The Buzz: There is good reason why the Chiricahua course is the favorite of many Desert Mountain members. Its setting, at the highest point on the property, provides spectacular views from nearly every hole. And, even though Jack Nicklaus might not describe it this way, it’s as if he took the best design elements of the other courses on this development and combined them into one terrific coup de grace. It climbs as high as 3,600 feet with an elevation change of 800 feet and is accented by red-sand bunkering and a variety of large, gently sloping greens. With majestic views from nearly every tee, you might not have enough film to take it all in. Even better is that its wide fairways, limited forced carries and green complexes make it playable to every level of golfer. Of course, if you choose to play it from the tips, at 7,424 yards with a slope of 76.1 and rating of 154, you might dispute its friendly nature.
Those generous fairways belie the need to properly place tee shots and approaches into greens that require thoughtful precision. Hit it into the wrong place on approach and you better have an imaginative touch. Or you can simply display the wisdom to take what Chiricahua will give you and move on to the next hole. Seven holes play uphill, six play downhill and the rest are a blend. Among the most memorable is No. 8, a beautiful par 3 at 159 yards that plays slightly uphill across a big wash to a green nestled into a hill. On the back nine, the impressive holes don’t stop coming until the round ends, and it ends with four beauties. No. 18 is a picturesque par 4 at 424 yards saddled into a mountain. Chiricahua is a masterpiece of design and so is its clubhouse serenely overlooking the Valley of the Sun. Nicklaus called this course the “Pine Valley of the desert” and members call it the “jewel in the crown” at Desert Mountain. If you are lucky enough to play here, you’re welcome to apply your own superlatives.
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 Cochise
Link to Geronimo
Link to Apache
Link to Renegade
Link to Outlaw