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Arizona’s Original Club
Venerable Phoenix Country Club celebrates 125 years of history and a sunny future
By Joe Passov
Entering through the stylish double doors at Phoenix Country Club, one quickly detects the palpable aura of golf tradition and lore. Vast wood and glass trophy cases display clubs, golf bags, programs, and photos of Hall-of-Fame golfers who have graced these grounds.
Among those recognized are Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Johnny Miller, each of whom captured Phoenix Open titles here between 1932 and 1986. Down a hallway are additional artifacts from major champions Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, and Padraig Harrington, winners of the PGA TOUR Champions Charles Schwab Cup Championship, contested here since 2017. It’s undeniably a special environment.
“When you look in the lobby of the clubhouse and you see who’s won here, it’s like a who’s who of golf royalty,” said Head Professional Paul Griffin, who’s been at the club since 2017. “With the history we have here, it’s like no other place in Arizona.”
Admirably, Phoenix Country Club celebrates its past without clinging to it. As Arizona’s original private club — it was founded prior to statehood (1912) — it tips its proverbial cap to its role as one of the Grand Canyon State’s legendary institutions. Yet in recent years it has morphed into a lively haven for families and business folks alike. With 125 candles on its birthday cake in 2024, Phoenix Country Club is perfectly positioned for the next 125 years.
Historic Golf
After its founding in 1899, Phoenix Country Club endured three moves and three name changes before settling into its current location at the northeast corner of Thomas Road and North Seventh Street in 1919. The Harry Collis-designed 18-hole course opened in 1921 with Bermuda grass fairways and oiled sand greens. The routing remains unchanged to this day; Arizona’s first grass putting surfaces arrived in 1927.
Phoenix Country Club achieved national fame as host to the Phoenix Open. Having said that, there wouldn’t have been any stagings of the Phoenix Open without Phoenix CC legend Bob Goldwater — Barry’s brother — reviving the tournament in 1939 and running it on behalf of the sponsoring Thunderbirds for the next 15 years.
Eventually, the staggering growth of the tournament prompted a move in 1987 to the new TPC Scottsdale. Nonetheless, the tradition of enthusiastic galleries began here, including the first edition of the post-round party known as the Birds Nest, which started in 1972 as a tent atop a single tennis court at Phoenix Country Club.
The club returned to the tournament limelight in 2017 when it played host to the prestigious, season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit. Undeniably, the most memorable Schwab Cup moment occurred in 2019, when Jeff Maggert made international headlines with one swing, holing a wedge from 123 yards for eagle on the third playoff hole to deny Retief Goosen.
At a shade under 6,900 yards from the tips, Phoenix Country Club’s par of 71 doesn’t overwhelm with length. However, Griffin noted, “We’re known for our old school greens. They’re small and the edges fall off, redirecting missed approaches into deep bunkers and grass swales with tight lies. You better be very accurate with your irons, and you better have an unbelievably good short game to be able to score.”
The Champion Bermuda greens are firm, with subtle contours and are exceptionally quick on this parkland layout. With its level terrain and close connections between green and tee, walking is popular for much of the year. Walkers comprise approximately 20 percent of the rounds played, either carrying or with pushcarts.
Perhaps the course’s defining characteristic is its urban oasis setting. The city expanded in every direction around the club and high-rises dot horizons on the perimeter. “When I stand on the 12th and 14th tee boxes, there are two distinct skyscrapers that are the perfect aiming lines for the middle of the fairway,” Griffin said. “It’s almost like having a golf course in Central Park.”
The 180-yard, par-three 15th, with its lake, sand, and palm-guarded green might be the prettiest hole, but for risk/reward drama, nothing touches the 527-yard, par-five 18th. The obvious hazard is a pond front-right of the green, but it’s no picnic taking the safer approach to the left. “You can wind up with a downhill lie in the bunker to a green that slopes to the water,” said Griffin. “The hole does give away eagles and birdies, but it also gives away bogies and doubles.”
Evolving Lifestyle
While golf understandably occupies a giant slice of the Phoenix Country Club pie, the remaining pieces are every bit as appetizing. With tennis courts to the right of the first hole and more to the right of the 18th green, 10 in all, members are rocking the racquets like never before, with both youth and adult clinics invariably full.
The club is also the annual host to the Arizona Tennis Classic, an ATP Challenger 175 event in March that features many of the world’s top players. Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, the 2019 champion and runner-up in 2024, reached the Wimbledon final in 2021.
Still, while Phoenix Country Club cherishes its rich golf tapestry and its unparalleled history, the vibe these days embraces an ideal mix of respect for tradition and youthful energy. An evolution over the last 10 years has witnessed the transition from staid city club to dynamic family club.
With 90,000 square feet of space available on the Phoenix Country Club campus, there’s room to accommodate every social, and athletic endeavor. Eight pickleball courts, a fitness room, and innovative aquatics have taken their place among classic favorites such as duplicate bridge and mahjong. Dining options include 1899 (more formal) and Champions Grill (casual pub feel), both reflecting modern preferences for healthier food choices, seasonal, more varied cuisine, and relaxed ambience. Goldwater Grill is poolside next to the golf shop.
Most remarkably, the average member age has gone from the mid-60s to the low-40s in less than a decade. To reflect that transformation, the club revamped its fitness program in 2022, boosting the number of classes to 33, updating equipment, and hiring a TPI-certified trainer. In 2024, the club brought a youth activities coordinator on board to keep up with the influx of kids. Friday Family Nights and weekend events where kids can go to the Firebird Lounge and enjoy crafts and other activities have soared in participation.
Phoenix Country Club shows no signs of resting on its laurels. Clubhouse dining got a comprehensive refresh in 2023. Planned for 2027 is a thorough golf course renovation by acclaimed architect Andy Staples. Specific details will unfold over the coming months, but upgrades to the irrigation, turfgrass, bunkering, and presentation are expected — perhaps paired with a design adjustment or two.
During History Week 2015, the club honored Hal Sutton, who won the final Phoenix Open played at Phoenix Country Club in 1986. At the gala, Committee Chair John Spensieri tweaked Sutton’s most famous line, “Be the right club, today!” and stated, “Not only is Phoenix Country Club the right Club today, but it’s the right Club for tomorrow.”
Nine years later, those words ring truer than ever.
