it only takes me 2 seconds to put a mask on, didn’t know it was so difficult for you!

[puttnforthe8]

21 minutes ago, fore_life said:

Crazy, it only takes me 2 seconds to put a mask on, didn’t know it was so difficult for you!

 

Not too mention "some womans tournament"!   Someone has issues!

[YMark]

On 12/19/2021 at 9:57 AM, fore_life said:

Crazy, it only takes me 2 seconds to put a mask on, didn’t know it was so difficult for you!

 

Where did I write than it's difficult to put on a mask? You probably play with one on.

 

On 12/19/2021 at 10:19 AM, puttnforthe8 said:

 

Not too mention "some womans tournament"!   Someone has issues!

 

My qualm wasn't a "woman's tournament", my qualm was that 3/4 of the range was closed due to a tourney. I just mentioned that it was a woman's tournament, but go ahead and try to make me out as some misogynistic person for describing the tournament for what it was.  Your type are easy to spot.

 

[puttnforthe8]

2 hours ago, YMark said:

 

Where did I write than it's difficult to put on a mask? You probably play with one on.

 

 

My qualm wasn't a "woman's tournament", my qualm was that 3/4 of the range was closed due to a tourney. I just mentioned that it was a woman's tournament, but go ahead and try to make me out as some misogynistic person for describing the tournament for what it was.  Your type are easy to spot.

 

Keep going winner!  

[azgolfer44]

Here is another update on Papago's reconstruction according the Park Board minutes.  It looks like 3 new greens (3 temp greens this summer) 3 new fairways, and some general redesign.  The course needs the update even though it was fully remodeled about 15 years ago.   I am still not convinced the building is necessary, especially on the 18th green.  The maintenance area shed is in pretty rough shape, so I understand the need for that.

 

ASU, through its contractor Troon Golf, is proposing a list of significant improvements to
the Papago Golf Course. The improvements will play a critical role to keep the Papago
Golf Course ranked and relevant among the best municipal golf courses in the country.
Enhancing playabilities for all players, from the average golfer to top college players in
the country, using the most advanced golf equipment available. The improvements
being proposed include adding cart paths, tee areas, bunkers, trees and mounds; and
realignment of existing tees, relocating three fairways and moving three green
complexes. It is important to note, all the proposed improvements do not add turf to the
golf course and take place within the current context of the golf course.

 

Funding
The project will be fully funded through the non-profit Arizona Golf Community
Foundation (AGCF). The AGCF is contracted by ASU to provide operations and
management for Papago Golf Course. The estimated cost of the improvements is $4
million.

Phases/Next Steps
The vision provided by the AGCF for current (Phase I) and future improvements
(Phases 2 and 3) to the Papago golf course are listed below.

• Phase 1 - The current proposed improvements
• Phase 2 - The future construction of a completely new golf maintenance facility
• Phase 3 - The future addition of a golf community building to serve as the home
for all the growth of the game entities such as PGA Junior League, First Tee,
Junior Golf Association, Youth on Course, and LPGA Girls Golf. The location of
this building and parking lot would be where the 18th green is located currently.

 

 

Papago Improvements.pdf

[Soloman1]

All this work sounds, uh, expensive and unnecessary to me. Papago was just fine with a couple of trailers and friendly staff years ago even with no cart paths or buildings no one can get into. It was what made it a change of pace from the usual PHX courses.

 

The greens, tees and fairways where always in decent shape, and isn’t that what really counts?

 

Progress isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

[fore_life]

Totally agree, especially since ASU has deep pockets, the community golf fund might be better served elsewhere. Apache stronghold coulda used help to get them out of a bind, especially since the AGA is what got them into the initial mess. They also mishandled funds on the initial Papago redo. 

[backspace1]

Good find - hope it turns out alright.  I agree they don’t need to build anything else there. Where is all the additional parking coming from- actual grass areas or desert to the southwest of 18?