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For Immediate Release
- Contact: Tiffany Nelson, TPC Scottsdale
- (480) 585-4334, ext. 226
- (480) 707-8275 Cell
NEW CHAMPIONS COURSE AT TPC SCOTTSDALE WILL OFFER A PGA TOUR EXPERIENCE
Scottsdale, AZ (June 1, 2007) - Twenty years after its inception, the Desert Course at TPC Scottsdale is being completely rebuilt under the direction of golf course architect Randy Heckenkemper - who
served as part of Tom Weiskopf's original design team in 1987.
The project was initiated by PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties in collaboration with the City of Scottsdale to elevate the course to PGA TOUR tournament quality as well as provide local residents with an outstanding amenity that complements the Club's Stadium Course - home to the FBR Open. Construction on the course began in January 2007 and is scheduled to be completed in November 2007. Consistent with the quality of the new course and as a tribute to the many "champions" who have made contributions to the game of golf and to the community of Scottsdale, the new course has been renamed the Champions Course.
"When complete, the Champions Course will provide local golf enthusiasts with an outstanding test of golf in addition to a variety of amenities and services that offer a true PGA TOUR Experience," said
David Pillsbury, President of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties.
Named one of the "Top 10 Public Golf Courses in Arizona" by Golf Digest and among the "Top 50 Golf and Resort Destinations in the World" by Conde Naste Traveler, TPC Scottsdale can expect even more
accolades when the new Champions Course debuts next fall.
Every hole has been completely redesigned, with an emphasis on holes 1 through 5 and 15 to 18. Overall, the course will be lengthened to approximately 7,100 yards (from 6,423 yards), with hole 17 increasing from a par-4 to a par-5 - returning the course to championship level and a par of 71. Significantly improved drainage and irrigation systems will facilitate greater consistency year-round, while greater elevation changes and wider putting greens will help to increase the range of difficulty, offer greater visual character and maximize the breathtaking views of the Camelback and McDowell Mountains.
"From significant competitive enhancements utilizing advanced materials and sophisticated design elements to a larger new, beautifully appointed clubhouse with expanded dining and banquet services,
we are confident the new Champions Course will make this already superb resort destination even better," said Bill Grove, General Manager of TPC Scottsdale.
The new Champions Course will serve as an ideal counterpart to TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, home to the FBR Open - the largest spectator event on the PGA TOUR. The course offers a stunningly
beautiful and challenging test of golf for the best players in the world during the tournament, as well as a superb layout for local residents and resort guests to enjoy throughout the year.
To help golfers more closely experience what it's like to be a golf professional competing on the PGA TOUR, the Stadium Course now offers the PGA TOUR Experience - a unique program that offers golfers special services and amenities usually reserved for the pros, such as the Club's new Caddie Program.
Managed by Pinehurst, North Carolina based Caddie Master, which manages caddie programs at premier golf properties nationwide including TPC Sawgrass and Augusta National, caddies will provide all of the
traditional services such as carrying bags, offering shot selection advice, raking bunkers, spotting wayward shots, reading greens, tending pins, cleaning balls and getting yardage, in addition to
educating golfers on the history and heritage of golf and the TOUR. Caddies will serve as Storytellers, sharing anecdotes about past competitors and pointing out locations on the course where
memorable moments have taken place.
Judging from the initial reception the still-under-construction Champions Course has already received, both courses have many more memorable moments planned for the City of Scottsdale.
TPC Scottsdale is located at 17020 North Hayden Road in Scottsdale. For more information, please visit www.tpc.com/scottsdale or call (480) 585-4334, extension 226.
About The TPC Network
Licensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network is comprised of 21 premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties designed by some of golf's most elite architects.
Five of the clubs are operated by affiliates of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, Inc. Each TPC has hosted or has been designed to host TOUR-sponsored golf tournaments. Since the TPC Sawgrass first opened its world renowned Stadium Course in the fall of 1980, TPCs have provided the PGA TOUR with rent-free venues for tournaments, helping to boost championship golf purses and increasing charitable donations to grass roots non-profit organizations. At the same time, TPCs have provided recreational golfers with the unique opportunity to test their skills on the same layouts where the world's best golfers compete.
Distinctive in character but consistent in quality, TPCs are known for their outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. All 21 TPCs are certified as
Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Systems.
The TPC Network is also distinguished by its unwavering commitment to further the PGA TOUR's giving back mission through support of charitable and community-based programs. For more information, please visit www.tpc.com.
About The PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to provide competitive earnings opportunities for past, current and future members of the PGA TOUR,
Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.
In 2007, the three Tours will compete in approximately 110 events for approximately $340 million in prize money.
Tournaments are being held in six countries outside the U.S. and in 36 states. In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions. The PGA TOUR's web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
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