Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf Course Buzz: Built in 1992, this links-style layout has undergone a series of improvements in recent years, making it one of the top courses along the I-10 corridor, about halfway between the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Grand Valley Ranch, designed by Phoenix architect Forrest Richardson, has increased its turf acreage, added lakes, planted 2,000 trees and shrubs and built a new driving range among other improvements. Seven holes have water in play and the course is known for having rolling fairways and tricky, undulating greens.
Four sets of tees are in play, ranging from 5,537 to 7,183 yards with a rating of 72.6 and slope of 117 from the tips.
Of the several good holes at Grand Valley Ranch, pay attention at the 9th and 18th, which share an old-school common green, separated by a large water hazard. The moisture is on the right at No. 9, a 418-yard par-4 with wave-like moguls running across the fairway and the water hidden from view until you get within 100 yards of the green complex.
No. 18 is a 544-yard, double dogleg par-5, and now the lake is running nearly the full length of the left side of the fairway, and the sharp right-hand turn to reach the shared green. Pay attention here on your approach, a common blunder is aiming at the 9th flag rather than the flag in the 18th cup. Go figure.
Par-5 holes are particularly strong on this course, with the 7th and 12th both having tempting risk-reward characteristics. The choice at the 7th is go, or no go with your second over the desert arroyo that separates the end of the fairway from the green complex beyond. At the 12th, it’s choosing how much of the lake to challenge with your tee ball as the fairway sweeps left-to-right around it; your choice – and you own the result.
Other highlights are the 13th and 15th holes. No. 13 is a downhill par 3 of 227 yards with a large lake wrapping along the right side and behind the hole, and depending on the wind, it can require anything from a 7-iron to a driver on the tee shot.
No. 15 is a 418-yard par 4 with a split fairway, where you can cut off 30 yards by taking the left route, but only if you can carry the transition and keep your ball in a small landing area.
Along with its new practice facilities, Grand Valley has a very good teaching program, recently joined by Bill Cornelius, who is one of Arizona’s highly regarded instructors. A new clubhouse, bar and grill, and pro shop also have been constructed.
Although this is a daily fee course, it is part of the gated Grand Valley Ranch resort community, which encompasses 215 acres with 247 single-family homes.
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.