Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: Of the six Desert Mountain courses, this one might be the best known because it was the longtime host of The Tradition, one of the major championships on the Champions Tour. In fact, Nicklaus made his senior debut on that tour at this course and, not surprisingly, won the title. He won it three more times before the event was moved to a new site.
Cochise Course - Desert Mountain Golf Club
What’s surprising is that when Nicklaus began designing the courses in this development, Cochise was not intended to be the tournament course. It simply evolved that way, and with good reason. Along with being what Nicklaus described as “one of the most picturesque golf courses in the world,” its signature holes are four of the finest “risk-reward” par-5 holes you can find, including one where Nicklaus recorded a rare double-eagle during one of those tournaments.
Surrounded by rugged Sonoran Desert, it is a course that demands strategy, precision shot-making and a delicate touch around contoured greens. Little wonder, then, why the Golden Bear was so successful here. One of its rare features is a double, island green for the par-3 7th hole and par-5 15th. Rolling fairways are surrounded by water hazards and desert outcroppings accent this layout, annually voted the best-conditioned host course on the Champions Tour.
Depending on whom you ask, Cochise has six “signature” holes and plenty of variety with its five par-5s and five par-3s. There also are six sets of tees, ranging from 4,951 to 7,028 yards, and the course is rated at 73 with a slope of 145 from the back tees. If you’re going to play it from the tips, bring your “A” game because this layout can be as mighty as the warrior for which it is named. If the mountain views aren’t dazzling enough during your round, wait until you reach the opulent 52,000-square-foot clubhouse, which also was voted best on the Champions Tour by its players.
Desert Mountain Complex: This private club, which opened in 1986, is the only one of its kind in the country to feature six courses and the only one in the world to feature six Jack Nicklaus signature courses. It has been recognized by the Robb Report as “Best Golf Community” in the country and has been referred to as the “Pinehurst of the West.” Nicklaus called it, “One of the highlights of my career as a golf course designer. I believe it will always be recognized as one of the greatest golf clubs in the world.” In January of 2011 it officially became a member-owned club, and play on its golf courses is restricted to members and their guests. Desert Mountain also sells social memberships, which include privileges to its other facilities, such as restaurants, fitness centers, swimming pools, spas and tennis courts. The property sets among the McDowell and Continental Mountains, skirting the 2.9-million-acre Tonto National Forest. Homes are spread among 32 separate, double-gated villages, with prices ranging from $500,000 to $5 million.
To read our take on the other Desert Mountain courses, click on the links below:
Link to Geronimo
Link to Apache
Link to Renegade
Link to Chiricahua
Link to Outlaw
Read the Arizona Golf Course AZGA Golf Course Buzz for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/.
It’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.
