Desert Highlands Announces Men’s Locker Room Renovation Project

Multi-Million Dollar Upgrades to Include Refreshed Locker Room and Bathroom Areas, Modernized Bar, Accordion Doors Connecting Indoor / Outdoor Areas 

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Desert Highlands – the original home of The Skins Game and an acclaimed luxury golf club and community in the stunning Sonoran Desert of North Scottsdale – announces renovation work has begun to its men’s locker room.

PHX Architecture and Hatch Design Group, who completed the renovation of the women’s locker room and golf pro shop late last year, and also designed the award-winning Jack’s, will lead the multi-million dollar updates to the men’s locker room. Slated to be completed by the end of 2026, the renovation project will elevate the daily experience for the members.

The men’s locker room renovation project will center on five key enhancements to elevate the member’s experience while honoring Desert Highlands’ traditions and heritage:

- The men’s grille and lounge will be reimagined as a more open and inviting gathering space. Updated finishes, furnishings and design elements will create a comfortable environment for dining, socializing, and connecting with fellow members.

- The addition of the Nicklaus Room will introduce a distinctive new experience within the men’s locker room. This intimate fireside lounge will pay tribute to Desert Highlands’ legacy as the world’s first Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course while providing a refined setting for conversation and relaxation.

- The locker room will be thoughtfully reimagined to enhance the member experience. Elevated finishes, improved lighting, upgraded amenities, and refined design details will create a more sophisticated and welcoming environment while preserving the traditions that make the space special.

- The wet areas, including showers, vanities and restroom facilities, will be fully modernized. Contemporary fixtures, premium materials, and upgraded finishes will enhance both comfort and functionality.

- The renovation will strengthen the connection between the indoor gathering spaces and the outdoor patio and golf course views. The result will be a more open, relaxed environment that embraces the Desert Highlands lifestyle.

Together, these enhancements will create a more elevated, comfortable and experience-driven destination for members while preserving the character, camaraderie and sense of community that define the Desert Highlands experience.

“Updating and improving our men’s locker room will make it more functional and inviting, and aligns with the Desert Highlands brand and quality expected at the club today and into the future,” says Desi Speh, Chief Operating Officer / General Manager at Desert Highlands. “This project, combined with last year’s golf shop and women’s locker room renovation, ensures that our core member spaces are consistent, cohesive and reflective of the Desert Highlands experience.”

Desert Highlands’ energetic lifestyle consistently draws discerning and active members – from tennis and pickleball enthusiasts to golfers, pet lovers and health and wellness enthusiasts. A full social calendar allows residents to fully enjoy this peaceful community. Desert Highlands finished 11th in Platinum Clubs of America’s Top-50 Golf Clubs in the U.S. rankings, and 54th in their world rankings.

This past November, the club completed a $9.8 million restoration project to its golf course. Spearheaded by Nicklaus Design Senior Designer Chad Goetz, the restoration project represents one of the most ambitious and rewarding undertakings in Desert Highlands’ illustrious history. Nicklaus Design collaborated with Heritage Links and the Desert Highlands Golf Course Maintenance team, led by Director of Agronomy Cody Horstman, on the restoration project, which included six major components: design enhancements to several holes, greens reconstruction, tee reconstruction, bunker reconstruction, desert de- and re-vegetation, and restoration of the turf found on the tees, fairways and rough.

Desert Highlands also recently completed a $2.5 million modernization of its golf shop and women’s locker room. The golf shop now features a redesigned layout with an expanded entrance and a relocated retail counter. Meanwhile, the women’s locker room boasts brighter finishes, a refreshed card lounge, upgraded vanity and wet areas, and a new self-serve comfort station that includes snack drawers, grab-and-go lunch options, wine on tap and a Pour-My-Beer tap system.

The club also recently updated its clubhouse and racquet club lounge. Set against awe-inspiring views of Pinnacle Peak and the unspoiled desert, Jack’s Backyard features numerous lounge areas, patio tables, cushioned fireside seating and two Bocce courts.

The breathtaking desert views were also enhanced at Ventana, Desert Highlands’ elevated dining experience, by incorporating large windows and open floor plans. The club’s 7,700-square-foot fitness center offers cutting-edge MATRIX equipment and design enhancements to several areas including the main floor and locker rooms.

Inside, the community 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 are shipping and transportation assistance, pool and spa maintenance, home inspections and other customized services.

For more information: www.deserthighlandsscottsdale.com.

Celebrate 4th of July with BIG MAX

BIG MAX is helping golfers celebrate Independence Day with a fantastic offer this 4th of July. And with this being an extra special anniversary, BIG MAX is offering $50 off one of it’s best-selling award winning golf bags.

The Dri Lite Hybrid Tour 2 builds on the success of its predecessor, offering more storage, a refined design, and premium materials. With a truly hybrid design this ultra-lightweight bag is perfect for walking the course. A two point, padded shoulder strap, air channel technology and easy access pockets provide convenience and comfort, while water-resistance and the addition of SoftGuard PU material add protection from the elements.

But when you want a cart to take the strain, the bag offers a perfect ride through its dual-component floor and lowered stand that ensures the upper bag holder doesn’t interfere with connection to the cart or push cart. Detachable straps, eight spacious pockets and a leg lock mechanism complete the cart compatibility of this truly adaptable bag.

Coming in at just $229 this versatile design is incredible value that combines the practical, lightweight portability of the best stand bags, with the spacious solidity preferred by those who prefer to ride.

Check out the bag in four color options – including a patriotic Red, White & Blue, here: https://us.bigmaxgolf.com/products/dri-lite-hybrid-tour-2 

Offer runs from 27th June to the 5th July.

Country Club of North Carolina Invests $2 Million in Expanded Practice Facilities

The Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) has begun a major $2 million renovation of its driving range and practice complex, a project designed to meet growing member demand for high-quality practice and instruction amenities.

Located in Pinehurst, N.C., the club has selected noted golf course architect Kris Spence of Greensboro to oversee the transformation. Spence, widely recognized for his golf course restoration work, previously led the acclaimed 2016 renovation of CCNC’s Dogwood Course, which later served as the host venue for the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

The practice facility upgrade was identified as a key initiative in the club’s recent strategic planning process, according to club leadership.

Construction began June 8 and is expected to take between eight and 10 weeks to complete. During that time, the driving range and practice areas will be closed, with members granted access to practice facilities at Knollwood Fairways in nearby Southern Pines.

“CCNC is fortunate to have a strong community of golfers who are committed to improving their game through quality instruction and practice,” said Jim Sutton, the club’s COO and general manager. “Like many private clubs, we have seen a significant increase in both usage and time spent at our practice facilities, and we expect that trend to continue in the years ahead. This capital investment will greatly enhance the practice experience for our members and provide lasting benefits for the club.”

The project will significantly expand and modernize the practice area. Plans include a reconfigured driving range with a 125,000-square-foot teeing ground—roughly 30% larger than the current facility—along with additional target greens, an expanded short-game practice area, improved turf conditions and a taller safety net.

Additional work will focus on regrading portions of the range, improving tee alignment and reshaping target greens to create a more effective and realistic practice environment.

“The main focus is on the safety and functionality aspects of the range,” Spence said. “We are trying to address infrastructure items on it, including agronomy, while also responding to concerns the club identified. We’re not looking to create a specific design theme, except within the short-game area.”

To better replicate on-course conditions, the renovated facility will feature both zoysia and Bermuda grass, matching the turf varieties found on CCNC’s Dogwood and Cardinal courses.

Founded in 1963, CCNC spans approximately 2,000 acres in the Sandhills region and has established itself as one of North Carolina’s premier private clubs. The club has hosted three USGA championships, including the 1980 U.S. Amateur and the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur. Looking ahead, CCNC is scheduled to welcome the 2030 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and the 2037 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

PGA Tour Unveils Major 2028 Overhaul: New Two-Tier System, Promotion/Relegation and Bigger Stakes

The PGA Tour is preparing for its most significant transformation in decades after approving a sweeping new competitive structure that will launch in 2028. Designed to create clearer pathways for players and more compelling storylines for fans, the revamped model introduces a two-tier system featuring promotion and relegation, larger signature events, and a reimagined postseason.

The changes, recommended by the Future Competition Committee and approved by both the PGA Tour Policy Board and PGA Tour Enterprises Board, were announced Tuesday ahead of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands.

A New Era: Championship Series and Challenger Series

At the heart of the overhaul is the creation of two concurrent circuits: the PGA Tour Championship Series and the PGA Tour Challenger Series.

The Championship Series will serve as the tour's premier level, featuring up to 24 elite events each season, including 16 signature tournaments, The Players Championship, the four major championships, season-ending events, and team competitions such as the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.

The Challenger Series will function as the primary pathway to the top tier, giving players opportunities to earn promotion through strong performance. Golfers who win twice on the Challenger Series will receive immediate elevation to the Championship Series.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp described the new structure as a merit-based system that creates higher stakes and greater clarity throughout the season.

Signature Events Get Bigger

Under the new format, the 16 signature events will feature average fields of approximately 120 players, significantly larger than current signature event fields. Each tournament will remain a 72-hole stroke-play event with a cut after 36 holes to the top 65 players and ties.

Prize funds will remain substantial, with purses of at least $20 million per event.

The Championship Series season is expected to run from February through August.

Promotion and Relegation Become Reality

One of the most dramatic changes is the introduction of a true promotion-and-relegation system.

At least 90 players from the Championship Series points standings will retain their status for the following season, while 20 players will earn promotion from the Challenger Series.

Players who fall below the retention line will have one final opportunity to save their status through a new postseason "last chance" series consisting of four to six events in the fall. Those who fail to regain their standing will be relegated to the Challenger Series for the following season.

The move mirrors systems used in global soccer leagues and adds significant consequences to every event on the schedule.

New Points System Simplifies the Race

The PGA Tour will also implement a revamped points structure designed to place greater emphasis on victories, top finishes, and making cuts.

While major championships will continue to award enhanced points, the tour plans to create a more consistent system across both series to make season-long races easier for fans to follow.

Familiar Events, New Markets

Many of today's signature tournaments are expected to remain cornerstones of the future schedule, including:

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Genesis Invitational

Arnold Palmer Invitational

RBC Heritage

Cadillac Championship

Truist Championship

Memorial Tournament

Travelers Championship

The PGA Tour is also targeting major metropolitan markets such as Boston, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., as potential hosts for additional Championship Series events.

Tour Championship Rotation Planned

The Tour Championship will remain at East Lake Golf Club through 2027 before beginning a rotation among some of the country's most exclusive venues.

Potential future hosts include Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, Cypress Point Club in California, and Seminole Golf Club in Florida, while East Lake will continue to be part of the rotation.

International Expansion and Development Pathways

The revamped fall schedule will feature a limited number of elevated international tournaments co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour, providing additional opportunities for top players to compete globally.

Meanwhile, developmental pathways through the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Americas, PGA Tour University, and Q-School will remain in place as the tour continues to identify and develop future stars.

Tiger Woods Helped Shape the Future

The changes were developed by the Future Competition Committee chaired by Tiger Woods and featuring players including Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Maverick McNealy, Keith Mitchell and Camilo Villegas.

Woods called the overhaul a long-term investment in the PGA Tour's future, saying the committee's goal was to improve the fan experience while creating a sustainable competitive model for players and partners.

If successful, the 2028 launch could represent the biggest structural shift in PGA Tour history, creating a system where every tournament carries greater significance and every player has a clearer path to the sport's highest level.

The 3 Worst-Rated Golf Courses in Montana: What Golfers Say About These Big Sky State Layouts

Rivers Bend

Montana is home to some of America's most spectacular golf destinations. Courses like Wilderness Club Resort, Old Works Golf Course, and Rock Creek Cattle Company routinely earn national praise for their scenery and design.

But not every course in the Treasure State receives rave reviews.

Finding truly "bad" golf courses in Montana is difficult because the state has relatively few courses and many enjoy strong local support. However, based on available golfer reviews, recommendation percentages, and player feedback, these three layouts have generated some of the lowest marks or most consistent criticism among Montana golfers.

1. Rivers Bend Golf Course (Thompson Falls)

Nestled along the Clark Fork River, Rivers Bend offers beautiful scenery, but golfer feedback has been sparse and largely unfavorable. On GolfPass, the course carries a recommendation percentage of 0%, with no positive reviews recorded in the site's rating index.

To be fair, the lack of reviews makes it difficult to draw sweeping conclusions. Still, when compared to many Montana courses that boast recommendation percentages above 90%, Rivers Bend stands out for the wrong reasons.

The course's remote location and limited visibility among traveling golfers have also contributed to its relatively low profile.

2. Red Lodge Mountain Golf Course (Red Lodge)

Red Lodge Mountain GC

Red Lodge Mountain Golf Course enjoys one of the most scenic settings in the state, sitting at the base of the Beartooth Mountains. Unfortunately, some golfers have reported conditions that fail to match the stunning backdrop.

In a discussion among golfers, one player described the course as being "run into the ground" and claimed it had "the worst greens in the state." While that's certainly one golfer's opinion, complaints about course conditioning have surfaced repeatedly in online discussions.

Most golfers agree the layout itself remains enjoyable, but inconsistent maintenance has hurt its reputation among players who expect premium conditions at a mountain resort course.

3. Eagle Bend Golf Club (Bigfork)

Eagle Bend

This inclusion may surprise some Montana golfers.

Eagle Bend is not a bad course by traditional standards. In fact, many golfers enjoy the facility. However, criticism often centers on value rather than design.

One golfer who traveled through western Montana rated Eagle Bend as the worst value among the courses he played during his trip, citing expensive green fees, average conditioning for a private club, and a layout that failed to justify the premium price. He gave the course a value rating of just 1 out of 5.

The reviewer noted that several holes felt ordinary compared to other Montana golf experiences and questioned whether the prestige matched the cost.

Again, many golfers would disagree with that assessment, but value complaints appear more frequently here than at many other highly regarded Montana courses.

A Word of Caution About "Worst" Lists

Unlike states with hundreds of public golf courses, Montana has only about 100 golf facilities statewide. Many courses are community-run operations serving small towns, making review samples much smaller than in golf-heavy states like Florida or Arizona.

As a result, a handful of negative reviews can have an outsized impact on a course's reputation.

The reality is that even Montana's lower-rated courses often deliver something special—whether it's mountain views, wildlife sightings, or a memorable small-town golf experience. In a state known for wide-open spaces and dramatic scenery, even the "worst" golf course might still offer a better backdrop than many highly rated courses elsewhere.

For golfers planning a Montana trip, the biggest challenge usually isn't avoiding bad golf—it's deciding which great course to play next.

2026 U.S. Open Takeaways: Wyndham Clark Makes History, Sam Burns Delivers Again, and Shinnecock Hills Yields Record Scoring

The 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club delivered everything fans expect from America's national championship: drama, history, elite performances, and a leaderboard packed with some of the game's biggest stars.

While Wyndham Clark ultimately hoisted the trophy for the second time in his career, the championship produced several storylines that will be remembered long after the final putt dropped.

Wyndham Clark Joins Exclusive Company

Wyndham Clark's victory was impressive for more than just the trophy itself.

Entering the week ranked No. 34 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Clark became only the second player since the rankings were introduced in 1986 to win multiple U.S. Opens while being ranked outside the world's top 30 on both occasions. The only other player to accomplish the feat is Lee Janzen.

Clark's win also continued a recent trend in the championship. For the fourth consecutive year, the U.S. Open champion entered the tournament ranked outside the top 20 in the world, further proving that major championships remain golf's ultimate equalizer.

Sam Burns Continues His U.S. Open Consistency

Although he fell just short of claiming his first major championship, Sam Burns once again demonstrated that he thrives in U.S. Open conditions.

Burns finished runner-up after recording top-10 finishes in each of the last three championships. He tied for ninth at Pinehurst in 2024, tied for seventh at Oakmont in 2025, and followed those performances with another strong showing at Shinnecock Hills.

No other player can claim a top-10 finish in all three of the last U.S. Opens, making Burns the championship's most consistent performer during that span.

Shinnecock Hills Offers More Birdie Opportunities

Known as one of the toughest tests in championship golf, Shinnecock Hills played noticeably more forgiving on Sunday.

The final-round scoring average was 71.389, the third-lowest Sunday scoring average in U.S. Open history. Only the 2019 championship at Pebble Beach and the 2015 championship at Chambers Bay produced lower final-round averages.

The number also established a new record for the lowest final-round scoring average among the five U.S. Opens contested at Shinnecock Hills.

For a venue often associated with survival rather than scoring, Sunday's conditions allowed players to attack.

Under-Par Rounds Pile Up on Sunday

The scoring trends were reflected throughout the leaderboard.

Seventeen players finished Sunday's final round under par, the highest total in a U.S. Open final round since 33 players broke par at Pebble Beach in 2019.

Interestingly, the performance was still in line with previous championships at Shinnecock Hills. The course produced 15 under-par final rounds in 2018, 16 in 1995, and 13 in 1986.

While the course remained challenging, it rewarded aggressive play and precise execution more than many expected heading into the week.

Scottie Scheffler's Historic Run Continues

Even without adding another major trophy to his collection, Scottie Scheffler continued to strengthen his place among golf's modern greats.

Scheffler finished tied for fourth, marking his 17th top-10 finish in his last 22 major championship starts. That level of consistency places him in extraordinarily rare company.

Since 1950, only four other players have achieved at least 17 top-10 finishes in a 22-major span: Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

It's a statistic that highlights just how dominant Scheffler has been on golf's biggest stages and serves as another reminder that his next major victory may not be far away.

A Championship to Remember

The 2026 U.S. Open featured a little bit of everything: a repeat champion making history, a rising star continuing his major championship breakthrough, record-setting scoring at one of golf's most demanding venues, and another remarkable chapter in Scottie Scheffler's sustained excellence.

For a championship that has spent 130 years defining greatness in golf, Shinnecock Hills once again delivered a week worthy of the U.S. Open legacy.

Five Branson Golf Destination Courses Voted in Missouri’s Top 10 including the Top Four

(BRANSON, MISSOURI) – Golfweek recently released its “Best Courses by State” compilation on June 15 and Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Payne’s Valley, and Branson Hills ranked as Missouri’s top four courses in that order. A fifth Branson Golf destination course, LedgeStone, is Missouri’s No. 7 rated layout, improving one place from its No. 8 ranking last year.

“It’s an honor to be considered one of the best courses in a state with more than 300 of them, especially when we’ve improved our ranking year over year,” said Phillip Drips, Head Golf Professional, LedgeStone Country Club. “That 50 percent of the state’s best public-access courses are in the Branson golf destination underscores why discerning golfers should consider us for their next golf round or group getaway.”

To determine Golfweek’s Best rankings, the media outlet’s course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them using 10 criteria on a 10-point scale. The raters also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce a cumulative rating for each, which is then ranked against other layouts.

Ozarks National (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw course design), Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio and Johnny Morris), and Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods and Beau Welling) are Big Cedar Golf’s 18-hole courses. The golf resort also has three short courses rated among the nation’s best – Cliffhangers (Johnny and J.P. Morris design), Mountain Top (Gary Player), and Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus). They showcase the same rustic elegance that permeates all places owned and operated by Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops Founder, Johnny Morris.  

In addition to its No. 4 ranking in the state, Branson Hills (Chuck Smith-Bobby Clampett) was voted No. 10 in the nation earlier this year via Golfers’ Choice, a compilation of players’ favorite courses in America curated by GolfPass/GolfNow. The layout’s woodsy, brawny layout is as beautiful as it is challenging. LedgeStone, a destination favorite by area golfers, winds through heaving Ozarks’ terrain to deliver a thrilling experience that requires players to choose their shot strategy wisely.

Branson’s other three courses are Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp), The Pointe, and Holiday Hills. Thousand Hills is part of a multi-faceted resort complex with condos, cabins, and Reunion Lodges overlooking the golf course that are ideal for golf groups. It located in the heart of the destination adjacent to a myriad of live entertainment theatres and other attractions.

All 11 destination courses are located near one another as well as hundreds of restaurants, scores of lodging options, and after-golf things to see and do. Branson regularly garners top rated tourism destination status in America according to Trip Advisor.

For more information about the destination, visit ExploreBranson.com.