Arizona Athletics’ announcement of its new, state-of-the-art facility for its women’s and men’s golf programs was historic in a number of ways. The $14.86 million dollar project will give Arizona’s elite golf teams an official home at Tucson Country Club. It was a powerful display by generous supporters who made the project a reality. It also marked a historic first for one of those key supporters of the project.
The key project to support Arizona student-athletes is The Thunderbirds’ first major philanthropic endeavor outside of Maricopa County, giving $1 million to the project.
“The Thunderbirds supported this project because it is important to ensure that the U of A golf teams maintain their status as elite programs, not only in the Pac-12, but across the country,” said Scott Jenkins, 2021-22 Executive Director of The Thunderbirds. “We should all want the best amateur players from across the world to play collegiate golf in Arizona. Arizona’s new golf facility will help with the future recruitment of this talent and develop future professional players that go on and return to the WM Phoenix Open.”
Synonymous with golf in the state of Arizona and the WM Phoenix Open, The Thunderbirds began as an expansion of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s tourism bureau in 1937. The WM Phoenix Open has seen its fair share of Wildcats in action as 11 former UArizona golfers have competed in the event a total of 119 times. The organization has also hosted and supported generations of tournaments from PGA Tour events to American Junior Golf Association tournaments and a plethora of events in between.
“While many are familiar with The Thunderbirds as the hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, an event in which we take great pride in, we are equally passionate about the development of young athletes and our future community leaders through the support of amateur golf,” Jenkins continued. “The Thunderbirds have always tried to grow the game of golf throughout Arizona by supporting programs such as the First Tee and American Junior Golf Association and sponsoring collegiate events such as The Thunderbird International Jr., and The Patriot All-American and…
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