On August 17, Tres Rios Golf Course at Estrella Mountain Regional Park temporarily closed their doors. This came on the heels of an announcement from Tres Rios, LLC., a subsidiary of C-Bon International Golf Group, that they would be terminating their agreement with the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department to operate the facility.
Recently, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement on behalf of the parks and recreation department to execute an Assignment of Use Management Agreement with Southwest Golf Management, LLC., to improve, manage, operate, and maintain the Tres Rios Golf Course. The Assignment Agreement is the result of a solicitation publicly advertised by the department last month.
“We knew we needed to have this facility open during peak golfing season, which is right around the corner. That’s why the Board and our parks department expedited the solicitation process to find the right concessionaire to oversee the facility and grounds. We are thrilled to have found an experienced company to get Tres Rios back up and ready for golfers in Goodyear and the West Valley,” said Clint Hickman, District 4, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
“Between the summer heat and the pandemic, a lot of us have been feeling cooped up and just want to get outside and do something fun. Tres Rios is a great place to do that. I’m happy we were able to move quickly to get a new concessionaire on board,” added Supervisor Steve Gallardo, District 5.
Of the five companies that expressed interest, Southwest Golf Management, LLC., was the most qualified and in a position to take over management of the course immediately.
Southwest Golf Management, LLC., has over 30 years of public and private golf course management expertise. Previously, the group managed three golf courses in Arizona, one of which was recently sold, Falcon Golf Course, and are currently managing three courses in California.
“During the temporary closure, our team did a great job of maintaining the facility and grounds. However, we’re looking forward to reopening the Tres Rios Golf Course with a team at the helm that has expertise in golf course management, and a vision for the future of the facility” added R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department Director.
Once the contracts have been completed and Southwest Golf Management, LLC., can take possession of the Tres Rios Golf Course, the new managers plan to perform basic golf course maintenance and map out a twelve-month plan for improvements to the facility.
Southwest Golf Management, LLC., is managed by Jim Bellows, Principal, and his partner John Wall, First Mile, CEO. Wall began his career in the golfing industry working at the Estrella Mountain Golf Course at the age of fourteen shagging range balls. He has since gone on to start and grow several-well known technology corporations. As an avid promoter of golf for youth, Wall will play an active role in the development of a non-profit national junior golf program at Tres Rios.
“John and I are very excited about this opportunity and have quite a bit of work to do over the next year to bring the course up to our standards,” said Jim Bellows, Southwest Golf Management. “However, we know the community is eager to get back on the links so we are planning for a soft reopening sometime around Thanksgiving. This will give us enough time to overseed and touch up the property before we welcome them back.”
Updates on the course reopening will be posted at www.maricopacountyparks.net as they become available.