Record heat and business boom: summer golf in Arizona
Summer heat is synonymous with Arizona, but in recent years temperatures across the Grand Canyon State have ramped up sharply. In the century between 1895 to 2004, 86 total days hit 115(F) or more in Phoenix. Since 2005, however, that total number is already 83. But despite the record-breaking figures, it’s largely business as usual for the state’s golf business, especially on the popular courses of Phoenix and Scottsdale. Traditionally, the mild winter and spring months are when tee times have been hardest to come by thanks to an influx out-of-state visitors (also known as “snowbirds”) who largely flock here from other U.S. destinations, along with Canadians escaping their own harsh winter weather.
Local summer business despite the heat
The player makeup in the summer, however, is more eclectic due to many factors, according to Matt Barr, general manager at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell, just east of Scottsdale. “We are still seeing an increase in summer play since the COVID-19 pandemic, but the majority of that increase is from out-of-town players moving their trips to the shoulder seasons and summer to take advantage of lower rates,” he said. “Local players also are lining the tee sheet at what we would consider normal, pre-pandemic levels.”
Last year 43 percent of We-Ko-Pa’s total rounds were played between May 1st and September 30, and green fees that peak at $299 during the winter months drop to $99 from June through August. Similar seasonal price differences come into play at courses throughout the state, including TPC Scottsdale, which has hosted the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open each winter since 1987.
Heat rules are the exception
While few courses have specific heat-related rules or regulations in place – Papago Golf Club, a municipal course not far from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, does limit late afternoon tee times during heat advisories – all encourage golfers to respect the heat and hydrate as needed.
Exemption with carts
At We-Ko-Pa, golf carts contain six bottles of complimentary water, with more available at locations throughout the resort’s two courses. Hydration is also a specific focus of the Arizona Golf Association, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. The group conducts most of its tournaments during the summer months, and the majority are full field events with wait lists.
“We take heat very seriously in our events and provide everything we can to reduce the chance for heat-related issues with players,” said Alex Tsakiris, assistant executive director. “This includes warnings to players if the heat index is extreme, water throughout the golf course, electrolyte packets, and volunteers that roam the course with coolers to continuously provide water to those that need it.” One example of an extreme heat index took place on July 11th during a qualifying event at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix for the 2024 U.S. Senior Women’s Open. Temperatures were high enough that the USGA made a rare exception to let participants use carts.
Scott McNevin, executive director of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona, says 17 of his organization’s events for players ages 8 to 18 take place from May to September, and his team keeps a close eye on participants. “We put our own bottled water on every three holes in our own coolers,” he said. “We have the starters emphasize drinking a lot of water, the importance of staying hydrated, and eating snacks. We always have tee times starting as early as possible. But the reality is, summer is our busy season and we run 1-2 tournaments per week, and will continue to do so during the summer time.”
What does the heat do to the grass?
The extreme heat doesn’t always impact tees, greens, or fairways negatively, primarily due to the type of grass used at most area courses. “We have hybrid bermudagrass in all of those areas,” Ryan Kreizenbeck, Director of Maintenance at We-Ko-Pa. “Bermudagrass is a warm season grass, and is equipped to survive and thrive in the heat. If we have sufficient soil moisture and fertility levels, the greens, tees and fairways will continue to grow in extreme heat.” The biggest issue Kreizenbeck and his team face, other than staying hydrated, is managing irrigation. “Any deficiencies in the irrigation system are magnified during periods of extreme heat,” he said. “We are constantly adjusting run times on sprinkler heads and doing a lot of hand watering with hoses to address our dry spots without creating wet spots.”
Golf course as a cooling zone
McNevin acknowledges that the role golf course can play as cooling areas of sorts, especially when compared to the “heat islands” that are often heavily developed cities, is a message that needs to be communicated frequently. “I think golfers recognize that, but non-golfers and the general public do not,” he said. “So really, it’s a continual education process with the general public, that golf courses can serve as green cooling areas and are very beneficial to have in the community.”
