Community Purchase of Lake Montezuma Golf Course: What Really Happened
Based on my research, the community in Lake Montezuma, Arizona did not buy the golf course. The Beaver Creek Golf Resort, which was the golf course in question, closed its doors in 2015 and remains closed today.
The golf course was previously owned and operated by a private entity, and while there were discussions within the community about potentially purchasing and preserving the golf course, no successful community acquisition took place.
The 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, operated for many years as part of the Beaver Creek Golf Resort before its closure. The property, located in Yavapai County, spans approximately 150 acres along Beaver Creek.
Several factors contributed to the golf course's closure, including:
- Economic challenges following the 2008 recession - Decreased golf participation in the area - Rising maintenance costs - Water management issues
While some community members expressed interest in preserving the golf course as a recreational facility, no formal community organization or homeowners association successfully acquired the property. The land remains privately owned, though no longer operating as a golf course.
Today, the former golf course property sits unused, with local residents occasionally discussing potential future uses for the land. However, no concrete plans for community acquisition or redevelopment have materialized as of 2023.
For those interested in golfing near Lake Montezuma, the closest alternative options are located in nearby communities such as Verde Santa Fe Golf Course in Cornville or Verde Valley Country Club in Cottonwood.
It's worth noting that similar situations have occurred in other Arizona communities, where golf courses have closed and local residents have attempted to preserve them through community ownership, but such efforts often face significant financial and organizational challenges.