Maricopa County reaches deal to reopen Tres Rios Golf Course

PHOENIX — Maricopa County has reached a deal to reopen a golf course that has been closed for more than a month after the facility’s operator backed out of their agreement.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors recently approved an agreement on behalf of the parks and recreation department to allow Southwest Golf Management operate Tres Rios Golf Course at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.

The course, located near Estrella Parkway and Vineyard Avenue in Goodyear, closed temporarily on Aug. 17 after C-Bon International Golf Group subsidiary Tres Rios announced it would terminate its agreement with the county in July.

The group had a contract to operate the course through April 2037 but cited a continued loss to revenue behind its reasoning.

“We knew we needed to have this facility open during peak golfing season, which is right around the corner,” Clint Hickman, the District 4 Maricopa County board of supervisors chairman, said in a press release.

“That’s why the Board and our parks department expedited the solicitation process to find the right concessionaire to oversee the facility and grounds.”

The county said five companies expressed interest in taking over operations of the course.

Southwest Golf Management will have to perform basic golf course maintenance and map out a 12-month plan for improvements to the facility as part of its agreement.

The company said it plans to have a soft reopening of the course around Thanksgiving.

Southwest Golf Management has more than 30 years of golf course management experience and previously managed three courses in Arizona.

“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,” R.J. Cardin, director of the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, said.

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