Project Overview 

Eloy Tohono Golf Club began as a public sector project for the Economic Development Offices of Eloy, Arizona. Our office worked closely with officials on selecting a site among many proposed for this 18-hole public project.

Our design concept was to create a “core” layout where only holes on the perimeter would be exposed to adjacent land development. Eloy Tohono was one of the first Arizona golf developments to return to this more classic routing configuration. It was our feeling that there had been enough of the common “holes between housing” designs — indeed, we suggested that this approach would be better for golf, and ultimately create a stronger opportunity to eventually develop adjacent land areas.

The 7,300-yard, par-72 layout was 100% manufactured from a virtually flat agricultural fields. Our plans included detailed grading and shaping plans that transformed the land into a series of small hills and valleys, creating a links-like feel in the desert. In between holes we planted native grassland and created low hollows of rough. At the time of its development, the No. 2 hole was the longest in Arizona at 620-yards. “The Gila Monster,” as it was known, has since been out-lengthened by numerous holes as courses have tried to keep pace with longer balls and equipment combinations.

Among the design innovations at Grande Valley Ranch Golf Club were the highly prized greens. No two were alike. The design approach was to make the greens truly one-of-a-kind. The par-4, No. 6 Hole: “X Marks the Spot” is indicative of the green design at the course. This unusual — unique — green has two perpendicular swales which are indented into the putting surface. They meet at the center, forming a slight depression along their axes. Other unusual greens are the hidden No. 5; the multi-tiered No. 8; the double green at Nos. 9 and 18; and the roller-coaster No. 13, nearly 15,000 square feet in size.

Quick Facts

Scope: Site Selection, Planning, Design, Approvals, Bidding, Construction Documents, Construction Observation Services
Course: 18-holes/Par-72/7,300-yards, Short Game Area, Range
Budget: $2.2 million USD
Completion: Opened 1992