Arizona to open first fully lit par-3 night course

Following a four-month renovation project, Grass Clipping at Rolling Hills is set to become Arizona’s first fully lit golf course.

From December 1, modern LED technology will illuminate all 18 tee boxes and greens at the public golf course, which can be played during the day as a par 62.

But it will now transform into a par-3 setup at night, playing to a par of 54, including a brand-new ninth hole.

Located just minutes from downtown Phoenix, the Tempe area currently has two other golf courses, while Rolling Hills has been around for over six decades.

The Grass Clippings venue also features a 30-bay practice facility called “The Pasture,” with full lights, Toptracer technology, drink service, and a 15,000-square-foot putting green.

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The flagship location is also set to open a hilltop bar, a patio bar, a renovated clubhouse, and an open-space activity lawn to host local farmers markets and live music.

Also in the plans is a huge jumbotron screen for sporting events like NFL Sundays, college football game day, or March Madness.

Grass Clippings CEO Jake Hoselton said: “We believe that par-3 golf is inherently a little bit more casual.

“It’s obviously less time-consuming and more welcoming to a broader, more diverse demographic of golfer.”

Hoselton’s brother Jimmy added: “We had heard people saying, ‘Oh, night golf would be so cool, so fun.’ And no one, that we were aware of, had really gone out and tried to do it.”

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The plan was put together in March 2023, as a 30-year agreement was reached with the City of Tempe to revitalise the 93-acre public course.

Rolling Hills will be available for charity tournaments and events, competitions, skins games, or just day or night golf with friends.

The Grass Clippings team are also on the verge of implementing a junior golf programme that will extend access to the community.

Jake Hoselton said: “Our agronomy team, led by director of agronomy Scott Hebert, has done an incredible job of improving course conditions and consistency.

“When we turn on the lights in a few weeks, it’s going to be a game changer for golf in the Valley.”