The National Golf Course Owners Association of Arizona (NGCOA Arizona) is pleased to recognize Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale as the 2017 Arizona Golf Course of the Year.
Exceptionally managed by Troon Golf, the justifications for Westin Kierland’s selection are numerous. From its upper echelon rankings in several national golf publications to its innovation programs and amenities, the 27-hole course was a clear choice for Course of the Year.
Among the many innovations in place are a variety of methods for navigating the terrain. In addition to traditional golf carts, the club offers golf bikes, Segways and GolfBoards to golfers seeking a new way of getting around on the golf course. In 2017, Westin Kierland also introduced the TurfRider, which is part scooter, part motorcycle, and part single rider golf cart.
Westin Kierland’s programs include family-friendly “Friday Night Lights” activities, “Nine and Wine” social events, very active Junior Golf leagues, and the Fore-Max golf fitness program.
“Staying fresh and embracing innovation are key elements in golf’s endeavors to attract new golfers and appeal to broader segments of the population,” stated NGCOA Arizona Executive Director Marc Connerly. “Westin Kierland management should be applauded for their willingness to innovate and test drive nontraditional golf course amenities.”
Additionally, Westin Kierland’s contributions to the community figured in the award decision. Fundraising events hosted at the course in 2017 raised more than $1.2 million for charities, including the Children’s Cancer Network, the Bruce Arians Foundation and Folds of Honor, benefitting military families.
The course has demonstrated exceptional water stewardship practices, converting more than 30 acres of turf to drought-tolerant plants and landscaping, native trees, and 3,000 tons of decomposed granite.
Westin Kierland was recently ranked by Golf Advisor among the Top 10 public courses in Phoenix/Scottsdale, and was ranked the 4th best Scottsdale course by USA Today. The course was also ranked 4th on Golf Digest’s “9 Most Cheerful Courses in America.” Kierland’s Director of Golf, Nancy Dickens, was recently recognized by Golf Inc. with its operator of the year award.
The NGCOA Course of the Year award honors an Arizona golf course, and is based on exceptional quality of the course, exemplary water stewardship practices, exceptional quality of ownership and management, outstanding contribution to the community, and significant contributions to the game.
The National Golf Course Owners Association of Arizona (NGCOA Arizona) represents over 400 golf courses in Arizona, responsible for the employment of more than 41,000 Arizona citizens, with wages in excess of $1.5billion and a statewide economic impact exceeding $3.9 billion.