Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: This private, executive club is the centerpiece of Fountain of the Sun, a former cotton farm east of downtown Phoenix that was developed in the early 1970s as a resort-type retirement community for active adults near the Superstition Mountains, which provide backdrops for several holes.
The golf course, which opened in 1972, was designed by Red Lawrence. It’s a short layout but places a premium on accuracy with small greens and narrow fairways. Water comes into play on just three holes and there are only about 15 bunkers on the course.
Men’s par is 62 at 4,189 yards with a rating of 59.8 and slope of 62. Women’s par is 63 with tees set at 3,661 yards, a rating of 59.7 and slope of 92.
Fountain of the Sun is a course that offers up plenty of birdies for golfers who keep their shots under control, avoiding the transition areas and backyards alongside the fairways. Both nines start with a par-5 hole, which are the only par 5s on the course; four par 4s and 12 par 3s complete the offering.
The 9th and 10th holes form a nice back-to-back combination. No. 9 is a 175-yard par-3 with a lake wrapping around the back of the green and the 10th is a dogleg right at 516 yards, making it the longest hole on the course and the No. 1 handicap.
The 14th, with a sweeping dogleg right and a large bunker guarding the left side of the green might be the best of the par 4s at 345.
The signature hole is the 18th, a 153-yard par-3 with a peninsula green set in a lake that wraps around the front, left and back.
The practice area includes a lighted driving range, bunkers and separate chipping/putting greens.
Food and beverage options include a restaurant with full service bar and an on-course snack bar. The 4,800-square-foot clubhouse also includes a more formal dining room and meeting rooms.
Fountain of the Sun has several memberships available, including equity, introductory and summer levels. The 582-acre gated community also offers fine dining, medical facilities, sporting events, entertainment venues and a variety of housing options for residents.
Read the Arizona Golf Course Directory AZGA Buzz for every golf course in Arizona at www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory/; it’s “All Things Arizona Golf” from the Arizona Golf Authority.