Highest-Ranked Tribally Owned Golf Operation in the United States.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club was recently recognized by Golfweek as among the 2020 Top-50 Casino Courses in the country. The Saguaro Course, designed by world-renowned architect duo Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, came in at No. 5, the highest-ranked Arizona golf course on the list and the highest-ranked tribally owned golf operation in the country. The Cholla course, Saguaro’s sister course, came in at No. 16, the third highest-ranked Arizona course on the list. Saguaro has held it’s Top-5 position on Golfweek’s annual Top-50 Casino Golf Course list since 2018.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s casino component, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, is nearing completion on a brand-new, 166,000-square-foot casino building featuring a larger casino gaming floor with a garden court, 900 slot machines, specialty high-end dining, a four-story parking garage and a sports bar with an entertainment stage. The new casino will replace the existing Fort McDowell Casino once it opens in summer 2020.
“For both of our incredible golf courses to be named to this list is an amazing honor, but to be the highest-ranked, tribally owned operation in the country means so much more to our community,” said Bernadine Burnette, President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. “We were the first casino to open on tribal lands in the Valley, and now we’re ringing in the new decade with not only two world-class golf courses, but also a brand new, state-of-the-art casino operation which will provide extraordinary amenities for our guests and help fund our schools and other opportunities for our people.”
Golfweek has recognized both of We-Ko-Pa’s award-winning golf courses for additional honors as well. The Saguaro Course was named the No. 1 Course You Can Play by Golfweek’s annual rankings for 12 of the last 13 years. Cholla – designed by Scott Miller – was named No. 8 on the same list and routinely holds a Top-10 position.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be recognized by a leading golf publication for this distinction,” said Matt Barr, general manager of We-Ko-Pa Golf Club. “It’s a testament to all the incredible operations and amenities available here at We-Ko-Pa, and it’s only going to get better with the new casino operation opening this summer.”
Click here to see Golfweek’s complete Top-50 Casino Courses list.
About We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is Arizona’s Ultimate Golf Experience, boasting two award-winning golf courses among the untouched and natural Sonoran Desert. The Saguaro Course, designed by world-renowned architect duo Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is ranked as the No. 1 public golf course in Arizona. The Cholla course, designed by Scott Miller, is currently ranked as the No. 8 public golf course in Arizona.
