Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills launched its night golf programming Dec. 1, finally “turning on the lights” at Arizona’s first fully-lit golf course.
Valley-based golfing brand Grass Clippings assumed operations at Tempe’s Rolling Hills Golf Course, now known as Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, 1415 N Mill Ave., on July 1, as previously reported by The Daily Independent.
With this takeover, the Grass Clippings team will operate the city-owned golf course for 30 years, with a $15 million plan to renovate and revitalize the property through 2024.
Having entered into its agreement with the city in March, Grass Clippings, partnered with Scottsdale-based Troon, continues to progress in its course improvements, having opened for daytime play on Nov. 3 after four months of renovations and a rye-grass overseed, according to a release.
Improvements include full-course lighting, an activity lawn, hilltop and patio bars, a clubhouse and an entertainment venue — adding greater value to the course beyond the usual golf activities, Grass Clippings Co-Founder Jimmy Hoselton explained.
“I think that the greatest thing is that it’s not a place for just one specific group, you know, it doesn’t matter male or female, young or old, it’s a place for everyone to enjoy,” Hoselton said.
At its core, Rolling Hills remains a haven for the sport of golf, but beyond that Grass Clippings aims to make the course a place for the community to enjoy other amenities like food and music.
Grass Clippings hopes to offer an enjoyable experience for golfers and non-golfers alike at the improved Rolling Hills.
Rolling Hills is currently undergoing renovations to add new life and amenities to the course.
From left to right, Grass Clippings founders Pete Wilson, Jimmy Hoselton, Jake Hoselton and Connor Riley at the Nov. 30 media night for the course's night golf launch.
Night golf is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come from the golf brand’s leadership, with Hoselton saying that the team feels like it is off to a great start but that there’s a lot more to do to achieve its vision for the course.
Over the last few months, Grass Clippings has been working to bring new life to a course that its leadership had played for years before the takeover.
“We hope that everyone understands that it’s a work in progress and that we’re trying our best to make it the best executive golf course… in the United States,” Hoselton said.
A lofty goal, he added that the course can achieve this title someday through its continued investments to revive Rolling Hills, including turf changes, an improved driving range, golfing lessons and more.
Arizona’s first
To mark the opening of the course’s night golf and its newly installed lighting, Grass Clippings hosted members of the media to preview and learn more about its latest improvements.
Grass Clippings founders Jimmy and Jake Hoselton, Connor Riley and Pete Wilson — all Valley natives — were in attendance to celebrate this moment and to share some words about their work at the course.
“We care a lot about this place, we’ve put our heart and soul into it,” Jake Hoselton said. “And we are honored as golfers born and raised in the Valley to bring back the first lighted 18-hole golf course to the greatest in the entire world golf market.”
Although focused on its efforts in Tempe, the group recognizes the significance of its work improving Rolling Hills, given the large local golfing community across the Phoenix metro.
With the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale and the numerous other courses across the Valley, Grass Clippings hopes to contribute to the golf community by providing an upgraded experience at Rolling Hills.
Jake Hoselton noted in his speech that the team hopes to bring in attractions to the course like PGA Tour, league and any other golf-related events.
“Grass Clippings is honored to bring entertainment to the golf industry, and food and beverage to attract folks for reasons beyond just golf to come here and enjoy the 93 acres settled in the red buttes of Papago Park,” he said.
Highlighting the debut of the course’s new lights, these additions make Rolling Hills the first lighted 18 holes of golf in Arizona.
For information about Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills, visit www.grassclippingsaz.com. The course is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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“We care a lot about this place, we’ve put our heart and soul into it,” Jake Hoselton said. “And we are honored as golfers born and raised in the Valley to bring back the first lighted 18-hole golf course to the greatest in the entire world golf market.”
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