The Buzz: Located in the laid back bedroom community of Fountain Hills that overlooks Scottsdale in the distance, Eagle Mountain Golf Club combines the best of both worlds. Not only is it as quiet and serene as the city with the famous 300-foot-high geyser, but the course’s exquisite conditioning and challenge rival the best of Scottsdale golf.
Created by local architect Scott Miller and managed by Scottsdale-based OB Sports, Eagle Mountain takes flight at the very first hole – an imaginative, downhill, completely-blind-off-the-tee par 5 that brings risk-reward immediately into play. That theme never lets up as a vast variety of offerings unfold around every corner, especially those very spectacular par 5s that include the aforementioned as well as No. 4, another downhill mostly blind shot that screams “go for it’’ (in two); the incredible, water-laden No. 10, arguably the signature hole along with the 18th; and No. 12, which requires two drivers “off the deck’’’ for a chance to make eagle. Say this about Eagle Mountain: No two holes are the same (thanks goodness!), and the relatively short yardages combined with the offensive nature of the course’s strategy keep the birdies – and bogeys — flying. The beauty of Eagle Mountain is it’s the type of course where, occasionally, a golfer makes a namesake eagle, too. And the wine bar is as good as it gets, especially when guests select the Flora Springs.