(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Desert Highlands – the original home of The Skins Game and an acclaimed luxury golf club and community in the stunning Sonoran Desert of North Scottsdale – has started renovation work to its golf shop and women’s locker room.
Led by PHX Architecture’s Erik Petersen, who also designed the club’s outdoor pavilion, Jack’s Backyard, the $2.5 million remodel will deliver a fresh, modernized experience while preserving the classic style and character of Desert Highlands. True North Builders serves as the general contractor for the remodels.
The golf shop will feature a more modern layout, including a relocated cash wrap / retail counter and a more expansive entrance. Hatch Design, which oversaw the interior design choices for both Desert Highlands’ gastropub, Jack’s, and the outdoor seating and lounge areas at Jack’s Backyard, will add enhanced lighting and improved sightlines inside the golf shop. The lower level hallway, which is located just outside the golf shop entrance, will celebrate Desert Highlands’ heritage with photography from the original Skins Game in 1983 and early images of the golf course.
Hatch Design also will refresh the women’s locker room with a spa-inspired aesthetic, including updated finishes and a soothing color palette. Other enhancements in the women’s locker room include a refurbished card lounge and the addition of a new area featuring self-serve comfort stations with items such as snack drawers and a “Pour My Beer” tap system.
“Our team constantly evaluates the immediate and long-term needs of our membership, and strives to create inviting and more appealing spaces where they congregate,” says Desert Highlands General Manager Desi Speh. “We are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the enhanced amenities and creative and expansive layouts to our golf shop and women’s locker room to our members.”
Desert Highlands’ energetic lifestyle consistently draws discerning and active families – from tennis and pickleball enthusiasts to golfers, pet lovers, and health and wellness enthusiasts. A full social calendar allows residents to fully enjoy this peaceful community.
Earlier this year, Desert Highlands began a restoration project to its stunning Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Led by Nicklaus Design, the golf course restoration consists of hole design enhancements, desert de- and re-vegitation, tee, bunker and greens reconstruction, restoration of the turf found on the tees, fairways and rough, and enhancements to the club’s world-class putting course. Mr. Nicklaus, who played in the original Skins Game at Desert Highlands more than 40 years ago, personally visited the course to provide his recommendations with the restorations.
Late in 2024 Desert Highlands unveiled its renovated racquet club. Among the updates to this popular gathering spot – a new retail area, a fully stocked kitchen with unique food and beverage offerings, and upgraded indoor / outdoor gathering spaces.
The club also recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and the debut of The Skins Game. Featuring Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Watson in a friendly competition, The Skins Game, which is set to resume this year, was an unofficial event on the PGA Tour schedule for 26 years and helped spearhead “made for TV” golf exhibitions that are prevalent today.
Located behind Desert Highlands’s award-winning clubhouse and set against awe-inspiring views of Pinnacle Peak and the unspoiled desert, Jack’s Backyard features numerous lounge areas, patio tables, cushioned fireside seating and two Bocce courts. The breathtaking desert views also can be found at Ventana, Desert Highlands’ elevated dining experience, and the club’s 7,700-square foot fitness center offers cutting-edge equipment and highly sought-after fitness programs.
The community provides residents peace of mind with an upgraded state-of-the-art security system, professionally trained security personnel, visitor control and access, and other protection amenities. Among the acclaimed residential services that truly pamper residents and meet their specific needs – shipping and transportation assistance, pool and spa maintenance, home inspections and other customized services.
For more information: www.deserthighlandsscottsdale.com.
