In pursuit of crowning Arizona's best, AZ GOLF was determined to launch a new competitive club series in 2026. Thus, AZ GOLF Interclub was born, and Denise James of Wigwam Golf Club was quick to the trigger.
"Once this was presented to us it was kind of a no-brainer for me. I knew that we would have enough women sign up," the team captain said. "In the last three years our demographics have really changed and we have a lot more ladies with low handicaps. They love going to different courses, seeing different courses and meeting different women."
On Wednesday, Wigwam captured the 2026 AZ GOLF Women's Interclub Championship, defeating Verde River Golf & Social Club on Wigwam's Red Course.
At its core, AZ GOLF Interclub is where camaraderie meets competition. The idea was to fuse club pride, stunning courses and just the right amount of competitive fire. This year, in its inaugural season, Interclub delivered.
This spirited team series brings clubs together in a head-to-head showdown, played in a net Nassau Four-Ball match play format. Every hole matters, every partnership counts and every match is packed with strategy, support and a little bit of pressure.
Players represent their home course, but also get the chance to travel and connect with fellow golfers across Arizona, earning bragging rights along the way.
This season, the competition featured four women’s clubs from across the valley: Wigwam Golf Club; Verde River Golf & Social Club; Arizona Biltmore Golf Club; and Moon Valley Country Club. These clubs battled over the course of 6 weeks.
While team roster sizes are unlimited, only four women tee it up for their club each week. That means every selected player carries both the honor and responsibility of representing her team, heightening the stakes in each and every match.
James' message to prospective Interclub teams was simple:
"Well first of all dont be intimidated, match play can be intimidating to some. Its fun, you have to look at it like the camaderie of women getting together and playing golf and making lifetime friendships. And you get to see new courses."
This debut Interclub season is not just for women, with the men's teams battling it out at their championship at the end of April.
Want to get in on the action and see your club rise to the top in Arizona?
Visit azgolf.org/interclub for more information and be on the lookout for 2027 registration to go live.