,Paradise Valley, Arizona, August 29, 2025
News Summary
Rob Collins, superintendent of Paradise Valley Country Club, has been inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame for his innovative approaches to water conservation on desert golf courses. His career began in the U.S. Navy, transitioning to golf maintenance with over 30 years at PVCC. Collins has implemented advanced irrigation techniques and sustainable practices that have significantly reduced water usage while maintaining course quality. His leadership in water management highlights the crucial role of sustainability in the golfing industry.
Paradise Valley, Ariz. — Rob Collins Lands in Arizona Golf Hall of Fame for Water-Saving Work at PVCC
It’s a big moment in the Arizona golf world: the superintendent at Paradise Valley Country Club has been recognized for changing the way golf courses use water in the desert. After decades in the business and major course decisions that weren’t always easy, the focus on smarter irrigation and turf management has earned him a spot in the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame.
From Navy Decks to Golf Course Greens
His path started far from fairways — a naval career beginning in 1983 aboard the USS Nimitz — and transitioned into golf course maintenance soon after. Over the years he worked at high-profile venues including Muirfield Village and Troon Golf and Country Club before arriving at Paradise Valley Country Club in 1995 as director of greens and grounds. Today, after celebrating three decades at PVCC, he’s known in the industry for long-term commitment and practical problem solving.
Water Trouble That Sparked Change
In 2006 PVCC ran afoul of the Arizona Department of Water Resources for exceeding its water allocation. That citation led to hard choices: turning the water off on 10 of the course’s original 122 irrigated acres, a move that killed turf and large trees and reshaped the course’s footprint. Those painful steps forced an overhaul in how water was measured, delivered and regulated across the course.
What Changed — The Tech and the Tough Calls
Since that watershed moment, PVCC has pushed to get smarter about every drop. Irrigated turf has been reduced from 122 acres down to 96 acres, with plans to trim to less than 90 acres. The team focused on efficiency upgrades, and for nearly 20 years after the renovations the course has stayed within water-use rules.
Practical tools and technology became central to the plan. Time domain reflectometry, moisture meters and soil probes are used to measure exactly how wet the ground is and how effectively irrigation is applied. The club has also worked with a major irrigation manufacturer to develop new software that improves watering schedules and tracking. Experimentation with grass varieties is ongoing — investigating lower-water options like zoysiagrass compared to traditional bermudagrass.
Leadership Beyond the Club
His influence goes past PVCC property lines. He’s been a GCSAA member for 34 years and has worked with local city officials to shape practical water regulation. The club serves as a sort of testing ground for real-world solutions, and he’s welcomed partnerships to trial new technologies and strategies. That practical, on-the-ground leadership was a central reason he was tapped for the Hall of Fame this year.
A Career That Mentors the Next Generation
Mentorship is part of the legacy too. Staff who trained under him have gone on to industry success, illustrating how an emphasis on education and hands-on training can spread water-smart practices across the region. He was also nominated for a notable industry business award, reflecting both management skill and the ability to run complex operations under environmental constraints.
Recognition and Company
The Arizona Golf Association selected him as one of four inductees into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame, joining three other professionals recognized for their own contributions to the game in the state. The induction highlights the growing importance of water management and sustainability in golf — especially in arid climates where every gallon counts.
Why This Matters to Golfers
For golfers, the payoff is straightforward: courses that manage water better can maintain playable conditions longer, reduce long-term risk to trees and turf, and keep the round experience consistent despite tougher environmental limits. The changes at PVCC show how a course can adapt to changing rules and climate while still being a showcase for quality golf.
Bottom Line
This Hall of Fame induction recognizes years of steady, practical work — some of it the result of tough choices — that helped a desert club rethink how it waters. It’s a reminder that in modern golf, water management is no side project; it’s central to course care, business operations and the future of the game in dry regions.
FAQ — Quick Answers for Golf Fans
What led to the Hall of Fame induction?
The induction centers on leadership in water conservation at Paradise Valley Country Club, demonstrated by long-term management changes, technological upgrades and collaboration with local officials and industry partners.
What happened in 2006?
The Arizona Department of Water Resources cited the club for exceeding its allocated water amount. In response the club shut irrigation on 10 of 122 acres, prompting major changes to water strategy.
How much turf has been removed?
Irrigated turf was reduced from 122 acres to 96 acres. There are plans to reduce it to under 90 acres for continued conservation.
What technology is used to save water?
The maintenance team uses time domain reflectometry, moisture meters, soil probes and improved irrigation software developed with an industry partner to fine-tune watering.
Are alternative grasses being tested?
Yes. The team is exploring lower-water turf varieties like zoysiagrass as alternatives to bermudagrass to reduce irrigation needs.
How does this impact play?
Better water management aims to maintain consistent playing conditions, protect landscape features, and adapt the course to long-term environmental realities while preserving the golfing experience.
Quick Facts Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Career start | U.S. Navy service beginning 1983; moved into golf course maintenance |
| PVCC tenure | Joined 1995; celebrated 30 years at the club |
| GCSAA membership | 34 years |
| 2006 citation | Cited by state water authorities for exceeding water allocation; led to major changes |
| Irrigated acreage | Reduced from 122 acres to 96 acres; plans to go below 90 acres |
| Key technologies | Time domain reflectometry, moisture meters, soil probes, custom irrigation software |
| Grass research | Testing zoysiagrass as a lower-water alternative to bermudagrass |
| Industry recognition | Arizona Golf Hall of Fame inductee; nominated for Herb Graffis Businessperson of the Year |
| Approach | Course used as a lab for water conservation; collaboration with manufacturers and local officials |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Golfdom: Paradise Valley CC Director’s Journey
- Daily Montanan: Water Agreement at Crazy Mountain
- GCM Online: Rob Collins Inducted into Hall of Fame
- Phoenix Magazine: Newcomers Guide to Valley Neighborhoods
- AP News: Kapalua Water Sentry Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Google Search: Water management in golf
- Google Scholar: Golf course water conservation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: Golf water management
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