A Catalyst for Kids, Careers and Community
Construction of the Arizona Golf House broke ground in June 2024. Located at Phoenix’s Papago Golf Course in the shadows of the Papago Buttes, this community outreach and educational facility will bring together Arizona’s golf community under one roof to maximize the game’s positive impact on local neighborhoods statewide. It also will become a research hub and pipeline for students pursuing careers in golf, tourism and philanthropy as well as provide a welcoming home for mentoring, recreation, workforce development and nonprofit programs.
The nonprofit golf organizations involved will provide a multitude of benefits and services to create thriving pathways for personal and professional development using the game of golf as the catalyst. Already the foundation of many Arizona neighborhoods, the local golf industry’s benefits will reach even more golfers and non-golfers alike through the Arizona Golf House.
Arizona Golf House Tenants
The Arizona Alliance for Golf will be responsible for subletting the space in golf house to non-profits tenants. A short list of these organizations includes AZGolf (formerly the Arizona Golf Association), First Tee Phoenix, Southwest Section PGA, Junior Golf Association of Arizona/Youth on Course, Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association, Club Managers Association of America Southwest Chapter and other part-time occupants.
Among the many benefits of creating this community will be cooperation among the associations when scheduling events, fundraising, communicating to their members, sharing ideas and birthing innovative initiatives to grow the game, educate the public and protect the interests of golf in Arizona.
Expanded Nonprofit Reach
Established and emerging golf nonprofits are eager to expand services to Arizona’s youth. The Arizona Golf House will facilitate the connection between providers and young people to equip the next generation with the life skills for success in education and beyond. They include the Arizona Caddie and Leadership Academy, Desert Mashies, Evans Scholars, National Golf Player Development Foundation and others.
Workforce Development, Job Placement and Research
The Arizona golf industry generates a $6 billion-dollar economic impact annually, with 60,000 jobs and $3 billion in out-of-state dollars stimulating the local economy. The Arizona Golf House community outreach and educational center will offer young people real-world training opportunities to reach their career goals, including mentoring and partnerships with the golf, tourism and food and beverage industries. In addition, collectively, the golf house community intends to participate in ongoing sustainability research including drought-tolerant grasses, innovative water conservation techniques and turfgrass management best practices.
Internships for Success
The Arizona Golf House will expand opportunities for internships in turfgrass management, nonprofit associations, hospitality and the tourism industry. Golf house tenants will partner with the state’s universities and community colleges to grow the pipeline of future leaders in Arizona golf.
