Tempe, Ariz. (July 13, 2023) – Grass Clippings, a Phoenix-based modern golf brand founded in 2018, has engaged Troon®, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, to help execute a $15 million plan to renovate and enhance the current Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe, Ariz. As part of the agreement, Troon will manage the golf and hospitality operations at the new “Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills” golf and entertainment venue, the flagship location for Grass Clippings’ cutting-edge vision.
Scottsdale-based Casa Verde Golf, a Troon Company, is working alongside golf course architects Jackson Kahn Design and Grass Clippings’ Director of Agronomy Scott Hebert, formerly of TPC Scottsdale, on the golf course renovation work, which began this week. Initial enhancements will include an expanded putting green, installation of modern LED lighting on the 18-hole executive-length golf course and on the practice range, as well as a new state-of-the-art irrigation system to improve turf quality. New tee boxes will also be added to allow the course to be played from various lengths and angles, including a par-3 only option for anyone interested.
In March 2023, Grass Clippings agreed to a 30-year partnership with the City of Tempe to renovate and revitalize the city-owned golf course, which is located two miles from Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. Grass Clippings’ property lease began on July 1st with Troon assuming management of daily operations that same day. Over the next 17 months, Grass Clippings and Troon will work together to transform the property, adding full-course lighting for night play, a lighted practice range, an activity lawn and video display, a hilltop bar, a patio bar and clubhouse, and an entertainment venue. To allow the property to remain open during construction, projects will be executed in phases with full completion targeted for fall 2024.
“Grass Clippings is inspired to work with such an experienced group of golf, food and beverage operators. The partnership allows our core Grass Clippings team to focus on community building, events, and making Grass Clippings the greatest executive golf course in the country,” said Grass Clippings CEO Jake Hoselton.
The new Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills will offer competitions, community, skins games, night golf, incredible food, concert venues, weekly live music, markets, and events. Additionally, the Grass Clippings team will implement junior golf programming that will extend access to a much more diverse community.
“We’re thrilled to be working with the team from Grass Clippings to help bring new life and vibrant energy to Rolling Hills,” said Troon Vice President of Operations Tony Marino. “The mix of real golf, live music and entertainment, and delicious food and beverage all set against the backdrop of the Papago Buttes is an exciting project to be a part of.”
Originally designed by Milton Coggins, Rolling Hills features elite topography, elevation change, desert landscape and cheetahs on hole 3 as the course neighbors the Phoenix Zoo. Once lighting is installed, the course will be open until 12 a.m., allowing golfers to escape Phoenix’s intense sun and heat.
For more information on Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, visit www.grassclippings.com.
About Grass Clippings
Grass Clippings was originally founded in 2018 as a company dedicated to growing the game of golf and celebrating the greenskeepers that make the game possible. In 2019, after hosting the 1st Grass Clippings Open, Grass Clippings launched a line of golf apparel and opened its first retail shop, located at 39th St. and Campbell. The Grass Clippings Open grew rapidly and by 2022 had outgrown its venue. As co-founder Pete Wilson explained, “We needed a venue we could grow with.” Grass Clippings Open is poised to be the greatest Par 3 golf tournament in the world. On March 2, 2023, the Tempe City Council approved Grass Clippings’ plan to overhaul and operate Rolling Hills Golf Course. Giving way for the tournaments expansion. Follow Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills on Instagram at @grassclippings.rollinghills and on Twitter @GrassClippingsc.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 820-plus locations, including 840-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses around the globe. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf and ICON Management. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com