Maryvale Golf Course: The First 50 Years | A Golf History by Authorhouse

Celebrate a Golden Milestone with a Rich Golf Legacy

On April 15, 2011, Maryvale Golf Course marked a Golden Anniversary, inviting readers to revisit the course’s opening day and the stories that followed. This book traces the West Side gem from its 1961 debut to its half century of competitive play, local culture, and community memories. It provides a thoughtful, engaging look at how a single course can become a gathering place for players, organizers, and fans who live for the game.

The narrative unfolds through the voices of those who shaped Maryvale’s chapters—from early participants to longtime supporters. The result is a vivid tapestry of the people, events, and everyday moments that gave the fairways their character. It’s a careful balance of archival milestones and intimate recollections, offering a window into a beloved golfing setting without venturing into overstatement.

What makes this book stand out

• Historical milestones and notable tournaments such as the Don Sanderson Ford Invitational and the Johnny Miller Pro-Am
• Personal memories from players, organizers, and aficionados who made Maryvale feel like a second home

The author, William Godfrey, guides readers through five decades of change, friendships, and sport culture. The book builds on a prior work to present a broader panorama of Arizona golf history while keeping the focus on Maryvale’s distinctive place on the west side.

Who benefits from this historical look

• Golf enthusiasts who enjoy local history and the social fabric of a course community
• Readers curious about how tournaments and memorable matches shape a course’s identity

Whether you are revisiting Maryvale’s milestones or discovering the course for the first time, this book invites you to reflect on the people and moments that keep the game vibrant. It offers context, atmosphere, and a sense of place that can enrich any golf library without making promises about outcomes, but with plenty of possibilities to explore on and off the fairways.