Troon Privé, June/July 2019

20 TROON PRIVÉ MAGAZINE TROON PRIVÉ MAGAZINE 21 Not many facilities in Arizona or in the country for that matter do more to grow the game than Longbow Golf Club which joined the Troon portfolio earlier this year The Mesa facility located 30 minutes east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has the largest First Tee of Phoenix enrollment in the area has hosted multiple junior collegiate amateur and professional golf events including the AJGA Heather Farr Classic for the past 16 years owns the largest fleet of GolfBoards in the state and offers free nine hole walking only rounds in May WELCOME TO THE FAMILY GROWING THE GAME LONGBOW GOLF CLUB Ive done a lot to get kids and families to come out and enjoy the course said Bob McNichols developer of Longbow Business Park and Longbow Golf Club Many of the kids who have played here have gone on to play in college and on the professional tours Whenever there is a junior tournament coming up here we invite the kids to play a practice round for 5 We also hold clinics for kids in the Mesa public school system Named after the Apache Longbow helicopter which was manufactured across the street from the Longbow Business Park and Longbow Golf Club the course debuted in 1997 McNichols purchased it in 2001 and brought back original course architect Ken Kavanaugh to create a new layout which debuted in April 2003 What I like about Longbow is that its the most walkable desert layout that Ive ever done said Kavanaugh Its golf the way it was meant to be played which is not always the case in the desert Plus and this is a huge plus its playable Youre not going to get beat up at Longbow The nines were reversed in 2009 and a number of holes notably the par 4 eighth and par 5 18th have been extended since then with new tee boxes One misconception That Longbow Golf Club is essentially flat Theres actually 90 feet in elevation change between the east and west side of the course and theres a natural slope toward the Salt River said McNichols The greens dont break as much as you may read them We post the green speed every day because we want golfers to know what to expect We also let the rough grow a bit during peak season so balls dont always just roll into the large waste areas throughout the course An outdoor patio space twice the square footage of the clubhouse with a fireplace features a recently updated bar area Coming soon are two new hotels under construction nearby A Hilton Home2 Suites breaks ground this year while a Marriott brand is expected to do the same next year giving future golfers perfect stay and play opportunities Troon is the biggest and I think best course operator in the world said McNichols They have a loyal following Since they came on board in January we have seen a lot of new players via the Troon Card The ones I have talked to have all been pleasantly surprised They say What a great course wish we had played it before this AT A GLANCE By Tom Mackin Longbow Golf Club Mesa Ariz 480 807 5400 www LongbowGolf com The more you play the more you save Join Troon Rewards and experience the best Troon has to offer with golfs premier loyalty program Sign up today in the golf shop or online at TroonRewards com Earn Troon Rewards points on golf instruction Combine Troon Rewards points and cash to play Troon courses at preferred Troon Rewards Rates Troon Rewards points dont expire Reach elite status levels that provide additional discounts on golf and merchandise Receive special offers and invitations to exclusive events and Callaway promotionsTroon North Golf Club Scottsdale AZKapalua Maui HawaiiTiburón Golf Club Naples FL