New fine-dining venue opens in Maricopa

Southern Dunes Golf Club has been known for years as one of the premier courses not just in Arizona, where it is ranked 5th by Golf Magazine, but in the country and even the world. Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated named it one of the 50 best golf courses on the planet.

Now the club restaurant, long a popular spot for breakfast and lunch, is expanding to offer dinner four nights a week, Wednesday through Saturday, serving steaks, chops, fresh fish and other upscale entrees prepared by Executive Chef Tim Miller.

“We have a phenomenal chef,” said Southern Dunes General Manager Garrett Wallace, who has been at the club since it opened in 2002. “Right now if people in Maricopa want to go out for a nice meal, like an anniversary dinner, they typically drive up to Ray Road or one of the malls, but we will deliver a meal that is equal to or better than anything you can get in Chandler right here in town.”

The restaurant, renamed Grille 109, overlooks the Fred Couples and Schmidt-Curley-designed golf course with views of the mountains beyond.

“Rustic elegance is the term we use to describe the architecture and ambiance,” Wallace said. “It’s a place where you can have an excellent meal close to home in a warm, friendly atmosphere.” Entrees will be priced in the $15 to $25 range.

The revamped restaurant is part of a $1.2 million capital improvement plan put in place by the Ak-Chin Indian Community, which bought the club in July. The plan included course upgrades and a major overhaul of the clubhouse

“We’ve expanded the kitchen and put a banquet room in where the showers were before,” Wallace said. “The event space was designed by the same architect who was the project architect when the club was built and it can accommodate groups up to 150. Other than what the casino offers, there is nothing else like it in Maricopa.”

Grille 109 will host a VIP opening event for local movers and shakers on Saturday, Jan. 22 and then open to the public next week on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

“If you want the best steak in Maricopa, this is the place to come.” Wallace said.

At a glance
What: Grille 109 at Southern Dunes Golf Club
Where: 48456 West Highway 238
Phone: 480-367-8949
Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wed. thru Sat.
Reservations accepted by not required