Who is the new host of The PING Southwest PGA Section Championship?


By: October 28, 2015


Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club (a Troon managed golf club) was selected to be the host of the PING Southwest PGA Section Championship between 2016-2020. Previously, Reflection Bay Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nev. hosted this championship.

PING Southwest PGA Section Championship is a 54-hole individual stroke play tournament with the winner earning a spot to play in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Ak Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club carried out a renovation in 2014. The renovation included a complete bunker renovation, the addition of several tee boxes, expanded landing areas, and general design improvements to several holes.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club has got a great routine in hosting golf championships:

  • Arizona Amateur Championships in August 2015;
  • Gateway Tour event;
  • Wyoming Men’s Southern Dunes Invitational.

It was interesting to find that they are also offering gaming & golf packages thanks to the proximity of the nearby Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino and the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle. Casinos are starting to realize that they have to offer extra services to retain gamblers.

I think the golf industry/golf clubs should also think about what kind of extra services they can offer to members and visitors to stay competitive and profitable.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin is not the only one who understood that it is worth to combine casino & golf. McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links‘ (close to Atlantic City) business figures improved steadily since 2013. They already see for 2015 a 7% increase.