When will Karsten Golf Course close?
Karsten Golf Course is set to close in May 2019, and this closure will include both the course and the clubhouse.
Why did ASU settle on May 2019 as the targeted closing date?
The resources are now in place to ensure the collegiate experience for all ASU students will be positively impacted by this move.
Before Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics commit to moving any of its varsity sports programs, the new facility must serve two important purposes: 1) help ASU win championships, and 2) elevate the program in all aspects. Both of these purposes are now fulfilled with The Thunderbirds Golf Complex completed and renovations to Papago Golf Course public practice areas finished this past fall.
The closing of Karsten Golf Course also allows ASU and SDA to expand the university’s Athletics Village, which will include numerous multi-purpose fields for use by the ASU student body for student recreational activities and by Sun Devil Athletics. Additional student recreational fields have been a priority for ASU’s student government for a number of years and funding is in place.
Additionally, expansion of the Athletics Village, which involves the relocation of an existing practice field at the corner of Rural Road and Sixth Street to the Athletics Village, coupled with the closing of Karsten Golf Course in its entirety, will allow development within the Novus Innovation Corridor to continue.
When will construction on Karsten Golf Course begin?
Site prep will begin shortly after the course is closed in May 2019, with construction on the university’s expansion of Athletics Village, set to begin in late 2019. The multi-purpose fields project is expected to be completed in November 2020. Additional development projects on that land will continue beyond that time.
Where is Athletics Village located?
Athletics Village, which already includes the Verde Dickey Dome, Farrington Softball Stadium, Riches Wrestling Complex, John Spini Gymnastics Center, ASU Band Practice Field, Weatherup Center and the Sun Devil Sports Performance Center, will be expanded east of the existing Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, on the land currently occupied by holes 1-4. It will include numerous multi-purpose fields for use by the ASU student body for student recreational activities and by Sun Devil Athletics.
What will happen to Karsten Golf Course, the clubhouse and the Hobbs House during construction?
While the course and the clubhouse will be closed to the public, Arizona State University and Catellus will work together to maintain and secure the property. This maintenance will include beautification, such as berming and landscaping, along Rio Salado Parkway and McClintock Drive.
Hobbs House, which served as the former practice facility for the Sun Devil men’s and women’s golf programs, will potentially be repurposed for use by other programs until that land is required for Novus development.
Will Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics do anything special to celebrate Karsten Golf Course?
Yes, several celebration opportunities are being explored, including hosting a “final round” at Karsten Golf Course that will include a shotgun-style golf outing and a dinner for those who were involved with the creation of Karsten Golf Course.
Is Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics doing anything to honor and recognize the legacy of Karsten Golf Course at Papago Golf Course, the new home of Sun Devil Golf?
Yes, in a number of different ways.
As a tribute to the Karsten family, ASU helped rename East Moreland Street off 52nd Street in Phoenix to Karsten Way. That is now the formal entrance into the Papago Golf Course. Additionally, a new entrance off of McDowell Road was recently completed with an adjacent running/walking trail. This new entryway creates a visible formal entrance into the park and gives community members and residents from Phoenix/Scottsdale more direct access into Papago Golf Course.
The iconic Heather Farr statue that stood at the 10th hole at Karsten Golf Course was moved to Papago Golf Course. Situated at the corner of the course’s new clubhouse, Lou’s Bar and Grill, and the pathway to the public driving range and recently-completed The Thunderbirds Golf Complex, which serves as the home of the Sun Devil men’s and women’s golf programs, the statue greets everyone as they arrive.
A history wall will also stand next to the Farr statue, and will highlight the history of Karsten Golf Course.
The collection of ASU memorabilia in the Karsten Golf Course dining room, including NCAA National Championship trophies, the U.S. Amateur Championship’s Havenmeyer Cup, the bust of “Solly” Sollenberger, and golf bags from notable alums on PGA and LPGA, will be appropriately relocated to Papago Golf Course, Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame, and The Thunderbirds Golf Complex.
Does the closing of Karsten Golf Course impact any future developments involving Packard Stadium, Whiteman Tennis Center and Sun Angel Stadium/Joe Selleh Track?
This is another step forward in the long-term vision of the Novus Innovation Corridor. Any future facility developments are contingent on several development factors that will ensure the student-athlete experience and the success of all Sun Devil Athletics programs and the university are all positively impacted.
Does Karsten closing allow us to open the parking lot for football tailgates?
Sun Devil Athletics will be evaluating opportunity and demand for tailgating after Karsten closes.
Karsten Golf Course is set to close in May 2019, and this closure will include both the course and the clubhouse.
Why did ASU settle on May 2019 as the targeted closing date?
The resources are now in place to ensure the collegiate experience for all ASU students will be positively impacted by this move.
Before Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics commit to moving any of its varsity sports programs, the new facility must serve two important purposes: 1) help ASU win championships, and 2) elevate the program in all aspects. Both of these purposes are now fulfilled with The Thunderbirds Golf Complex completed and renovations to Papago Golf Course public practice areas finished this past fall.
The closing of Karsten Golf Course also allows ASU and SDA to expand the university’s Athletics Village, which will include numerous multi-purpose fields for use by the ASU student body for student recreational activities and by Sun Devil Athletics. Additional student recreational fields have been a priority for ASU’s student government for a number of years and funding is in place.
Additionally, expansion of the Athletics Village, which involves the relocation of an existing practice field at the corner of Rural Road and Sixth Street to the Athletics Village, coupled with the closing of Karsten Golf Course in its entirety, will allow development within the Novus Innovation Corridor to continue.
When will construction on Karsten Golf Course begin?
Site prep will begin shortly after the course is closed in May 2019, with construction on the university’s expansion of Athletics Village, set to begin in late 2019. The multi-purpose fields project is expected to be completed in November 2020. Additional development projects on that land will continue beyond that time.
Where is Athletics Village located?
Athletics Village, which already includes the Verde Dickey Dome, Farrington Softball Stadium, Riches Wrestling Complex, John Spini Gymnastics Center, ASU Band Practice Field, Weatherup Center and the Sun Devil Sports Performance Center, will be expanded east of the existing Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium, on the land currently occupied by holes 1-4. It will include numerous multi-purpose fields for use by the ASU student body for student recreational activities and by Sun Devil Athletics.
What will happen to Karsten Golf Course, the clubhouse and the Hobbs House during construction?
While the course and the clubhouse will be closed to the public, Arizona State University and Catellus will work together to maintain and secure the property. This maintenance will include beautification, such as berming and landscaping, along Rio Salado Parkway and McClintock Drive.
Hobbs House, which served as the former practice facility for the Sun Devil men’s and women’s golf programs, will potentially be repurposed for use by other programs until that land is required for Novus development.
Will Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics do anything special to celebrate Karsten Golf Course?
Yes, several celebration opportunities are being explored, including hosting a “final round” at Karsten Golf Course that will include a shotgun-style golf outing and a dinner for those who were involved with the creation of Karsten Golf Course.
Is Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics doing anything to honor and recognize the legacy of Karsten Golf Course at Papago Golf Course, the new home of Sun Devil Golf?
Yes, in a number of different ways.
As a tribute to the Karsten family, ASU helped rename East Moreland Street off 52nd Street in Phoenix to Karsten Way. That is now the formal entrance into the Papago Golf Course. Additionally, a new entrance off of McDowell Road was recently completed with an adjacent running/walking trail. This new entryway creates a visible formal entrance into the park and gives community members and residents from Phoenix/Scottsdale more direct access into Papago Golf Course.
The iconic Heather Farr statue that stood at the 10th hole at Karsten Golf Course was moved to Papago Golf Course. Situated at the corner of the course’s new clubhouse, Lou’s Bar and Grill, and the pathway to the public driving range and recently-completed The Thunderbirds Golf Complex, which serves as the home of the Sun Devil men’s and women’s golf programs, the statue greets everyone as they arrive.
A history wall will also stand next to the Farr statue, and will highlight the history of Karsten Golf Course.
The collection of ASU memorabilia in the Karsten Golf Course dining room, including NCAA National Championship trophies, the U.S. Amateur Championship’s Havenmeyer Cup, the bust of “Solly” Sollenberger, and golf bags from notable alums on PGA and LPGA, will be appropriately relocated to Papago Golf Course, Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame, and The Thunderbirds Golf Complex.
Does the closing of Karsten Golf Course impact any future developments involving Packard Stadium, Whiteman Tennis Center and Sun Angel Stadium/Joe Selleh Track?
This is another step forward in the long-term vision of the Novus Innovation Corridor. Any future facility developments are contingent on several development factors that will ensure the student-athlete experience and the success of all Sun Devil Athletics programs and the university are all positively impacted.
Does Karsten closing allow us to open the parking lot for football tailgates?
Sun Devil Athletics will be evaluating opportunity and demand for tailgating after Karsten closes.