The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort was named the 2017 Golf Course of the Year from the National Golf Course Owners Association, based on quality of golf course and management, and contributions to the local community and the game. Ak-Chin in Maricopa, Ariz., received the 2017 Player Development Award, which recognizes the property with the most successful player development program.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz., was awarded the prestigious 2017 Player Development Award from the National Golf Course Owners Association at last week’s NGCOA Golf Business Conference in Orlando, Fla.
The Player Development Award recognizes the NGCOA member who throughout the year has implemented the most successful player development program, providing effective return-on-investment and an overall welcoming atmosphere for new and returning golfers of all ages. According to the NGCOA, the recipient of this award must be well rounded in offering programs that encourage non-golfers to come to the course, new golfers to come back to the course and beginning golfers to raise their level of play to core golfer.
“We are so proud and excited to win this national award,” said General Manager Brady Wilson. “Our teaching professional, Ben Meidl, is at the heart of this award for all of his efforts with our player development programs. In addition, our current and past head golf professionals have all contributed and spent countless hours to grow the game and develop new golfers.”
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, a Troon-managed facility, offers a multi-faceted approach that attracts new golfers of all ages, genders and demographics, including ladies clinics, junior clinics and new golfer instruction and social outings.
To assist in attracting new golfers, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes created a “convertible” driving range. The facility serves as a traditional driving range during the day, but once the twilight hours hit, the range converts into a six-hole par three short course. The club named the course #miniDunes to appeal to a younger audience, while also increasing social media awareness.
“#mini Dunes is our laboratory to grow the game,” said Wilson. “We use the facility to introduce new golfers, young and old, to the game of golf.”
The club also engages the Ak-Chin Indian Community and brings in women, juniors, and encourages new golfers from the Community to learn the game. After-school programming targets the Ak-Chin youth and includes van transfers to/from school, complimentary instruction, play on #miniDunes, complimentary use of clubs and fun activities mixed in such as SNAG golf games, water balloon fights, and “bunker jumping.”
In an announcement made at the Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Fla., the Pete Dye Course at French Lick (Ind.) Resort has been named the 2017 Golf Course of the Year by the NGCOA, marking the first time a Dye-designed course has received this honor.
The NGCOA selected its finalists based on four criteria; quality of golf course, quality of ownership and management, outstanding contributions to the local community, and significant contributions to the game of golf.
The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort was nominated by the Indiana Golf Course Owners Association, a chapter of the NGCOA. Other finalists for the 2017 national award included Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club in Clearwater, Fla., and Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif.
“We are thrilled and humbled to receive this honor from the NGCOA, and to be recognized alongside so many top facilities from around the country,” said Dave Harner, Director of Golf at French Lick Resort. “The Pete Dye Course has become a symbol of excellence in the industry being an economic driver that is changing the lives of so many people through jobs, major golf championships, and our many charitable events such as Riley Children’s Foundation with our previous Legends and upcoming Senior LPGA Championships.”
The Pete Dye course opened in 2009, and has been recognized for its many contributions to the community including millions of dollars of economic impact from major golf championships and job creation, as well as raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through charity events including Riley Children’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health from the Legends Championships and upcoming LPGA Senior Championship presented by Old National Bank.
The Dye Course has benefitted a number of students through the Evans Scholarship and caddie program the course provides, which was founded by the Western Golf Association (WGA) and specifically famed golfer Chick Evans Jr. in 1929. Today, more than 840 caddies are attending one of 19 universities on a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition and housing costs for up to four years.
The course was also a major factor in the $600 million restoration and casino development project lead by its founder and chief visionary, Bill Cook. The development of the Pete Dye course and the reclamation of French Lick Resort continue to have an enormous economic impact on the small town of French Lick, providing jobs for nearly 1,700 of the county’s 3,000 residents.
“This honor is also a testament to the vision of Mr. Cook and Chairman of the Board of Cook Group, Inc., Steve Ferguson, who both recognized the impact that this project would have on the community and the thousands of lives who live in the region,” said Harner.
The Pete Dye course offers panoramic views in all directions that stretch for 30-40 miles. The course features a variety of elevation changes, rugged and dramatic terrain, narrow fairways, and challenging bunkers, along with spectacular views from every hole.
The Dye course has already gained recognition as a leading national tournament site by hosting the 2015 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, 2014 USGA State Team Championship, 2010 PGA Professional National Championship, 2012 Indiana Open, 2012-2014 Big Ten Men’s Championship, 2014 Big Ten Women’s Championship, 2013-2016 Legends Championship, and the upcoming inaugural Senior LPGA Championship presented by Old National Bank.
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