Ak-Chin Southern Dunes continues tradition of quality, refinement and innovation

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

Website: www.akchinsoutherndunes.com

Phone: 480.367.8949

Address: 48456 West Highway 238
Maricopa, Arizona 85139 

General Manager: Brady Wilson
Head Golf Professional: Rolland Vaugn
Course Superintendent: Tyler Green
Designer/Architect: Fred Couples and Schmidt-Curley Design 

About this Course:
18 Holes of Championship Golf – A Troon Golf Experience
Par 72 – 7517 yards from the tips
Rating/Slope:  76.2/141; 75.1/138; 72.6/131; 70.6/126; 68.5/121; 71.7/124

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes continues tradition of quality, refinement and innovation
Just when you thought that Ak-Chin Southern Dunes couldn’t get any better, you visit and notice something new and innovative while on property. This year, that trend persists as one of the Valley’s most up-and-coming Clubs continues to garner regional and national attention. This Troon-managed facility is the place you NEED to visit this season.  

To refresh, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes went through a multi-million dollar enhancement project the summer of 2014 to improve course playability. The main focus of the renovation project was aimed at improving the course's playability for leisure players while maintaining the challenges and shot-values enjoyed by experienced golfers. To ensure the integrity of the award-winning design at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, original course architects Schmidt-Curley Design and Fred Couples were brought in to lead the project that involved a complete bunker renovation. In all, 83,000 square-feet of bunkers were removed from the course's original total of 480,000 square-feet. Major improvements also included significant turf expansion between many of the forward tees to eliminate unnecessary forced carries for those choosing to "tee it forward" or who are still learning how to consistently hit shots in the air. 

The net result of the course enhancements; the AGA re-rated the golf course and the rating/slope from the “Tips” received a more difficult rating and slope, the “Black tees” have stayed the same and “Gold, Blue and White tees” received a lower course rating/slope. “These new ratings confirmed what we set out to do at the onset of the project: to make the golf course more playable for the average player, while maintaining and increasing our championship pedigree,” stated Brady Wilson, General Manager at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. 

A true testament to its championship pedigree, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club has proudly played host to numerous major tournaments and events since its celebrated opening in 2002, serving as an annual U.S. Open qualifying site, several top collegiate Men’s and Women’s golf tournaments and home of early-stage PGA Tour Q-School tournaments. And while the “Tips” – which stretch the course to nearly 7,600 yards – have challenged some of the most skilled players in golf, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes’ five sets of tees still provide novices with both a unique challenge and an unforgettable day of golf. Simply stated, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes doesn’t just offer desert golf; it presents golfers of all skill levels and abilities with the very best of championship golf in the desert.

This year, ACSD and the Ak-Chin Indian Community brought in a new fleet of Club Car golf cars, specifically equipped with the state-of-the-art Visage GPS system and USB charging ports, allowing you to always stay connected on social media, or to email the boss during your “business meeting.”  You can also have your favorite music playing on a portable bluetooth speaker, which can be purchased in the golf shop. 

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club is the first facility to name a course with a “#”, for #miniDunes, which is their six-hole short course built directly on the driving range. The concept of using a “#” in the name was to increase the social media presence of the course and to promote the course’s primary rule; to HAVE FUN. This innovative idea has already spread throughout the country, with several other courses building these “mini” courses to help grow the game. 

The new season also brings a fresh perspective online as ACSD transitions to AkChinSouthernDunes.com and a completely new website design and layout. This dynamic site is responsive to any device, computer, tablet, or mobile, which previously was managed by two completely different sites and two different looks. On the website, you will find videos from Fred Couples’ 2014 Grand Re-Opening visit, testimonials from golfers and tournament directors, as well as ever-changing value-add packages. 

An exciting new addition to ACSD’s value-add packages is the “Dunes Day Double Play.” This package allows golfers to book two advance rounds to ensure they get the second round in before dark and not be at the mercy of the jam packed tee sheet like typical replay rounds. The popular “Oakley Shades of Golf” package continues with a modified sunglass frame to a “lifestyle piece” that is perfect on and off the golf course. Lastly, the “Shake, Rattle, & Show” package highlights everything the Ak-Chin Indian Community enterprises have to offer in terms of entertainment. The package includes one of ACSD’s world famous milkshakes, two (2) movie tickets to Ultrastar’s Multi-tainment Center and a $20 voucher to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, to accompany your round of golf.

The Ak-Chin Indian Community, which owns the nearby Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino and the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle, has brought together championship-style golf and world-class gaming and entertainment. Gaming and golf packages are now available through Ak-Chin Southern Dunes and Troon Golf Vacations, creating a truly exciting and multi-faceted destination option, pleasing to a wide range of visitors. The course sits on 320 acres of Sonoran Desert land that was once a part of Ak-Chin's original May 1912 reservation before it was removed by Presidential Executive Order in late 1912. Nearly 100 years later in 2010, the Community recovered its sacred land when they purchased Ak-Chin Southern Dunes after it was originally developed as a private club. The course currently boasts several coveted accolades that include Golfweek's list of the "Top 100 Resort Courses," "Best Courses You Can Play," and "Top Casino Courses," as well as Golf Magazine's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play." 

Whether you are a first time visitor to Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, or one of their lauding fans, you’ll be sure to concur with Golf Magazine’s recent lofty rankings and will see firsthand why Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is dynamically changing the nature of the dunes, and the experiences created here.


By Nancy Howard, Editor/Publisher Arizona Golfer

One of the most exceptionally enjoyable, as well as challenging golf destinations in the Valley of the Sun, Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia, is always one our team plans on spending a full day at when golfing. Due to the beautiful sunsets, surroundings, peacefulness and outstanding dining options at the newly remodeled V’s Taproom with patio seating, why not? Great golf course, great practice areas, great breakfasts, lunch, and dinner offerings, great service and great value makes for one marvelous golf experience in Arizona. 

Tucked in the residential resort community of Trilogy at Vistancia is Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia, the only golf facility in Arizona to earn Golf Digest's Coveted 5-Star designation. Others judged to be of the same caliber include Bethpage Black, Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, TPC Sawgrass, and Spyglass Hill.

Designed by renowned golf course architect Gary Panks, the championship course draws upon distinctive land features and a backdrop of stunning Arizona scenery, with more than 70 pronounced and transitional bunkers, lush fairways surrounded by indigenous trees, cacti and a wide variety of native grasses and flowering plants, plus water features throughout.

The Club offers a large practice facility with driving range, putting and chipping areas as well as an outstanding clubhouse hosting the well-appointed pro shop and the newly remodeled V’s Taproom.

Hole #6 – par 4, 373 yards from the tips: Blind shot from the tee box and plenty of trouble for a go for it shot towards the dogleg right. Best results with a straightaway shot short of the bunkers on the left. That makes your second shot straightaway to a small and narrow elevated green protected by bunkers on left and right as well as bunker on back right. Don’t let yardage fool you, this is a challenging hole to think through…before your tee shot.

Hole #18 – par 5, 560 yards from the tips: One of the best finishing holes in the state! Tee shot needs to stay left center as the fairway rolls toward the rushing stream on the right that runs the length of the fairway. Protected by deep bunkers in front and back, the green can surprise you since it is narrow, if your approach shot is long, due to unseen water in the back. It’s just an excellent challenging finish to your round and a beautiful hole to behold.

Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia offers a variety of options for the avid golfer. Opportunities include Unlimited Play packages, Flex Pass options and special pricing on daily-fee tee times for Arizona residents. And, for Singles, great tee times are often challenging to attain, but single players can now play with a reserved time.

Introducing V's Taproom, Vistancia's Neighborhood Hang! Shea Homes completed construction featuring a new design, new furniture, new menu, additional large flatscreen TV’s, more than double the number of beers on tap, and a management team focused on creating a unique and exciting way to relax, dine and just hang out.

V's Taproom offers a new, all-day menu with items covering a broad price range. Food is prepared using more locally-sourced and organic ingredients, and includes favorites like burgers, salads and pizzas complemented by signature drinks and starters. AZG Editor’s note: Be sure to try the Millionaire Burger (outstanding!) and the best Rueben we’ve ever had the pleasure to present to our palettes!! The menu is full of delicious surprises that will delight everyone’s taste buds. 

 

Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia is located in Peoria, Arizona, and is proud to be among the network of Shea Homes-owned golf facilities throughout the American West. Operated by BlueStar Resort and Golf, the Club offers guests an exceptional golf experience each and every day. 

 

If you’re looking for the best value in the state, as well as an exceptional round of golf with a country club atmosphere, Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia will definitely deliver. It truly earns its 5-Star destination status and is on Arizona Golfer’s “Must Play” list!