Desert Highlands Designated a Top-15 ‘Platinum Club of America’ Golf Club

Club Leaders Forum Ranks Scottsdale Club Best in Arizona, 14th Overall for 2021-22

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Desert Highlands – the acclaimed luxury golf club and community in the stunning Sonoran Desert of North Scottsdale – ranked among the top-15 of 'Platinum Clubs of America' golf clubs for 2021-22 by the Club Leaders Forum, a leading source in the private club industry and publisher of The Forum Magazine.

The famed Scottsdale club finished 14th overall in these rankings, and was the only golf club in Arizona to be listed in the top-25. Every two years, a preliminary ballot is circulated to private club managers around the country to nominate clubs for a final ballot. Once complete, the final ballot is distributed to club managers, presidents and owners of America’s finest private clubs. These club officials then rate clubs based on the Platinum Club Advisory Board’s seven selection criteria: Universal Recognition; Excellence in Amenities and Facilities; Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels; Quality and Commitment of Membership; Governance and Fiscal Management; Adapting to Changing Times; and Overall Experience.

The Club Leaders Forum ranked Augusta National as the top golf club for 2021-22. Seminole Golf Club in Florida rounded out the top-10, while San Francisco Golf Club finished at No. 11, Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland was 12th and Chicago Golf Club ranked 13th. 

“Being selected by the Club Leaders Forum’s esteemed panel as a top-15 Platinum Club of America golf club is truly an honor,” says Monty Becton, General Manager / COO of Desert Highlands. “Our staff does a remarkable job of upholding Desert Highlands’ championship caliber conditioning and impeccable service standards, making it an amazing place to live and play golf. Our members, who are the ambassadors of the golf club and community, are extremely proud of this prestigious accolade.”

Desert Highlands’ energetic lifestyle consistently draws discerning families and active Boomers in equal measure – golfers, tennis enthusiasts, pet lovers, and health and wellness enthusiasts. A full social calendar allows residents to fully enjoy this peaceful community.

Stretching to over 7,100 yards, the Desert Highlands golf course recently re-opened after a $7 million renovation project that included refurbishing every bunker, restoring the 13th hole to its original design, installing a new irrigation system and updating cart paths. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course offers a challenging, but fair test, and striking views of Pinnacle Peak and the lights of the Valley spread across the horizon in the distance below. Desert Highlands was Nicklaus’ first design in Arizona, and immediately set the bar for desert golf experiences, not only in Scottsdale but statewide and nationwide.

Just as impressive is Desert Highlands’ Racquet Club, which sports 13 tennis courts featuring all three Grand Slam surfaces – grass, clay and hard. Noted ATP player Nick Kyrgios considers Desert Highlands’ grass courts “better than Wimby [Wimbledon].” The Racquet Club also added two regulation-size pickleball courts earlier this year.

Earlier this month, Desert Highlands unveiled Jack’s, a lively gastropub inside the clubhouse named after Nicklaus, to its members. Led by award-winning architect Erik B. Peterson of PHX Architecture, Jack’s is a high-energy gathering space that diversifies Desert Highlands’ dining options. A large custom communal table commands the room and provides a custom bar experience for up to 22. Jack’s also features high tops, flat-screen televisions and images that pay homage to the influence that Nicklaus and other golf legends have made.

In addition, Desert Highlands boasts a 7,700-square-foot Wellness Center, an 18-hole professionally designed putting course and a spacious dog park. Inside, the club provides residents peace of mind with a state-of-the-art security system, professionally trained security personnel, visitor control and access, and other protection amenities. Among the acclaimed residential services that truly pamper residents and meet their specific needs – shipping and transportation assistance, pool and spa maintenance, auto detailing and other customized services.

For more information: www.deserthighlandsscottsdale.com.