Papago Golf Club

What Papago Golf Club does

Papago Golf Club is a public-access championship golf facility located in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona, operating an 18-hole, Par-72 Billy Bell-designed course measuring up to 7,380 yards from the Black Tees. Founded in 1963 by William Francis (Billy) Bell — architect of San Diego's Torrey Pines — the course is positioned within two miles of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at the convergence of Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale. The club underwent an $8 million renovation in 2008 and a major modernization in 2018 with the addition of the mid-century modern Lou Grubb Clubhouse, Lou's Bar & Grill restaurant, and Evie's Pavilion event venue; that same year, the Phil Mickelson-designed Thunderbirds Golf Complex was inaugurated in partnership with Arizona State University and the Thunderbirds philanthropic organization, making Papago the home course for the ASU Sun Devils men's and women's golf teams (combined nine NCAA Championship victories). The property is operated under third-party management by Troon.

The business spans a single integrated physical asset monetized across multiple revenue streams: greens fees and public tee-time booking (variable by time of day, day of week, and Phoenix City Card status); a Phoenix City Card loyalty program at $60/year for Maricopa County residents; equipment rentals (PING/Callaway); golf instruction from PGA-certified staff including private lessons and group clinics; a practice facility with putting greens, short-game area, and synthetic/natural-grass tee; on-site F&B; weddings and group events at Evie's Pavilion; and a tournament hosting operation led by a dedicated sales team for groups of 12–39 players and full-field events. Distribution is omnichannel: direct website (powered by GolfNow/Golf Channel Solutions), iOS and Android mobile apps (Quick18-based), phone reservations, and a tournament/group sales team, with the Phoenix City Card providing a recurring-revenue loyalty layer.

Customer segments span individual public golfers (transactional pay-per-play), Maricopa County resident loyalty members, corporate/group tournament buyers (event-driven), junior golfers (subsidized via Operation 36 and Youth on Course), and instructional clients. Headcount is 51–100 employees; revenue is not publicly disclosed. Marketing emphasizes the historic Bell design, ASU collegiate affiliation, Mickelson-designed practice complex, mountain and desert views, and Sky Harbor proximity. Recent multi-year commitments to host the Arizona Open (2024–2026) and ASU Invitationals (2018–2026) underscore the tournament vertical as a deliberate growth and brand lever.

Name

Papago Golf Club

Legal name

Papago Golf Club

Website

https://papagogolfclub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Papago Golf Club operates an 18-hole Billy Bell-designed public championship golf course in Phoenix, Arizona, offering greens fees, instruction, F&B, event hosting, and tournament services to public golfers, corporate groups, and Maricopa County loyalty members while serving as the home facility for the Arizona State University golf teams under Troon management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Golf Course

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Golf Clubs & Tournament-Host Clubs (Professional/Elite Golf Clubs) (MPAKABAE), Golf Equipment, Apparel & Pro Shop Retail (CRAMABAG)

Keywords

• Public golf course
• Golf instruction
• Tournament hosting
• Golf equipment rental
• Membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

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

Revenue model

1. Greens Fees and Tee Time Revenue: Primary revenue from public tee time bookings, with pricing varying by time of day, day of week, and player category (public vs Phoenix City Card holder). Cart fees included in greens fee with spectator riders at $35
2. Equipment Rental: Club rental services including PING and Callaway clubs at $79 for 18 holes or $50 for 9 holes, including tax and complimentary golf balls
3. Membership and Loyalty Programs: Phoenix City Card program at $60/year (renewal $30) providing exclusive discounts and advance booking privileges for Maricopa County residents
4. Youth Golf Programs: Operation 36 curriculum program and Youth on Course membership ($25/year with $5 guaranteed walking rate) for junior players aged 6-18
5. Golf Instruction: Private lessons and group clinics including Wednesday Evening Golf Clinics at $25/person, taught by PGA-certified instructors
6. Practice Facility: Practice balls sold at $24 for 100 balls or $8 for 30 balls. Practice tee available with synthetic and natural grass surfaces

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Papago Golf Club operates a public 18-hole championship golf course in Phoenix, Arizona, selling tee time access to individual golfers and corporate groups. The course is supplemented by PGA-certified golf instruction, tournament and event hosting, a practice facility, on-site dining at Lou's Bar & Grill, and the Evie's Pavilion event venue for weddings and group gatherings. A pro shop sells apparel, accessories, and equipment, while the Phoenix City Card membership program provides Maricopa County residents with discounted rates and advance booking privileges.

Product overview

Papago Golf Club is a municipal golf course in Phoenix, Arizona offering a single 18-hole championship golf course as its core product, supplemented by golf instruction services, tournament hosting, practice facilities, dining (Lou's Bar & Grill), event venues (Evie's Pavilion), retail (golf shop), and membership programs (Phoenix City Card). The club also operates a mobile app for tee time booking and course navigation. In 2018, the facility was modernized with the addition of the mid-century modern Lou Grubb Clubhouse and Evie's Pavilion for events. The course serves as home facility for Arizona State University's golf teams and hosts the Thunderbirds Golf Complex designed by Phil Mickelson.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 18-Hole Championship Golf Course Championship 18-hole Par 72 public golf course with multiple tee options (Black 7,380 yards to Gold 5,338 yards) offering views of Papago Buttes, Camelback Mountain, and Downtown Phoenix skyline. Open to individual golfers and groups via tee time booking up to 60 days in advance.
• Golf Instruction (Private Lessons and Group Clinics) Private lessons and group clinics led by PGA-certified instructors including Matt Trimble, Scott Watkins, and Zach Amsler. Group clinics include Wednesday Evening Golf Clinics ($25/person) and Sip and Swing, with Operation 36 beginner curriculum offered as a structured six-level pathway.
• Tournament and Outing Hosting Full-service tournament and group event hosting for 12-39+ player groups, including corporate outings, charity tournaments, and large-scale field events. Includes planning, coordination, signage, practice balls, and catering coordination, led by a dedicated Tournament Director and sales team.
• Practice Facility State-of-the-art practice facility featuring large and small putting greens, a short game area, and an expansive practice tee with both synthetic and natural grass surfaces. Practice balls sold at $24 per 100 or $8 per 30.
• Lou's Bar & Grill On-site restaurant and bar located inside the Lou Grubb Clubhouse, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktail menus with indoor dining and patio seating at Lou's Lawn.
• Evie's Pavilion (Weddings and Event Venue) Event venue for weddings, receptions, corporate events, and group gatherings added as part of the 2018 clubhouse modernization. Catering and event planning delivered by the Director of Catering & Special Events.
• Golf Shop (Pro Shop Merchandise) Fully stocked pro shop offering premium merchandise, apparel including Arizona State-inspired gear, headcovers, accessories, and commemorative items, with online ordering via the Troon Shop platform.
• Phoenix City Card Membership Annual membership program (Phoenix Golf Premium Card and Phoenix Golf Premium Senior Card) at $60/year ($30 to renew), restricted to Maricopa County residents, providing advance tee time reservations up to 9 days, yearly discounted rates, frequent-player promotions, and access to all participating City of Phoenix golf courses.
• Club Rentals Rental clubs from PING and Callaway at $79 per set for 18 holes (includes tax and 6 Callaway balls) or $50 plus tax for 9 holes, with right and left hand options for men and women.
• Junior Golf Program Junior golf offering for players 17 and under combining discounted tee times (Monday-Thursday all day, Friday-Sunday after 10am), the Operation 36 beginner curriculum, and Youth on Course membership ($25/year annual, $5 walking rate).
• Papago Golf Mobile App All-in-one mobile application for iOS and Android providing real-time weather updates, tee time booking, interactive GPS course navigation, personalized scorebook, and live golfing updates with exclusive promotions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hosting Arizona Open 2024, 2025, 2026 and Arizona State Women's and Men's Invitationals 2018-2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arizona State University (ASU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018ASU Sun Devils men's and women's golf teams use Papago as their official home course. Phil Mickelson, ASU alumnus, designed the Thunderbirds Golf Complex inaugurated in late 2018. Papago hosts the annual ASU Thunderbird Invitational collegiate tournament. ASU teams have nine combined NCAA Championship victories.
• Thunderbirds (Phoenix Philanthropy Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Thunderbirds, a philanthropic organization in Phoenix, played a pivotal role in bringing The Thunderbirds Golf Complex to life. The complex inaugurated in late 2018 enhances the golfing experience for ASU student-athletes.
• Troon (Golf Management Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPapago Golf Club is managed by Troon, a global golf management company. Troon provides operational expertise and the Troon Golf Rewards loyalty program. Online shop powered by Troon Shop.
• First Tee of PhoenixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPapago Golf Club is a proud site host of The First Tee of Phoenix, a non-profit that helps children in Maricopa County access golf affordably. The program teaches life skills and values like responsibility and honesty through golf activities.
• AZ Caddie and Leadership AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPapago partners with this local non-profit to offer complimentary youth caddies on weekends and holidays. The Academy coaches youth 13-18 to serve as caddies and offers potential Evans Scholars full housing and tuition scholarships.
• Evans Scholars FoundationminorOthersAZ Caddie and Leadership Academy caddies may earn life-changing, full housing and tuition, need-based scholarships from the Evans Scholars Foundation through the caddie program at Papago.
• Youth on CourseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational non-profit organization dedicated to providing life-changing opportunities through golf for youth aged 6-18. Papago participates offering $5 walking rates for members with $25 annual membership.
• Operation 36minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProven beginner-focused golf curriculum with over 800 program locations and 160,000 participants globally. Papago hosts Operation 36 program led by Coach Zach Amsler and Liam Idsardi, teaching golf through six progressive levels.
• Phoenix City (City of Phoenix Golf)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPapago is one of the City of Phoenix golf courses participating in the Phoenix City Card program, offering Maricopa County residents exclusive discounts and advance booking privileges.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Quintero Golf Club: Quintero is a high-end daily-fee private-equity-developed public course in the Phoenix NW valley ranked among Arizona's top tracks. Same premium public-access customer, similar instruction and tournament offerings, direct competitor for affluent Phoenix golfers.
• Aguila Golf Course: Aguila is the City of Phoenix's other municipal 18-hole facility at the South Mountain Park, sharing the Phoenix City Card program and direct ownership structure with Papago. It is the closest direct city-owned/managed municipal peer in the same Phoenix market.
• Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club: Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is a daily-fee championship course in Maricopa (Phoenix metro) operated for the Ak-Chin Indian Community, offering comparable public-access golf, tournament hosting, and on-site F&B targeting the same Phoenix-area customer.
• We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: We-Ko-Pa is a top-ranked public 36-hole course in the Phoenix metro (Fort McDowell) targeting the same high-end daily-fee and resort-guest customer as Papago, with similar F&B, instruction, and tournament offerings in the Sonoran desert setting.
• TPC Scottsdale: TPC Scottsdale is the premier daily-fee stadium course in the Phoenix/Scottsdale market, offering the same public-access championship-caliber golf with extensive F&B, event venues, and tournament hosting (Waste Management Phoenix Open). It competes head-to-head with Papago for premium Phoenix-area tee times, corporate outings, and tournament business.
• Troon North Golf Club: Troon North is a Troon-managed daily-fee 36-hole facility in Scottsdale offering similar premium desert golf with practice facilities, instruction, F&B, and event hosting. Same management company, same market, similar customer mix of Phoenix residents, tourists, and corporate events.
• Ocotillo Golf Club: Ocotillo is a Troon-managed resort-style public course in Chandler (greater Phoenix) with similar multi-revenue stream model including full practice facility, instruction, restaurant, and event hosting, competing directly for the same Maricopa County golfers.

Regional players

• Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge: Wildfire is a 36-hole resort course in North Phoenix/Scottsdale with tournament hosting, instruction, F&B, and event offerings attached to a luxury resort. Comparable Phoenix-area daily-fee and resort-golf business model, though anchored to hotel guest capture rather than municipal public access.

Broad incumbents

• American Golf Corporation: American Golf is one of the largest operators of private, resort, and daily-fee golf courses in the United States, including public facilities comparable in scale to Papago. Broader portfolio, but overlapping business model of operating public courses with F&B, instruction, and event revenue.
• KemperSports: KemperSports is a major golf, club, and sports management company that operates municipal, private, and resort courses across the US. Functions as a broad competitor to Troon (Papago's operator) in third-party golf management services and course ownership/lease portfolios.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/papagogolfclub
• Instagraminstagram.com/papagogc/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Papago Golf Club