what did gcu golf course used to be?

by Paolo Botsford 7 min read

Maryvale Golf Course

Full Answer

What is the GCU golf course?

The rebranded GCU Golf Course opened in January of 2016 and experienced immediate success. The golf course is home to the Lopes men's and women's golf programs. The teams are afforded access to the course and private practice areas reserved exclusively for team use.

What is the purpose of GCU?

Along with providing academic excellence and a vibrant campus life, GCU believes its purpose is to partner together to implement initiatives in the area that open educational opportunities for all, create jobs, restore housing and reduce crime. GCU calls this United by Purpose.

When did GCU become a university?

In May of 1984, college trustees voted to prepare for transition to university status on the school’s 40th anniversary. Then GCU moved from being owned and operated by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention to being self-owned by the Board of Trustees.

How much did it cost to renovate GCU golf course?

A $9 million renovation project transformed the course into a premier golf destination while keeping the course available to the public for affordable rates. The rebranded GCU Golf Course opened in January of 2016 and experienced immediate success.

Who designed GCU golf?

William F BellGrand Canyon University Golf Course, previously known as Maryvale Municipal Golf Course is a public 18 hole course located in west Phoenix. The golf course first opened for play back in 1961 and was designed by William F Bell who also created San Diego's Torrey Pines.

Who owns the GCU golf course?

Phoenix still owns the course and will set the prices for public play. The greens fees will range from $10 to $55, according to the university.

What was the first golf course in Arizona?

Details. Located in Downtown Chandler, adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort, the San Marcos Golf Course has a rich, deep history as Arizona's first grass golf course which initially opened in 1913.

Is GCU golf d1?

The Grand Canyon Antelopes (more commonly referred to as the Lopes) are the 21 athletic teams representing Grand Canyon University, located in Phoenix, Arizona. Most of the university's athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Western Athletic Conference.

Does Grand Canyon University have a golf team?

The Grand Canyon University Golf Course is where GCU's NCAA Division I men's and women's golf teams call home. At the GCU Golf Course, Lopes compete and develop skills, as well as practice on the green and in a private practice facility.

Does Rancho Manana have a driving range?

CLUB AMENITIES The Club's amenities include an 18-hole, championship golf course, a full length driving range, practice chipping and putting greens, fully stocked golf shop, locker rooms and a full service restaurant.

What is the oldest golf course in Phoenix Arizona?

the Palm Valley Golf ClubPhoenix, Arizona Golf Courses The oldest course in the Phoenix area is the Palm Valley Golf Club. The longest course is Wigwam Golf Club, which is 7,430 yards.

What is the longest golf hole in Arizona?

The 747-yard “rattler,” shaped like a snake with two bunkers that look like eyes also lays claim to being the longest golf hole in Arizona, fifth longest in the United States and 10th longest on the planet, according to Today's Golfer.

Who owns the Arizona Biltmore Golf Course?

JDM PartnersJDM Partners, the owner of Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, is making an historic investment in this 100 year-old Phoenix classic venue.

When did GCU become D1?

In 2013, upon transitioning to Division I, former NBA All-Star, Olympian and World Team member Dan Majerle took over the GCU men's basketball program.

How many Division 1 golf schools are there?

There are 301 golf programs at the NCAA D1 level. Use this page or our free search page to identify schools in your area or from across the country that you might be interested in.

Who has the best college golf program?

Contact GolfstatRankTeamSchedule1Oklahoma71.7652Vanderbilt Univ.71.9953Oklahoma State71.83923 more rows

Who was the golfer who presented the rise of Grand Canyon University Golf Course?

Brian Mueller was delighted as he stood before a press conference on that sunny January day five years ago, presenting the rise of Grand Canyon University Golf Course from the despair and disrepair of what had been Maryvale Golf Course.

What is the 13th hole in GCU?

The par-3 13th is a typical hole on the course. It rewards a good shot but has several ways — water, sand, undulating green — to punish a bad one. “The challenge on this golf course is the par-3s,” GCU President Brian Mueller said.

How many rounds will GCU have in 2021?

In its sixth year of operation, GCU Golf Course is on track for close to 60,000 rounds in 2021 … after hosting 55,000 last year … and 45,000 the year before that … compared to just 35,000 before GCU shut it down in 2015 for a renovation and redesign that took a full year to complete.

Who is the president of GCU?

GCU President Brian Mueller (center) was interviewed for the TV segment by Phoenix city councilwoman Betty Guardado (right). They were joined at the session by junior golfer Alan Quezada from Maryvale, who said he got his start in the sport thanks to Jesse Mueller and plays the course regularly.

Where is the 18th green in the clubhouse?

The 18th green sits right in front of the clubhouse , where diners can eat outside on the patio.

Has the 18th hole been changed?

Fought did such a good job with it, it hasn’t been changed at all in its five-plus years other than changing the order of the nines – what was the 10th hole now is the first, and vice versa. That put the 18th hole right in front of the clubhouse, where diners can sit on the patio of the Lope House restaurant and watch the golfers come in.

Did the GCU President believe in the potential?

The GCU President had seen the potential. He believed in it. But even he was surprised.

When did GCU Golf Course open?

The rebranded GCU Golf Course opened in January of 2016 and experienced immediate success.

When did Grand Canyon University redesign Maryvale Golf Course?

Pro shop. In October of 2014, Grand Canyon University announced an agreement with the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board to redesign and manage the Maryvale Golf Course, just west of the main campus, for 30 years.

What is the Lopes golf course?

The golf course is home to the Lopes men's and women's golf programs. The teams are afforded access to the course and private practice areas reserved exclusively for team use. There is access to a private driving range tee, two private chipping greens, bunker and chipping areas.

What is the golf course at Grand Canyon University?

Grand Canyon University’s new golf course will add an exciting and innovative new dynamic to the Bachelor of Science in Business Management with an Emphasis in Golf Management degree. This program helps students to follow their passion for golf and learn the business of golf, from the playing the game to managing a golf course and tournaments to working with media, equipment and apparel. Students learn the steps to cultivate, market and manage business aspects of golf through challenging business and revenue generation classes.

Does GCU have a clubhouse?

GCU has also added an upgraded clubhouse to the facility , which features a pro shop, the Lope House restaurant and luxury event spaces. In addition, students in the Colangelo College of Business’ golf management degree program now attend their golf lab classes in the 22,260-square-foot-building.

How many tees does GCU have?

GCU Golf Course has five sets of tees on every hole, from way up for the short hitters to way back for the big bombers, and can be played at 5,074 yards or stretched to 7,269 — 600 yards longer than it was before. Par was changed from 72 to 71 by turning the 10th hole, previously a par-5, into a long par-4.

What is the mission of GCU?

A large part of GCU’s mission is to be a leader in west Phoenix, and this is just one more way to encourage companies to make this a destination. “We’ve got to talk people into planting the flag here and staying here,” Brian Mueller said.

What are the things that remain from the old Maryvale course?

Anyone who played Maryvale will barely recognize it. The only things that remain from the old course are the trees (and not all of them — some were removed to widen fairways) and the rough. Every green was rebuilt and every bunker is new.

Why are golf courses ill equipped?

The fact is, most municipalities are ill-equipped to run golf courses because they can’t or won’t budget the money the infrastructure needs. Earlier this year, Salt Lake City closed three courses that were $800,000 in the hole and needed $20 million in renovations.

Who is the women's golf coach at GCU?

GCU women’s golf coach Lauren Giesecke (above) and men’s coach Mark Mueller will be able to show recruits a championship course close to campus that has a private practice area and a team room on the second floor of the clubhouse. “That’s going to be pretty much where our players live,” Giesecke said. 11.

Is GCU a good golf course?

GCU Golf Course is golfer-friendly in another way: The “trouble” (out of bounds, water hazards) is rare and is mainly on the left, an important factor considering that 90 percent of golfers spin the ball from left to right. No matter how you slice it, this speeds up play.

Does living on a golf course affect home values?

Numerous organizations such as the National Association of Realtors and the Appraisal Institute agree that living on a thriving golf course is right up there with a good school system for having a positive effect on home values . Conversely, living on a decaying or recently shuttered course can drag down values.

Years of losses

The partnership comes as one of many changes to a golf program that Phoenix taxpayers are still subsidizing.

Steady savings

The financial status of Phoenix's golf program is markedly better than before, though the courses still lose money.

When did GCU become a university?

In May of 1984 , college trustees voted to prepare for transition to university status on the school’s 40th anniversary. Then GCU moved from being owned and operated by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention to being self-owned by the Board of Trustees.

When was Grand Canyon College founded?

The Beginning as Grand Canyon College. Grand Canyon College was chartered on Aug. 1, 1949, with 16 faculty and approximately 100 students in Prescott, AZ. In 1951, the college relocated to a 90-acre tract in West Phoenix and was accredited in 1968 by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Established as a Baptist-affiliated institution ...

Is GCU in West Phoenix?

Along with providing academic excellence and a vibrant campus life, GCU believes its purpose is to partner together to implement initiatives in the area that open educational opportunities for all, create jobs, restore housing and reduce crime. GCU calls this United by Purpose.

Is GCU growing?

GCU's campus continues to grow to meet the needs of students and cultivate world-class learning experiences. Here's a snapshot of the campus today - a home away from home for our Lopes:

Is GCU a 501c3?

In 2018, GCU transitioned back to a 501 (c) (3) institution, which provided faculty and students with equitable opportunities to: Allow the university to continue offering tuition at levels that make private higher education affordable to all Americans despite socio-economic class. Grand Canyon University circa 1960.

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