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Press release

Papago Golf Club Welcomes New Head Golf Professional And Tournament Director

Phoenix, Ariz. (December 10, 2024) – Papago Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz. recently welcomed Zach Amsler as head golf professional and Derek Crawford as its new tournament director. Amsler will lead the golf operations team for the iconic City of Phoenix municipal golf course, while Crawford will market and manage golf tournaments for the 18-hole facility.

Amsler has been an integral part of the Papago Golf Club team since 2020, working the past two seasons as the club’s tournament director. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2019, completing the University’s Professional Golf Management Program before becoming a Class A member of the PGA of America in 2020. Amsler began working in the golf industry at age 14 as a caddie at Moraine Country Club in Kettering, Ohio. He has continued to advance his career in golf at clubs in Ohio, Indiana and Florida before moving to Arizona in 2020. He has a passion for growing the game and is thrilled to be the head golf professional at Papago.

With 40-plus years of golf industry experience and relationships, Derek Crawford has instantly become a key team member at Papago Golf Club. The identical twin brother of Papago Golf Club General Manager Daryl Crawford, Derek and Daryl are used to working together – first as youths in the bag room at Orange Tree Golf Resort in Scottsdale and later at PING, where they both served as tour reps, Derek on the PGA TOUR and Daryl on the European Tour. More recently, Derek has led the operation at several clubs throughout the Phoenix area, including serving as general manager of Raven Golf Club, ASU Karsten Golf Course and Coldwater Golf Club.

“I’m incredibly excited with our key additions. We have high expectations for both of these leaders,” said Papago Golf Club General Manager Daryl Crawford.

Owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by Troon, Papago Golf Club was named one of the “30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America” by GOLF Magazine in 2021. The Club is located in the heart of Papago Park, surrounded by native desert landscape, the picturesque Papago Buttes and conveniently located less than two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Originally designed by William Francis (Billy) Bell in 1963, the challenging golf course has hosted numerous events including the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, Phoenix Open qualifying and an LPGA tournament. Papago is home to Arizona State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams, and the teams’ state-of-the-art, indoor/outdoor practice facility, the Thunderbirds Golf Complex. The 2018 additions of the mid-century modern inspired Lou Grubb Clubhouse (including neighborhood hot spot, Lou’s Bar & Grill) and Evie’s Pavilion for group events have further accentuated Papago’s revitalization. In 2025, Papago Golf Club will open the new Arizona Golf House, an interactive space for the full spectrum of Arizona golf associations and nonprofits.

For more information on Papago Golf Club, visit www.papagogolfclub.com or call 602-275-8428.

About Troon

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 900-plus locations in 45-plus states and 35-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Casa Verde Golf, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, TroonMagazine.com or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, and via The Turn Podcast.

Media Contact

Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com