(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 kicked off the extensive restoration project to its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
Led by Nicklaus Design, the golf course restoration project 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. The $10 million restoration project began on April 28 and has shut down the golf course. Conclusion of the restoration project and the re-opening of the golf course is set to occur this upcoming November.
Major aspects of the restoration include:
Greens Reconstruction: The greens core (internal drainage components, gravel and engineered growing medium) will be excavated and replaced. Also, the green elevations will be reset and adjusted to the surrounding moguls and bowls, allowing for potentially more pin positions and limiting wear in certain areas. In addition, the green contours will be restored close to Nicklaus’s original design, and the putting surfaces will be planted with 007XL Creeping Bentgrass.
Tee Reconstruction: Each tee box on the golf course will be leveled, lowered and enlarged for better utilization and wear management. New and improved irrigation will be implemented to each tee box, and the surrounding vegetation will be removed and replanted with the appropriate density.
Bunker Reconstruction: The bunker shapes and elevations will all be refined and properly reset. Each bunker will be excavated, and the sub-surface drainage system and erosion / contamination liner will all be replaced. The bunkers will be completely lined with Flexxscape, and a Caltega Pro Tour sand from Gillibrand Co. Inc., will fill each hazard. Irrigation around the bunkers will be upgraded to avoid unwanted watering of bunkers and control the moisture of the sand.
Desert De- and Re-Vegetation: The desert corridors throughout the golf course will be thinned to improve playability and aesthetics, while overgrown obstacles blocking the intended sightlines will be removed. Several trees will be relocated, while old and dying plants will be removed and new vegetation will be planted. Maintenance will also be performed on approximately 55 acres of desert.
Turf Restoration: The existing 419 Bermuda grass on the tees, fairways and rough will be renovated to as close to like-new condition as possible without re-sodding. This practice involves removing a layer of organic matter otherwise unreachable with normal cultivation practices, which reduces a large portion of the Poa annua seed bank and improves the upper-growing medium structure.
The golf course restoration also involves design enhancements on several holes:
- A new forward tee box on No. 5 will allow players an easier opportunity to cross the wash in front of the putting surface in two shots.
- The eighth green will be rotated more perpendicular to the line of play and sloped more from back to front to open the views. Jack Nicklaus personally visited the golf course in July 2021 and advised changing the green complex to see the putting surface from the landing area better. The mounding will be brought closer to the right and back of the green to allow some shots to bounce onto the putting surface.
- New tee boxes at the 10th hole will move players away from the back of the practice complex and accommodate possible expansion to that area.
- A high ridge blinding the alternate fairway at No. 13 will be eliminated, creating a slightly longer carry and riskier drivable par-4.
- A few saguaros currently in front of two tee boxes on the finishing hole will be relocated. An additional back tee also could be built.
“This restoration is about more than golf – it’s about preserving our legacy while building an even brighter future,” says General Manager Desi Speh. “With the world-renowned Nicklaus Design team, our builder Heritage Links and the support of our members, we are committed to preserving the timeless character of our course while introducing thoughtful enhancements that will elevate the golf experience for years to come.”
In late July, Desert Highlands’ famed putting course will be enhanced and re-grassed. Designed by Gary Panks, the extensive par-41 putting course was the first one of its kind built in the U.S. and the second in the world.
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.
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.
