It began with a conversation between two men in Chandler in 1959. An Oklahoma
entrepreneur, Leonard Savage, and a developer, John Bender, had come together with the notion of constructing a resort and country club. Their eyes turned towards Tucson.
In 1960, they purchased 660 acres of desert foothills ranch land at the foot of the Santa Catalina mountains. Folks in Tucson thought they were nuts. All of the developed land was south of Grant and west of Swan. Who in their right mind would think people would venture that far for recreation? In fact, the only crossings over the Rillito then were at Dodge and at Campbell, both far to the west and mostly dirt roads.
But, a vision is a vision and they pursued theirs. They must have been gamblers because their next choice was to hire Guy Greene, UA professor and landscape architect, to layout a golf course although he had never done such a thing before. Their foursome was complete with the addition of a military man turned architect, David Fraker, to design and build what would become the iconic clubhouse. No one involved imagined just how much rock would have to be moved. Even dynamite couldn’t make level fairways. More than a million cubic yards of earth was needed to prepare the course and future homesites. And then they had to carve out enough rock from the mountainside for the 60,000 square foot clubhouse. David Fraker was a pioneer in considering surroundings when choosing his color palette. The emerging structure blended into the Catalina foothills and the towering mountains and yet rose like an Arabian castle to the astonished onlookers of the early Sixties.
But, as magical as it appeared, nothing about it was easy. Construction had already begun on Fraker’s intricate design for the Rotunda ceiling when the Board of Governors cried “Stop!” It was too costly. Picture David’s surprise when he showed up at the job site to see his crew still working that ceiling. On their own, they had negotiated with the Board saying they wanted to finish what they had started at no cost! OMG! Have you ever heard of anything like that?
There’s something of that spirit still alive. It’s inexplicable. Members and neighbors still take on myriad projects themselves for a variety of reasons. Maybe they’ve been unknowingly inspired by the ghosts of that original team. It’s certainly not a requirement or an expectation, just people who enjoy each other’s company and love contributing to this special place.
Like most country clubs, there are many ways to interact and share interests. Different
groups pop up all the time. An astronomy club is just getting started. There are multiple bridge groups, an artisan club, a quilters club, a business-networking group, and plans to renew clubs focused on books, gardening, and hiking. All the more reasons to spend time with people you like.
I have friends at other clubs in the Tucson and Phoenix areas and have played at quite a few, but have NEVER been at a place as welcoming as Skyline. And, not just the members, but the staff. One could almost get tired of smiling so much.
Newly branded as The Club at Skyline, there are major changes happening at this desert gem. Every green complex on the course is being redone. Let’s be honest, the complaint about playing this relatively short course (6,138 yards before this renovation) was how hard and punitive it could be. A golfer with a Skyline handicap was someone to be feared in competition.
The women still play against others outside of the club, but the men haven’t been invited anywhere in years. Perhaps that will change with a course rating that may actually go up with larger greens, increasing the course length while the greens themselves are going to be a bit easier to putt.
The desire is to make the course as friendly as its members. For those of us who like to walk and carry our clubs, it will always be Billy Goat Hill. We determined goats chase the promise that the narrow fairways and frequent dog legs will sharpen our accuracy and course-management skills. If nothing else, we’re getting great exercise. There just aren’t many walkable golf courses around anymore.
PGA pro, Chris Dompier (arrived in 2001) once shot a 59 here and holds or has held the low-scoring record at seven other courses. In a few years, watch for him to compete with the seniors on the Champion’s Tour. But, he’s not just a world-class player; he’s the best teaching pro I’ve ever seen in action. Evidence of that is in the success of the junior golf program: They were just lauded as the #2 junior program in the country! Who wouldn’t want their kids to be in a program like that?
Even those who struggled playing the challenging golf course felt it worthwhile once up on the patio after a round. There simply is not a finer place to be. Early brochures spoke of “panoramas of pleasure” to describe the truly spectacular views, but it really is something people must see for themselves. It is certainly part of the reason so many have chosen to be married where sky and earth meet, Skyline.
I recently met one of the original 100 members, Liz, for lunch. We sat at The Top, enjoyed the views, and talked about the early days of the club. Her home was the 12th one built in what residents affectionately call The Compound. She was here when a fire gutted the new clubhouse in 1964, when wild horses used to roam the area, and when celebrities would frequent the club for both its glamour and its privacy. Security gates were rare back then, so it made sense for Frank Sinatra to stay behind ours while filming in Bisbee. He would helicopter back and forth. Other members of the Rat Pack would show up. Danny Thomas and Audie Murphy became members. Ann-Margaret and Joe Namath made the movie C.C. and Company at Skyline. Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle liked playing golf at 3,600’. Imagine their ball flight!
While we were talking, another celebrity showed up, Hall of Fame Chef Moussa. He started with the club in 1978, left for a few years, but is back again doing what he does best: preparing amazing food and training yet another generation of talented chefs. Liz is on the food and beverage committee and as they talked shop, I marveled, once again, at how many active and vibrant seniors are involved here. What a marvelous environment for aging well.
Many of these inspiring elders can be found playing pickleball or drop-in doubles on the
tennis hard court or one of the four clay courts every morning. David Smith and David Fink are the tennis pros and also run the successful junior program in the afternoons.
I play golf sometimes with two men in their nineties on Wednesday’s Men & Martinis that shame me from ever complaining. My wife, who doesn’t play golf, still wants to be around when the Ladies Nine ‘N Dine gathers.
These days, membership director Maddison Angelone thrills as she shares the unfolding plans with prospective new members. The work includes a renovated swimming pool, all new equipment in the fitness center, new golf carts, the four new pickleball-only courts, the golf course redesign, a modernized kitchen, plus plans for improving the already fabulous outdoor dining and patio areas. She confides in me that now is the best time for new members to join because the rates will soon be going up. For anyone considering it, all I can tell you is that life is truly better at the top.
About the Author: Lee Shainen is a long-time Southern Arizona wordsmith who often finds a shady spot on the Skyline deck to think and write.
His most recent books are Sticky Karma: Meditations on Meaning and Madness in the Time of COVID (Latah Books) and Who Dad?! (currently available for free on Wattpad.com)
Last month Skyline Country Club announced that it will change its name to “The Club at Skyline” to better reflect a new outlook for the future by offering a wider range of activities and services for its members.
According to club president Alan Willenbrock, “Our mission is to improve upon our past by enhancing member well-being and health through fitness, recreation and fun activities.”
Early club brochures spoke of “panoramas of pleasure” to describe the truly spectacular views, but it really is something people must see for themselves. It is certainly part of the reason so many have chosen to be married where sky and earth meet, Skyline.