A new gastropub at Desert Highlands golf course celebrates the legendary golfer.

Constructed in the early 1980s, Desert Highlands was the first golf course in Arizona designed by renowned professional golfer Jack Nicklaus. It set the bar nationwide and attracted the likes of legendary players Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, among others. Now, following a $7 million renovation of the grounds in 2019, the luxury community recently announced additional enhancements to its clubhouse. Led by Phoenix Home & Garden Masters of the Southwest award-winning architect Erik Peterson and project manager Andrea Lucarelli, the centerpiece of the major interiors refresh is the inclusion of a new gastropub. Named “Jack’s” after the course’s founder, the casual eatery will feature high-top seating, flat-screen TVs, a piano bar and an upgraded lounge area. The entrance will be transformed into a “walk-through memory lane,” complete with images and classic golf memorabilia that pay homage to Nicklaus and other greats of the sport. “Desert Highlands is one of the most well-known clubs in the Southwest,” Peterson states. “Having the opportunity to incorporate Jack Nicklaus’ legacy into our new design is an absolute privilege.” Jack’s is scheduled to open in mid-October.