Desert Mountain in the Spotlight: 2025 Awards, Amenities and Lifestyle Buzz

Desert Mountain Club has a story worth telling.

This year, our community has been featured in national publications for our award-winning golf, our role in hosting elite athletes, and the revival of classic traditions on the course. At the same time, fresh experiences are enriching daily life, making this a year where our blend of sport, wellness, and connection truly come together. At Seven Desert Mountain, modern homes and a close-knit neighborhood spirit place residents right at the center of it all.

Let’s take a closer look at why this year feels so special here in the high Sonoran Desert.

National Press Highlights: Desert Mountain in the Spotlight

From golf industry awards to lifestyle features, the Club’s perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and desert beauty is drawing admiration from coast to coast.

Sports Illustrated named Cochise Best Modern Private Course Restoration

Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Golf Course Awards honored Desert Mountain’s Cochise course as the Best Modern Private Course Restoration. Decades ago, golf fans knew Cochise as the stage for The Tradition, a pre-Masters Senior Tour major where Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Gary Player, and Raymond Floyd battled against a backdrop of towering saguaros, rugged boulders, and sweeping mountain views. Opened in 1988 as a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, Cochise became famous for its bold desert target golf, from a rare double island green to dramatic split fairways and unforgettable par threes. Today, after a thoughtful restoration, the course retains all of its original magic while offering modern playability, pristine conditions, and a sense of history you can feel with every shot.

Golf.com spotlight on the U.S. National Junior Team training camp

Earlier this year, Golf.com gave readers a behind the scenes look at the U.S. National Junior Team’s training camp held at Desert Mountain. Over the weekend, 22 of the nation’s most promising young players fine tuned their already polished games. The boys focused on green reading and short game, while the girls worked on distance control and alignment. Each day ended with nine holes on “Seven,” Desert Mountain’s acclaimed short course, and included expert talks and game improvement sessions.

The Scottsdale gathering was the team’s third practice session since its debut in March 2024. As part of the U.S. National Development Program, the Junior Team aims to identify, train, and support top young golfers from all backgrounds. By 2027, the program will grow to include 30 boys and 30 girls, preparing the next generation of champions.

The Wall Street Journal celebrates walking the golf course

When The Wall Street Journal explored the growing popularity of walking the course, Desert Mountain was featured as a shining example. Here, walking is more than exercise. It is a way to connect more deeply with the game, the high Sonoran Desert, and the natural beauty that surrounds every round.

LINKS Magazine features Desert Mountain in two major stories

LINKS Magazine showcased Desert Mountain in “Addition by Subtraction,” spotlighting the Cochise course restoration by Nicklaus architect Chad Goetz. The updates included a precise new irrigation system and ultra-efficient misters, reflecting a commitment to both playability and sustainability.

In “Home on the Range”, LINKS celebrated instruction as one of Desert Mountain’s hallmarks, home to the 6,500-square-foot Jim Flick Golf Performance Center equipped with every piece of golf technology imaginable. Led by Director of Instruction Paxton O’Connor, the teaching team offers more than 70 golf experiences for members, from six-week “Operation 36” beginner programs to situational classes like “Escaping the Desert” and the Human Skills Golf Clinic.

The Lifestyle: Why Members Call This Home

Life at Desert Mountain in 2025 is more vibrant than ever. The club continues to invest in experiences that make each day memorable, whether it begins with a morning round at Seven or ends with a sunset dinner overlooking the mountains. This year’s enhancements are a celebration of both tradition and fresh possibilities.

Wellness and Fitness Reimagined

The Jim Flick Golf Performance Center remains one of the most advanced facilities in the country, and it is now joined by upgraded training zones in the Sonoran Fitness and Spa complex. Members can enjoy the latest in performance equipment, private instruction, recovery lounges, and expanded spa services. Personalized health programs integrate everything from golf-specific conditioning to stress-relief treatments.

Culinary Experiences to Savor

Dining at Desert Mountain has never been more exciting. In the heart of the Seven Desert Mountain neighborhood, Seven is a family-friendly indoor-outdoor gastropub that has become a lively gathering place. The atmosphere is casually elegant, with live entertainment, fun group activities, and plenty of space to linger with friends. The menu blends comfort food with lighter, shareable plates, paired with a robust list of cocktails and craft beer. It is the kind of place where a casual Tuesday evening can turn into an impromptu celebration.

Outdoor Adventure and Recreation

Golf remains at the heart of the experience, and No. 7 at Desert Mountain™ offers a distinctive challenge with its par-54 championship course designed for fast, fun, and memorable rounds. Beyond the fairways, members can explore over 20 miles of private hiking and biking trails, now enhanced with guided nature programs highlighting the desert’s seasonal beauty. The tennis complex, featuring nine courts, and the expanded pickleball facilities at the Sonoran have become social hubs for friendly matches and lively tournaments.

Your Desert Mountain Story Starts Here

Desert Mountain has once again shown why it holds a special place in the hearts of its members. National recognition has celebrated our championship courses and our role in shaping the future of the game. Most of all, the warmth of our community continues to make this a place where every day feels like coming home.

For those considering a home at Seven Desert Mountain, there is an added benefit that makes the decision even sweeter. When you purchase a new home here and your application for membership is approved, you can skip the waitlist and begin enjoying all that the Desert Mountain Club offers right away.

From your very first day, the fairways, trails, dining, and events become part of your everyday life, making it effortless to settle in and start creating unforgettable moments in one of the most celebrated private golf communities in North America.