Rolling Hills Golf Course could see major improvements this summer, including extended hours and physical changes, if the finalized project contract gets approved at the March 2 Tempe City Council meeting.
The city first embarked on this project in July 2021, issuing a request for proposal that would ensure the long-term viability of public golf, address capital improvement needs, provide revenue to the city and expand golf and recreational amenities to a wider audience.
According to a city report, Grass Clippings was chosen as the potential developer in March 2022.
Grass Clippings, a sustainable golf clothing brand, will make an investment of $13 million, covering the costs for the improvements to the course, under the proposed lease and development agreements.
In exchange, Grass Clippings will “lease Rolling Hills for an initial term through June 30, 2054, plus two 10-year option terms, assume all operations for the golf course and receive all revenues,” the report detailed.
At the Feb. 16 city council meeting, Grass Clippings co-founder Jake Hoselton walked the council through the proposed project improvements and changes made from the feedback they’ve received since the original proposal was first considered.
“Modernizing golf is the M.O. of Grass Clippings. Our mission is to modernize golf by leading the industry in efforts to highlight the fun aspects of the game,” Hoselton said.
He added that the company’s model aims to promote accessibility, community participation and awareness of golf as “a lifetime sport” to a diverse audience of customers. These values play into the proposed improvements and what the city aims to accomplish.
Improvements ahead
Grass Clippings plans on meeting the city’s capital improvements goals through on-course improvements, updates to the driving range, clubhouse and maintenance facilities. These include new turfing and getting new golf balls.
Some of the other potential changes Hoselton discussed included adding night golfing, an improved and fully-lit practice facility, golf instruction and programming, a family event and activity lawn, a renovated restaurant and pro shop and a new on-course dining venue.
Vice Mayor Jennifer Adams asked Hoselton to go in-depth into the junior golf program, which he said is necessary to expanding the game of golf.
He explained that the Arizona Golf Association and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona would need to support this program and have provided their needs in order to operate.
“It’s something as easy as 10 stalls at the driving range on a daily basis, (it) checks that box and makes the Rolling Hills driving range a viable place for them to run the program,” Hoselton said.
Currently, no junior programming is in place, making it difficult for interested golfers to have a chance to play. In talking with Tempe High School golf coaches, he said they rarely encounter a golfer who has previously played.
Grass Clippings also has ambitions to launch a First Tee chapter in Tempe, which is the PGA Tour’s sponsored junior programming. Along with support for junior players, the group is also planning for an onsite pro to provide golf lessons.
“It’s a win-win for the business model set forth,” Hoselton said.
Having an increased number of junior golfers coming in for lessons, the course could potentially drive revenue up with the parents coming in who may enjoy the other course amenities.
Courtesy City of Tempe
In Hoselton's presentation, he included a rendering of the changes to come to the total site at Rolling Hills.
The improved restaurant is a point of pride for Grass Clippings in its vision for the improved golf course.
“Not just looking at this as a place to go play golf and have a snack but maybe someone who never plays golf has no interest in playing golf, we want the Rolling Hills Golf Course to be a place for them as well,” Hoselton said.
According to him, Grass Clippings has spent the last year and a half meeting with stakeholders, like the Desert Conservation Commission, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Commission on Disability Concerns and the Veterans Commission, to ensure that the improvements take the public’s opinion into consideration.
Working with those partners allowed for a comprehensive and inclusive proposal, featuring changes like a Veterans tournament and ADA compliance throughout the whole property — which Hoselton noted could assist in bringing the Special Olympics back to Rolling Hills.
He said from their public survey, community members showed the most support for improving the golf course conditions (which includes a widening of the course among other changes), the added lighting and practice facility, the clubhouse and pro shop renovations and a new dining stop between holes 7 and 8.
Conversely, the survey also showed that people did not care as much for the original proposal’s plan for additional holes, keeping the golf course the same and unaffordable golf rates.
Based on those concerns, Hoselton shared that the course will start at a $35 rate that includes a golf cart during peak season for Tempe residents and Rolling Hills Golf Association members, and during the summer the rates will decrease to $20. These prices could change throughout the term of the lease, and other discounts will be offered.
Meeting feedback
Some residents, including regular and novice Rolling Hills golfers, spoke at the meeting to express their support and excitement for these potential changes and improvements.
Resident Darlene Justus, who lives near Rolling Hills, said that she is very happy for the proposal given the added lighting to come for golfing in the evenings and the renovations to the restaurant.
“This is a great thing for our community, and I really think they’ve worked very hard on it. I wholeheartedly support it, and a lot of people will thank you so much,” Justus said.
Echoing these sentiments, a representative from the Thursday Morning Ladies League spoke in support saying the proposal “is more attuned to a community golf course.”
The mayor and council members, aside from Council Member Randy Keating who was absent, also spoke, asking Hoselton questions about certain details and expressing their opinions of this project.
He addressed how the course will appeal to even younger golfers and also how its neighbors may be impacted by new changes. Particularly, Vice Mayor Adams questioned whether Grass Clippings had considered the effects on the Phoenix Zoo, which receive roughly 50 balls a week from the course.
“There might be a contemplation at some point for nets, or bigger nets, or some sort of barrier that can prevent that, and so it’s sort of an ongoing process,” Hoselton said.
Council commended Grass Clippings for its diligence in working on this proposal, despite residents early on in the process expressing many different opinions about how the project should be done.
“You came back strong the second time and that shows a lot in integrity and how you listen and thought about what the city needs. Thank you so much for your partnership,” Council Member Berdetta Hodge said.
Hoselton shared that once given the green light with permits and approvals, Grass Clippings would move in July 1 to begin making improvements at Rolling Hills.
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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“There might be a contemplation at some point for nets, or bigger nets, or some sort of barrier that can prevent that, and so it’s sort of an ongoing process,” Hoselton said. 
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