The Ak-Chin Indian Community is proud to make Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club a true daily fee facility for everyone to enjoy. The championship Australian Sand Belt-style golf course sits on 320 acres of land that was once a part of Ak-Chin’s original May 1912 reservation before it was removed by Presidential Executive Order in late 1912. Nearly 100 years later, in 2010, the Community recovered its sacred land when it purchased the Brian Curley and Fred Couples designed facility after it was originally developed as a private club. The course currently boasts several coveted accolades that include Golfweek’s list of the “Top 100 Resort Courses,” “Best Courses You Can Play,” and “Top Casino Courses,” as well as Golf Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”
This world class, Troon-managed club offers impeccable course conditioning, unmatched playability and superlative customer service, thus ensuring an unparalleled round of extraordinary golf. A 2014 renovation transformed Ak-Chin Southern Dunes into a more player-friendly venue while maintaining the integrity of the game at this championship-level course. During this renovation, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes set out to create “Golf’s version of a bunny slope,” a fun, welcoming venue to learn the game or hone your short game skills. The driving range was completely renovated and within the “floor” of the practice area six tees were created along with six target greens built to USGA specifications. The club named the course #miniDunes and in keeping with the theme to appeal to a younger audience, while increasing social media awareness, might just be the first course in the country to incorporate a hashtag in its name.
A true testament to its greatness, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes has proudly played host to numerous major tournaments and events since its celebrated opening in 2002, serving as an annual U.S. Open qualifying site, The PING Southwest Section PGA Section Championship, several top collegiate Men’s and Women’s golf tournaments and home of early-state Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School. Simply stated, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes doesn’t just offer desert golf; it presents golfers of all skill levels and abilities with the very best of golf in the desert.
Don’t’ forget about Arroyo Grille, which offers the traditional club favorites combined with modern twists on Ak-Chin’s traditional fare. Rotating evening chef specials make Arroyo Grille one of the region’s most popular dining venues. Even if you don’t take in a full meal, the Grille is worth the stop for happy hour libations or to take in a stunning desert sunset while enjoying specialty craft beers.
Honors
- Golfweek’s Best: Courses in Arizona (2021 #6) (2020 #6) (2019 #6) (2018 #6)
- Golfweek’s Best: Top 50 Casino Courses (2021 #12) (2020 #14)
- Arizona Golfer’s Choice (Ranked in the Top 25) – Golfpass (2021, 2020)
- Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Arizona (2021 #23) (2020 #23) (2019 #22) (2018 #11) (2017 #4) (2016 #1)
- 2021 Best Arizona Golf Courses (#5) – ArizonaGolfer.com
- Golfweek’s Best: Top 200 Resort Golf Courses (2021, 2020, 2019)
- 2017 Player Development Award – National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA)
- 2016 National Golf Course of the Year Finalist – National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA)
- “The Best Courses Near You” State-by-State by GOLF MAGAZINE (2016 #5)
- “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” by GOLF MAGAZINE (2017 #84) (2016 #84)
- Golf Advisor: Top 25 Friendliest Courses in the U.S. (2016 #2)
- Golf Advisor: Top 25 Course Conditions in the U.S. (2016 #21)
- Golf Advisor: Top 25 Courses for Layout in the U.S. (2016 #4)
Premier Events held at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes
- Annual U.S. Open qualifying site
- 2016 – 2018 Southwest Section PGA Section Championship
- 2005, 2009 and 2015 Arizona Amateur Championship
- 2008 Arizona Senior Open
- 2006 and 2007 PGA TOUR’s Qualifying Tournament – 2nd Stage
- 2011 and 2012 PGA TOUR’s Qualifying Tournament – Pre Qualifier
- 2013 – 2021 web.com/Korn Ferry Qualifying Tournament – 1st Stage
- 2020 U.S. Amateur qualifying site
- 2020 Western Athletic Conference Men’s Championship
- Annual Host to the Saguaro Amateur, Wyoming Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Invitationals
- 2026 NCAA Men’s Regional Site
- 2021 and 2022 Copper Cup Match
Golf Hole Hall of Fame | 16th Hole
Honorary Inductee
The Architects
Schmidt-Curley Design Inc. The pairing of Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley brings together two individuals with a common passion for the game of golf, its history and the satisfying reward of implementing its design and construction.
Together we bring experience and prominent involvement in the planning, design and construction of over 100 courses. At the core of these past accomplishments lie world renowned courses done with the likes of Pete Dye, Nick Faldo, Fred Couples, Jack Nicklaus and more. Our history of creating a myriad of golf course developments, from stand alone golf courses, to massive golf course communities, throughout varied environments across the globe, has formed the backbone for our company to create any successful project which will meet the vision of our clients, and exceed their expectations. In creating the golf course at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, the highly respected Scottsdale-based golf design firm of Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc. teamed with PGA Tour star Fred Couples.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes was the sixth collaboration between Schmidt-Curley and Fred Couples, following The Plantation and The Palms in the Palm Springs area, Southern Oaks Country Club in Houston, Talega in San Clemente, California and The Crosby Estate in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
