Rolf and Sarah Peters, residents of Minnesota, were in Phoenix in 2016 for a meeting and decided to visit friends and family in their hometown of Tucson.
Having taken up golf a few years earlier -- and it being a perfect Sonoran spring day -- they decided to explore some of the local courses. And possibly find a new home in the desert near the iconic, fabled Skyline Country Club. "We decided to look because, when we were kids (in Tucson), I mean, Skyline was, you know, what you did."
To everyone's surprise, including the rookie real estate agent, they found a home in Skyline and put it under contract on the spot.
During their next trip to Tucson, in July, they returned to oversee the renovation and began their search for a place to golf. Starr Pass was an eye-popping $260 a person. In July! Conversely, Skyline was $200 a month with no initiation fee.
So they joined and quickly realized the club "had tipped over. It was not a good place. It was not well run." The property was remotely managed by Troon or Arnold Palmer Golf Management or Century Golf, and others in a series of failed attempts to get the club the attention and resources it needed. And it needed both badly. But the club-management guy from Texas was slow to acknowledge the property's needs. And the members were in an internal conflict over ways to resurrect the iconic club, including taking on debt and other financial tactics.
Rolf ordered a BeefEater martini for the whopping sum of $4.75 (raising an eyebrow), and he headed to the meeting. "Oh my goodness. Everybody's arguing with everybody about why the club was losing money. And I'm looking at my $4.75 martini and knowing I am paying $200 a month to be a member," Rolf said.
Meanwhile, Skyline only had about 35% of Skyline residents as members, "because you didn't need to be a member because you could use the gym, order takeout food, you could play golf or tennis once a month. So there really was no need to be a member."
As things began to crumble, with the course and dining options diminishing by the month, the members were frustrated and sought a new path forward. And not all options were great. "There were a lot of developers circling the carcass, so to speak. And that would have been a disaster."
The course was a mess, a "dog track" as they say. And the food-and-beverage offering grew worse each month. But anyone who knows Skyline even remotely knows it is truly a special place right up against the Catalina Mountains. And the Peters were intrigued by the potential. So they took on ownership and, in early June 2024, "they flipped the keys to me."
The next step was to find a strong general manager, and in walks Paul O'Rourke. Rolf and Paul quickly became a fast-and-furious team bent on turning the aging princess around. The first big renovation was to remove the bar at the 19th Hole, a casual bar and restaurant. "Paul calls me, and he goes, 'Hey, as an Irishman, it's against my moral compass to tear out a bar." Today, it is the social hub of the entire place, Rolf said.
Sarah Peters, with her degree in interior architecture and extensive experience, led the charge to remake the ballroom, the casual space (19th Hole), and all furnishings and window treatments throughout, all done with a keen eye on the space's history and future. You've got to see it!
Paul quickly worked the phone, email, text messages, and drop-ins to recruit more events to the shiny new palace. And it worked! Today, they are seeing record-breaking new memberships, more events, and very happy members as they watch the resurrection unfold at a rapid pace under local ownership. "It's nice to be able to make decisions faster," Paul said. And they do!
But it was one major step at a time. Last summer, Paul called Rolf about ways to restore the swimming pool, especially the pool decking that had fallen into disrepair. After discussing the options, they jumped into gear. "We made that decision in what, like 30 seconds? And two weeks later it's fixed," Rolf said.
"We also had members who were here and left because of what Rolf is talking about, with things going downhill," Paul said. Rolf added that "about 70 members decided to up stakes." The clock was ticking, and members were leaving the club, including Cathy and David Eagleton, who joined in 2014. They resigned from Skyline in the summer of 2021 and eventually joined Ventana Canyon Country Club to escape its deteriorating conditions.
"Additionally, food and beverage quality and service had declined for a couple of years. One example is they ceased offering a full lunch menu and offered in its place a 'sandwich board/make your own,' which was certainly substandard for a private club," David said.
But as they say, this one would take a village. "We want to point out that having the guiding hand and wealth of experience from Director of Golf Chris Dompier over two decades and all of the great pro shop staff in place has helped Skyline stay afloat in tough times and flourish now in good times," David said. "With lush green fairways, rough and tee boxes, healthy and challenging fast (yet fair greens...for the most part lol) Skyline CC golf is a joy to play once again."
"When the new owner and General Manager stepped in, nobody really knew what would happen," Chris said. "Let me tell you, it has been an amazing run so far," Chris said. "The upgrades to the club just keep coming, and more members keep joining. The overall buzz at Skyline right now is infectious."
"We do have some very exciting projects lined up in the next few years. New golf carts with all the bells and whistles will be arriving in October 2026. We are currently building a new cart barn and a new patio off the 19th Hole Bar, which will be finished in February. We also just added nets to the range, and we are looking at adding Top Tracer and potentially widening the range. Skyline just got Golf Genius for all our golf events with live scoring, which really adds to the excitement of each tournament. The club is also planning on adding a couple more putting greens and a new short game areas for the growth of the members and kids. We are also looking at a trackman studio with two bays for fullswing, and a synthetic putting course in the future."
The Pro Shop also underwent an expansion and redesign. "We doubled the overall square footage and added multiple new displays and a city view," Chris said with a smile. "The space is so inviting and offers golfers now a wide selection of top apparel choices for members and their kids. The 19th Hole bar, which is right next door, is another updated attraction area now. "The room is full of laughter each day, drawing in players and their golf stories."
"I always dreamed of the 'what if,' Chris said. "I always knew that with more golfers, families, and a little renovation, we truly had a hidden gem. The question was always how we can attract and show this great facility to Tucson golfers." And the golf staff is leading the way to greatness on the greens, Chris said with pride.
"They show members how to find the golf they are looking for. Not only can they teach, but they are the best professional playing staff in Tucson."
Member David said it comes down to local dedication. "With substantial financial and managerial support from Member/Owner Rolf Peters and excellent management by General Manager Paul O'Rourke, and great improvements in Greens Superintendent and staffing, the on-course conditions at Skyline have improved at an astounding rate."
What's next for the course (which is looking fantastic)?
As Cathy Eagleton has repeatedly said, she always considered Skyline CC to be a "Cinderella Story" even in its ugliest stages due to the potential of this beautiful country club, according tom her husband David. Sure is great to see what once could have been considered an ugly step-sister step out of the pumpkin carriage as a beautiful diva!"
Our program and my professional instructors have won several awards which has been great for everyone involved. I also captured my 10x time Player of the Year honors this year in Tucson. But, being recognized as The Game Changers the last two years has been the biggest highlight. Having the Largest Program in the Southwest Region which includes Arizona & Nevada, and a top 25 Program in the United States. It all has really been quite a wild ride. One I will never forget, it truly has changed my life. So blessed to have the membership support and a general manager that understands, and an owner that can provide what I need to make it all happen. A large thanks to all the families who trust us with their kids. A special shout out to my family giving me the time needed to make everything run smoothly. And to the Lord above for placing me here, allowing me to be able to give back to the kids what the game gave to me.
"The upgrades to the club just keep coming, and more members keep joining. The overall buzz at Skyline right now is infectious."
-- Chris Dompier, Director of Golf