Welcome to Desert Mountain

For more than 38 years, Desert Mountain has been lauded as truly one of a kind. Our six extraordinary Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses (the largest collection in the world) have hosted golf’s greats for decades, including some of the most esteemed PGA Tour Champions tournaments. As we look forward, Desert Mountain has been selected by the USGA to host the 2026 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship and the 2029 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

We are honored and excited to host these prestigious tournaments. In addition, we are proud to not only be recognized by a variety of noteworthy publications and media outlets, but by our community of members as well

From our inception in 1986, an aura of distinction has defined Desert Mountain. In 1987, Golf Digest touted our original golf course, Renegade, as “the most versatile course in the world,” referring to the Jack Nicklaus design with two flags per hole, an homage to the Old Course at St. Andrews. In 1989, we debuted The Tradition on our Cochise Golf Course, a nationally televised Senior PGA Tour major championship that enjoyed a 13-year run. Nearly every year, the pros voted Cochise as “the best conditioned golf course on Tour.” In 2012 and again from 2014-’16, we hosted the prestigious Charles Schwab Cup, the season-ending tournament for the PGA Tour Champions circuit.

Since the earliest days, Desert Mountain has continually enhanced its reputation for excellence around the world. It starts with our one-of-a-kind setting. Situated in Scottsdale, AZ, our community climbs to 3,300 feet, and our mountain peaks reach almost 4,500 feet. These heights provide endless panoramas of cactus-studded mountain slopes and the valley below, together with cooler temperatures year-round, amid more than 300 days of sunshine annually. It’s the climate and scenery that has attracted club members from 48 states and eight countries. It’s the sense of community with other members, unparalleled amenities and a staff which treats them like family that keeps them here. “Desert Mountain” conjures up the best of the best. As our club and community have grown in amenities and year-round activities, both Robb Report and GOLF Magazine named us one of the “Best Golf Communities in the United States.”

Other prominent media outlets have noted Desert Mountain’s virtues as well. Within the past two years, our club, staff and community have been recognized and honored by many national media outlets, including:

• Wall Street Journal

• Mansion Global & Barron’s Penta

• Golf.com

• LINKS Magazine

• Club & Resort Business

• Boardroom Magazine

While we’re pleased to be acknowledged by so many publications, our focus remains on the present—and future. Sound financial footing, thoughtful strategic planning and investment, eco-friendly endeavors, unique benefits to staff and expanded, innovative member communications are all integral parts of our commitment to deliver the finest experience possible to the families in our club and community.

There are countless ways to pursue your passions within our sprawling desert oasis. Among 8,300 acres of preserved natural landscape, our members enjoy access to 3,000 acres of private hiking trails, a Golf Performance Center, seven award-winning golf courses, and seven distinctive clubhouses. These complementary facilities offer everything from fine dining restaurants and al fresco cocktail spots to lively racquet sports and countless wellness options.

Desert Mountain is the only private club in the world with six Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses. Mountain views in every direction further enhance the appeal. Yet, perhaps Nicklaus’ most remarkable accomplishment was instilling each course with a character of its own, with no two holes playing exactly the same. As testament to the quality of one and all, five of our six championship courses are ranked by Golf Digest in the top 27 courses in Arizona, with three of them—Renegade, Chiricahua and Geronimo—ranked among the top 20. To make our member golf experience even better, Desert Mountain is in the process of restoring the Cochise Golf Course to its original look and feel. The full restoration project is being paid for in cash with no assessments to our members.

In the fall of 2023, Golfweek ranked our No. 7 Golf Course the 6th best par-3 course in the country. The par-54, 18-hole layout, which opened in the spring of 2019, has proved to be hugely popular, especially when paired with the clubhouse that opened alongside it. Seven’s sleek, modern gastropub clubhouse, with its collapsible glass walls, steel and stone, wowed with its seamless indoor/outdoor design. It proved an immediate hit with the membership as a convivial, family-friendly gathering spot, thanks to heated patio floors, five fire pits, two fireplaces and two bocce ball courts. The National Association of Home Builders recognized Seven Clubhouse with a “Best in American Living Platinum Award,” and the Pacific Coast Builders Conference honored the clubhouse with its “Best Recreational Use Facility/Amenity” award.

In January 2024, we debuted our newest clubhouse, Renegade. Our membership voted in 2023 to remove the antiquated doublewide trailer which housed a simple restaurant. A complete land plan was designed to build a new clubhouse and restaurant, expanded parking, and a magnificent short game practice facility. The Renegade Hideout restaurant offers 190 seats for dining and is largest of the 10 restaurants at Desert Mountain.

Wellness is a key ingredient for our members to live the life they want. Members enjoy exercising at Sonoran Clubhouse, a 42,000 square-foot amenity dedicated to fitness, pickleball, tennis, golf croquet and a full-service spa with salon and therapy services. As part of the wellness component, more than 25 miles of private hiking trails within our community are covered by the proprietary Interactive Trail Guide—a touchscreen monitor waiting at the trailhead—that directs hikers and bikers along the edges of the Continental Mountains, among the desert’s mysteries, and through a river basin bursting with color.

Recognizing trends in 2023 and responding to our members’ preferences, we elevated our wellness offerings and outdoor activities. Pickleball participation has quadrupled to nearly 1,000 members participating in league play. As a result, we expanded our pickleball complex to a total of eight courts. Three years ago, there were 96 bocce players. Today, that number is 1,200. Club hiking enthusiasts have expanded five-fold in four years. Our Outdoor Adventures department within the Sonoran Clubhouse is devoted to hiking, biking and countless off-property wilderness activities.

For the hundreds of Desert Mountain dog enthusiasts, we built a new 19,500 square-foot synthetic turf “Bark Park” with separate areas for large and small dogs. Dog owners can watch their furry little friends frolic as they enjoy the action from numerous shaded areas with comfortable seating.

Amid the club’s offerings that emphasize health and well-being, there’s also ample opportunity to celebrate the good life with refreshments. Desert Mountain members have a choice of 10 on-site restaurants and grills, from casual to fine dining, with a cuisine for every taste. Among the clubhouses, French Master Chef Bertrand Bouquin pairs his stellar cuisine with the most comprehensive wine offerings, trendiest cocktails and sublime views of the desert and mountain surrounds.

Whether it’s golf on one of seven award-winning courses, staff-escorted, off-site excursions for hikes or to travel internationally to explore other continents, tennis at our nine-court, three-surface complex—including a Wimbledon-worthy grass court—or working with a personal trainer to elevate wellness in your life, Desert Mountain members enjoy the best of everything.

Celebrating rich knowledge and industry recognitions, our accomplished team is the very foundation of Desert Mountain. In addition to our dedicated upper management, masters of their craft can be found in every department, most notably in the golf and culinary fields. We’re dedicated to our mission of hiring the best of the best, and we’re continually proud to note that some of our finest teammates have been with us for 30+ years.

Guided by Desert Mountain Club CEO Damon DiOrio, CCM, CCE, Desert Mountain has shown a continuous commitment to attracting the most talented employees, with deep national and international experience. The excellence starts at the management level: Desert Mountain is the only private club in the United States with four CCMs (Certified Club Managers) as recognized by the CMAA (Club Management Association of America): Damon DiOrio, Gregg Leonard, Joe Macke and John Lyberger.

In addition, every department is helmed by leaders with notable experience, including agronomy, communications, culinary, engineering, finance, golf, membership, human resources and operations. Among the talented team are:

• Chef Bertrand Bouquin, Maitre Cuisinier de France; head chef at two five-star, five-diamond restaurants

• Rich Slivoka, Director of Racquet Sports and past president of the USPTA

• Chris Heasley, Master Club Fitter

• Damon DiOrio, CEO, CCM, CCE and past president of CMAA

• Amy Iacovelli, CFO and CPA

In the golf operation, we feature 22 Class A PGA professionals and nine apprentices—the most at a single club in the country. We have Paxton O’Connor, who Golf Digest selected as a recipient of “Best Young Teachers in America” honors in 2023-2024, along with Le Ann Finger, Assistant Head Golf Professional and Executive Director of the Southwestern Amateur, the oldest amateur tournament west of the Mississippi. We have two retail team members who have won National Merchandiser of the Year accolades. And we’re pleased to have on our team Chris Heasley, PGA, a master club fitter, who was named a Mizuno Top 100 Fitter in the United States. 

Service levels are elevated across Desert Mountain thanks to more than 750 dedicated employees / teammates who enjoy what they do and excel at it. The pipeline and development of talent is a key to the community’s success. The Director of Talent and Culture, Wes Pudwill, develops and implements a strategic people plan that supports the club’s goals and objectives, which includes talent acquisition, succession and training programs for employees. From the time of hiring, it is made certain that every employee understands and embraces the community’s culture. 

In validation of our efforts and for the third year in a row, Desert Mountain Club earned a Great Place to Work©️ Certification™️ from the Great Place to Work organization, a global authority on workplace culture. An employee survey shows 86% of our teammates love our work culture. That’s higher than the 57% average from other U.S. companies who took the survey. Due in large part to a motivated, talented and fulfilled staff, Desert Mountain provides our members with an unmatched club experience.  

We foster a culture of constant learning, attracting young talent from around the country through our seasonal, hands-on Leader In Training and Internship programs, a 10-week summer training opportunity where college students who are studying agronomy, club management, marketing and finance join our various departments to learn right alongside seasoned professionals. This provides invaluable experience to help them land their first club position upon graduation.

In addition, we host club professionals to collaborate with other club leaders and share best practices. For the past three years, Desert Mountain has hosted sessions as part of the Business Management Institute Sports & Recreations Management program. Benchmarking other clubs is also a requirement for each of our senior leaders who travel to bring home the best and brightest ideas from our club peers.

Those who’ve chosen to call Desert Mountain home have so much in common: a love of nature, a sense of adventure, and a desire to live life to its fullest. Our members have found community in our one-of-a-kind culture, where they’re able to experience a wealth of club-hosted events, fundraise for important charitable causes, and give generously to our friends and neighbors in need.

Desert Mountain is home to a remarkable, diverse and philanthropic membership. They bring lifelong experiences from a geographical spectrum that blend seamlessly together thanks to Desert Mountain’s relaxed, have-fun vibe, the gorgeous natural setting, the ample space, the array of amenities and to our safe, secure environment. Ultimately, these elements integrate to illuminate the club’s commitment to nourishing the most enjoyable family and charitable experiences.

Many friendships have been forged over Desert Mountain’s myriad of offerings, which include wine tastings with live music, “Live Well and Prosper,” a popular wellness-oriented speaker series and Mountain Mania, arguably the largest Member-Guest golf tournament in the country with more than 600 players. Nevertheless, the shared set of values among Desert Mountain members is best illustrated in their commitment to charity and service. At the top of the worthy cause list is Cancer Awareness through Research and Education (CARE), a club endeavor staffed entirely by volunteer members. Now 27 years old, CARE has successfully raised $9.6 million, distributed to HonorHealth Research Institute and Mayo Clinic Arizona.

Our membership is also deeply committed to helping our veterans and first responders. In 2023, we hosted for the second time a Tee it Up for the Troops golf event, which was graced by the presence of five Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, a rare blessing, as there are only 65 living recipients. Another golf event, “Battle of the Badges,” is an annual tournament that pits our local police against our firefighters in a friendly but spirited competition. 

Desert Mountain takes care of its own as well. Our Community Foundation has devoted time and resources through its Helping Hands program, which provides emergency financial aid to club employees and their families. Additionally, they’ve funded 196 educational scholarships, totaling more than $510,000, awarded to Desert Mountain Club and HOA employees, their spouses, dependent children and grandchildren for college or professional development over the last 11 years.

Our club members also give back to amateur golf. We have hosted the prestigious Southwestern Amateur for the past 10 years, which concluded its 107th edition in June 2024. Many top PGA Tour players have participated in and won the event while they were amateurs. In 2021, the tournament was expanded by establishing a women’s division—a positive move by every account. Going forward, we have teamed with the USGA to host the 2026 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship and the 2029 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship. For the juniors, in 2022 and 2023, we hosted the regional qualifier of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, where winners of the boys’ and girls’ divisions qualified to play in the national finals at Augusta National Golf Club, the weekend before The Masters.

Unique to Desert Mountain is its onsite medical clinic, through a partnership with HonorHealth, which offers treatment and care to members and staff. The club’s overarching commitment to philanthropy will continue as club demographics evolve. The community is currently experiencing its own “youth movement,” with more than 600 members under the age of 55. That also means new generations are calling Desert Mountain home, including younger families, people who are still working and active in the business world, and otherwise devoted to improving society.

As a member-owned club, our Board of Directors is a strategic leadership body that has delegated all operating procedures to our CEO and Senior Management team. We have an independent nominating process for the Board service and uncontested Board elections.

Operating committees such as Golf & Agronomy, House, Finance and Member Standards report directly to the CEO to avoid the potential issue of having the Board micromanage functions to which it should hold the CEO accountable. This approach has had a direct impact on the level of success achieved.

The club is in an extremely strong fiscal position, with an ending cash balance of $22.6 million as of June 30, 2024. Year-to-date operating revenues are $49.9 million and higher than 2023 revenues by 3%. Capital expenditure through Q2 2024 totaled $14.1 million and largely reflected construction payments on the Cochise Golf Course and Practice Facility and the expanded parking and bridgeway at Cochise/Geronimo Clubhouse that will connect the parking lot to the improved practice facility. We are planning to spend $135 million in facilities and amenities over the next five years, all paid for in cash. Significant capital investment is necessary to elevate our world-class facilities even further. This financial success is evident year-to-date in 2024, despite inflation, and labor shortages. 

We treat club governance as the greatest current challenge in the club industry. While there are many factors that affect a club’s cultural and financial stability, we must focus on those challenges that we can control.

One specific example revolves around the election process of choosing Board members. When vetting Board candidates, we look for members who have specific expertise from which we can benefit, such as construction, finance and legal backgrounds. As our club continues to expand its amenities, we have Board members who are attorneys, CFOs, and a president of an international commercial construction company. While they don’t get involved with the daily details on projects, they are ideal sounding boards for contract review and construction company recommendations.

Our policies are housed in a document we call the Board Policy Manual (BPM). The BPM is the direct result of having supportive Board members who truly look out for the best long-term interests of the club. All our Board members have varying opinions on a wide range of club topics, yet they all come together to agree on a comprehensive and well-thought-out document which defines the role of the Board, various club committees, and the working relationship with the club CEO. Desert Mountain has a solid balance sheet, fiscal integrity, and full membership because of its Board and its club leadership. Based on the results of a recent member survey, most members would agree that the club is in good hands.

While some might question the idea of running a club as a business, we see no conflict between a caring culture and efficiently run operations. We diligently promote a warm, welcoming culture. Our people — the members and staff — rank as our highest priority. But along with our commitment to community is our commitment to stewardship, and that means wisely using our authority to effectively govern and efficiently manage.

Click to view our full Strategic Plan and Annual Report

Amid a challenging economy, and unprecedented issues related to high inflation, supply chain challenges and labor shortages, Desert Mountain has shown an ability to adapt, evolve and thrive in many ways, from heightened eco-sensitivity, to improved member and employee communications and to making club members in our community feel safer and more secure.

Retaining and attracting top-level teammates continues to be a high priority. Our member and management commitment to our employees has been proactive, creative and flexible. During 2023, we gave gas cards to employees each month to help them make ends meet based on higher gas prices. Our weekly employee newsletter called The Mountain Top allows our 750 employees to stay connected with all that is new and changing on the Mountain. Beyond our New Hire Orientation, we also conduct 30-day check-ins with all new teammates to solicit feedback. This has helped us reduce employee turnover year-over-year and has created a strong employee base for the club. In an innovative outreach program to attract worthy candidates, we have placed billboards in neighborhoods where our employees live. Positive word of mouth is one of our most reliable assets.

Over the past two years, we have revamped, improved and streamlined our member communication efforts, including our weekly member e-newsletter, The Mountain Minute, and a new text message program to keep members informed of major club topics. Keeping members engaged with a variety of communication delivery methods has proven extremely beneficial. We consistently create meaningful, positive content via email newsletters, websites, videos, social media, magazines, public relations and CRM tools. Among the informative messaging we provide are:

• Public and Private Websites

• Mountain Minute Newsletter every Tuesday

• Inside Desert Mountain Lifestyle & Real Estate Magazine

• Desert Mountain Event Guide, a seasonal guide to events published biannually

• The Friday Jam, a frequent music video showcasing our culture and posted to Desert Mountain TV (YouTube)

Health, Safety & Security

One of the most important initiatives we launched was a heightened emphasis on safety and security for our community members. At our guard-gated entry, any visitor must show a driver’s license, with relevant information, including license plate number, duly noted. In addition, all 33 villages at Desert Mountain participate in a national initiative called Firewise. A Firewise community is one that has taken appropriate measures to become more resistant to wildfire structural damage. Much of the process involves proper clearing of the land and is done in connection with the HOA and with the assistance of the Scottsdale Fire Department.

Unique to Desert Mountain is its onsite medical clinic, through a partnership with HonorHealth, which offers treatment and care to members and staff.

Conservation and Sustainability

Quiet Conservation Area Award in January 2023

The Desert Mountain Quiet Conservation Area is the first Quiet Conservation Area to be awarded by Quiet Parks International. Within this private preserve of more than 3,000 wilderness acres, 12 stacked loop trails totaling approximately 25 miles wind through canyons, ascend mountain peaks and traverse lofty ridges. 

Desert animal species depend upon a clean acoustic environment in order to communicate, attract a mate, establish a food territory, and escape predation. Many plant species depend on animals for pollination and seed dissemination. Natural quiet is an essential natural resource. Because of the aural beauty of Desert Mountain and its pristine landscape, Quiet Parks International has awarded Quiet Conservation Area status.

Leave No Trace Gold Standard 

Desert Mountain Club received the Gold Standard Site designation in November 2023, making it the first private community to obtain the status.

Our outdoor enthusiasts share a 3 million-acre backyard with the Tonto National Forest, which is adjacent to the club’s private 25-mile hiking trail system.

Out of further respect for the realities of our current environment, we have boosted our commitment to conservation and sustainability. This commitment allows all key stakeholders of our club and community to play active roles in reducing waste and conserving energy and water, which is of critical importance in our part of the country. By integrating a diverse combination of water savings initiatives, we anticipate a 2%-3% reduction of water each year. Among the practices put in place are:

• Reclaimed Effluent Water in Use: Desert Mountain participates in the City of Scottsdale’s RWDS System (Recycled Water Distribution System) which does not impact groundwater or other consumer-based resources.

• Targeted Watering Strategy: Use of a single head irrigation system allows us to accurately control, target and pinpoint specific areas needing water.

• Evapo-Transpiration: “ET” equipment is in use to measure how much moisture evaporates naturally from our turf in a given day, reducing the risk of over-watering. We measure exactly how much water the grass needs. 

• Lithium-Ion Batteries: Before 2022, all housekeeping carry-all carts used gas. We have since converted all vehicles to be powered by lithium-ion batteries.

• Electric Power Tools: Our horticulture team has switched to more electric-powered equipment (i.e., leaf blowers) and less gas/oil mix for powering equipment. Using electric tools also minimizes noise.

• ASU Rob & Melani Walton Foundation for Sustainability Partnership: Arizona State University assessed our carbon footprint and then assisted in a multi-year partnership to improve sustainability efforts in all areas of the club.

• Receiving, Laundry and Recycling Facility: This facility greatly improved efficiencies when laundering our linen property-wide (i.e., reduce the amount of water and chemicals used in the process). The facility comes equipped with a data tracking application to assess loads washed each day along with gallons of water used. We use this data to find additional ways to become more efficient. The facility generates a  huge cost savings as well allowing us to buy in bulk, launder with state-of-the-art equipment and not overuse our water. 

• Large Trash and Mixed Recyclable Compactors: Two compactors are located at our new Receiving, Laundry and Recycling Facility which make for fewer trips required by Waste Management—and help keep trucks off the Mountain. 

There’s been an equal emphasis on eco-friendliness and performance on the golf operations side as well. This reflects a commitment from management to providing the tools needed to achieve firmer, faster, drier and more consistent conditions while still having a positive impact on the environment. Under the care of Todd Bohn, Director of Agronomy and one of the most respected turf experts in the industry, our team integrated new side-to-side rollers have made a huge difference on our greens. In the past, we used a roller on the front of a triplex mower, which has tires. There is less wear and tear with the new machines. The greens get firmer, with more ball roll. The roller acts like an iron, compressing the turf and making the green smoother. 

Recognizing, too, that Desert Mountain demographics are skewing younger, we have placed a new emphasis on generating resources for families and juniors at the club. We programmed additional activity options at our Youth Center as well as expanded our junior golf program.

Finally, our Board of Directors and our senior leadership team regularly focus on and update the club’s 5-year,10-year and 15-year capital plans to prepare for emerging member trends and needs in the private club industry. Those efforts are coupled with the flexibility to pivot quickly if any external factors (financial, environmental, generational, etc.) arise. At Desert Mountain, we have learned to face unexpected challenges nimbly and with honest communication with our members.   

Desert Mountain starts with a spectacular setting amid cactus-studded desert, towering mountains and the twinkling city lights below on the valley floor. The club’s heart and soul, however, are the like-minded members, who hail from 48 states and eight countries, but who share values in family fun, outdoor activities, personal well-being and charitable causes. We’re a broad-shouldered property, with more than 2,300 memberships and countless opportunities to interact socially at our parties, at our charity events, on our seven top-ranked golf courses, six of them designed by Jack Nicklaus, or in one of our 10 restaurants and grills. Yet, there’s plenty of opportunity for tranquil solitude as our 68 miles of roads wind through 8,300 roomy acres, including more than 25 miles of private hiking and biking trails. 

Our caring staff further enhances the day-to-day experience, and our forward-thinking management team has clear-eyed plans for our future—and the financing to see it through. Our 42,000 square-foot Sonoran Clubhouse offers every wellness option imaginable, from an extensive racquet sports complex to personal fitness instructors. Additionally, our security team is world-class, helping provide total peace of mind. Combined, these are the elements that create harmony in our quest to fulfill our vision: to be the finest private club and community for golf and recreational lifestyle activities in North America.