Desert Highlands Golf Club

What Desert Highlands Golf Club does

Desert Highlands Golf Club is a private, member-owned residential golf community founded in 1983 by developer Lyle Anderson in North Scottsdale, Arizona, at the foot of Pinnacle Peak. The community comprises 563 homesites where property ownership and club membership are structurally bundled—all owners are members and all members are owners—and provides amenities centered on a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole par-72 golf course that hosted the inaugural PGA Skins Game in 1983 and 1984. Surrounding infrastructure includes a Gary Panks-designed 18-hole putting course (first in the U.S.), a Racquet Club with 13 tennis courts across all Grand Slam surfaces plus four pickleball courts, a 7,700-square-foot fitness center with Matrix equipment, a heated pool, multiple dining venues (Jack's gastropub, Jack's Backyard, Ventana, The Rocks), bocce courts, walking trails, a dog park, 24-hour security, and residential concierge services. The customer base consists of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, with ongoing geographic inflow from relocations out of large metropolitan markets such as Chicago and California.

Name

Desert Highlands Golf Club

Legal name

Desert Highlands Golf Club

Website

https://deserthighlandsscottsdale.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Desert Highlands Golf Club is a private, member-owned residential golf community in North Scottsdale, Arizona, with 563 homesites where property ownership and club membership are bundled. It serves ultra-high-net-worth households with a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, racquet club, fitness, dining, and concierge amenities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Residential Golf Club

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (71391), Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

Keywords

• Private golf club
• Residential golf community
• Country club membership
• Racquet sports facility
• Club dining services

Headquarters

HQ city

Scottsdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Property Sales: Revenue is generated through the sale of custom homes and homesites within the 563-homesite private community. Membership is activated upon property purchase, creating a bundled real estate and club membership offering.
2. Monthly Membership Dues: Members pay monthly dues that cover both HOA fees and club privileges, providing a streamlined membership structure compared to other private communities that separate these costs.
3. Food & Beverage: Revenue from on-site dining at Jack's gastropub, Jack's Backyard, The Ventana Dining Room, and The Rocks halfway house. Includes catering services for member events and private gatherings.
4. Capital Improvement Funding: 100% of membership fees are earmarked for capital repair, replacements, and enhancements. This sustainable financial structure funds ongoing community improvements while maintaining financial stability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Desert Highlands is a private member-owned residential golf community of 563 homesites at the foot of Pinnacle Peak in North Scottsdale, Arizona. Membership is exclusively tied to property ownership of a custom home or homesite; the bundled offering centers on the Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole golf course and a full amenity platform including a Racquet Club (tennis and pickleball), fitness center, heated pool, multiple dining venues, walking trails, and 24-hour security and residential services. Recurring revenue comes from monthly dues, one-time revenue from home and homesite sales, and ancillary food and beverage revenue.

Product overview

Desert Highlands is a private residential golf community offering a unified lifestyle platform centered around its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. The product portfolio includes: core recreational amenities (golf course, 18-hole putting course, Racquet Club with tennis/pickleball, fitness center, swimming pool, dog park, walking trails, fishing pond, bocce courts), dining experiences (Ventana Dining Room, Jack's gastropub, Jack's Backyard outdoor space, The Rocks halfway house), and residential/member services (24-hour security, residential services team). Membership is tied to property ownership with 563 homesites. The community is recognized as a Platinum Club of America Top 15 recipient.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jack's: Gastropub-style restaurant named after Jack Nicklaus, featuring piano bar, lounge area, high-top seating, and golf memorabilia.
• Jack's Backyard
• The Ventana
• The Rocks

Products and services

• Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course An 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, carved into the Sonoran Desert landscape with an elevated tee box and split-fairway par-four thirteenth. Hosted the inaugural PGA Skins Game in 1983 and 1984 featuring legends Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus; ranked among the top desert courses by Golf Digest and consistently listed in Golfweek's Top 200 Residential Golf Courses.
• 18-Hole Putting Course A Gary Panks-designed 18-hole putting course featuring over 60,000 square feet of lush putting surface. Desert Highlands was the first club in the United States and second in the world to install a professionally designed 18-hole putting course in the 1980s.
• Racquet Club (Tennis) World-class tennis facility with 13 courts covering all three Grand Slam surfaces: 4 grass courts (hosting the annual USTA Southwest Grass Court Classic), 6 clay courts, and 3 hard courts. Offers year-round competitive and recreational play, weekly/monthly events, tournaments, and professional instruction including Director of Racquet Sports Robin Scott and Head Tennis Professional Tatum Prudhomme.
• Pickleball Courts Four custom-built, regulation-size pickleball courts with a two-tone green surface, adjacent to the tennis facility with waiting and seating areas and accessible locker rooms. Supported by experienced Racquet Sports professionals for member instruction.
• Fitness Center & Heated Pool A 7,700-square-foot fitness facility equipped with modern MATRIX equipment, offering fitness classes, personalized workouts, and personal training staff. The facility includes a heated swimming pool held at 83 degrees year-round with an expansive deck overlooking the valley and golf course, plus massage therapy services.
• Bocce Ball Courts Two bocce ball courts offering a social Italian-pastime amenity for members of all skill levels, integrated with the Jack's Backyard outdoor space.
• Walking Trails and Dog Park Over five miles of walking trails stretching through the community amid the Sonoran Desert landscape, supported by a designated grassy dog park adjacent to the Racquet Club and pond with seating and scenic lake views.
• Ventana Dining Room The club's main fine dining room offering elevated cuisine complemented by Sonoran Desert and sunset views, with a sophisticated seasonal menu sourcing local ingredients.
• Jack's Gastropub A casual gastropub and grill named after Jack Nicklaus, providing a lively setting for members with handcrafted drinks, food, piano bar, lounge seating, high-tops, and walls lined with golf memorabilia honoring Nicklaus and other legends.
• Jack's Backyard An expansive outdoor dining and entertainment space adjacent to Jack's gastropub, featuring firepits, firepit dining tables, soft seating, and two bocce ball courts; designed to showcase Sonoran sunsets.
• The Rocks Halfway House An on-course halfway house offering soft serve ice cream, sandwiches, and cold beverages for golfers and members during rounds.
• Residential Concierge Services Dedicated member-services team providing notarization, shipping, transportation, home inspections, air filter changes, water softener maintenance, home repair vendor referrals, and residence-watch services while members are away.
• 24-Hour Security An in-house security department with professionally trained security officers operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, supported by a state-of-the-art security system.
• Desert Highlands Foundation Member-created foundation supporting dedicated employees and their families through scholarships, hardship assistance, and meaningful programs, reflecting the community's culture of caring.

Quantifiable outcome

• Community ranked 14th overall (Best in Arizona) - Top 15 Platinum Club of America
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PHX Architecture (Erik B. Peterson)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 October 2020Award-winning architect Erik B. Peterson from PHX Architecture led the $2 million clubhouse enhancement project completed in October 2020, which included the new Jack's gastropub, piano bar, upgraded lounge area, high-top seating, and memorabilia walls honoring Jack Nicklaus and golf legends.
• ClubessentialcoreTechnology or IntegrationClubessential provides the club management website platform for Desert Highlands, powering the official website at deserthighlandsscottsdale.com with member login functionality, event management, and content delivery.
• USTA Southwest (Grass Court Classic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Highlands hosts the annual USTA Southwest Grass Court Classic tournament, one of the premier grass court tennis events in the Southwest region.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Desert Mountain Club: Desert Mountain is a luxury private residential club community in North Scottsdale with multiple golf courses and extensive lifestyle amenities. It is highly comparable because it targets affluent homeowners seeking gated desert golf-club living in the same local market.
• The Estancia Club: The Estancia Club is an exclusive Scottsdale private golf club and residential community built around high-end desert golf. It competes for a similar ultra-affluent buyer/member seeking private club prestige, golf, and North Scottsdale real estate.
• Silverleaf Club: Silverleaf Club is a luxury private golf and lifestyle club within Scottsdale’s Silverleaf community. It is comparable through its residential-country-club model, high-end amenities, and affluent Scottsdale homeowner base.
• Mirabel Club: Mirabel Club is a North Scottsdale private golf club and residential community with a premium desert course, clubhouse, dining, and wellness amenities. It is directly comparable as a luxury residential golf-club community serving similar buyers.
• The Country Club at DC Ranch: The Country Club at DC Ranch is a private Scottsdale country club embedded in a master-planned residential community. Its golf, racquet, fitness, dining, and social offering overlaps closely with Desert Highlands’ member lifestyle proposition.
• Troon Country Club: Troon Country Club is a private Scottsdale country club serving a residential luxury golf community with golf, racquet, dining, fitness, and social amenities. It is comparable as a local high-end private club alternative for affluent North Scottsdale residents.
• Ancala Country Club: Ancala Country Club is a private Scottsdale country club associated with a gated residential community. It is comparable because it combines private golf, dining, tennis, and social amenities for affluent local homeowners.
• Whisper Rock Golf Club: Whisper Rock Golf Club is an exclusive private Scottsdale golf club known for high-end golf and a selective membership base. It is comparable on prestige and golf-centric member appeal, though it has less residential-lifestyle breadth than Desert Highlands.
• Desert Forest Golf Club: Desert Forest Golf Club is a private desert golf club in Carefree, Arizona with a strong reputation for natural desert golf. It is comparable as a premium Sonoran Desert private golf experience, but less directly aligned on residential community services.

Regional players

• The Stone Canyon Club: The Stone Canyon Club is a luxury private golf community in Oro Valley, Arizona. It is comparable as an Arizona desert residential golf-club model, though it primarily serves a different regional market than North Scottsdale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/deserthighlandsscottsdale
• Instagraminstagram.com/deserthighlandsscottsdale

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Desert Highlands Golf Club