BY GreG Ball
T
wo of the Phoenix area's most re-
spected veteran PGA profession-
als have taken up residence at
Papago Golf Course's stunning new
practice area – which Arizona State
alum and World Golf Hall of Famer Phil
Mickelson, who designed it, said would
instantly become "the single greatest
short-game facility in the country."
Scott Watkins and Matt Trimble have
both signed on to teach at Papago – the
new home of Arizona State's men's and
women's golf teams – giving the course
a major boost to its teaching program.
Trimble, a PGA member since 1994,
moved four miles north from ASU
Karsten after 26 years there – his first
year was Mickelson's last with the Sun
Devils – and he still serves as a volun-
teer assistant coach.
"I am delighted and thankful to have
the opportunity to teach at Papago,"
said Trimble, whose coaching philoso-
phy centers around molding good play-
ers into great ones by making their
games more consistent from tee to
green. "I am proud to have my students
come to the course knowing that they
will have an exceptional experience."
Watkins, a PGA professional for
more than 30 years, learned the game at
Papago as a youngster. His father, Arch,
served as the public course's first golf
pro starting in 1963. He worked along-
side Trimble at ASU Karsten the last
seven years, and is excited to have the
opportunity to return to his roots. He'll
spend his time working with golfers in
the public section of the practice area,
and said he wouldn't have made the
move if not for the improvements.
"I grew up at Papago, and it's 20 times
better than it was back then," Watkins
said. "It has been great to be back, and
my dad would be blown away with the
improvements they have made with the
practice facilities and clubhouse."
..................................................................
> VISIT Papago Golf Course.
Scott Watkins, above, and Matt Trimble
are bringing decades of experience to
the teaching staff at Papago Golf Course.
OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE
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WINTER 2019
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obsports.com
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NAMES IN THE GAME
PAIR OF ACES
n PAPAGO UPS ITS TEACHING GAME WITH RESPECTED VETERANS
> READ MORE ABOUT PAPAGO'S NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART PRACTICE FACILITY.
