Junior National Golf Club
Where The Future Plays
Open to the Public • Kids Play Free
Course Aerification Notice: July 27–28
The golf course will undergo aerification on July 27 and 28. During this time, golfers will play the same nine holes twice to complete an 18-hole round.
The course will close at 10 AM, and the driving range will close at 3 PM both days.
About Junior National Golf Club
formerly known as Tres Rios Golf Course
Junior National Golf is one of the early tracts designed by renowned desert golf course architect Robert “Red” Lawrence.
Known as the “Desert Fox,” Lawrence designed Desert Forest Golf Club, the Phoenix area’s first true desert course, along with many other influential desert layouts. Originally named Sierra Estrella Golf Course, the course opened in the early 1960s.
Over time, the course evolved into more of a parkland-style layout, with additional turf and non-native eucalyptus trees replacing much of the natural desert landscape.
Our goal is to restore Red Lawrence’s original desert golf vision while creating an even better experience for today’s golfers.
The Red Lawrence Course
Built on Tradition, Shaped for Today
Originally designed by Robert “Red” Lawrence in the early 1960s, Junior National Golf Club traces its roots to the original Sierra Estrella Golf Course and Arizona’s early desert golf era.
Hole 1
Par 5
A reachable par 5 for longer hitters, the opener is defined by a signature tree in the middle of the fairway that influences both layups and second shots. Favor a smart position off the tee to set up a realistic birdie chance.
Yardages by Tee:
• Black: 509 yds
• Blue: 500 yds
• White: 480 yds
• Green: 468 yds
• Red: 415 yds
Hole 2
Par 4
This short par 4 plays to an elevated green with subtle movement and a front-left bunker that catches overly aggressive approaches. The green slopes left to right and rewards precise distance control.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 417 yds
- Blue: 412 yds
- White: 375 yds
- Green: 311 yds
- Red: 311 yds
Hole 3
Par 4
This slight dogleg-right par 4 favors a tee shot down the left side for the best angle in. Water and bunkers short right make approaches to back-right hole locations especially demanding.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 214 yds
- Blue: 185 yds
- White: 175 yds
- Green: 156 yds
- Red: 134 yds
Hole 4
Par 3
A medium-length par 3 with water short and right plus bunkers on both sides, this hole asks for a committed shot to the center of the green. The putting surface slopes back to front and makes par a solid score.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 463 yds
- Blue: 449 yds
- White: 410 yds
- Green: 270 yds
- Red: 260 yds
Hole 5
Par 4
This left-to-right par 4 rewards players who challenge the right side off the tee for a clearer approach. The large green has more movement than it first appears and requires careful pace on putts.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 375 yds
- Blue: 365 yds
- White: 350 yds
- Green: 302 yds
- Red: 302 yds
Hole 6
Par 4
Best played from the left side of the fairway, this par 4 avoids trees that tighten the right side and block the approach. The green sits farther right and slopes back to front with significant break.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 193 yds
- Blue: 180 yds
- White: 154 yds
- Green: 95 yds
- Red: 90 yds
Hole 7
Par 4
A narrower fairway than most, this par 4 favors a tee shot to the right side for the best approach angle. The green features strong slope and bunkers guarding both sides.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 420 yds
- Blue: 401 yds
- White: 362 yds
- Green: 320 yds
- Red: 319 yds
Hole 8
Par 34
Often playing shorter with helping wind, this par 3 invites a shot between deep bunkers to the middle of the green. Missed distance can leave long putts and difficult two-putts.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 431 yds
- Blue: 416 yds
- White: 380 yds
- Green: 372 yds
- Red: 265 yds
Hole 9
Par 4
This short uphill par 4 offers a birdie opportunity if the tee shot reaches the crest for a flat lie. The green slopes back to front, with a false front that rejects under-hit approaches.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 460 yds
- Blue: 454 yds
- White: 450 yds
- Green: 434 yds
- Red: 396 yds
Hole 10
Par 5
A reachable par 5 for longer players, this dogleg-left again features a fairway tree that shapes second-shot decisions. The multi-tiered green is best approached with control rather than aggression.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 550 yds
- Blue: 550 yds
- White: 540 yds
- Green: 460 yds
- Red: 450 yds
Hole 11
Par 4
This dogleg-right par 4 often favors a left-to-right tee shot to find the fairway. The uphill approach plays longer than it looks into one of the course’s most demanding greens.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 391 yds
- Blue: 323 yds
- White: 314 yds
- Green: 310 yds
- Red: 283 yds
Hole 12
Par 3
The longest par 3 on the course requires full commitment off the tee. The large green slopes back to front and right to left, making distance control critical.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 388 yds
- Blue: 380 yds
- White: 344 yds
- Green: 335 yds
- Red: 270 yds
Hole 13
Par 4
One of the toughest par 4s on the course, this long hole often leaves a long iron or hybrid into a green that slopes right to left. Par here gains ground.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 166 yds
- Blue: 158 yds
- White: 143 yds
- Green: 135 yds
- Red: 97 yds
Hole 14
Par 4
Though shorter, this par 4 demands positioning around another signature fairway tree. The best angle comes from the left side into a green guarded by a front-right bunker and strong contours.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 419 yds
- Blue: 410 yds
- White: 370 yds
- Green: 357 yds
- Red: 357 yds
Hole 15
Par 3
This medium-length par 3 plays over water and often downwind, making club selection tricky. The green slopes back to front and punishes shots drifting right.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 362 yds
- Blue: 345 yds
- White: 337 yds
- Green: 333 yds
- Red: 290 yds
Hole 16
Par 4
A straight par 4 with the course’s lone fairway bunker narrowing the landing area. The narrow green entrance and strong back-to-front slope demand a controlled approach.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 416 yds
- Blue: 376 yds
- White: 355 yds
- Green: 326 yds
- Red: 326 yds
Hole 17
Par 4
This long par 4 favors the left half of the fairway for the best angle in. The green falls sharply right to left and can create difficult putts from above the hole.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 176 yds
- Blue: 170 yds
- White: 156 yds
- Green: 129 yds
- Red: 129 yds
Hole 18
Par 5
A short uphill par 5 offers options, with longer hitters deciding whether to challenge a blind second shot over the rise. The green is heavily protected and features strong internal movement.
Yardages by Tee:
- Black: 371 yds
- Blue: 362 yds
- White: 353 yds
- Green: 345 yds
- Red: 275 yds
What We've Been Up To
Renovations & Improvements
We’re restoring the course to its original desert design with rebuilt greens, renovated bunkers, and major irrigation upgrades already in place. Behind the scenes, significant investment in equipment and water systems is improving conditions now and for the future.
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Currently, the course is being returned to its original, intended desert golf course state highlighted by the removal of water-hungry eucalyptus trees and excess grass acreage. In 2023, all 18 greens were rebuilt, recontoured, and re-grassed with MiniVerde, reducing water usage and eliminating the need for overseeding while delivering fast, true putting surfaces. Bunkers were also fully renovated with new contours, upgraded drainage, and fresh sand.
In 2024, we continued the transition by restoring fairway shapes, removing grass between holes, and clearing non-native vegetation. While this is a gradual transformation, we are committed to reestablishing a more natural desert landscape with native trees and plant life.
Behind the scenes, nearly $1M has been invested in maintenance equipment and irrigation improvements, including new pumps, over 1,000 sprinkler heads, and upgraded course equipment to enhance overall playing conditions.
The Future is Bright
Second Course & Clubhouse
Future plans include a second 18-hole championship course and a new two-story clubhouse with expanded amenities and spaces for junior development. As a nonprofit, all proceeds are reinvested into youth programs and ongoing improvements to the course and surrounding park.
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Future projects include a second 18-hole championship course on the southern side of the property, along with a new state-of-the-art two-story clubhouse featuring a restaurant and dedicated areas for juniors to learn, grow, and feel supported.
As a nonprofit foundation, the golf course operates with all profits reinvested into youth programs and continued course enhancements. The land is leased from Maricopa County within Estrella Mountain Regional Park, with monthly payments and a percentage of revenue directed back to the County’s Parks & Recreation Department to support broader park improvements.
Our Mission
The Junior National Foundation
Junior National Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of youth through the game of golf, with a strong focus on accessibility and supporting at-risk communities. Through the game, young players gain exposure to life skills, mentorship, and opportunities that extend far beyond the course.
Founded on the vision of John and Linda Wall, and inspired by John’s early experiences growing up around the course, the Foundation is rooted in giving back to the community that shaped them and creating opportunities for the next generation to learn, grow, and succeed.
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