Karsten GC days could be numbered.

[teejaywhy]

Long rumored, an article in today's AZ REPUBLIC

 

Karsten Golf Course's days could be numbered

 

by Doug Haller - Jun. 7, 2011 02:54 PM

The Arizona Republic

 

Karsten Golf Course's days as the home of Arizona State's golf teams soon might come to an end.

 

Earlier this year, ASU informed the Collegiate Golf Foundation, the legal entity that leases the course from the Arizona Board of Regents, that the university had launched a feasibility study for the course's redevelopment into other commercial uses to assist in the renovation of Sun Devil Stadium.

 

As a result, the university concluded it was not in position to extend the golf course's lease when it expires June 30, 2012.

 

Fred Homes, president of the foundation, said the foundation first heard rumors of ASU's intentions several years ago. Eventually, he figured the university would grow so much that it would need the course land for other developmental purposes. But each time the topic was raised, Homes said ASU told him that everything was on the table, but nothing had been finalized.

 

"As the years went by the rumor mill still persisted and we would ask again, but (receive) the same responses," Homes said.

 

Virgil Renzulli, ASU's Vice President for Public Affairs, said that's still the case. Over the past year, the university has announced lofty plans for an athletic facilities district that could stretch from Tempe Marketplace to the city center. The Arizona Legislature already has passed a bill creating the mechanism for such a vision.

 

In November, ASU president Michael Crow said ASU plans to lease land the university owns near downtown Tempe to developers and then collect development fees in lieu of taxes.

 

"(But nothing has been) decided on exactly what will be in the district that we could develop," Renzulli said. "One of the things that had been mentioned back when the Arizona Cardinals were looking for a new stadium was Karsten Golf Course, or part of Karsten. But again, everything is on the table. It has to be."

 

Karsten, financed through private funds, was built by the Sun Angel Foundation, opening in 1989. The Collegiate Golf Foundation leases the Karsten facilities, which includes a clubhouse and player's facility, from the board of regents. OB Sports handles the daily management. Homes said before the economic downturn the course probably was worth $160 million.

 

"There have been no public funds used to develop or operate the golf course for 22 years, it is self-sustaining," Homes said.

 

If Karsten is lost, the golf teams likely would play at other courses in the area. In the Pac-12, ASU is one of four schools to have a university-owned course on campus, joining Oregon State, Washington State and Stanford.

 

"Obviously, a big recruiting tool is having a golf course on campus," said ASU men's golf coach Randy Lein, adding it played a factor in luring Phil Mickelson to Tempe. "If we lose that, we'll just go back to where we were before we had it. We'll make it work."

 

Sun Devil Stadium's condition cannot be ignored. Although it's safe, the stadium, which has hosted ASU football since 1958, has just about a decade left in its current state, Renzulli said. Structural and electrical repairs are needed. ASU also would like to put in better seats with better sight lines as well as upgrade restroom and concession facilities. Renzulli said a price tag for a complete outhaul, one that would make the stadium competitive among its peers, likely would be north of $250 million.

 

It is the centerpiece of the university's athletic-district vision. The goal is to turn Tempe into an "amateur sports mecca," Renzulli said, but first ASU must address the school's bigger facilities.

 

"This is really kind of long term," Renzulli said. "The only way we can continue to play football in Tempe is through this mechanism of developing a land that the university has so that we have a revenue source, because otherwise, there is no revenue source."

 

 

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/golf/articles/2011/06/07/20110607karsten-golf-course-asu-future.html

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I would like to say I would miss the course, but I wont. The thing that sucks is the history and amount of talent that had walked those fairways both from the mens and womens teams.

I could see Longbow as a front runner as the new home course

[teejaywhy]

Bob would love that.

Didn't someone mention a rumor about ASU taking over the management of Papago and making it the new "home of the champions?" I guess that is a stretch, but they would have the funding to complete the plan for the course that the city envisioned.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Good point about papago. It is closer and has more length than longbow, it just needs work.

[SPY ZINGER]

I'm not in AZ bit play the course every year. I really enjoy it and it's reasonable green fees in peak season. Fair value for the price in a great location. Friendly staff, nice proshop, and always in decent shape again, for the price of golf. Great place to practice and demo ping products. Too bad all around.

[fore_life]

[quote name='tjy355' timestamp='1307505411' post='3291917']
Bob would love that.

Didn't someone mention a rumor about ASU taking over the management of Papago and making it the new "home of the champions?" I guess that is a stretch, but they would have the funding to complete the plan for the course that the city envisioned.
[/quote]

I think it was us just BS'ing around the proverbial water cooler, but I think Papago and ASU would make a nice fit.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1307600719' post='3294579']
[quote name='tjy355' timestamp='1307505411' post='3291917']
Bob would love that.

Didn't someone mention a rumor about ASU taking over the management of Papago and making it the new "home of the champions?" I guess that is a stretch, but they would have the funding to complete the plan for the course that the city envisioned.
[/quote]

I think it was us just BS'ing around the proverbial water cooler, but I think Papago and ASU would make a nice fit.
[/quote]

If you read the user comments following the article, several people mention that rumor.

[BeanieAZ]

I'm with OPB on this one, I wouldn't miss the course much at all. I've played there about a dozen times and never enjoyed myself.

[azerndt]

[quote name='BeanieAZ' timestamp='1307633298' post='3295244']
I'm with OPB on this one, I wouldn't miss the course much at all. I've played there about a dozen times and never enjoyed myself.
[/quote]


agreed - i 've only played it a couple times and never enjoyed it. Everytime somebody from my regular group suggests it one of the rest of us usually votes it down.

[Rohlio]

I went to ASU the only thing Karsten is good for is for use as a giant slip n slide during monsoons.

I wouldn't miss it at all.