Desert Mountain Podcast

It started 25 years ago with a paper bag full of cash, presented to Arizona's Mayo Clinic for breast cancer research. Now, Desert Mountain CARE is making strides in all areas of cancer research and early detection initiatives. On this week's podcast, CARE Board Chair Jill Porcellato and CARE volunteer Diane Jack discuss the record-breaking 25th year for CARE all thanks to Members like you! They br...

Our agronomy teammates at Desert Mountain are artists in their field as they maintain the beauty of our courses every day. Director of Agronomy Todd Bohn joins us on the podcast, capping a busy week. He provides status updates on our courses, the quality of the turf so many are enjoying now and explains what transpires naturally at the close of a winter season in May versus the opening of a winter...

There's some 'buzz' around this week's episode of the Desert Mountain Podcast, now celebrating one year on the air! Outdoor Adventures Coordinator Jake Metz joins us with news about some new adventures available to our Members this season. We also welcome Cricket Aldridge, founder of the Arizona Backyard Beekeepers Association, as she gives some fascinating facts about bees and talks about her upc...

This week, the Desert Mountain Podcast welcomes Global Golf Advisors (known as GGA Partners) and Club CFO Andrea Randall. The international management consulting firm joins us to discuss the recent comprehensive analysis of capacity and utilization at the Club, the three core areas broken out for summary, and some recommendations which are currently under review. We also get some insight into how...

This week, Desert Mountain Podcast welcomes Head of Junior Golf Development Richard Franklin. The junior golf coach and published game designer talks with us about what led him to golf instruction for kids, his play-based teaching platform DiscoverGolf, and the educational environment offered at Desert Mountain. Plus, hear why he believes the game of golf is good for a child's development on and o...

We're on our best behavior for this week's Desert Mountain Podcast episode. We're joined this week by Scottsdale Fire Deputy Chief Adam Hoster and Scottsdale Police Lieutenant Chuck Cabrera, wrapping up the Battle of the Badges charity golf tournament at Outlaw Golf Course. They talk about the friendly competition between firefighters and police officers out on the course, all for a good cause, an...

The 2022/2023 Winter Event Guide is almost here! Inside are pages filled with exciting activities, events, and athletics for October 2022 through May 2023. The Mountain's own Graphic Designer, Maryann Krusniak, joins us on the podcast this week, discussing behind-the-scenes aspects of what it takes to put the Winter Event Guide together. Plus, we go through new dining offerings to expand and enhan...

In our third Winter Guide Preview Week, Arnaldo Cocuzza, Director of Athletics and Sonoran Clubhouse, is hitting the ground running - literally! He joins us to discuss new opportunities for our Members to relax, rejuvenate, renew and restore in the Winter Season. He explains some of the new faces we'll see around Sonoran Clubhouse, including a nutritionist. Plus, hear how you can lace up and run a...

In our second Winter Guide Preview Week, we turn our attention to the golf calendar. PGA Director of Golf John Lyberger and Tournament Director Sean Ferris join us on the podcast this week. Together, they explain updates to some of the upcoming tournaments which will enhance the overall experience for our participating Members. The two also discuss adjustments to some of the tournament schedules,...

As we come closer to the end of the summer season, Desert Mountain Club teammates are planning for what's to come this winter! Director of Club Operations Gregg Leonard and Director of Culinary Operations Chef Bertrand Bouquin highlight some upcoming events in the months ahead including wine dinners, live entertainment, and of course Fall Bash! Chef Bertrand hints at what you could see on the menu...

There are many layers to our culinary offerings at Desert Mountain Club. In fact, Members can sweeten their celebrations with signature cakes, made right here on the Mountain. On the podcast this week, Pastry Sous Chef Korrin Stevenson joins us to talk about the cake ordering process, how she and her team creates these bakes, and the flavors and fillings used to make your celebration even more spe...

There's a lot of progress each day out at Renegade Golf Course and Renegade Range. On the podcast this week, Chad Goetz of Nicklaus Design along with PGA Director of Golf John Lyberger and Director of Agronomy Todd Bohn join us to talk about the developments and improvements at Renegade and the timeline of reopening. They also discuss the restoration project scheduled for Cochise Golf Course and h...

It's only fitting we talk to our Master Club Fitter during Golf Gear Week at Desert Mountain Club. Chris Heasley joins us for his first time on the podcast, alongside return guest Paxton O'Connor, Director of Instruction. The two discuss their recent benchmarking trip to San Diego and what they experienced in their meetings with companies including TaylorMade and Titleist. Plus, hear how Heasley w...

Pardon our dust- progress is underway! This week, the Desert Mountain Podcast takes you on location to the new Onsite Health Clinic, currently under construction and the Fairways Building and opening in December. You'll hear more about the facility staffed by HonorHealth, additional pickleball courts coming to Sonoran, and the brand new dog park. Plus, learn how traffic flow and parking updates wi...

Desert Mountain Club has a commitment to sustainability, finding ways to reduce waste and conserve water and energy. This week, Todd Bohn, Director of Agronomy, and Todd Bruen, Director of Facilities and Construction join us on the podcast. Together they break down some of the water, power, and waste reduction initiatives at the Club, and how equipment upgrades like the new laundry operation insid...

We're exploring the great outdoors at Desert Mountain! Jake Metz, Outdoor Adventure Coordinator, joins us this week on the podcast. He dives into some exciting excursions for our Members while reflecting on how these adventures come together. You'll also hear how these events help you escape the Arizona heat while learning something new about your surroundings.

Wes Pudwill, Director of Talent and Culture, and Alicia Garcia, Engagement and Communications Coordinator, join us on Desert Mountain Podcast this week. Together, they share some insights generated from the Great Place to Work® survey as well as ways employees are recognized for their hard work on a continuous basis. Plus, hear about some benefits for new hires wanting to join our team and experie...

When the summer sizzle sets in, we find ways to stay cool and stay active! On this week's podcast, Lifestyle Activities Manager Haven Lewis and Youth Activities Supervisor Emily Schiavone join us to chat about fun-filled tournaments, events and activities still on the slate for the summer. Emily explains what it takes to keep kids involved while avoiding summer brain drain, while Haven discusses a...

Desert Mountain Club likes to shake things up by adding fresh and flavorful cocktails to the summer menu! C/G Assistant Clubhouse Manager Miles Brudigan and Seven Assistant Clubhouse Manager Doug Pocius join us on the podcast this week! They tell us about the new seasonal specials at their respective clubhouses, some of the cocktail and mocktail trends happening now, and how a glass tower is being...

As the Southwestern Amateur plays out at Desert Mountain Club for the 10th consecutive year, the amateur golfers are seeing first-hand some of the intricacies of the Geronimo course. Golf legend Tom Lehman joins us on this week's podcast, discussing his long relationship with Desert Mountain, challenges on the course, and the mindset amateur players need to advance. Southwestern Amateur Director R...

Women's Golf Day was Tuesday, June 7, 2022. But at Desert Mountain Club, we celebrate women in golf each day! On this week's podcast episode, we sit down with Head Golf Professional Maggie Green at Chiricahua Golf Course. She talks with us about the women's golf leagues on the Mountain, her unique role in golf merchandising, and the importance of the women's perspective in growing the industry. Pl...

You can master your skills on the course all while staying in the A/C! This week, Director of Instruction Paxton O'Connor talks with us about the benefits of taking lessons inside the Jim Flick Golf Performance Center. He discusses new and exciting updates inside the Performance Center, improvements inside the teaching bays, as well as Trackman technology being utilized with adults and kids alike....

This week, Desert Mountain Club is showing support for American men and women in our armed forces, as part of Military Appreciation Month, recognized in the U.S. every May. On this week's episode of Desert Mountain Podcast, Member General Derek Hill joins us with a look at the unique relationship between Desert Mountain and the Veterans Heritage Project. Also joining us is Tim Wegscheid, President...

One of the draws to being in the Desert Mountain Community is feeling safe and secure in your space. That sense of safety isn't accidental. There are men and women throughout the area making sure safety is their #1 priority. This week, we talk with Jim Duffey, the Safety and Access Committee Chief on the Desert Mountain Master Association Board. Joining him for this discussion on safety is Bill Fu...

If you want to see Desert Mountain flex its party muscle, Spring Bash is the way to watch it get done. We sit down with some of the musicians who took the stage for the big party. First, we talk with  the men of Sixwire. They tell us how they came to rock together, and what they love about Desert Mountain Members. Then, Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath gets behind the microphone, with his insights on...