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Title:
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Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to the City of Phoenix Municipal Golf System - Districts 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8
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District:
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District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 8
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Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to the City of Phoenix Municipal Golf System - Districts 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8
Description
This report provides information to the Phoenix City Council in response to a citizen petition submitted by Jeremy Thacker at the May 7, 2025, Formal City Council Meeting (Attachment A), concerning the City of Phoenix Municipal Golf System.
...Report
Summary
The petitioner requests the City Council to:
Establish an independent ad hoc committee to study the future of municipal golf in Phoenix;
Acknowledge the disproportionate use of land;
Account for foregone revenue due to golf use; and,
Prioritize equity and transparency in park land use.
The petition also discusses water usage.
The City of Phoenix owns eight municipal golf courses, six of which are operated by the City and two are managed through contractual partnerships. The eight courses owned by the City include:
Encanto 18
Encanto 9
Cave Creek
Aguila 18
Aguila 9
Palo Verde
Maryvale (Managed by Contract)
Papago (Managed by Contract)
Municipal golf courses have long been a part of the Phoenix parks system, providing affordable recreation opportunities to residents. The City’s first course, Encanto, opened in 1936 and was only the third golf course in Arizona at the time. The City's second course was Maryvale, which opened in 1961, then Papago opened in 1963. Approximately 20 years later, the Cave Creek Golf Course was built in 2983 as a landfill reclamation project, which was a pioneering golf course design at the time. In 1999, both Aguila and Palo Verde became part of the Phoenix golf system, continuing the tradition of expanding access to golf throughout the City. Phoenix’s municipal golf system has grown to serve the recreational needs of a diverse and expanding community.
Over the past decade, golf rounds have increased by an average of 11,000 rounds per year. In the most recent year, the courses hosted more than 427,000 rounds. This steady growth has contributed to the system’s ability to remain fully self-sustaining. Several strategic actions over the years have supported this sustainability, including outsourcing maintenance and concessions, and establishing operational partnerships at Maryvale and Papago golf courses.
Phoenix’s municipal golf courses offer a wide range of amenities to enhance the playing experience and support skill development. These include eight putting greens, five chipping areas, and six driving ranges. The chipping and putting areas are available for free public use, while driving range access is affordably priced at $5.00 for 35 balls.
All eight courses provide youth and adult golf lessons, ensuring accessibility for players at all skill levels. The facilities are also used extensively by local high school teams, 33 teams currently practice and compete on City courses, including during the AIA State Golf Championships. Youth golf development is further supported through programs such as Arizona Junior Golf tournaments and the PGA First Tee Program. The courses also promote inclusivity, with Encanto Golf Course serving as the host site for the Arizona Special Olympics State Regional Tournament, creating meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities to participate in the sport.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends the citizen petition be rejected in its entirety.
Municipal golf courses have a long history as a part of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation system. Phoenix golf courses provide a variety of benefits to the community. In addition to providing accessible and affordable recreational golf opportunities for residents of all skill levels including youth, golf creates a positive economic impact in the surrounding community. Golf courses can also contribute to improving biological diversity, conserving natural environments, and are effective at mitigating the heat island effect due to the large amount of green space and the number of trees that cover a typical golf course.
Additionally, per Chapter XXIII, Section 2 of the Phoenix City Charter, the Parks and Recreation Board is the appropriate authority charged with advising City Council on the recreational needs of the City and in establishing operating policies for recreational facilities including golf courses that comprise park property.
Location
Council Districts: 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Parks and Recreation Department.