An old Phoenix golf course will receive a hefty, expensive makeover early next year, as Grand Canyon University will spend $8 million to renovate and redesign Maryvale Municipal Golf Course in Phoenix.

GCU president Brian Mueller said the course, which will be renamed Grand Canyon University Golf Course, will be lengthened from 6,700 to 7,200 yards. A 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, along with new greens, tee boxes, bunkers and extended fairways, will be added.

Mueller said the goal is to create a “championship golf course” that can host NCAA tournaments, be utilized by GCU’s golf teams and be a benefit to the community.

“We want to employ people in the neighborhood at the golf course, the restaurant, the grounds, and we want it to be an asset for the Phoenix and Glendale union high schools to host their tournaments at,” he said.

The course will be closed during a renovation period that will run from January through October. Mueller said prices won’t increase when the course reopens.