This week: Sandstone views vs. stadium vibes. Pete Dye vs. muni charm. This isn’t just a course comparison; it’s a love letter to two legends of Arizona golf.

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ASU Karsten vs. Papago

Let’s get one thing straight: I didn’t go to ASU. I’m a proud GCU Antelope, so I’ve never bled maroon and gold. But even I can admit that the Karsten Golf Course was special.

A Pete Dye design on a college campus? Unreal. One of the best short game facilities in the state? Facts. And now? Just a memory.

In this week’s Turf Wars, I’m not crowning a winner. I’m reflecting on what we lost when Karsten closed and what we gained when Papago Golf Course stepped up to carry the Sun Devil torch. One lives in the past, the other in the present, but both shaped the future of Arizona State golf.

Round 1: First Impressions (Arrival + Vibe)

Karsten:

You didn’t roll into Karsten, you pulled up on campus. The driving range echoed with team spirit, and the pro shop was a Sun Devil shrine. What were the views? Water towers, highways, and stadium scaffolding.

Papago:

Desert vibes for days. You drive through red rock, show up at a sleek, glass-wrapped clubhouse, and walk into Lou’s Bar & Grill with a golf bag and a grin. ASU signage is subtle, but the program’s pride lives here.

Round 2: Layout + Shot Value

Karsten:

Par-70. Tight lines. Blind shots. Dye’s favorite traps. It forced you to think, especially on holes like the brutal 16th and water-guarded 18th.

Papago:

Par-72. Spacious off the tee. Elevation changes and classic desert contours. Bombers love it. Course management still matters and standout holes: the scenic 2nd, wild 15th, and the go-for-it 18th.

Round 3: Course Conditions

Karsten:

Solid in its heyday. The greens were fast, the turf was tidy—but its twilight years showed some wear.

Papago:

Post-ASU glow-up. Bermuda fairways, crisp bunkers, greens that roll true, and Troon-level maintenance. You can feel the investment.

Round 4: Difficulty + Scoring

Karsten:

One word: penal. Miss your target and you’re scrambling. Par felt like a birdie on the back nine.

Papago:

More forgiving. You can go low if your driver is dialed, but green complexes still test your wedge game, a challenge, not a beatdown.

Round 5: Intangibles

Karsten:

Campus energy. Legacy. History. You were playing on Rahm and Mickelson’s turf. That counts for something.

Papago:

Desert serenity meets elite college golf. The Thunderbirds Golf Complex is a showpiece. Sun Devil golf didn’t lose its identity. It just changed zip codes.

I’m not calling this one. Because it’s not a battle, it’s a baton pass.

Karsten gave us decades of Sun Devil glory. Papago is writing the next chapter.

If you played both, you know the feels.

If you didn’t, you’ve got a new appreciation for the turf under your spikes.

Which side are you on?

_{Tracking every shot with Big Game}

Need To Know

🗞️News

• Scottie Scheffler’s baseline of 3.0 strokes gained per round isn’t just elite, it’s historically absurd. For context, 2.0 SG is top-five-in-the-world territory. (more)

🧰Equipment

• Go inside the Titleist Tour Trailer for a rare look at the expert team fitting and building clubs for the world’s best players each week. (more)

👕Fashion

• Modern golf shorts blend performance and style, making them perfect for the course, the clubhouse, and everything in between—comfort, breathability, and all-day versatility included. (more)

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_{Tracking every shot with Big Game}

In The Know

🗓️Events

• The 2025 Arizona Mid-Amateur tees off May 29–31 at Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler. A 72-hole test for the state’s top mid-amateurs, ages 25+. (more)

• The AZ GOLF One-Day Series offers players of all skill levels a chance to compete in fun, competitive tournaments—no multi-day commitment required. Game on. (more)

• The 2025 Palo Verde Amateur, a WAGR event, tees off May 27–29 at GCU Golf Course. 54 holes, no cut, open entry. (more)

📰News

• The Summerhays family made history as siblings Preston and Grace graduated alongside their mom, Barbara Jean, from ASU—proving that champions shine on and off the course. (more)

• Thunderbirds Charities raised a record $18.1M through the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, supporting Arizona nonprofits that serve kids, families, and communities across Greater Phoenix. (more)

• The Grass League hosts high-stakes Par 3 events for amateurs and pros. Apply, get approved, and showcase your profile to join a franchise team. (more)