Players and press gathered at Desert Mountain Golf Club on September 1st for the Charles Schwab Championship Cup Media Day. While the focus was mainly on the upcoming tournament scheduled for November 5-8, the future of the tournament at this prestigious club was also a hot topic.
The Charles Schwab Championship Cup is the last tournament of the PGA season and will be played on the Cochise Course at Desert Mountain Golf Club. The tournament is slated to stay at Desert Mountain through next year, then it’s anyone’s guess where it may end up. Traditionally the tournament has bounced between Desert Mountain and the TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. It’s the preference of tour commissioner Greg McLaughlin to keep the tournament fluid and not anchor it to any one course.
Since Desert Mountain is a private club in a residential community, hosting too many events can cause what CEO and General Manager Robert Jones calls “tournament fatigue.” While hosting such prestigious tournaments is exciting and great for exposure, it has to be great for the members and residents, too.
Jones’ goal is to host six tournaments within 10 years. In fact, if the Charles Schwab Cup Championship returns after 2016, it will likely be played on the Renegade Course instead of the Cochise Course, as many players consider the 7,524-yard Renegade to be more competitive. Both Jack Nicklaus courses are scheduled to receive some touch-ups from the pro himself in the next few years.
On the other hand, players like Tom Pernice Jr. would love to keep the tournament at Desert Mountain “forever.” Of course, Pernice won the 2014 Charles Schwab Cup, so he may be a little biased, but he contends that other players feel the same.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey was also on hand at Media Day to show his support for the tournament, and to state his clear interest in keeping the tournament at Desert Mountain. “The tournament means a lot to our state,” Ducey commented. “It’s quickly become a point of pride to host this high caliber event.”
Where the tournament jets off to in 2017 is not quite determined yet, but all involved feel that a departure from Desert Mountain would be temporary. All this excitement and notoriety, plus championship golf, are the best parts of living in Arizona golf course communities! Desert Mountain in particular is the only private golf community in the WORLD with six Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses.
Check out the golf homes for sale in Scottsdale, then contact The Matheson Team. We’re experts in championship Arizona golf homes and golf courses.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
don@azgolfhomes.com
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