ASU Karsten Golf Course is a classic designed links-style golf course in Tempe, Arizona, located on the campus of Arizona State University. Designed by noted course architect Pete Dye, it opened for play in September 1989 and is the home venue of the Sun Devils golf teams.
Privately funded, the largest single contributor was Karsten Solheim (1911â€"2000), the founder of Phoenix-based PING golf clubs. The clubhouse and ASU players' facility were completed in November 1994. It is located at the northeast edge of campus, among the other athletic venues at ASU, just east of Sun Devil Stadium. The elevation of the course is approximately 1,150 feet (350 m) above sea level.
The course is considered to many as the Home of Champions, referring to ASU's strong collegiate golf program's national titles; twice in men's (1990 and 1996) and seven times in women's (1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2009). Alumni among PGA and LPGA Tour professionals include Phil Mickelson, Billy Mayfair, Paul Casey, Howard Twitty, Tom Purtzer, Heather Farr, Grace Park, Azahara Muñoz, and Carlota Ciganda.
Awarded a high 4½ rating by Golf Digest Rating Panel, a number of holes could be considered the course’s signature hole. The short par-four 4th hole, the tough par-four 9th, the dauntingly long par-three 16th (248 yards (227 m) from the tips) or the ill humor par-four 18th which is guarded by water down the left side and is considered one of the toughest finishing holes in the state. The course has hosted tournaments, including the collegiate Men’s and Women’s Pac-10 and NCAA Championships, Phoenix Thunderbirds Collegiate Invitational, PING Invitational, and U.S. Open Qualifying.
References
External links
- Official website
- Arizona State University â€" Tempe campus tour: Karsten Golf Course
- Weather.com â€" ASU Karsten Golf Course â€" conditions and forecast
