By Jon Johnson
THATCHER — Combining cutting-edge sports tech with family entertainment, the Mt. Graham Golf Club officially launched its new Toptracer driving range with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 25.
The event drew elected officials and community leaders from across the Gila Valley to celebrate the range’s transformation into a multi-use entertainment hub and training facility. The municipal golf course—owned by the City of Safford, located within the Town of Thatcher, and managed by Troon—aims to make the sport more accessible to both seasoned golfers and newcomers.
How Toptracer Works & What It Costs
The Toptracer system utilizes advanced camera technology to track ball flight in real time, projecting accurate data, distance metrics, and ball trajectories onto digital screens at each bay—similar to an indoor golf simulator, but on an active outdoor driving range. The range stays open late with lights throughout the driving range for evening play.
The software features a wide variety of gameplay options:
- Practice & Data Tracking: Golfers can analyze swing metrics, track ball speed, and determine precise club distances.
- Virtual Golf: Players can tee off on digital renderings of roughly 40 world-renowned golf courses, including Pebble Beach.
- Family Games: Interactive modes designed for all skill levels, including “Angry Birds” and “Go Fish.”
“It’s the exact same thing as simulator golf — there’s no difference in it,” Mt. Graham Golf Club General Manager Aaron Medina told the Gila Herald. “It’s pretty accurate as far as I can tell… It’s nothing too complicated. It is very user-friendly. Anyone can figure it out, and it’s meant to just have fun.”
Despite the high-tech upgrade, course leadership emphasized keeping the amenity affordable for the public. Using the Toptracer technology costs $10 per hour on top of a standard $10 bucket of range balls—bringing a full interactive session to $20. Visitors who prefer traditional range practice can still hit off the grass or mat areas without using the technology.
“We didn’t want this to be an expensive amenity for the community,” Medina added. “You can play 18 holes in an hour, even less, depending if it’s just you. It takes me about 40 minutes to play 18 holes… It’s $20 to use the technology, and it’s just for the family.”
Expanded Hours & Overseed Schedule
The driving range features overhead night lighting, allowing play to continue well past sundown. To complement the launch, the range and the course’s Double R Bar and Grill will remain open during the annual autumn overseeding period, when the 18-hole course is typically closed for maintenance.
During overseeding, the driving range and restaurant hours will be:
- Sunday – Wednesday: 12 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday – Saturday: 12 to 10 p.m.
Once full course operations resume, opening hours will shift back to 6 a.m., while the late-night closing hours for the range will remain in effect. Medina also noted that the golf club will host a grand opening for its new outdoor wedding and event venue on Oct. 16.
Regional Leaders Highlight Youth & Collaboration
Safford City Manager Dr. Eric Bejarano emceed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting the regional collaboration behind the facility’s management and development. Attendees included Safford Vice Mayor Arnold Lopez and Councilmembers Alma Flores, Dusti Brantner, Brad Hemphill, and Luke Arbizo; Thatcher Mayor Jenny Howard; Pima Councilmember Cade Bryce; and Graham County Supervisors Paul David and John Howard.
Bejarano commended the city’s electric, streets, IT, parks, and facility maintenance departments for building out the infrastructure.
“I took a vision to council in late October, and we looked at an opportunity to reallocate some funds that were already dedicated for the golf course and add some funds, and this is the end result,” Bejarano said. “One of the things we want to utilize this for is an incubator for folks that don’t know how to golf, that they can come out here, learn the game, and take that game out onto the 18 holes.”
According to Bejarano, the rough cost for the new facility was about $300,000.
Safford Councilwoman Alma Flores echoed Bejarano’s sentiments, thanking city staff and encouraging non-golfers to give the facility a try.
“Big ideas like this don’t happen overnight,” Flores said. “This new technology is amazing for any level. If you’ve never golfed before, you’re still going to be able to come out here and enjoy this new amenity.”
Medina, who also serves as the head golf coach at Pima High School, spoke passionately about the sport’s impact on local youth and community connection.
“Golf teaches integrity. It teaches honor. But not only that, it’s a social sport,” Medina said. “For our youth, there was nothing to do here… Parents, I promise you, your kids are safe if you bring them out here and drop them off… We care about the youth and the community, and we just want more people to experience it.”
Thatcher Mayor Jenny Howard praised the project as a healthy recreational outlet for local children, recalling a recent project with area 5th graders.
“The one project they viewed as most important was something for kids to get out and do, and get them away from video games,” Howard said. “I, as the mayor of Thatcher, look forward to fostering relationships with Safford and the golf course to bring more dreams to fruition.”
Graham County Supervisor John Howard commended the multi-agency push and encouraged residents to utilize both the range and the clubhouse restaurant.
“This is a community golf course. Everybody in this county uses this golf course, so there’s no reason why we all can’t partner up and do good things,” Howard said. “My hat’s off to Eric, Aaron, and the golf association… Come out, enjoy this, and support it.”
Fred Barquin, representing the 200-member Mt. Graham Golf Association, highlighted the organization’s ongoing youth initiatives, including supplying team shirts for high school golfers across Pima, Thatcher, and Safford, as well as providing annual academic scholarships.
The driving range is now officially open to the public at Mt. Graham Golf Club, located at 3220 W. Golf Course Rd. in Thatcher.
